Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E70) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-15-2019, 01:10 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 4
harvinstl is on a distinguished road
Adaptive Drive suspension replacement questions

Hi all, I've just crossed 122k on the original suspension and it seems to be time for a refresh on the front suspension. Only problem seems to be able to find the right springs/shocks because I'm a bit confused with all of the options available.

Do I have to replace with OEM adaptive drive shocks? If not, what would some options be? If so, where would/could be the cheaper price options be?

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/l310495

Thanks in advance for any help!
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 08-15-2019, 07:14 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posts: 40
n64456 is on a distinguished road
I just went thru this last month; '07 3.0si with Adaptive drive(Electronic Dampening Control). "EDC malfunction" message started coming on intermittently at about 115-120K miles; then on all the time. Car drove like the struts were completely shot, since each shock's fluid valves default to the "open" position. Front AD struts are about $800ea, and rear about $500ea just for the shocks (thru "yourBMWparts.com"). No rears anywhere in the CONUS, and about a 2 month wait to get them from Germany... So, about $2800 wholesale just for parts. Then add $400 for an AD wheel alignment...

I'm getting ready to sell the vehicle; so, no way I was dropping $3300 on shock swap for a $6000 car... Especially after dropping $2500 earlier this year on other maintenance; (H2O pump, AC compressor, front crank seal, DISA valves, fluid leaks, etc)...

I ordered non AD Bilsteins for all 4 corners, new bumpers and cushions, and had to replace front springs since one had broken in the strut. Replaced them all without any issues. Will always get the "EDC Malf" on startup, but the car rides and handles much better. I don't believe it can be coded out, but frankly IDC...

As a note: the front and rear AD sway bars will not work as designed, since the AD system completely disables itself if any part is inoperative. The E60 series has standard struts with AD swaybars, and works fine, but the E70 is all tied together (according to the local BMW stealer).

Bilsteins: $670
Cushions, bumpers, and hardware: $130
Used springs: $125/pr
Total: less than $1000

If you plan on keeping the car long term, and go the standard shock route; you may want to consider replacing the AD swaybars (and mounts) with standard ones from a wrecked E70. It will also require plugging the hydraulic lines from the PS pump that supply fluid to the AD sway bars...

Good luck whichever path you take.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-15-2019, 10:00 PM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by harvinstl View Post
Hi all, I've just crossed 122k on the original suspension and it seems to be time for a refresh on the front suspension. Only problem seems to be able to find the right springs/shocks because I'm a bit confused with all of the options available.

Do I have to replace with OEM adaptive drive shocks? If not, what would some options be? If so, where would/could be the cheaper price options be?

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/l310495

Thanks in advance for any help!
AD was a $4000 option that was much sought after by those in the know. (Clearly not in the 2nd, 3rd...5th- hand marketplace.)

Say to read someone will pick up a used car and have to report "yeah the prior owner hacked that all out"....


There are no aftermarket or OEM replacements that I know of. Only option is OE BMW parts. (or used)


When I face this, I will try and find someone to rebuild mine. Probably need to ship them to a company that works on race cars, a real shock specialist.




Finally, I recall back in the day the early 1990-92 Q45s with the adaptive suspension...people would hack them up, then finally the car would arrive to a true nut who would restore them. Sigh.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-18-2019, 11:40 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 172
Baby Unicorn Taco is on a distinguished road
Ard, I would think you might enjoy a rebuild project like that and could handle it. I’m not looking forward to the same dilemma. I’m at 160,000 and counting. What’s the failure rate on the AD struts? Have these struts been stressed less than non AD struts due to their design?


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-19-2019, 04:29 AM
TriX5's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,572
TriX5 is on a distinguished road
n64456: How is the alignment with AD different from non-AD......?
__________________
2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-19-2019, 11:57 AM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by TriX5 View Post
n64456: How is the alignment with AD different from non-AD......?
Lol

It isn't. Unless you are talking to a shyster dealer/shop looking for excuses to $crew you.

Then there is the whole 'I wanna get rid of it, so not really gonna be honest nor push for anything thaty doesn't support what I want'

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-19-2019, 12:30 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 172
Baby Unicorn Taco is on a distinguished road
It’s funny. I have a shop near me in Charleston (supposedly reputable) that charges extra for vehicles with adaptive drive. Needless to say I did not use them. I think the price was $130 without adaptive and $170 with.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-19-2019, 03:06 PM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
A friend owns a tire store. BMWs have all sorts of 'special pricing'.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-19-2019, 03:17 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posts: 40
n64456 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by ard View Post
Lol

It isn't. Unless you are talking to a shyster dealer/shop looking for excuses to $crew you.

Then there is the whole 'I wanna get rid of it, so not really gonna be honest nor push for anything thaty doesn't support what I want'

When I asked the tech at the local BMW indy shop I use, he said there are different specs for AD cars because of the system's hydraulics that control the sway bars and electronic damping. AD alignment was $200; regular was $125.

I also asked him if the alignment values were different for AD vs. non-AD; and he said yes.

I can give you the shop's name and number; and you can throw your snark and condescension directly at them, if you'd like...

Last edited by n64456; 08-19-2019 at 07:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-22-2019, 11:02 AM
ard ard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sierra Foothills, California
Posts: 6,730
ard is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by n64456 View Post
When I asked the tech at the local BMW indy shop I use, he said there are different specs for AD cars because of the system's hydraulics that control the sway bars and electronic damping. AD alignment was $200; regular was $125.

I also asked him if the alignment values were different for AD vs. non-AD; and he said yes.

I can give you the shop's name and number; and you can throw your snark and condescension directly at them, if you'd like...
Go to www.newtis.info and look up the alignment specs.

That shop lied to you one on one...posting to the public as if it were a fact was your call. Happens. In the M world it is common for service salesmen to wind up owners about how 'special' their cars are, as a way to extract $$$.

Just beware. I wouldn't trust the guys you spoke with...
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
adaptive drive, shocks, springs, suspension

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:18 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.