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      01-17-2018, 07:54 PM   #1
ajshanny
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Self-leveling/air rear suspension

I decided to trade in my X5 35i for a 35d because I am planning to do more towing and I am able to get a really great deal on the 35d with a fair price for my 35i. I am confident that the 35d will work better for me, but I am going back and forth on whether to order the DDC/self-leveling air rear suspension option, or just stick with standard suspension and save a few dollars. I am ordering the car in X Line trim, so M sport is not really on the table and I don't want to pay $4,500 for the DHP package.

I will be towing an open aluminum car trailer loaded with a Porsche GT4 on it. Total combined weight of the trailer and Porsche is around 4,300 lbs. My 35i did not have self-leveling and seemed to do okay towing the same trailer and car, but was somewhat under-powered on hills and the rear did sag moderately when trailer was attached.

I just wanted to request opinions on self-leveling from those who have owned an X5 with that option, especially from those who have used it to tow. I am concerned mainly with the reliability aspect of the system, but also want to get opinions on whether it really provides a notIceable benefit when towing. Lastly I want to hear how it impacts handling compared with the standard suspension.

The reliability issue is on my mind because if it breaks while towing, I may need to have both the X5 and the trailer rescued and I might be far from home.
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      01-17-2018, 10:59 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajshanny View Post
I decided to trade in my X5 35i for a 35d because I am planning to do more towing and I am able to get a really great deal on the 35d with a fair price for my 35i. I am confident that the 35d will work better for me, but I am going back and forth on whether to order the DDC/self-leveling air rear suspension option, or just stick with standard suspension and save a few dollars. I am ordering the car in X Line trim, so M sport is not really on the table and I don't want to pay $4,500 for the DHP package.

I will be towing an open aluminum car trailer loaded with a Porsche GT4 on it. Total combined weight of the trailer and Porsche is around 4,300 lbs. My 35i did not have self-leveling and seemed to do okay towing the same trailer and car, but was somewhat under-powered on hills and the rear did sag moderately when trailer was attached.

I just wanted to request opinions on self-leveling from those who have owned an X5 with that option, especially from those who have used it to tow. I am concerned mainly with the reliability aspect of the system, but also want to get opinions on whether it really provides a notIceable benefit when towing. Lastly I want to hear how it impacts handling compared with the standard suspension.

The reliability issue is on my mind because if it breaks while towing, I may need to have both the X5 and the trailer rescued and I might be far from home.
From my understanding DHP will help quite a bit with the towing load from what I've read and improves comfort of the car significantly.
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      01-17-2018, 11:18 PM   #3
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You will want the self-leveling air rear suspension works great for towing
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      01-18-2018, 01:21 PM   #4
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I do not have this option, but have towed around 5500 lbs a few times behind my 35i. The standard suspension works fine for short trips and/or lighter loads, but if I was routinely towing >4000 lbs, I would have definitely opted for the upgraded suspension. $1500 is a small price to pay for the added safety.

Reliability should not be an issue for many years. Air suspension tends to be a problem once the airbags and other components get old. Even then, catastrophic failure without some warning is very unlikely in my opinion.

For what it is worth, those that have DHP swear they will never buy another without it; what's another $3k?
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      01-18-2018, 03:59 PM   #5
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+1 for DHP

Dramatically changes how the car handles, does not feel like a floaty SUV.
The air suspension is more for the third row passengers comfort in my use since I do not do any towing.
Had one air bladder fail and replaced under warranty.
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      01-19-2018, 07:09 AM   #6
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For towing would highly recommed rear air suspension, makes ride much more comfortable and makes you feel more secure towing a heavy trailer.
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      01-19-2018, 04:54 PM   #7
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I have the air suspension on the 40e (standard). It's excellent. I drove the X5 fully loaded to the gills w/a Thule Terrapin hitch mounted carrier from Vegas to the DC area. No drama (except for the May 2017 snowstorm in Utah and Colorado and I was on 20" summer ultra high performance tires...). Comfortable ride and predictable BMW handling.

Special order yours in Imola red, get the air suspension, and then let me know when you're selling it. ;-)

Hope the GT4 is in red too. Make it a package deal! Nice!
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      01-19-2018, 11:39 PM   #8
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      01-20-2018, 08:45 AM   #9
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Has anyone with DHP done a lot of towing with it? BMW's website doesn't explain the design of any of the components in DHP, but I understand that the differential is different, and I don't want a fragile diff that is expensive to replace.
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      01-20-2018, 10:13 AM   #10
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DHP is very nice - I have it and love it. But it doesn't answer your towing question. DHP gives you adaptive anti-sway bars, reducing body roll in corners, and torque vectoring, which provides more power to outer wheels on a corner, improving turn in.

