Bloody Air Suspension

[Raj]

Well, it had to happen when I could seriously do without the hassle and bloody cost.

OSF air shock leaking so not holding any air at all.

The mistress is a 2004 4.8is with 102K on the clock. Good chance the other 3 are on their way out me thinks with the age and mileage, so could be a ticking timebomb. I'm going to have to replace both fronts anyway BUT...

...2 choices have now presented themselves to me:

1) Get a pair of replacement Arnott Industries complete shocks (from searching previous posts looking at about $1000 for the pair)

2) KW V3 Coilovers and bin off all the air suspension (so never have the worry again, and recoup some money from sales of air suspension bits: compressor, valve block, etc) but looking at double the cost of option 1 but then that is complete front/rear.

Also know with option 2 I will need coding done to remove the air suspension to stop warnings, etc and will need to purchase the spring adapters (me thinks).

What do you think and any links or sources, etc?

[AW8]

R.A. Constable in Dorking are a Land Rover  & RR specialist.

They do suspension conversions and repairs on L322 full fat RR's...........I spoke to them once before re a members E53 with air suspension issues- very helpful & agreed to look at the car........Needless to say the member never made contact afaik ::)

Some similarities with L322 & E53 not sure of exact situation with the suspension.

Check anyone doing coil conversion work can ensure no dash messages afterwards !


link 1 & link1 link3

USA seem far more accomodatong to aftermarket EAS psrts/repairs ;url=http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_BM ... yid21.html]another clicky here [/url]

Never yet heard of a uk owner having a coil conversion / EAS delete

[Raj]

[quote="AW8"]
R.A. Constable in Dorking are a Land Rover  & RR specialist.

They do suspension conversions and repairs on L322 full fat RR's...........I spoke to them once before re a members E53 with air suspension issues- very helpful & agreed to look at the car........Needless to say the member never made contact afaik ::)

Some similarities with L322 & E53 not sure of exact situation with the suspension.

Check anyone doing coil conversion work can ensure no dash messages afterwards !


link 1 & link1 link3

USA seem far more accomodatong to aftermarket EAS psrts/repairs ;url=http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_BM ... yid21.html]another clicky here [/url]

Never yet heard of a uk owner having a coil conversion / EAS delete
[/quote]

Cheers for the links.

The Arnott ones don't actually work out too badly for just the airbag replacements themselves and did have a quick look at the user guide they link. Hmm decisions, decisions.

[Rusty]

How much would oe parts be?

Sure there is one member on here who can source direct from states

Might be worth a pm?

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

[Raj]

[quote="Rusty Nail"]
How much would oe parts be?

Sure there is one member on here who can source direct from states

Might be worth a pm?

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
[/quote]

Have already pm'd him and been very helpful. Let's see though.

I am loving the idea of binning all the air suspension for coilovers for the simple fact the ride will be sooo much better and no more fears of air suspension failures.

Sooo confused but need to get the X back on the road ASAP.

[Rusty]

I suppose you could also get the ride hight you want and def that piece of mind and extra space for more amps etc where the compressor comes from O0

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

[weirdfish]

I would really reccomend the KW V3 suspension if you decide to go that way, I fitted it to my Z3MCoupe, ( which is sat in hexagons showroom at present ), and it was brilliant stuff, fully adjustable, and well made.
There are concerns though, what about resale, would it narrow your market, or are you not particularly worried about that aspect, maybe retain all the OE stuff that you remove, at least if you were to sell the car then it would give the new owner the option of replacing the stock stuff.
I did this with all the stuff I removed from my coupe, brakes/suspension/ARB's/exhausts/wheels etc.
Look forward to reading about it if you go down the KW route though.

[Raj]

I think the main reason for thinking about KW route is I've no intension on selling the X tbh. So not worried about resale, etc. my plan is to keep the X5 till it cometely dies on me. I've been there and done too many times with modding the hell out of something then selling it and starting again. I do genuinely love the X5.

And as it is my intension to keep it (and it will be many years me thinks) then I won't have the ticking time bomb associated with the air suspension.

[AW8]

Lot's of chat re EAS removal options on xoutpost. One main priority for me would be to avoid dash messages afterwards so I would thoroughly research as I am sure you will.

One main reason for me avoiding twin axle adjustable EAS cars has been the problems or potential for them. 

[Ubatoid]

I think you also need to consider the insurance implications and possible mot issues in the future if you go to coil overs. Just putting it out there, we all know how slippery insurance company's can be.

[Raj]

[quote="Ubatoid"]
I think you also need to consider the insurance implications and possible mot issues in the future if you go to coil overs. Just putting it out there, we all know how slippery insurance company's can be.
[/quote]

Mot not an issue at all as coilovers are still perfectly legal and as long as it is suitable and not leaking, etc then will pass no probs. I have had coilovers on a couple of my cars.

As for insurance, you just declare as a modification and all good.

[Raj]

[quote="AW8"]
Lot's of chat re EAS removal options on xoutpost. One main priority for me would be to avoid dash messages afterwards so I would thoroughly research as I am sure you will.

One main reason for me avoiding twin axle adjustable EAS cars has been the problems or potential for them.
[/quote]

Have already asked the question for coding out air suspension so just waiting on a phone call back.

A couple of peeps on xoutpost have had dealers code theirs out when replacing rear SLS to coil springs.

[gareth82]

I had the same problem on my X5, I bought a new airbag from BMW and got my mechanic to fit it, total cost was £265

[weirdfish]

The other thing to bare in mind is that the suspension, if set up on the firm side, will be harder on other suspension components, especially the drop links, I remember having to buy some uprated ones for the coupe, whiteline, I think, but then again I did have stiffer ARB's as well.
Have you found a supplier in the uk yet?

[AW8]

Just a thought .

I may be wrong but new MOT rules stipulate self leveling suspension and headlamp cleaning must be fitted/working if you have xenons/hid's.

Check with local MOT tester but this seems pretty black & white http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/customer-inf ... s-2010.pdf