Delphi part numbers for sports air suspension struts 37116761443

[Grant]

Hi Guys,

I bought an OEM air strut off eBay for my 4.8is. The struts are being sold as 'Neutralized OEM' (ie. no branding).

The strut has had all labels removed and does not bear the BMW or Delphi logo, but does appear to be a Delphi strut.

I want to confirm the strut is actually the sport version before I install it. The eBay seller seems unable/unwilling to help with this. They assert they pick and ship the product based on part number, but can't tell me the part number or where it appears.

Does anyone know what the Delphi part numbers are for BMW 37116761443 and 37116761444?

Looking at the parts list (realoem), it appears the non-sport air strut may have finished in 2003. Does anyone know if *all* air struts after 2003 were sports variants?

Cheers,
Grant.

[Qsilver7]

As far as the "air struts"...you're incorrectly conflating the multiple air suspensions and shock choices based on a model year (2003).

There are multiple air spring/struts based not just on model year...but on the two types of air suspensions...as well as the sport or non-sport suspension option.

There are 2 types of air suspensions EHC I & EHC II which use different air spring/struts due to one being an active 2-axle system (EHC II) that can also be manually adjusted and the other being a static rear axle system (EHC I) which can be a sport or non sport strut.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Grant

I bought an OEM air strut off eBay for my 4.8is. The struts are being sold as 'Neutralized OEM' (ie. no branding).

I don't know what the term neutralized means in this case, but if it is being used to describe unbranded, in combination with the phrase OEM (which means branded by a manufacturer that also sells to the factory) then what the heck is an unbranded branded part?

It sounds like the eBay seller is making it up as he goes along. Are they even new struts? Factory seconds? I guess you could always install them, see if you like the ride, and report back at end of life to let us know how they lasted.

Or you could buy from a recognized manufacturer. Just sayin'.

Good luck.

[TiAgX5]

'Neutralized OEM'? Sounds like they rounded up and destroyed every OEM strut on the plant, then destroyed the OEM manufacturing facility.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

As far as the "air struts"...you're incorrectly conflating the multiple air suspensions and shock choices based on a model year (2003).

"air struts" - why be condescending? It is a suspension strut. It is pneumatic. I don't see the problem. Unless you think I mean a gas strut with a conventional coil spring?

As for conflating the issues...

I asked the question in the context of a 4.8is. Therefore, it explicitly has dual axle EHC.

I asked the question regarding the front suspension, therefore, explicitly in the context of dual axle EHC.

I quoted part numbers that are explicitly "air spring struts".

I consulted RealOEM in an attempt to determine whether there was a year upon which the non-sport, dual-axle EHC was discontinued. Based on what I found there, it seems year 2003 was the end of non-sport, dual-axle air suspension for 6 cylinder models. The rationale behind this enquiry was determining whether all front axle air suspension struts post 2003 were, in fact, the sport variant, thus nullifying my concern that the strut I have been supplied may not be a sport variant.

Thankyou for the effort you put into making me appear intellectually inferior, rather than answering the question. It contributes a lot to the forum. See, I can be passive aggressive, too.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Grant

"air struts" - why be condescending? It is a suspension strut. It is pneumatic. I don't see the problem. Unless you think I mean a gas strut with a conventional coil spring?

As for conflating the issues...

I asked the question in the context of a 4.8is. Therefore, it explicitly has dual axle EHC.

I asked the question regarding the front suspension, therefore, explicitly in the context of dual axle EHC.

I quoted part numbers that are explicitly "air spring struts".

I consulted RealOEM in an attempt to determine whether there was a year upon which the non-sport, dual-axle EHC was discontinued. Based on what I found there, it seems year 2003 was the end of non-sport, dual-axle air suspension for 6 cylinder models. The rationale behind this enquiry was determining whether all front axle air suspension struts post 2003 were, in fact, the sport variant, thus nullifying my concern that the strut I have been supplied may not be a sport variant.

Thankyou for the effort you put into making me appear intellectually inferior, rather than answering the question. It contributes a lot to the forum. See, I can be passive aggressive, too.

