X5 E53 4.4is Retrofitting air suspension

[SpookX5]

Hi All,

Been browsing the forum since I purchased my X three weeks ago. I love it!
It's a 2000 4.4is and it is on 192003 miles now (309.000kms) It's in need of some repairs like front suspension bushings.

Currently it's running air in the rear only but I plan on replacing the front with air too and was looking into retro fitting OEM air suspension with aftermarket management but I was not able to find much about that.

I searched for hours but was not able to find any info about where the air supply comes from to the front accumulator. Is it just a small 4mm plastic hose that comes out of the compressor or is it T'ed of the blue and red hoses in the back?





If possible I want to keep the rear air system original with leveling sensors. If I would want to lower it I could make up some lowering links.

This is how i've got it in mind, but I'm new to air suspension so I'm not sure if this works, someone please let me know if this makes sense:



The front original accumulator is used as a storage tank only. Any EHC2 sensors wont be used, instead I want to make a manual paddle switch to control ride height manually.

Would there be need for a non return valve in line running to the front accumulator?


This is my X:




Thanks for looking and input :-)