New (to me) 2006 4.8is with some air suspension issues

[Xydin]

I recently purchased a 2006 4.8is and have been browsing the community, which has been very, very helpful so far! I'm absolutely loving the x5 so far, but it does need a bit of work here and there. The first main issue I'm tackling is the air suspension, and I was hoping to get a bit of a second opinion on it. (This is my first vehicle with an air suspension!)

The main problem I'm having is that... well... the front struts are pretty much completely bottomed out. Pushing down on the car from the outside there is practically no movement at all. The rears have a bit more movement, but seem pretty weak as well. With that said, if I select the raised mode for the suspension, the compressor does kick in and raise the front (albeit for a short time before it lowers back down) and I have no error codes displaying.

I'm thinking I need to just bite the bullet and replace the front strut/air spring assembly and the rear air springs, but since the compressor does kick in to raise the car, and there are no errors, it seems that it is fine and the compressor itself won't need a replacement.

Is there anything else I might have overlooked, or something else I should replace while doing the front/rear suspension?

I can take some pictures tomorrow if anyone would like to see!

Thanks in advance for any guidance! The community here seems great, and I look forward to becoming a part of it!

[SlickGT1]

if it raises only front, your compressor might already be leaking and can't get the psi enough to lift all 4. You really should do this with INPA software, or dis. Diagnosing over web is not the most accurate. You need to find out what psi your pump can hold. And your pump is messed up because you most likely have an air leak.

[Xydin]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

if it raises only front, your compressor might already be leaking and can't get the psi enough to lift all 4. You really should do this with INPA software, or dis. Diagnosing over web is not the most accurate. You need to find out what psi your pump can hold. And your pump is messed up because you most likely have an air leak.

Thanks, I appreciate the response! I'll look into doing that today and post back with the results.

EDIT: I have the software all sorted out, and just ordered this cable from Amazon, which should arrive tomorrow. Does anyone happen to know if these silver cables need the pin 7+8 modification?

[SlickGT1]

You should search the forum as to what cable to buy. There is a Romanian seller on Ebay, that has the software, with a confirmed cable that works.

[Xydin]

I was originally going to buy for that Romanian seller, but unfortunately he doesn't have anything listed for sale at the moment. I'll test this cable when it comes in and post back with results.

I left the car at the highest suspension setting overnight, and it was definitely bottomed out again this morning. I just got done observing the changes from the outside of the vehicle switching between the different heights... but it seems there is a timer or some sort of special conditions that need to be met before lowering it back down? I have a solid green light on the highest setting, and when trying to switch it back to the middle setting it just sat there flashing for about 10 minutes. When I switched back to the highest setting after a while, the compressor kicked on and the left side of the vehicle raised, and it was pretty obvious in the front at least that the right side was hardly raised in comparison to the left.

I'll take it out of my apartment complex and try to get some pictures; the managers here are super strict about people working on their cars... they started getting nervous and sent security over to talk to me. Pretty ridiculous considering I was pretty much just standing next to my car staring at it!

[Ricky Bobby]

The compressor is probably super weak from keeping your car inflated - if you left it and it leaked down overnight then its definitely leaking from the air struts

[Xydin]

I'll go ahead and order the front strut assembly and the rear springs so I can go ahead and replace all of that. It seems like the originals are still on it, so swapping them out for Arnott's with the lifetime warranty seems well worth it with all the failures I've been reading about. As for the compressor, I think I'll replace the piston ring and see how it performs, before dropping another $500 on a complete replacement... hopefully that works out!

[Ricky Bobby]

^Yes absolutely replace the piston ring with the bagpipingandy kit first to rebuild the compressor - and be sure to reset any errors in the EHC2 module, along with running a ride height calibration when you install the new bags/struts and rebuilt compressor

[RedsoX5]

Mine had same issues in addition to a negative ride height reading on front left.

All fixed with new front struts and rebuilt compressor. Main issue was front left sensor installed incorrectly. Flipped around so read negative. For some reason BMW dealer could not fix for PO.

Absolutely perfect now. Thanks to all for input in different post!

Is your issue fixed? Where are you in Florida? I go to Bradenton area often to visit family. Peace.

[Xydin]

Originally Posted by RedsoX5

Mine had same issues in addition to a negative ride height reading on front left.

All fixed with new front struts and rebuilt compressor. Main issue was front left sensor installed incorrectly. Flipped around so read negative. For some reason BMW dealer could not fix for PO.

Absolutely perfect now. Thanks to all for input in different post!

Is your issue fixed? Where are you in Florida? I go to Bradenton area often to visit family. Peace.

I'll be sure to check out the sensors while I'm at it as well, thanks!

I have all of the parts for the front/rear replacement and compressor rebuild, but I haven't done it yet; my flight got pushed back a couple of days because of the winter storms here in Colorado. I should be home tomorrow, and I'm hoping to do the work Thursday.

I currently live in the Palm Bay/Melbourne area of Florida, but I'll actually be moving to Colorado in a month or so.

I'll let you all know how it goes when I'm able to get at it!