Lowering an F15 X5 with Air suspension Rear!

[Rokoz]

Anybody towing with their lowered X5?

[Geo41e]

I don't see an issue if the x5 has rear air? Since it'll level itself..

But maybe a really slammed x5?

[Unpliable]

Originally Posted by Geo41e

Hey Dave - all good

So yes, you can (as I have done)

We used a Snap diagnostic tool and purely "tricked" the air suspension computer to think it was too high, and it lowered the rear.

If you want more detail, let me know.

FYI - I went down by about 15mm. (stock M adaptive dampers)
anything lower than that, i would recommend coilovers as the rear starts to get a bit too bumpy.

Another stupid question incoming from closer to home!

Would you happen to know if the Rear Air Suspension on the Msport version is different to the non-M? I have a non-M (Luxury?) x35i here in Malaysia (that's the only version they were selling at the time). I just bought it as a mid-life crisis-toy-car and the gap between the fenders and the tyre is really irking me.

Thanks in advance!

[Geo41e]

So I'm pretty sure, that regardless if m adaptive or standard shocks, if you have air springs on the rear, the would be self leveling.

Which means you should be able to program them/calibrate them to lower or higher height.

If you have a mechanic that has a scan tool (usually the snap on diagnostic tool) you can see the menu for special function under air suspension.

[///d]

Originally Posted by davegill

Sorry for my ignorance on this, but the rear can be lowered simply with programming?

Originally Posted by Geo41e

Hey Dave - all good

So yes, you can (as I have done)

We used a Snap diagnostic tool and purely "tricked" the air suspension computer to think it was too high, and it lowered the rear.

If you want more detail, let me know.

FYI - I went down by about 15mm. (stock M adaptive dampers)
anything lower than that, i would recommend coilovers as the rear starts to get a bit too bumpy.

This does work, however I wouldn't advise it. By not changing out the links to a shorter link you are forcing the sensor to operate outside it's intended travel and you could damage the sensor causing complete failure of the system. Shorter links keeps the sensor operating within the the nominal travel it was intended.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by ///d

This does work, however I wouldn't advise it. By not changing out the links to a shorter link you are forcing the sensor to operate outside it's intended travel and you could damage the sensor causing complete failure of the system. Shorter links keeps the sensor operating within the the nominal travel it was intended.

Hey D, didn't know this at all...

have we had any stories in which the above has occurred ? or from your experience ?

I would understand if the difference was like, 30 - 40mm...and the sensor was playing at the extreme ends...but for 10- 20mm...i'm sure it's within tolerance ?

[///d]

Originally Posted by Geo41e

Hey D, didn't know this at all...

have we had any stories in which the above has occurred ? or from your experience ?

I would understand if the difference was like, 30 - 40mm...and the sensor was playing at the extreme ends...but for 10- 20mm...i'm sure it's within tolerance ?

I personally have no stories, just speaking from electronics experience and how much I've seen the sensor move with little input. The arm off the sensor to the link is not very long, so it does not take much height movement to move the sensor a ways. 25.4mm is aleady one inch, and while I dont know the limits of the sensor, I can only image thats getting close.

But it may be fine. The links are so cheap and easy to put on, doesnt require software or tinkering with the numbers.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by ///d

I personally have no stories, just speaking from electronics experience and how much I've seen the sensor move with little input. The arm off the sensor to the link is not very long, so it does not take much height movement to move the sensor a ways. 25.4mm is aleady one inch, and while I dont know the limits of the sensor, I can only image thats getting close.

But it may be fine. The links are so cheap and easy to put on, doesn't require software or tinkering with the numbers.

ahh understood. I guess I'll provide some more feedback if anything goes wrong lol

Also, I was planning on getting links, but found it logically easier to tinker with a scan tool than to install and adj the links... (mind you, I did have a friend who had the snap on tool).

Side question, how low did you go on the rear ? And how do you find comfort levels ? I do notice if i go more than 20mm...it starts to get abit jumpy and harsher...like..exponentially harder

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Geo41e

ahh understood. I guess I'll provide some more feedback if anything goes wrong lol

Also, I was planning on getting links, but found it logically easier to tinker with a scan tool than to install and adj the links... (mind you, I did have a friend who had the snap on tool).

Side question, how low did you go on the rear ? And how do you find comfort levels ? I do notice if i go more than 20mm...it starts to get abit jumpy and harsher...like..exponentially harder

the links are super easy to install. you don't even need to put the rear on stands.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

the links are super easy to install. you don't even need to put the rear on stands.

oh really ? danm
maybe i should of done that lol

how about adjusting height ?

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Geo41e

oh really ? danm
maybe i should of done that lol

how about adjusting height ?

mine were dinan and came pre adjusted.

[Geo41e]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

mine were dinan and came pre adjusted.

yeh, looking at yours, i love your ride height. i'm wondering if the car sits lower, or your wheels (assuming they are 21"), or a combination of both.

do you have a measurement front the centre hub, to the guard ?