Air Suspension or coils?
 

I've just finished looking through several threads on suspension fixes and changes. My 4.8is with 160k miles (and 4 corner air suspension) has a leaky front bag (or strut, not sure which).

Option 1 is to replace the two front struts/bags (it seems the common recommendation is to do them in pairs) at a cost of around $1500-2000. The problem with this approach is, of course, the rears and compressor, etc might not last much longer (or they might). Benefit is original design (even if I use Arnott).

Option 2 is to convert to coil over suspension on all four corners. Parts cost (ECS Tuning) looks to be $1200ish so probably $2k installed. Perhaps there is salvage value in most of my old parts. Problem is I don't know how the beast will feel or handle, or if other issues will pop up (or out, like rear half shafts). The threads I read through seem to report good initial results - but how has it been over time? Benefit is no more worries about those air components.

Would appreciate any and all input and recommendations. Bonus points for good humor and amusement!

Thanks in advance.

I've got an '01 with the rear air suspension only, but I absolutely love it. I have replaced both the air springs in the rear myself. The rear ones are cheap and easy to do, I think the cost was $220 shipped for both and took a half hour to do at home. Compressor is still doing fine and it has been at least 8k miles since I swapped them. So I would say just replace with the arnotts and then call it good. My local indy says the arnotts are way better then the bmw oem air springs. Just my .02

Arnott a have lifetime warranted as well.

on one of my X5 i have springs and on the other airbag rear axle only. I have to say if you tow with it go with the airbag. I do like the airbag handling over the springs one.
Good luck

Where are you getting $1500-2000 for front struts? If your paying that much ill drive to KY to replace them for you.

Are you adding shop labor or something into the cost? If youve ever tinkered around with cars they are pretty easy to replace. All thats extra from a normal strut job is attaching the air line.

2 reman arnotts can be found for $350 a piece. $700

2 rear arnotts last time i checked are about $120 a piece. $240

Total $940 for complete bag replacement. If your going coilovers a few members on here had good things to say about the BC brand- i believe for 1k or so.

I was looking at new prices although I'd probably go with the reman. The front strut and bag is about $625 each (probably list), so that's about $1250. I added shipping and guessed a couple of hundred to several hundred to install. One thread has $1k+ for labor; my guys suggested about 2 hours. Point is, without shopping too much four corners of coils is about the same as two of struts/bags, so it seems worthwhile to run the traps on which way to go.

On Arnott's web site new $565 and reman $411 plus core, front only. Haven't found them much less anywhere else yet. BMW of course are more (those are the prices I have above).

Rears are $133 each. So Arnott's are new $1400 plus labor of a couple of hundred dollars. Reman $1088 plus the same labor and either a core charge or shipping back.

Coil suspension around $1200 new. Same labor +/-.

Point is not so much about price - both options are in the same ballpark. Question is which way to go?

You do realize that these X5 are made to accommodate a full coil suspension. The air suspension was just BMWs attempt an an elaborate system that could adjust. The coil suspension cannot be all that bad. My 4.6is has the coil suspension up front and air springs on back. If I had all air dampers on all 4 corners and I was looking for reliability with a decent ride I would convert to coils. If you do not like bilstein HD dampers to put with the H&R springs just get the OEM boge/sachs of the 4.6 IS and youve got a great suspension set up. End of story and done.

In your first post you asked about going to coil overs which would be for all four corners. If that is the case there are many threads you can search for information about the change. I don't recall anyone saying they were sorry other than a few that bought inferior products. I recall there is a supplier that many have used and have been happy with but I don't remember the brand.

Coil overs are completely different than the stock X5 suspension.

Agree - that's why I was looking for feedback now that those who have made the change have had a chance to put some miles on. Appreciate all the input so far...