When your X5 is not running?

Yeah, it's like seriously hard to open, but once I've finally opened it, it's fine, until the next time I randomly check it.

Probably sounds utterly stupid, but hey.

Check if the cap is easier to turn and remove when the engine is off. If it is you may have a problem that is causing excess vacuum such as CCV system.

Going to drop my oil pan next weekend and change the oil. Is the oil pan removal fairly straight forward? Going to pick up an oil pan gasket from BMW this week.

Also going to buy and hopefully fit a new chain tensioner myself.

Seriously debating fitting a set of BC coilovers and getting rid of the air setup, it's showing a fault and I like the idea of swapping out for coilovers as saves for spending money if the air setup goes wrong again in the future.

I did an oil service on my 4.6 over the weekend and the oil filter housing cap had normal tension on it when I replaced the filters. Definitely not hard to unscrew.

If new chain tensioner is the same on an S62 it's fairly easy to replace. Having the right tools will definitely make it easier. On the S62 it's on the passenger side bank just under the valve covers closer to the front of the vehicle.

BC Coils would be sweet! But you only have rear air suspension since it's a 4.6. And from what I researched the parts from Arnott are not that expensive and it's fairly straightforward replacement. But if you are looking for a different stance then go with BC and let us know how it goes! :thumbup:

Another option for lowering is the H&R lowering kit that works in conjunction with the existing air suspension. I haven't had air suspension problems and can't justify the added cost of coilovers when compared with the H&R system that is engineered to retain the stock spring rate.

I'm more leaning towards the coilovers as i don't really want to investigate the air suspension fault. However the car has its MOT this week, it will definitely fail on certain suspension parts, so I will see how costly it works out and go from there.

This car makes me feel like a 17 year old again, it's scary! I feel like I could easily spend a fortune upgrading this and that and have that "project" attitude back all over again. Dangerous! :D

Would BC Coils run you about a grand right off the bat? I haven't checked their prices but I remember years ago there E46 coils were about $1000. Then comes installation cost, unless you do it yourself.

I can get a set for £750 all in (I haven't shopped around for cheaper, so not sure if that's a good price), then like you say plus fitting. I have experience in working on suspension, however I haven't taken a look at the air setup on the X5, not sure how simple the removal is.

I'm going to hold off anything until I get the word back of how badly the car fails it's MOT this Thursday, but if it isn't too costly, I may well just order the coilovers.

I suppose I could just repair the air setup, I don't know what the benefits are of keeping the air in the rear. I guess my thinking was it's a end to any SLS errors now and in the future and is a nice little upgrade.

I'm going to drop my oil pan whilst changing my oil, does anybody have any tips or is there anything I should know?

Thanks :)