Here's my 4.8is suspension swap story.

cronny1 · #1 10-22-2014, 10:09 PM

I've always wanted a LeMans Blue 4.8is. Having BMW's before and currently owning a E36 triple black M3 vert, I knew what I was getting into. I finally pulled the trigger on one recently that needed some work. Some here and there things as well as fixing a poor example of some fender repair work. So I knew this one might have not been babied, but I got a great deal on it and dove in head first.

Fast forward to one morning I come out and the front passenger corner was leaning a bit. Knowing the research I've done on the air suspension issues, I took it in to my local mechanic that really knows German cars. We ended up replacing both front height sensors. That worked great for about 36 hours. I then woke up to find my X5 about an inch from sitting on that same passenger side tire. It wasn't drivable. After finding out that I have a voltage problem to one of the wheels, I made my mind up that I was getting rid of it all together as long as I could find reasonable parts. I found 2 used front coils that were on a 4.4 for a decent price. I had a very hard time finding anything used for the back. After exhausting every possibility, I purchased a rear package from Strutmasters along with the module to turn the light off. I was really worried about the stance being off.

I got it back a couple days ago and it looks great. The ride is a bit stiffer but nothing crazy. It handles just as well IMO. Mechanic said it wasn't bad to replace. I'm having trouble with the module turning off the light. Getting an error code in the steering column but Strutmasters is working on helping us with that. I'll attach a before and after pic. I haven't had the chance to clean it up yet.

With that being said, I have a total working air suspension system (minus the ECU) including the compressor, tanks, and 2 brand new sensors. The bags don't leak. Let me know if anyone is interested in purchasing something.

Before

After

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SMOKEY53 · #2 10-22-2014, 11:55 PM

Good job, a few people on here have sorted out the coding issue - a dealer can do it if you don't want to get into the nitty gritty.

I would say that one of your bags is leaking though, if its going down overnight with the vehicle parked.....should be holding air. With the car switched off, none of the sensors etc come in to play.

jcorreanyc · #3 10-23-2014, 12:27 AM

I'm not sure which year your 4.8is is, but most of the problems on the '04's had to do with a control module that would fail over time. At some point in '05, the module was updated to a new part that worked better and didn't fail nearly as much. Using inpa to reset the module and then going through a few rounds of ride height calibration usually does the trick unless you have real hardware issues (leaking bags or bad height sensors). Personally I like the sir system as long as it works as it should. It gets a bad rap because most people don't know how to get it working properly when it goes out.

Ricky Bobby · #4 10-23-2014, 09:37 AM

jcorrea is spot on ^^

My module ended up getting replaced prior to the air struts swapped out, and with proper coding and calibration I've been trouble free. I'm guessing the electronics are more robust in the newer module.

Since you've already swapped out the air ride I hope you're keeping the X, as a new owner I would have wanted the factory equipment not tampered with. Find a local dealer or someone who knows coding well, they have to code out the EHCII in the vehicle order on the ECU, otherwise you'll always have the error on the cluster, which is annoying.

Get that fixed, there is no other way to get rid of it (i.e. no "resistors" or tricks about it)

cronny1 · #5 10-23-2014, 02:27 PM

Sorry, it's a 2005. All the bags held air. There was definitely a voltage issue from the ECU. We played around with it after I got it to the shop. Couldn't get it to lean when it was there. My mechanic has been around these systems, he knows them well.

I know everyone has their opinion about it and I can see everyone's point. I liked the system when it was working, but too many things could fail with this. I'm not looking to sell anytime soon, but I thought a new buyer would actually prefer this over stock knowing the problems and cost. But like I said, it could go either way.

Omerta · #6 10-23-2014, 03:02 PM

Any interesting plans for repurposing the switch?

cronny1 · #7 10-23-2014, 04:33 PM

Great question. Haven't even thought about it. Turbo Boost?

cronny1 · #8 10-25-2014, 07:54 PM

Anyone here interested in any stock suspension parts before I start to advertise them? Let me know. My X5 has 145,000 miles. I have all the parts except the ECU, wiring, and hoses. 2 brand new front sensors. Compressor looks to be newer. Bags are in decent shape and hold air.

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mikem5 · #9 10-26-2014, 02:51 PM

Good stuff and congrats on the 4.8is!

I've been weighing the possibility of swapping out my air suspension also. My front driver's side bag has a tiny leak, so I was considering a set of KW V3 to wash my hands of any future problems the system may have.

Curious to hear about your error code resolution with Strutmasters.

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