Nimesis

Can someone please tell me, where the suspension compressor on E61 M5 is located?

I Googled for some pic., but didn't find any.
In case if I will upgrade to the M5 exhausts.
Tnx.

xarly_cye

Hi from Spain.

I have a problem with the rear suspension of my 2004 530d e61.

The car doesn't indicate any error in the i-drive, but is very low in the rear. As if the compressor doesn't have the strength to command the air and lift the car. Because the car didn't make mistake, I don't know what is the failure of the suspension.

The air springs were changed three months ago by the previous owner, and the pipes that connect the air springs with the compressor were also changed.

Can anyone help me?

Sorry for the bad english

Thanks!

tom_il

Your compressor is gone.

KAF

Just had my compressor replaced.
Been having warnings for several months, the warning came on, at start up, a couple of weeks ago the warning came on but stayed on the whole time, didn't revert to a background '!' type warning.

During the drive it was apparent that something major had happened, the rear of the car was almost on the floor and every minor road surface imperfection was like driving over a kerb!

New compressor was needed, total cost £1063.20 !

Luckily I have an after-market warranty that paid 60% of the cost of the parts, all the labour and the recovery change.

psg

update: 208,000 km, leveling failure warning still only comes on infrequently.

hosburger

Hi,
Bit of a weird one but my compressor actually is blowing from the inlet. I take it this is just a blown seal and not some weird electrical fault ? I am getting the common fault message and comp is running but there is no change in ride height.

Also . Can anyone point me in the direction of a good write up on how to change the compressor ?

Cheers

Deb6orah

I think BMW does this to save time, time is money for them, you know.

customclothiers

where is the relay located for the compressor?

Tiago

Inside the car and below the trunk floor.

UrbanTiger

The problem with the compressor is that when the hose is broken it sucks in dirt and grit that causes the piston rings to wear out. Especially the small end is important bacause it is the high pressure side. If the ring is worn the pump will work for long time without getting enouh pressure. If the ring breaks completly the mump will blow air from the inlet.

Repairing of the compressor can be done by replacing the plastic piston ring for the small side piston inside. The replacement part is a 3mm o-ring with inner diameter 22mm together with lubricating all with a little grease.

Operation as follows.

With compressor of the car remove the bracket with three screws.
Remove the cap srew, loock inside and see the motor shaft.
Remove the two long screws holding the motor to the compressor house.
Secure the back end lid on the motor to the motor house. If it separates it can cause damade to the bruches. Use duct tape to do this.
Now drive out the motor shaft by using a mandrel and a hammer. This is the tricky part. My shaft refused to come out from the bearing an de bearing came out of the piston instead. So i had to enladge the bearing seat a bit to be able to reassemble it later.
Now with the motor off open the piston chamber lid with the four screws.
Clean everything, replace the small end piston ring with the o-ring.
The sliding band bearings and the big end piston ring can probably be left as is.
Small amount of grease on the parts an reassembly everything. Important to get the motor shaft and the bearing in the right position.

Good luck.