Bloody Air Suspension

[weirdfish]

[quote="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
[/quote]

You are correct, but wouldn't the self- levelling switch be retained even if you change the suspension.

[Raj]

[quote="weirdfish"]
[quote="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
[/quote]

You are correct, but wouldn't the self- levelling switch be retained even if you change the suspension.
[/quote]

It states, as has always been the case really that factory xenon headlights had to be self levelling as opposed to manual switch operated and have headlight washers. The self levelling can be achieved by either the headlights themselves or self levelling suspension. I believe the X5 xenon headlights have the levelling motors built into the headlights as opposed to being reliant on the self levelling suspension to keep the beam level.

[AW8]

Ok I hadn't considered that & tbh I wasn't sure. Ultimately however a pass/fail could potentially depend on the view of the individual tester thus I would still get an advanced opinion to reduce risk of any later fail &/or need to appeal a testers decision.

[Raj]

[quote="AW8"]
Ok I hadn't considered that & tbh I wasn't sure. Ultimately however a pass/fail could potentially depend on the view of the individual tester thus I would still get an advanced opinion to reduce risk of any later fail &/or need to appeal a testers decision.
[/quote]

Understand where you're coming from.

I've lowered (with spring/shock combos and coilovers plenty in the past) and as long as the headlights still self level then it is fine.

Whether the car is sat on traditional suspension or air (the X5 can be specced with either remember) is neither here nor there I guess with regards to the tester as long as the suspension is fully working and the requirements of the adjustment of the headlights works.

Just a thought too, but how do they test the auto levelling is actually working? Do they switch on then get someone to sit in the boot to bring the rear end down to ensure the lights adjust accordingly???

[weirdfish]

The micro switch that alters the headlights is attached to the bottom arm on the front suspension, so you would retain this on any suspension set up.
As for the testing of them, I would imagine that the tester would simply look to see whether the lights levelled out when first switched on, and/or, whether there is the means for them to be altered, either manually or auto.
Just guessing though.

[AW8]

All valid points & I now have same interpretation as expressed above.

Just bear in mind all is reliant on tester sharing this view & within context of extra rules newly intoduced.

[Rusty]

I can't imagine the tester would be in a position to say wether any given vehicle had or should have self levelling suspension or not. The suspension is a different tested component to the lighting. As stated, as long as the lights self level and have working washers, all should be good.
Just my opinion of course after having spoken to a guy who modifies and fixes all types of cars.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

[AW8]

............Agreed. 

A brief phone call to local tester should hopefully confirm this & give peace of mind.

[shadrack]

hmmmm raj, just imagine how low you could go with the coilovers

[Raj]

[quote="shadrack"]
hmmmm raj, just imagine how low you could go with the coilovers
[/quote]

LOL but tbh I wouldn't really go any lower than the current lowest setting I have on the air suspension as I think it looks better at that point and still want it functional and smooth.

[Turks]

[quote="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
[/quote]

You can't get the Suspension Airbag for that price let alone have it fitted?!


Turks.

[Raj]

[quote="Turks"]
[quote="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
[/quote]

You can't get the Suspension Airbag for that price let alone have it fitted?!


Turks.
[/quote]

Think that's a rear one as they are stand alone with the rear shock being separate. Front ones are integrated into the shock so is one unit and will cost me £480 with my discount.

[shadrack]

are the coilovers on yet? id be interested to see some pictures, especially how the rear ones sit

[Raj]

[quote="shadrack"]
are the coilovers on yet? id be interested to see some pictures, especially how the rear ones sit
[/quote]

Not arrived yet. Ordered Friday and will take about a week. The kit is put together once ordered. Then shipped from the factory in Germany to the UK distributor and then shipped on to customer.

I've got all the BM components needed (top mounts, spring pads, etc) so just waiting on the kit to arrive.

Rear OS ball joint replaced yesterday. The BM tool makes such a big difference to removing/installing the ball joint.

[Rusty]

Is that your tool or did you hire/borrow it?

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