Surgery for air suspension?
 

Is there a way to cut the air hose lines, add a fitting, open it, and just pump up the air bags with my shop compressor, then close the fittings? I don’t care about the “SLS Inactive” message or the functionality anymore. Why? Keep reading…

Basically I give up. I have battled this suspension for well over year. It has rarely worked as it should. Over and over I have tried everything I can think of research on the net to DIY and avoid the dealer. My last trip to the dealer to investigate the SLSI light cost $800 with no solid diagnosis; they wanted me to approve at least another 2 hours of troubleshooting, so I called it quits and tried to do it myself based on all the success stories I have read here. I replaced all 4 bags which I confirmed were leaking with Arnotts. I did the easy compressor rebuild. I bought the Romanian software package as to know the exact issue(s) and have wasted scores of hours in the garage and on the forums. I have tried the software on 3 separate laptops. I was able to get INPA to talk to the car about 1 out of 30 attempts. I was able to raise and lower each corner, etc. The other software in the suite did not fare even that well; couldn’t get them to see the car at all. The COM port-to-USB issue was always a problem. I could only successfully link to the car once in a great while and cannot replicate the success. I doubt it’s the cable. The car is basically undriveable because the front bags are completely down. It is a brutal ride, you can’t do it. I’ve crossed the limit to where I can spend my time on this and I can’t spend an unknown, always growing amount of money of this. I’m ready to ditch the otherwise good car, and no one will buy it this way. I just want my bags pumped up, that’s it!! There’s got to be a clever work (besides conversion to springs) around to avoid the entire system except the bags. Forget the modules, accumulators, compressors, fuses, software, ride height sensors, error messages, etc..

I know, I’m worthless and weak… but ideas are very, very welcome. Thanks again my knowledgeable friends.

My old Montana had crap rear air suspension and the kit for the replacements had a standard air fitting to do as you are desiring. It is doable and if you are at the end of the rope, go for it. The Montana's were a t-fitting so you had balancing between the sides. You know your bags are good :).

I don't recall anyone that has done what you want to do. You may be breaking new ground. I think I would start with a call to Arnott to get their input. Most of the folks that don't like the air system go to coilovers.

If you haven't already I would get a well recommended Independent shop that specializes in BMWs to diagnose the problem if you aren't comfortable with troubleshooting the issue on your own. That has been the key for others that have posted air system problems here--- systematic troubleshooting.

Conversion
 

Had it with my suspension issues myself. Just had conversion done with the

strut master kit. Picked up car friday, rides great and no more surprises.

Thanks for the feedback on your experience and these questions. I am considering doing what you did since this thread has not generated the ideas I thought might be out there.

May I ask roughly what was the cost? Did you do all 4 corners? Were you able to reset the flashing "SLS Inactive" message on the dash so you don't have to stare at it? What is the status of the lights on the rocker switch? Thanks again.

Changing to spring will still require you to get the car re-coded to delete the air suspension so that the ride height sensors are deactivated.

I want to use oem equipment with manual control on my 4.4 anyone selling a set of front air struts that has done a conversion also looking for the front tank most likely going to use a ACCUAIR controller and valve block with rear inactive bypass box if i can find the front parts inexpensive

Are the bags not holding air or is there a leak in the lines or the compressor valve malfunctioning. IT is not a complex system with only so many parts. I've replaced both front bags and everything is stock - all works fine but maybe I'm lucky.

Clutch, cant seem to send you a PM, shoot me a text 484-2six8-7577