You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Anyone here know anything about BMW air suspension? Other than it will undoubtedly be horrendously expensive to fix, obviously?
I only use my car for long journeys now, meaning it gets used once a week, and the drivers side rear deflates significantly more than the passenger side over that time and looks like an old Citroen. After a couple of minutes with the engine running it's inflated again and drives fine. I don't have a "Steve" so any diagnostics is likely to cost me an arm and a leg before I even start.
Yes the bellows' will have a small leak on it meaning when car isn't running the compressor isn't filling the bellows'.
When you start the car the compressor will be running more than it should and eventually overheat and stop .
It's not a cheap fix so my advice get the bellows' fixed asap to save the compressor.
Where are you based
do you have an independent BMW specialist nearby. Would be cheaper than BMW.
I’m in Evesham, Worcestershire, so if anyone can recommend a good independent I’d appreciate it.
My old 530d sport touring had it, the rear left blew and cost £850 to fix.
I’d get it checked, mine was done under warranty.
Had this on our X5. Air bag went when wife was driving it. Had it recovered to my local mechanic who replaced it. Total cost was about £330 so it’s not a bad fix. Car was undrivable when it went though so I’d get it done soon.
Also had this on last car, which was a 520d tourer. It was about 3 yrs old when it happened, outwith warranty but a company car. BMW payed it all and it was about £1000 I think (around 3 years ago)
The suspension bags usually wear out around the 120k-150k mile mark. However, on the e61 it might conceivably be the pipe from the compressor leaking - there are supposed to be some clips that can fail. Probably is the bag though.
have an F11 estate. had this happen on both sides of the rear and also a compressor once
airbags can be bought on ebay or the likes for £40+. i tried this once....lasted a year. Arrnott airbags are quality though and these are about £160 per corner.
fitting is literally 10-15mins when u get all the splashguards off.
compressor was sent away for repair, returned as non-repairable. replacement got on ebay for cira £230. still going strong
not a big job these days - unless you take it to BMW
Mine is an F11 with 127k miles. I've seen bags for £25 on eBay but I'll try and find some Arrnotts ones. Have you DIY'd it?
brother-in-law is a mechanic. so done it with his supervision.
they literally just click into place with like a quarter turn. swap over air fittings etc. good to go
make sure its on the ground before u start it up and get the compressor going
The Arrnott is over £500 on GSF! Not a bloody chance!
Rob at Autobahn in Halesowen. It's 45 mins maybe from you but he and his team are great and fairly priced. They did the air suspension on my e61 a couple of years ago and do the annual service etc. No hesitation in recommending them
https://www.hids-direct.co.uk/arnott-rear-air-spring-bmw-5-series-f07-and-f11-2010-14-left-or-right/
Thanks.
Chuck in a bit of stans.
(don't chuck in a bit of stans)
Phil Allen in Pershore should be able to help.
I called him this morning. Approximately £300 inc VAT using an Arrnotts bag. Should be dropping it off tomorrow night.
I've got an F11, it was a common problem with the bellows before they changed the material over to a continental brand. You will just have a small leak, though can never figure out why it only really effected one side.
It is easy to do as a DIY job, the bags you can get ~£120 for a decent one. Prop it up on stand, take wheel off, undo the circlip holding on the compressor pipe, twist it anticlockwise and of it comes..
BMW dealers truly are thieving b'stards.. an Indy will do it for ~£300 all in.
I've just hit 101000 miles in my 2012 plate and that was the only major issue. It's all motorway miles and still just as comfy.