Ride Height

[Chilled]

Hi Guys,

Was wondering if anyone can note their stock height to the rear fender. On stock bags, or the Arnotts and what's their tire size


The issue I am having is that it appears that my new Arnott 2642 bags are not holding pressure fully/ or to the OEM level. Originally I was having an issue where after a number of days it would completely drop. So I did the bags, and now it looks like its not holding to the same high as the stock did.

The stocks originally fully pumped up where around the 80cm+(31.5/32inch), and now the Arnotts inflate to around 81. But overnight drop to 78.5cm and hold. The X hasn't been touched in since last weekend and from last Tuesday's measure of 78.5cm, it's still there. So it's holding pressure but not all...


So is anyone able to take note of their ride height in the morning and or what it was when they parked it.

I did find this pic, but was hopping for more of a confirmation.

[MD in CT]

I think your a tad high, and I am stoned, or maybe I have 'bag' problems too! My bone stock 17 with 30k miles is 31.25(?)

[MD in CT]

Do you have a quarter tank due WTF gas prices?

[Chilled]

The issue isn't the height per se, but I noticed the compressor running when I park in the garage. It's never done this before, and the weekend after I replaced the bags. I parked twice, and both times I noticed the compressor running, just after I parked the car.


I reverse into the garage that is downhill to the driveway. I stop just before the garage door, engage park and got out and back in. Reversed into the garage, turned the car off, and as I opened the car door, I could hear the pump going and stopping.


What's concerning me is the compressor running, as it's never done this under these circumstances before. The height difference is just something I noticed as I was watching it prior on OEM bags.

[jcm3]

are the linkages (rear) adjusted properly? Try spraying some soapy water by the air line at the top of the bags to see if any leaks (bubbling) or around the bags.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by jcm3

are the linkages (rear) adjusted properly? Try spraying some soapy water by the air line at the top of the bags to see if any leaks (bubbling) or around the bags.

Not sure how I am supposed to spray the airline connector with it been in the car. Where the fitting is, it sits almost flush to the upper body of the strut/bag tower.

I'm not sure it's a leak tho. The X has been sitting there since the 15th and in the morning 16th it was at 78.5cm and this morning still at the same height.

So overnight it drops nearly 2cm, and then just stops. Hence why I'm really confused as to what is going on.



The weird part is that the original oem bags sometime would drop overnight to stops, and other times it would take almost a week. Granted, whilst this weirdness was happening sometimes the car was on a battery tender, sometimes it was unlocked, or a combination.

There is an idea, pull the fuse and see if it does drop fully or is the pump keeping it at current level. Unless someone knows when and how the pump activates automatically.

[DallasDave X5M]

If they are Arnott bags, call them. I used them for our MB several years ago and Arnott's technical support is GREAT!

[Chilled]

I would like to check if this issue is due to my expectations vs an actual issue. To me the X is not sitting right, especially considering that it's been holding the exact level for the last week.

So before I reach out to FCP or Arnott, I would like to confirm the issue. I don't want to get into that finger pointing situation where they are saying its the lines, or the compressor or colour of the car, ect. Plus the time difference and potential shipping costs are not going to make this situation fun.

BTW, checked it this morning after pulling the fuse. The exact same high it was at last night.

[MD in CT]

Do you drive with the suspension in sport mode predominantly?

[Chilled]

nope, leave it comfort.

Haven't even touched sport with the new bags. Granted, I've only done 30km max on them.

[Chilled]

No one else has a measuring tape and is on stock bags?

[9vapors]

I'd go out and measure it for you, but my cars in the shop… I should get it back tomorrow if nobody does it.

[kefler]

Here you go.. OK the pic is off angle (phone too high).. in reality it's more like 31 3/8 .. and the driver side is a bit closer to 31 1/2.

Car has 27k miles and I drove it about 10 hours ago. Last washed 3 weeks ago I apologize.

[Chilled]

Does anyone know where in ISTA is the ride height read out, as to what the car thinks it's at.

Had a search around and all I could find was where to adjust the height, but not to see the current live values.

[Chilled]

So unfortunately I didn't have allot of time to mess around with this, but I did answer some of my questions.

My height is definitely off BMW spec, and in ISTA you can see the values from the ride height module. ISTA doesn't say the actual height, but how far off the standard spec you are.

The Spec.


In ISTA, its under the main tree, Call ECU function, Ride Height Deviation, and Read Value.




I did start the car, and it did start the compressor. Here are the two photos of the pre and post. The second photo at 740ish is bang on the BMW spec.

[parasnake]

Did you ever get this ride height fix with the arnott bags ?

[parasnake]

Recently I replaced arnott bags and both sensors , but the car height is sitting unbalance , always leaning to on side randomly either left or right about 3-10mm difference . And the whole car height is lower than stock bags too as you mentioned on this thread

[parasnake]

Just wondering what’s your final solution

[CryptoHeff]

Originally Posted by Chilled

So unfortunately I didn't have allot of time to mess around with this, but I did answer some of my questions.

My height is definitely off BMW spec, and in ISTA you can see the values from the ride height module. ISTA doesn't say the actual height, but how far off the standard spec you are.

The Spec.
Attachment 2894608

In ISTA, its under the main tree, Call ECU function, Ride Height Deviation, and Read Value.
Attachment 2894609
Attachment 2894610
Attachment 2894611

I did start the car, and it did start the compressor. Here are the two photos of the pre and post. The second photo at 740ish is bang on the BMW spec.
Attachment 2894612
Attachment 2894613

Great post with the ISTA screenshots. Did you ever solve this?

[Chilled]

Nope, compressor still goes off when I park.

[oldztimer]

My rear suspension completely dropped. I tried ISTA to refill the airbags and could hear a leak on the right rear side, so I decided to replace the bags with Arnott's.

After installation, I was able to deflate and fill the new bags and didn't hear any leaks.

The previous owner of my vehicle lowered the fronts somehow... I assume new springs. So my heights are not expected to be stock. ISTA reported the rear ride height should be 734mm or something. The fronts measure to 679mm.

ISTA reading shows my rear heights are 77 and 76 mm too low.

I've gone through the height adjustment service process in ISTA. My measured rear height (at the moment) is 657mm (which is why it's showing 77mm too low = 657 + 77 = 734). I think ~20mm extra height is what I need on the rear - to match the front.

I've done this adjustment cycle a few times now and it doesn't seem to do anything to increase the height beyond the 657.

Should I be entering the "desired" ride height when following the height adjustment service procedure (in ISTA)?
When I enter the 657mm for left and right rears ISTA claims it has 657 and 656 per the sensors - so it seems I supposed to be entering the current height.

I've been leaving the car on charger for the past few days since it isn't driven while the rear springs are too low... It drives like there's no shocks.

I would appreciate any additional ideas or guidance on what else I can do.

[oldztimer]

For those not sure about the procedure and all the steps - this is the post I followed:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1511949

Very helpful and the ISTA screenshots made it super clear.