Cost for replacing rear air springs

[rj1986]

Local indy wants about £90/side + vat for fitting only.

Seems a bit on the high side, but i don't have a set of 4t Jacks and axle stands laying about.

Anyone know rough pricing for rear airbag replacement- labour only? In the Bucks/Essex area.

Cheers

[Graeme]

I had the n/s one replaced about a year ago. The job entailed looking at the problem and ordering a new airbag. After it came, running the car onto the ramp, wheel removed, the air bag and connectors checked with soapy liquid. Then came a check with the manuals to ascertain the procedure for replacing a unit of the pattern fitted. The defective unit was fully deflated, connectors loosened and bag removed, compressor located under floor guard plate then checked - they're not all in the same place, mine is under the floor under  the driver's seat. The new bag was compared with the old one to ensure parity, installed and connected, engine started and all unions checked for leaks, all covers replaced, ramp lowered and car height checked, check that no sensors sounding a warning, car driven round the block and height rechecked of vehicle to ensure the same both sides.  So, an hour to an hour and a half with cost depending on your mechanic's labour charges.  The part cost £150 from Europarts.  I'm told about £290 from BMW. Then VAT!!!  I don't think it can easily be done using jacks though...

Graeme

[snrbrtsn]

I replaced similar on last 5gt  the X5 doesn't seem too different
The changing process is available on the Arnott website, whilst many may say insignificant as your asking about cost to change, it will make you appreciate the simplicity of the task and outrageous cost to change.


http://arnottmanuals.com/?part_number=A-2642

As an ex mechanic (long time ago) and still relatively handy with the tools, I changed mine in circa 35mins, whilst never done an x series i foresee the process is very similar, a 2 tonne jack is all that's needed, though consider the cost of jack versus cost of labour and you'll be quids in. I believe the next time I change I'll shave the time in half!
Other non oem supplier is Aerosus

https://aerosus.co.uk/bmw/x5/e70/bmw-x5 ... embly.html

[rj1986]

I've ordered the Aerosus ones to come early next week. Saw they had good reviews from owners.

PMW in Chelmsford came back with a very competitive price for fitting, so it seems like a more ideal solution.

Whilst it looks fairly simple, if something goes wrong, you're a bit stuffed with a 2T car on jacks and no suspension on it... 

[martin33100]

I fitted two rear Arnott air bags a couple of years ago, no issues doing them on my drive on two jacks.
They just clip in place and have one air connection.

[NehalX5]

Was quoted £400-500 to replace one air spring by Williams BMW.

[CondorX5]

BMW seem to do the whole strut including the bag, not just the bag itself.  When my E53 needed a new front airbag, they replaced the one side - entire strut with bag - under warranty but refused to do the other one even though it was the same age.  When it went a few months later it suddenly became "wear and tear" and they would not pay up, quoting over £700 for the strut and bag! 

So I bought two new Arnotts - had to import them as none around at the time- and had a local trusted but non BMW garage fit them - not as quick as just whipping off an entire strut and putting on a new one.  Cost around £120 for fittIng for both sides from what I recall. I thought it was well worth it.

[Graeme]

No strut on the rear air bag assembly on an E70 - the Arnott Utube video is very helpful but the air pipe can be disconnected at the bag without having to go to the compressor. Once the bag is deflated its a simple twist and uncouple.  I'm told the high speed way to deflate it is to stick a knife into it but best to have a replacement that's identical to hand!!!  Assembly is the reverse procedure.  I checked with my mechanic and he charged me half an hour for the job.

Graeme

[NehalX5]

I believe these only have air springs at the back? Or is it only air springs on the back for cars with 7 seats?

[snrbrtsn]

Air springs in all seven seaters with optional self levelling suspension on all others.
Along with the air spring, there's a shock absorber
There's also auxiliary shockers, similar to bump stops, however these do a remarkable job of tightening things up!

[NehalX5]

The spec on ours shows self-levelling suspension (S220) as well. Maybe it was specced as an option.

Is there air springs all around? I didn't know that there was air on all corners.

[Graeme]

Mine is a 2007 E70 with 7 seats.  Air suspension on the rear is I believe standard on 7 seaters and also is part of the uprated suspension when a towbar is fitted at the factory.  Sensors control the pressure in the air bags which levels the car front to rear when the payload is increased.  It doesn't have any device to control the car height in the same way as my 2003 E53 did though - there was a 3-way switch that lowered the car, set it at mid-height or raised it higher for off road driving.  Mine also has adaptive drive which works by controlling hydraulic shock absorbers.  The front suspension is McPherson struts with coil springs and hydraulic dampers.

Graeme

[martin33100]

Acording to the BMW parts computer all E70's have air springs at the rear.
I fitted a fair of Arnott air springs a couple of years back.

[rj1986]

So to update, took the car and bellows to PMW in chelmsford.

They did the bellows nice and quick. But the pump was kaput. That was fun drive back.

SO new Aerosus pump bought and installed by a local mechanic that my Dad knows, who is an ex BMW tech as well. Was told the Aerosus pump is exactly the same as the one that came off.

It's currently at my parents house as i drive my mum's Fiat 500 (which is hilarious to drive BTW). It needs to sit for a day or so, and then have the codes reset and should be good to go again.

[rj1986]

Spoke too soon.

So cleared the fault on the SLS, but then the 4WD and ABS warning came on.
Disconnected the battery for 15 mins and drove it, and all was good.

Then my Dad noticed it was slammed again. Long story short, pump is no longer working and now it keeps blowing fuses. Mechanic couldn't get the compressor to fire even with the fancy computer. Pump might be faulty and takes Aerosus 1-2 weeks to turn around a new one, plus i'm now out of pocket for the labour if the pump is kaput already.