Arnott or OE
 

I know there are tons of threads on this already. Any reason why you chose Arnott over OE ?

I think I'm just going to buy a set of OE. Only about $150 more for a set of OE.....and I do recall a couple of threads where some have had to do their springs 2X as the one they received was faulty.

OE air springs are made in Mexico but you do get BMW warranty for 2 years. But Arnott supposedly has lifetime warranty.

I got OE Air Springs replacement before I was aware about Arnott.

I would go with the Arnott bags as they carry the lifetime warranty, they come equipped with continental contitech rubber for bags, also the metal topper and bottom for the rear bags are aluminum and not steel as the OEM,which will not rust or premature leak. Just installed a new set in my X5. Good quality. Good price from Rick auto

Thx All. I went ahead and ordered the Arnotts. My biggest concern was my cost of ~time~ versus just doing it 1X. There are too many threads on good experiences, as well as too many as well, to be concerned about QC, as I have seen more than a couple threads of users needing to redo it 2X as their 1st one was leaking..

Arnott Industries does stand by their product with the warranty for sure. I wouldnt pay more to have BMW bags and not have the warranty

I put in arnott for the rears (just 1 axle air on mine) and have had no trouble. It's a pretty easy job, too.

Arnott here, no issues installing. And no issues so far, but I only have them for about 8-9 months.

So for the non iS models with Airbags ONLY on the rear axel, is it safe to assume that the comfort airbags should be bought where the Sport are only for the iS model e53's?
RockAuto sells them for $150 CAD where as Arnott sells them for $133 USD. Canadians are much better off buying from Rockauto based on the exchange rate alone (plus RockAuto is awesome).

^Sport bags (rear air only) is for the SPORT package equipped non iS models as they have the sports suspension -

Comfort bags are for all the non-Sport Package equipped models, AND the 4.8iS models - you would think the Sport bags are for the 4.8iS but they are not because they are articulating. 4.6iS takes the Sport rear bags.

thanks Jay. I did some more searching on her and noticed that. I dont have the sport model, so comfort it will be, when ever I need them. I have 120k miles now so I assume some preventative maintenance will be in order.
like a fuel pump, air bags, some other easy items to fix.
sadly I know I need new Valve Cover Gaskets soon (ie within 6 months) unless I'm ok with a sweating/dirty engine block. WHICH I AM NOT.

We've had great luck with Arnott and use them when available.

My 4.8is came with S226A option from factory.....:nanana:....maybe it's a standard for EU type code FA92 only?

Code S226A - Sportliche Farhwerksabstimmung

Yes you have sports suspension settings as I do. However, all of the 2-axle air suspension equipped models (including my 3.0) all take the rear comfort bags - it's because the suspension is articulating on our setup and raises up/down.

So basically if you have a ride height button on your dash you need comfort bags. Irregardless of options equipped.

Ditto RB...if you have 2-axle air suspension & sport suspension...your rear springs will be the same ones used on the non sport single axle set-up (last 3 digits of the part left/right will be 579/580).

This can easily be verified by entering your VIN in one of the part databases like Realoem.com or bmwfans.info then go to the rear suspension and look up the diagram. You will see if you check the part number search...that the EHC 1 (non sport) and EHC II + sport pkg use the same part number for the rear air spring.

Here's the part numbers if curious & want to verify what RB & I are saying: 37 12 1 095 579 (left) & 37 12 1 095 580 (right)

Thanks fellas for the info.:thumbup:

I'm still on original F&R airbags at 90,000 miles!

And will look at Arnotts....when the time comes.

Arnotts have been fine for me. I would have a semi annoyance SLS error....Went on for 2-3 years. Comes and goes. Everything checked out, spraying the bags down showed no issues. I suppose maybe due to cold weather, it exhibited it more due to temps/pinhole leak, whatever.

Since swapping the bags out, the SLS went away

I'm sure the Arnott and OE bags are awesome options.

For budget reasons, I've recently installed aftermarket rear bags and front bag/strut rebuilt combo.

I don't drive my X but 6K miles per year so I'm OK with taking the risk on a potentially lower quality part. Will see how they do and I'll report back if I have a disappointing X-perience ;)

The rear bag pair were about $100 and each rebuilt front bag/strut combo was about $240 each (after $40 core refund).

I'm pleased with my ride at all four corners thus far and my wallet is also pleased.

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...-bag-strut.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...t-rear-bag.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...-rear-bags.jpg

While I absolutely love the sliding rear deck, it was quite the additional complication to remove to get at the tops of the rear bags. Had I realized this before I tackled the job I really would have changed the rear shocks as well. While the units on mine seem to have 2009 date codes on them, I would have gone with new Bilsteins as opposed to tackling the rear de-construction another time.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3M...o=w818-h614-no

Mike