Convert 2003 X5 3.0i air suspension to springs

[wolfram]

Hi all.

I'm hoping someone can help me with this. Especially someone who has succesfully converted.

I've got a 2003 X5 3.0i with air suspension on both axles.

I've got a price for all the suspension parts, however the dealer is pushing very strongly for me to not do the conversion.
The reason they say is that warnings from other sensors will always be on, such as stability controll etc.

It sounds like they are trying to scare me away from this conversion.

I'm hoping to hear from someone who has done this conversion. Is there much involved with reprogramming the computer? Are any sensors from other systems related to this different or is it a simple matter of different values being programmed into the computer?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

W

[RichiRich]

Yes...YEs...YEs....you need to get intouch with Justin here on the forum....he replaced his entire air suspension on a 4.4....he went to kw coilovers....after the conversion he was able to get to a gt1 computer and void out anything related to giving him fault codes....this will take some work but could surely be done. he goes by jst2878

Rich

[wolfram]

Thanks Rich!!!!!!

Will do. It sounds like all the parts and hardware are the same. Its just a matter of telling the computer that the truck is non-air.

I'll be doing all the mech work myself. I just need to get the computer taken care of.

Thx!!!

[nigwhyrito]

so curious as i dont have air springs is the ride smoother than the alternative coils. Im thinking about doing the reverse going to air on all four corners. I will watch this post to see how the conversion goes.

[Jordo]

I'll trade you!

[nigwhyrito]

I'll see your trade and call your bluff..lol
if a trade is serious let me know. Im all in.

[wolfram]

Originally Posted by Jordo

I'll trade you!

MMM dont know bout that. Larger engine......insurance rates here in ontario will be brutal !!!!

This is my first bimmer........got this one in a ballanced deal with wife......i gave up having a motorcycle.....yet still wanted a cool ride......we just had twin girls(9mo old) so wife insisted we have a safe vehicle..........so no bike, father not dead on road....safe ride with decent cargo ...yet still cool.

it's got all air susps.....(though that might be a bad thing)........6cd.......leather...... not much else....usual elec stuff......no sport

it hasn't dropped.....just the error message........getting the codes read friday.........hoping its just a sensor........
if it is something big......i just want to convert to springs...........only problem is budds bmw here in hamilton on.....wont touch the computer.......they said that if i go springs....then several other error lights will always be on......i asked if the computer in an 3.0 with air is different than a 3.0 with springs......budds said no.....they just dont want to change anything in the computer if i put springs in.......also they said that if i did want to go ahead with it....to use all bmw parts........hell with that..... bilstein parts etc are half the price...........

so.....going to see what the damage is friday.....that will determine what i do.......

as for the errors (post conversion) that budds mentioned..... why would they happen..... they mentioned stability etc etc...... is there that much difference between air and spring 2003 x5 3.0i ???? ...........are there differences in other sensors??? if it is just a computer thing........why the hell is the dealer so reluctant to change the computer for me after i convert???? i'm not sure my indy shop is ablt to do this.....is it even possible to do this?????

waiting to hear from another fellow on the forum who has done this......interested in the computer details etc he had to go through.

fingers crossed!!!!

Wolf

[mrbmwx5]

Pm Killcrap (member) here on this forum ... You need to send him your computer or need special codes from him .

[wolfram]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

Pm Killcrap (member) here on this forum ... You need to send him your computer or need special codes from him .

Great thx!!

Decided to get it diagnosed friday to pinpoint the problem. If its minor, I'll buy the req part and fix it. If its anything more than 600, then I'm converting. I talked about this to a local indy shop (beech motor works. Here in hamilton) they said they can take care or it.

Thx!

[mrbmwx5]

If you going to coverting and need springs let me know i have stock / factory springs.