Rear Air spring questions
 

Hello, when looking around for other solutions some places have all three types (3rd row, sport, normal) and some just show one spring. i've changed a few but to me i've only just used one type.
Does anyone know the differences ?

I'm slightly confused because the e53 X5 never came with a 3rd row...if you're seeing that category...it sounds like you're looking at parts for an e70 or f15 X5.

Make sure that you are looking for springs for your particular generation X5 and not just shopping "generically" for X5 air springs. The best way to do that is to use one of the online part database sites (like BMW Parts Catalog , BMWfans.info , or www.etk.cc ) and look up the correct 11 digit BMW part nbr based on your VIN. That way, when you're searching online or locally for parts...your search will be focused on the correct part for your model/model year/build date...and will exclude parts that don't work for your X5.

If you do the aforementioned (using your VIN to find the correct part nbr)...it will automatically guide you toward the correct spring you need. If you don't have the sport suspension then you'll be shown vendors selling the regular springs etc. And again, no e53 had 3rd row seating...so those springs should be excluded from your search.

The e53 has multiple pnuematic (air) suspension springs...the EHC (single rear axle) sport springs are designed for shorter articulation (since the vehicle is slightly lowered with conventional springs in the front. The dual axle EHC II uses one type of shock since the system can be manually articulated (higher/lower) from all 4 corners:

• single rear axle (EHC) regular
• single rear axle (EHC) sport
• dual axle (front/rear) (EHC II)

looking for an e70. I own and e53 but i also fix a lot of BMW's also. i'm purchasing an e70 also with bad air springs.

The same would apply...if you use the online part database to get the correct 11 digit BMW part nbr for the type of pnuematic springs installed. And if you don't know the options the car came with...then go to one of the online VIN decoders (like https://www.mdecoder.com/ ) and look to see if you have any additional suspension options (like sport or adaptive drive) then select the correct 11 digit part nbr to search with.


Good luck.