Auto levelling suspension for towing. Yes, absolutely -do it. If you want DHP as well then I'd recommend it, but it's a separate question
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      01-20-2018, 09:20 PM   #11
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I tow an 18' enclosed car trailer and the self leveling rear suspension on my X5d helps make it a breeze.
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      01-21-2018, 03:57 AM   #12
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Self leveling is very nice when there is a significant load, but be warned that there is the added cost over time should the rear pump fail or something.
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      01-21-2018, 06:12 AM   #13
ajshanny
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigEEE View Post
I tow an 18' enclosed car trailer and the self leveling rear suspension on my X5d helps make it a breeze.
Do you have DHP or M adaptive suspension, or just plain vanilla DDC with self-leveling air? How does your car handle when not towing?
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      03-21-2018, 02:46 PM   #14
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When the vehicle has a lot of weight added to the rear axle, like the tongue weight of a trailer, the suspension will compress. This reduce the travel the suspension has to do it's work for comfort and safety. Air suspension will allow the vehicle to use the full suspension travel.
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      07-05-2018, 09:01 AM   #15
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I have an e70 d with self leveling. The rear suspension gave way this weekend coming through Montreal rush hour traffic. I was able to get to the Lavalle BMW dealer and they were kind enogh to get me in for an apintment and store the trailer. I am guessing the bag failed but haven’t heard back from the dealer yet.

My 2011 e70 had 90k miles.

Hoping to get the suspension worked out before I leave town on Monday.
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      07-05-2018, 10:29 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cb4 View Post
I have an e70 d with self leveling. The rear suspension gave way this weekend coming through Montreal rush hour traffic. I was able to get to the Lavalle BMW dealer and they were kind enogh to get me in for an apintment and store the trailer. I am guessing the bag failed but haven’t heard back from the dealer yet.

My 2011 e70 had 90k miles.

Hoping to get the suspension worked out before I leave town on Monday.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I decided to go with the self-leveling on my X5 but not DHP. My plan is to preemptively replace the airbags after 4 or 5 years to avoid a similar experience.
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      08-03-2018, 10:27 AM   #17
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how do i know if my x5 50 i has self leveling. i saw springs when i went under the car. but i keep hearing sounds when i lock or unlock the car . also i dont have 3rd row seats

Last edited by fkaljabr; 08-03-2018 at 10:38 AM..
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      08-03-2018, 10:48 AM   #18
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Decode your VIN.
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      08-03-2018, 04:04 PM   #19
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how do i know if my x5 50 i has self leveling. i saw springs when i went under the car. but i keep hearing sounds when i lock or unlock the car . also i dont have 3rd row seats
If it's got springs in the back then it's NOT self leveling. The noise is the fuel pump.

Air bags only comes with 3rd row or DHP standard and only come in the rear.
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      08-03-2018, 08:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverik259 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by fkaljabr View Post
how do i know if my x5 50 i has self leveling. i saw springs when i went under the car. but i keep hearing sounds when i lock or unlock the car . also i dont have 3rd row seats
If it's got springs in the back then it's NOT self leveling. The noise is the fuel pump.

Air bags only comes with 3rd row or DHP standard and only come in the rear.
The second statement above is incorrect. I ordered my 2018 35d with self leveling and DDC, which combined was a $1,500 option - a lot less than DHP, which is $4,500. I don't have 3rd row either.
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      08-03-2018, 09:52 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajshanny View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverik259 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by fkaljabr View Post
how do i know if my x5 50 i has self leveling. i saw springs when i went under the car. but i keep hearing sounds when i lock or unlock the car . also i dont have 3rd row seats
If it's got springs in the back then it's NOT self leveling. The noise is the fuel pump.

Air bags only comes with 3rd row or DHP standard and only come in the rear.
The second statement above is incorrect. I ordered my 2018 35d with self leveling and DDC, which combined was a $1,500 option - a lot less than DHP, which is $4,500. I don't have 3rd row either.
Hence why I said as standard within those packages. Not a special order....
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      08-13-2018, 02:09 PM   #22
ajshanny
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverik259 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajshanny View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverik259 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by fkaljabr View Post
how do i know if my x5 50 i has self leveling. i saw springs when i went under the car. but i keep hearing sounds when i lock or unlock the car . also i dont have 3rd row seats
If it's got springs in the back then it's NOT self leveling. The noise is the fuel pump.

Air bags only comes with 3rd row or DHP standard and only come in the rear.
The second statement above is incorrect. I ordered my 2018 35d with self leveling and DDC, which combined was a $1,500 option - a lot less than DHP, which is $4,500. I don't have 3rd row either.
Hence why I said as standard within those packages. Not a special order....
I was not sure that is what you meant. My apology.
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