I have recently bought a 2011 F11 523 (52k miles). The car rear air springs settle gradually when the engine is switched off. The off side settles by ca 5 cm over 36 hours whilst the near side goes down by ca 7cm. The car is noticeably lop sided. The car supplier claims that this settling and the difference between the two sides is normal. Does anyone have any experience of a similar situation please?
Highly likely one of the rear airbag suspension units has a small leak - especially if original. Mine were changed after failure at almost 6 years old and 48000 miles - SE suspension too running 17" winter and 18" summer tyres
The car should not settle at all i would say you defiantly have an issue it could be leaking airbags one going down slightly more than the other or it could be a compressor or air system issue @Peter will be along soon and he may be able to shed some light on your problem
I’d also suggest perished airbags, very common As common as your supplying dealer suggesting it’s normal, normal for them to spin a yarn until warranty / their liability period has expired. A simple google search will reveal how the passenger side airbag is most prone! It seems to effect all models, through the range that’s fitted with self levelling suspension. A simple diy change with many threads on the process, equally as many suppliers, allbeit expensive if left to dealers.... however, don’t be deterred if you have only just acquired, the supplying dealer should rectify!
Definitely there shouldn't be settling. Will stay at the ride height for days, even weeks without a noticeable drop. My experience of one air spring failing at a time, can be very erratic. Other side may hardly change in ride height, simply compress a bit due to the extra load due to one side dropping. Needs investigating, as it could be more than a air spring failure. Peter
Thanks everyone for the advice.I am monitoring the rate of deflation of the airsprings by measuring bumper to ground height.Yesterday the near side went down 7.3 cm in 6 hours whilst the off side went down 4.7 cm. Neither side went down at all in the first hour. Reading previous threads, it seems that Arnot airsprings are better than BMW supplied ones.
if you have just bought the car it should be down to the selling dealer to sort it out, it seems from your first post that they are trying to fob you off telling you suspension drop is normal but i would push for them to get somebody to look at it for you if you do end up having to sort it yourself and it is the air bags that are leaking then then @snrbrtsn did them on his F07 5 GT and hopefully he will share info on the bags he used and how easy it was to DIY
TIS instructions here... https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/...egrated-suspension-system-in-general/B9tMjJRO
I’d done my F07 (perished bag) E70 (invisibly reported bulging bag) & several on F11’s (perished bags) Irrespective of model the replacement is the same for all,(probably strictly not true as the E53/E39 differs) Depending on cause for change, ideally you have to locate the compressor, tucked behind the plastic undertray, beneath the drivers (o/s) Seat, several securing screws to remove, 8mm & 10mm socket required. Locate the compressor and you’ll easily identify the red and blue plastic hosing, ideally disconnect the battery, though not necessary if the car has been left circa 16mins for the systems to shut down. Remove the red/blue hoses, 10mm spanner required, this will allow deflation of the bags, so expect air to escape as you loosen the fitting, loosen and remove fitting (some say the best option is to pierce the bags as this eliminates the removal of plastic undertray, which is relatively frustrating) Jack up car of effected side, remove wheel (axle stand as required) On the lower suspension arm underside, locate the plastic tab mounting lugs, with a flat headed screwdriver, prise the tabs out. Moving to the top of the air bag Grab and rotate circa 90 degrees, to release Wiggle bag down and out through the gap, taking into account the airline is still connected, so don’t be too rough Remove bag and disconnect air line, 10mm spanner Remove air shroud as maybe required on new unit Cut and replace the airline fitting, taken care to ensure the olive is installed, make up the nut then ensure the plastic hose is fully installed, nip up securing nut, (the body is plastic so don’t go silly) Align shroud, offer up bag to car, Locate the top mount ensuring the air hose is not twisted A simple turn to lock and locate then pull the bag down and the lower locating tabs will snap into place Install wheel If hoses were removed from compressor, reinstall If battery was disconnected, refit Start engine This will allow the airbag to inflate with the weight of car supported on the jack Once inflated, lower jack and torque wheel bolts Reinstall plastic undertray on drivers side The car will self level after a run around the block I’d used aerosus bags on the F07 / F11 & currently have Bilstein bags on the E70 https://aerosus.co.uk/bmw/filter/fitting_models/5/p_construction_year/2011.html?pf=1&focus=list Bag suppliers, Arnott, Aerosus bilstein amongst others Arnott offers fantastic diy pictorial instructions, for something so complex, the system is very easy to DIY repair Below is the Arnott link to replacement on the F11 chassis, though available throughout the range via pdf download. http://arnottinfo.com/manuals/A-2780.pdf
Thanks Warlord,what a great set of instructions. Do you turn the airbag clockwise or anti clockwise to release it ? I have been monitoring the ride height with the car parked and the engine switched off.On Friday it decreased by 4.7 cm on the off side and 7.3 cm on the near side in 6 hours, yesterday it did not decrease on either side over 24 hours.I shall continue my checks.
Both my springs failed at different times, but both were erratic in the way they failed. Could go days without a drop, then several drops in succession. Then go days again without an issue. Part of the erratic nature is how we may be parked. The damaged area may be 'sealed' in certain positions, but exposed in others. Even the garage couldn't see any damage or find the leak on my second spring, even though the suspension dropped after they parked it outside on a camber. We thought it was some other suspension control issue, but proved to be the air spring. Peter
Hi All, After tolerating intermittent air spring sag for almost a year and with the problem getting worse ,I finally acted and bought a pair of aerosus units .My local, competent non-BMW specialist garage fitted them in under an hour .I used the references kindly provided by BMWland members to provide the garage with tips on what was involved in the job. I am delighted with the result. The suspension sag on standing has been eliminated.Thanks to everyone for their advice.
Hi @jeffrey fackrell Glad you got a result using advice from Members here. Would that make it worth the [annual] £10 to sign up as a Site Supporter ? By no means compulsory but it all goes to help with site maintenance and server costs [which afaik are quite onerous on the Administrator]. And, if nothing else, the craic is excellent!
