X5 Air Suspension Collapsed - Can I convert to Coil/Springs??

[X5Kiwi]

My rear suspension colapsed due to a broken plastic clip on the reservoir bottle, which caused the air hose to the pneumatic spring to be disconnected and lose pressure.

Here is a photo of the left side with the clip in place:


And here is the right side with the broken (actually completely missing in this photo) plastic clip which normally goes around the collar. As you can see, the air hose is about 1 cm higher on the bottle fitting than it should be:


If I turn the ignition on, the air pump would run for about 30 seconds, with all the air escaping out of the connection, and then the pump would shut off, and a warning would show on the dash about the "self level susp" being inactive.

In typical BMW style, the only way to get a replacement plastic clip was to buy the entire reservoir assembly for around $600NZ (~$400US). However while waiting for it to arrive from Germany, the BMW tech actually attached the pipe to the bottle using 2 cable ties (zip ties in US English).

[2002Silver4.6is]

Has anyone switched from the problematic self leveling suspension to a non-air, coil suspension? Cost? Details? Any issues with removing electronics? Codes?

Thanks

[x54my3oyz]

Has anyone acopmlished the task of converting air to spring/strut suspension? I have an 03 X5 4.4i and I wannt to lower the car about an inch to give it a more agressive stance, Im also putting 22" staggered wheels on my baby so if i can do without the self leveling suspesion i have no prolem doing so....any help would be greatly apreciated.

[Theqman77]

My suspension , green light would periodically go off and now it's completely off now, the car has bottomed out, it's permanently inactive it says. I know one of the front bags was leaking before , but now it's toast it seems . I checked the fuses , and now what ? The relay I've heard ? Id rather change it to regular non air suspension as I plan to keep this car till it falls apart. 2005 4.8 103k miles..... I saw someone said , coil overs ? What's that , and could I just throw on the 3.0 shocks
? I'm trying to keep it under. $1500 if possible

[BMWX5r]

Just wanted to share with you guys, I have had problem after problem with this $%^* suspension. After dumping about $3,500 into compressor, struts, module, then another compressor I looked around and found a company that has a kit that you install regular struts/springs. The kit doesn't lower the car like those other spring kits that they sell online. I am no Mechanic by any means but the guy I spoke to "Diego" actually encouraged me to do it my self. It took me most of the day, followed the instructions, but it wasnt that bad and I just have normal tools. This is the absolute best thing I could have ever done. I should have looked online before I threw away all that money at my BMW mechanic. It rides fantastic !!!!!couldnt be happier!!!! I wanted to tell you DONT waste your money on replacing the factory stuff, my guy's name is Diego and his number is 1-877-401-8028. best purchase I could have ever made for my X5.
thx
BMWX5r

[Christiano]

Pics?

[Sterling 4.4]

What company does "Diego" work for? I would like to research before cold calling.

[tonggi]

Originally Posted by BMWX5r

Just wanted to share with you guys, I have had problem after problem with this $%^* suspension. After dumping about $3,500 into compressor, struts, module, then another compressor I looked around and found a company that has a kit that you install regular struts/springs. The kit doesn't lower the car like those other spring kits that they sell online. I am no Mechanic by any means but the guy I spoke to "Diego" actually encouraged me to do it my self. It took me most of the day, followed the instructions, but it wasnt that bad and I just have normal tools. This is the absolute best thing I could have ever done. I should have looked online before I threw away all that money at my BMW mechanic. It rides fantastic !!!!!couldnt be happier!!!! I wanted to tell you DONT waste your money on replacing the factory stuff, my guy's name is Diego and his number is 1-877-401-8028. best purchase I could have ever made for my X5.
thx
BMWX5r

Spending $3500, you could of bought KW V3s for your X5.

It would be nuts

[rph74]

Originally Posted by BMWX5r

Just wanted to share with you guys, I have had problem after problem with this $%^* suspension. After dumping about $3,500 into compressor, struts, module, then another compressor I looked around and found a company that has a kit that you install regular struts/springs. The kit doesn't lower the car like those other spring kits that they sell online. I am no Mechanic by any means but the guy I spoke to "Diego" actually encouraged me to do it my self. It took me most of the day, followed the instructions, but it wasnt that bad and I just have normal tools. This is the absolute best thing I could have ever done. I should have looked online before I threw away all that money at my BMW mechanic. It rides fantastic !!!!!couldnt be happier!!!! I wanted to tell you DONT waste your money on replacing the factory stuff, my guy's name is Diego and his number is 1-877-401-8028. best purchase I could have ever made for my X5.
thx
BMWX5r

How much was this kit you bought? When I converted my rear air suspension to coils, I simply used the OEM coil springs intended for the X5 3.0. It gave me stock ride height, and I love it as well! I am very glad that I made rid of the rear air suspension. No more hassles with the air susp!

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by rph74

How much was this kit you bought? When I converted my rear air suspension to coils, I simply used the OEM coil springs intended for the X5 3.0. It gave me stock ride height, and I love it as well! I am very glad that I made rid of the rear air suspension. No more hassles with the air susp!

Other then the coil springs, what else did you have to purchase in order to convert the air suspension system?