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Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
JAMMA
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Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by JAMMA » Fri Aug 24, 2012 7:21 pm

Started doing this conversion to coil springs earlier on today and its been going pretty well. Ive got one side complete and i'll do the other tomorrow as my knees and back were starting to stiffen up :( Ive already coded out the "susp inact" error on the dash as well. Looking forward to driving the car tomorrow without it sitting on the rear bump stops for a change.

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Sanj
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Sanj » Fri Aug 24, 2012 7:55 pm

Will you be doing a How-To on this?
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by JAMMA » Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:05 pm

I wasnt planning on doing a "How To" but I could if it will help anyone else out. Ive still got the second side to do tomorrow so I could take step by step pics etc then.

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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Raj » Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:07 pm

[quote="Sanj"]
Will you be doing a How-To on this?
[/quote]

I could make one for the full replacement I did.

Also interested on the coding Jamma as that's the only thing I've got left to do. Did you do this yourself or did you use anyone in particular?
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by JAMMA » Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:20 pm

Done it myself with the bmw scanner software :thumbup:

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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Raj » Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:29 pm

[quote="JAMMA"]
Done it myself with the bmw scanner software :thumbup:
[/quote]

Cool. If you don't mind PM'ing me your number as I'd love to know the procedure to get it coded out.
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Sanj » Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:48 pm

If either of you wouldn't mind doing a How-To that would be great! I know many on here would consider this route as the E53 gets older. :ok:

Oh and the rears will no doubt be the ones most will be more interested in.
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Raj » Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:02 pm

[quote="Sanj"]
If either of you wouldn't mind doing a How-To that would be great! I know many on here would consider this route as the E53 gets older. :ok:

Oh and the rears will no doubt be the ones most will be more interested in.
[/quote]

Tbh agreed. Definitely worth getting this up though. Makes such a difference and peace of mind too.
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Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by kkodal78 » Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:11 pm

Raj,
Did you finish fitting the parts?
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Raj » Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:31 pm

[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj,
Did you finish fitting the parts?
[/quote]

Not yet buddy.

Need the use of a press to get the old bushes out and press the new ones in...
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by shadrack » Sat Aug 25, 2012 7:55 am

[quote="Raj"]
[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj,
Did you finish fitting the parts?
[/quote]

Not yet buddy.

Need the use of a press to get the old bushes out and press the new ones in...
[/quote]

What you messing around at lol, we want to see this coilover clad beasty!
Oh and to code out the air sus inact, you can just use the 1.4.0 go into the check menu and untick the air suspension from the check module! 

By the way have you heard this rumour that modified cars could get banned under an e.u ruling within 6 weeks? I can't see how they could do this as it would render my fleet scrap (not that its not anyway lol)
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JAMMA
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by JAMMA » Sat Aug 25, 2012 12:02 pm

Well thats me just finished. Car feels good to drive and the handling is much better with it sitting at the correct height again. Ive got loads of pics taken so i'll get started on a step by step how to guide for anyone interested.

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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Raj » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:26 pm

[quote="shadrack"]
[quote="Raj"]
[quote="kkodal78"]
Raj,
Did you finish fitting the parts?
[/quote]

Not yet buddy.

Need the use of a press to get the old bushes out and press the new ones in...
[/quote]

What you messing around at lol, we want to see this coilover clad beasty!
Oh and to code out the air sus inact, you can just use the 1.4.0 go into the check menu and untick the air suspension from the check module! 

By the way have you heard this rumour that modified cars could get banned under an e.u ruling within 6 weeks? I can't see how they could do this as it would render my fleet scrap (not that its not anyway lol)
[/quote]

Lol there are pics on my build thread. It's not too low at all but the rear camber is crazy so kkodal kindly ordered me the K-MAC camber bush kit which I need to get round to fitting to dial out the camber a bit.

Also not heard about that modified car malarkey but nothing will come of it.
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by Raj » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:28 pm

[quote="JAMMA"]
Well thats me just finished. Car feels good to drive and the handling is much better with it sitting at the correct height again. Ive got loads of pics taken so i'll get started on a step by step how to guide for anyone interested.
[/quote]

Nice one buddy and glad you've got it all sorted.
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Re: Converting the rear air suspension to coil springs

Post by X5Sport » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:36 pm

This car modding legislation going through the EU Parliament at present looks on the face of it to be a potential nightmare if it goes through as is currently being interpreted.

In short, it seems that cars may not be fitted with any non-standard part that is contrary to or non-compliant with the OEM approved standard at the time the car was manufactured and where this is true then the car will be declared unroadworthy wef 13th October 2012!  The MoT Regulations will be further updated if this passes into law and cars fitted with such parts will be required to undergo additional approval testing.  This last bit likely means an IVA will be required.

Now admittedly there's a bit of hysteria on the car club forums I've read about this, and it's hard to tell how much is 'real' and how much is 'spin', but it could be very bad news for some.

This first appeared back in 2009, and other parts - such as everything needing 'E' marking and approval to be legal - have been around for a while longer than that.  HID Kits are but one area as an example.  The law and regs are clear, but it's nly just got into the MoT regs and not covered very well even then, and look how little has been done to ensure compliance there!  I can only assume the motor industry is going into 'self-interested complete lockdown' mode.  Of course the biggest concern may well be how the insurers play the game?  Of course yon poor motorist and modder gets another 'no you can't reg' placed upon them.

I suppose we'll just have to see whether it gets passed into law 'as is' or gets watered down to a common sense level......being the EU Parkiament though, I know where my money lies!! >:D

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Last edited by X5Sport on Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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