Air Suspension?
 

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for an 04-06 X5 3.0 with man trans, and was wondering what years was the air suspension available, and was wondering if they are reliable. Thanks in advance. :thumbup:

3.0 only had rear air suspension as an option I think. Pretty reliable considering they are rubber bags

I have 2-axle air suspension, probably only a handful of manual transmission cars have it, I personally may have talked to one other person with a manny tranny which had airbags on all 4 corners like me.

It was a standalone option starting in '02, but you also had to order with Sport package first, so if you see a manny tranny X with sport package that's a start, but the guy ordering the car had to specifically order EHCII as well.

It's gonna be a hell of a search for those 3 options - Sport Package, facelifted 6 speed manual, and EHCII.


As far as reliability, if they leak, replace them or you will burn out the compressor trying to keep the bags filled. Arnott Industries makes lifetime warrantied replacements of Continental (the tires) rubber. I also replaced my compressor with a used unit for $200 which put my system back to fully operational (my front air struts were shot when I bought my X and i needed Arnott replacements)

Been almost 2 years of operational air suspension, the system may need the occasional calibration for ride height, but other than that its fine if you know the weak points and limits of the system. Basically its a 13 year old system so you have to understand its not going to work like 2014 technology.

Good news about the compressors now is there is a readily available repair kit to refurbish the piston seal on the air pump so your original compressor can be rebuilt to working order, and it costs $50.

Thanks guys. :thumbup:

Available as an option or included in a pkg (3.0/4.4) or as standard equipment for some models (4.6is/4.8is):

• Single (rear axle) from 2000-up
• Dual (both axles) from 2002-up

Not sure it's 'rare', other than the total number of 3.0 5 speeds was low...our '01 5 speed has it.

Mine has been problem free in ~94k miles and 12 1/2 years until the past few uses: it is now making a click, click, click noise coming from the rear, after shutting off engine. Maybe the fortuitous long run is eroding...
GL, mD

Very useful info here. Had no idea it was available for the 4.4s. I wonder if the auto transmission in those cars are reliable. I guess that's another topic.

By the way, how many settings does the air suspension have?

For which system...single rear axle (EHC I) or dual axle (EHC II)?

The single axle (rear) SLS systems are automatic and only self-adjust to keep the rear of the vehicle level under load. As mentioned in the information posted previously (and below)...the single axle system was designed to operates with a "control when only necessary" mandate...it's not a dynamically active system (READ info & brief explanation of EHC I below):


The dual axle system operates differently...it has 3 settings which can be controlled manually by the driver by a switch located on the dash...it's to the left of the steering column. Read info below as to how EHC II (dual axle) self leveling system works as well as the switch that controls this system:

Ol uncle motor, you have rear air only which was standard on sport package. That is commonly equipped.

What I have is ride height adjustable 4 corner air suspension which is an additional option with sport package on my 5 speed X. Much more rare for a 3.0 nonetheless a manual trans to have the air suspension (2 axle option)