Correct me if I'm wrong Grant, but in years 2002 and 2003 (aka the pre - 4.8is years when the EHCII was available as a standalone option on 4.4 and 3.0 models), but one did have to select the Sports Package first, in order to be able to have the option for EHCII. I may be wrong but any non-4.8is I have seen with active ride height controls also has the Sport Package equipped.

When I replaced my front air struts with Arnott units 1.5 years ago, there is only one part number available which fits all E53's with front air struts, unlike the rear air springs, which come in a "sport" and "comfort" variety and different part number, the front struts are the same part number whether equipped on my car (2003 3.0 with Sport and EHCII) or on a 2006 4.8is.


Further confirming this is when I search the left side part number you posted in your initial post, this is what comes up on ECS:

Home Page > Search > 37116761443 - ECS Tuning Inc

Aka, BMW air strut and Arnott OEM replacement air strut. Only difference is brand and price, same part number. All front air struts for the E53 are the same part number, there are no variants on the fronts.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Grant

"air struts" - why be condescending? It is a suspension strut. It is pneumatic. I don't see the problem. Unless you think I mean a gas strut with a conventional coil spring?

As for conflating the issues...

I asked the question in the context of a 4.8is. Therefore, it explicitly has dual axle EHC. ...

Thankyou for the effort you put into making me appear intellectually inferior, rather than answering the question. It contributes a lot to the forum. See, I can be passive aggressive, too.

Grant...you totally misconstrued my reply. Since you took my comments as "condescending, I apologize...that was truly not my intent...there was no "effort" into trying to make you appear intellectually inferior.

I'm unsure as to what was written in a condescending tone..."air struts" was in quotes only to separate my response to the question you were asking about that topic from the question you asked about the Delphi part numbers.

Conflate only means that there are two or more ideas being combined together...and that's what you were doing...pointing that out to help you was (in my opinion) not an effort to put you down...but to point out where you may be getting confused in trying to figure out your situation.

Also, you never mentioned in the first post that you were only looking at the front suspension.

[upallnight]

It's not OEM, but assemble with pride in America. And they do list a separate "Sport" Shock.

https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...Fc5FMgodGHMAmA

[Qsilver7]

Just a warning again (this is not meant to be condescending or belittle anyone etc. etc. etc.) but just to clarify that the term "sport" & "comfort" air shock/struts may be slightly different between the oe and the aftermarket air shock/struts. When you throw in the 2 different EHC I & EHC II suspension systems along with the sport pkgs or non-sport pkgs...one has to be do their homework as not to get confused or as previously mentioned...not to conflate the various air shock/strut options...because the 2 axle & sport pkgs were each offered as stand-alone options on the 3.0 & 4.4 models up to 10/2003 build date.

My suggestion is to find the correct BMW 11 digit part nbr for how your X5 is equipped (using the BMW part databases first) before shopping for the aftermarket equivalent so that you don't get confused by the term "sport" & "comfort". The 2-axle system actually uses the "comfort" shock/struts due to them needing to have full articulation since the vehicle can be manually raised & lowered to suit the driver's needs/wishes etc. If the vehicle is equipped with the sports pkg as well...then the "default height" for the sport pkg is coded into the ZKE coding...specifically for how your X5 is equipped.

The 3.0 & 4.4 up to 10/2003 build date offered with only the 2-axle SLS system (option code S221A) but NOT the sport pkg uses a different front air shock/strut versus the ones that have both the 2-axle SLS + sport pkg (option code S226A)

The 3.0, 4.4, & 4.8is built after 10/2003 and come with the 2 axle SLS (option Code S221A)...as well as the 3.0 & 4.4 with only the single axle rear SLS (option code S200A) all use the "comfort" air shock/struts.

Rear "sport" air shock/struts are used on the 3.0, 4.4, & 4.6is models with the single axle SLS (option code S226A).

[Ricky Bobby]

Wow Qsilver, very informative as always.

So I guess since I have a 3.0, 2-axle SLS (S221A) AND Sport Package (S226A) must make my X a very rare one, right?

I was always under the impression that the front air struts are the same part number for all models that have 2 axle SLS? Since if you go on Arnott's website, there is only one replacement front air spring/strut (not to be confused with the complete replacement struts they sells vs. the front air springs that you put on your existing struts), so I figured that whether I had my X, or a 4.8is, replacement air struts are the same for all models with 2-axle SLS.