Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I'm slightly confused because the e53 X5 never came with a 3rd row...if you're seeing that category...it sounds like you're looking at parts for an e70 or f15 X5.

Make sure that you are looking for springs for your particular generation X5 and not just shopping "generically" for X5 air springs. The best way to do that is to use one of the online part database sites (like BMW Parts Catalog , BMWfans.info , or www.etk.cc ) and look up the correct 11 digit BMW part nbr based on your VIN. That way, when you're searching online or locally for parts...your search will be focused on the correct part for your model/model year/build date...and will exclude parts that don't work for your X5.

If you do the aforementioned (using your VIN to find the correct part nbr)...it will automatically guide you toward the correct spring you need. If you don't have the sport suspension then you'll be shown vendors selling the regular springs etc. And again, no e53 had 3rd row seating...so those springs should be excluded from your search.

The e53 has multiple pnuematic (air) suspension springs...the EHC (single rear axle) sport springs are designed for shorter articulation (since the vehicle is slightly lowered with conventional springs in the front. The dual axle EHC II uses one type of shock since the system can be manually articulated (higher/lower) from all 4 corners:

• single rear axle (EHC) regular
• single rear axle (EHC) sport
• dual axle (front/rear) (EHC II)