2004 E53 4.8is Air Strut Information

[BimmerE38E53]

I have seen a lot of people posting about front air bags sagging. Just wanted to share a little info. This is actually a pretty easy DIY. However the ride height will need to be re-calibrated afterwards. But....I bought a computer, cable and don't mind getting my hands dirty.

I purchased airbags from Rockauto and they are new Arnott struts reasonably priced.



Only takes about an hour per side with minimal experience. There are tons or write ups on how to change them out. Just wanted to share a little info with fellow X lovers. Don't let the dealership charge you $2000 plus to change the bags of you don't have to.

I don't have info in the rears "yet" as I have to replaced them to date. . The guys on here are very helpful!

[Ricky Bobby]

^Did you do both fronts? You should. I've had Arnotts for 4 years now on the fronts, they are great

[BimmerE38E53]

Yes Sir! Figured while I'm doing it do it right! Did the struts and CV Axles. Those.......not so easy and much more time consuming!!

[mofoaka]

what made you want to go New arnott units vs arnott remanufactured? i'm torn between the two and about to do both fronts.

[Ricky Bobby]

^FWIW, the rebuilt Arnotts are on my fronts and no complaints from me

[BimmerE38E53]

Originally Posted by mofoaka

what made you want to go New arnott units vs arnott remanufactured? i'm torn between the two and about to do both fronts.

Lifetime warranty is offered on the new struts. I plan on keeping her for a while so I figured if I had to replace them again it would basically pay for itself. And if not then I would just convince myself it's because I bought new haha.

[Ricky Bobby]

^False. Remanufactured is lifetime warranty as well - the new ones don't have a core return charge.

Unless they have changed their warranty since I got my front struts in 2012

[Xydin]

I took the remanufactured route myself, and I'll be installing in about a week when I'm back from Colorado. They do still come with a lifetime warranty on them as well.

If anyone else is interested in the remanufactured air springs, JC Whitney has them from $350 each, free shipping, and then there is a 10% off coupon code I used (I believe it was "WELCOME10") which reduced the price to $315 each. They also had the rear air springs for a pretty good price, around $110 - $115 each, and the coupon worked on those as well.

EDIT: Here is a little screencap for those interested in how it all worked out; after the discounts and the core refunds, the total will end up being $833 for all 4.

[Ricky Bobby]

^Yep the rear air springs are usually $200 for the pair plus shipping from Arnott.

[ofcrimson]

That is a good price from JC Whitney for the remanufactured front struts. From Arnotts, mine were $420 each after the cores were returned including shipping. The price above, at ~$320 each after the cores are returned is very good. I wish that I had saved $200 when I replaced my front struts 2 weeks ago.