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  #11  
Old 02-06-2017, 06:41 PM
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My X5 has sport suspension, when my air bag gave up, (sounded like a flat tire!!) I figured, i have sport seats, sport suspension (thicker sway bars etc) but no! i dont have sport air springs!
the sport air springs are a bit shorter when installed (i have both comfort and sport springs)
The connector on the sport bag is different than the one on the comfort bag. the arnott bags come with a new clip, i had to test fit it to make sure it would work, it did, had to press it on pretty hard, but it fits!
It is possible to install either bag easily ! most have the comfort bags (as verified by my supplier! he had to double check my order! ) when i discovered i had comfort springs back there, and i ordered the sport ones, i had the same questions!
turns out the sport springs are a bit stiffer, (if an airbag can be stiffer!!)
they lower the back of the truck down a tiny bit (i would say less than 15mm (3/4 inch), they dont make much difference in ride quality as far as i can tell.
psychologically they make me feel like i am going faster!
whether or not they affect aerodynamics i dont know!
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2003 X5 3.0i (02/2003) sport package, Sapphire black metallic / Black Dakota Sport seats. compass mirror retrofit, trailer hitch retrofit, Prodigy P2 trailer brake controller installed, PDC retrofit, Lumbar support retrofit. heated rear seats retrofitted. Running boards retrofitted and subwoofer install in progress. 4.8is Brakes installed front and back. Bluetooth TCU installed, Rear Fog lights installed. Retrofitted reclining rear seat backs.
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  #12  
Old 02-06-2017, 06:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by electricalserv x5 View Post
go to the BMW VIN code and check .........ALL 4.8IS HAVE SPORT SUSPENSION..........


I checked the BMW vin code and it shows I have sport suspension, I have read that 4,8is come with comfort despite being the sport model. I ended up calling the dealer and they ran my vin and conformed the rear air springs are comfort and not sport.


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  #13  
Old 02-07-2017, 01:14 PM
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I plan to tow a trailer with my X5, I will do a couple test runs, and compare. the air springs are easy to re and re!
the roads are pretty slick here, so i havent had any chance to really test out the "sportiness" of the new bags.
either way, new bags seem to be better than the old ones!
yes, the old ones have more range as far as height goes, ??? maybe thats important!? not sure!
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2003 X5 3.0i (02/2003) sport package, Sapphire black metallic / Black Dakota Sport seats. compass mirror retrofit, trailer hitch retrofit, Prodigy P2 trailer brake controller installed, PDC retrofit, Lumbar support retrofit. heated rear seats retrofitted. Running boards retrofitted and subwoofer install in progress. 4.8is Brakes installed front and back. Bluetooth TCU installed, Rear Fog lights installed. Retrofitted reclining rear seat backs.
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  #14  
Old 02-27-2017, 11:34 PM
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From what I have come to understand, the sport air springs are for sport pkg E53s WITHOUT the height selection option (the 3 button ride height selector in the dash).

ALL other E53s take comfort air springs.
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  #15  
Old 02-28-2017, 12:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TiAgX5 View Post
From what I have come to understand, the sport air springs are for sport pkg E53s WITHOUT the height selection option (the 3 button ride height selector in the dash).

ALL other E53s take comfort air springs.
Yes the sport air bags should not be used on the 4.8is rear.
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  #16  
Old 02-28-2017, 10:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TiAgX5 View Post
From what I have come to understand, the sport air springs are for sport pkg E53s WITHOUT the height selection option (the 3 button ride height selector in the dash).

ALL other E53s take comfort air springs.
Correct! Comfort bags are needed for articulation of suspension - EHC2 models having Sport suspension (3.0 and 4.4 if equipped optionally and all 4.8iS as standard equipment) all require comfort bags -
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  #17  
Old 09-27-2017, 01:46 PM
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Lightbulb

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby View Post
Correct! Comfort bags are needed for articulation of suspension - EHC2 models having Sport suspension (3.0 and 4.4 if equipped optionally and all 4.8iS as standard equipment) all require comfort bags -
Quote:
Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is View Post
Yes the sport air bags should not be used on the 4.8is rear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TiAgX5 View Post
From what I have come to understand, the sport air springs are for sport pkg E53s WITHOUT the height selection option (the 3 button ride height selector in the dash).

ALL other E53s take comfort air springs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StephenVA View Post
deleted as I can not find the info to confirm Comfort or Sport airbags as standard on 4.8is
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Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby View Post
This - don't go outside the box on this one - you need the Comfort bags from Arnott
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Originally Posted by Dking078 View Post
Don't know much, but get COMFORT! The bags provide extra articulation for the adjustable suspension, so sports are no-go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wonkabx4.8 View Post
Curios to know also


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For all those who didn't know or thought otherwise, pardon the late follow up. I received this direct from Robert @ Arnott (I went ahead with the sport bag install into the 4.8is):
I just received the following information from my lead engineer that you requested.

“The Comfort and Sport versions of the air springs have the exact same sleeves and travel range (stroke). The difference lies in the profile or shape of the lower piston. The rolling lobe design of these air springs allows for spring rate changes by altering the profile of the lower piston. Thus the sport models have a larger, more aggressive shaped piston to increase the spring rate of the air spring. While the comfort piston has a slightly lower, less aggressive profile for a more comfortable ride feel. Now, with any BMW, they ride sporty or stiff (my opinion) as it is “The Ultimate Driving Machine” tuned for performance. I can advise that the Sport and Comfort air springs are interchangeable on the E53 X-5 as they mount in the exact same manner. Nothing has to be altered, including ECU, sensors or compressor. As for the height selector beside the steering column, any E53 X-5 with 4WAS will have this height selector switch. If the truck was only equipped with rear air load leveling, it will not.”
This was 3k miles ago. I've since had the X through many ups and down of the suspension, many different loads for the system to auto-adjust to, and plenty of corners to test out the "sport" load- all issue free. There stays a slight and welcomed tightness at the rear.
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  #18  
Old 09-29-2017, 11:13 AM
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Thanks for following up with info and personal experience.

I nominate you for the "TrailBlazer Award".
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  #19  
Old 11-21-2021, 07:49 PM
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Hi, has anyone got to the bottom of this as I made the mistake of changing the rear air bags (cheap Chinese type which said they do both sport and comfort) a few years back.
I’ve noticed the bags are rubbing on the frame/chassis on the vehicle hence I was looking to replace for Arnott type but confused which ones to get sport or comfort 🤪
If anyone can help out that would be great.
Thanks guys 👍
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  #20  
Old 01-19-2022, 07:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny2121 View Post
Hi, has anyone got to the bottom of this as I made the mistake of changing the rear air bags (cheap Chinese type which said they do both sport and comfort) a few years back.
I’ve noticed the bags are rubbing on the frame/chassis on the vehicle hence I was looking to replace for Arnott type but confused which ones to get sport or comfort 🤪
If anyone can help out that would be great.
Thanks guys 👍
Right so I ordered the sport along with some bilstein heavy duty shocks (yellow type)
All seems fine but the ride is like bumpy bill, I wish I’d gone with the factory comfort ones instead of sport.
That’s if it has anything to do with the bags and not the shocks 🥴
Anybody shine a light, I now have Arnott front bags and shocks, it’s just the rear end.
Also do all 4.8is have the 80mm rubber bump stop in the rear shock or 90mm, I wouldn’t have thought that 10mm would make that much difference would it?
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