Arnott Rear Air Springs (Self leveling Air Bags) - Anyone used these

[jayt22]

Has anybody fitted the Arnott Rear Air Springs (Self leveling Air Bags) to their Touring.

https://www.arnotteu...n-products.aspx

Thinking about using these when i carry out the refresh on the rear suspension on my touring.

[AquilaBMW]

Not on my BMW, but I've used their air bags on my Range Rover and they are brilliant.

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Not on my BMW, but I've used their air bags on my Range Rover and they are brilliant. I will be getting a pair of these for the Wagon in the near future for certain.

[Mpowered02]

Interesting. Would you say that they would be "better" than using the OE BMW air springs?

[motuman]

I just installed them on the back of my '99 540iT.

The fit was perfect and the job was easy. The rubber seems to be high quality, made by Continental, and has lifetime warranty I believe.

My only concern is the black plastic accumulator line clips that they supply. On one hand they supply new clips which is good news for anyone who breaks the stock clips. On the other hand, the engagement of the Arnott supplied clips is less secure than stock, IMHO, due to less surface. We actually had one pop off while we were pressure testing the system. (that got our attention) After a little more fiddling, I got the Arnott clip seated and it seems to be holding fine now.

Another FYI - Arnott supplies the same bag for standard and sport suspensions, and they are longer than stock. No trouble to install however, and the ride seem stop be slightly better than the stock bags I removed. (which were not blown, as it turns out)

[juststeve]

here is another site for stock replacement.
I have had these on the car for about a year.

http://www.suncoreindustries.com/BMW...suspension.php

[jayt22]

Motuman - Could you please give more details regarding the issues you had with the clips.

Also when you say there longer than the standard bags - how much longer?

Did yours have the normal SE or Sport bags fitted to it

Cheers

[Koogs]

I installed the Arnott springs a few weeks ago.

I tried using the stock clip but it didn't seem secure. I swapped out the stock clip for the supplied clip and they locked in with no fuss.

[Bo9]

Installed them about a month ago. Local NAPA carries them but they were cheaper from BavAuto with free shipping. Went on a 2001 525i with sport suspension and feels about the same. Had similar experience with the stock clips not "latching" on the Arnott fittings, but no issues with the Arnott clips.
Pictures over in this thread.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...er-525it/page2

[shaunmlavery]

I just installed them on the back of my '99 540iT.

Another FYI - Arnott supplies the same bag for standard and sport suspensions, and they are longer than stock. No trouble to install however, and the ride seem stop be slightly better than the stock bags I removed. (which were not blown, as it turns out)

This has been my big hold up from buying there stuff. I sent them a message a couple months back about this, as I have Sport suspension. I didn't get a clear answer if they could work or not and they basically told me they only make Std. rear springs.

Since I only have one spring that leaks every few months, and to my knowledge they are original, I may just stick with OE unless I hear something back from you guys that have Sport SLS.

[joekitch]

I've heard nothing but good things about arnott, they're basically jesus christ for any car with an air suspension, way higher quality more durable airbag rubber with OEM fit and functionality.

[nicobaires]

Just installed these this past weekend. Simple and great, the clips held fine. I also called about the sport vs regular bags and for mine they only said they had the regular. He said that the ride won't he as harsh. I can't tell the difference as it rides great. Very simple install.

[bear5]

This has been my big hold up from buying there stuff. I sent them a message a couple months back about this, as I have Sport suspension. I didn't get a clear answer if they could work or not and they basically told me they only make Std. rear springs.

Since I only have one spring that leaks every few months, and to my knowledge they are original, I may just stick with OE unless I hear something back from you guys that have Sport SLS.

I sent Arnott a message today as well about this. They list both the same part #'s for sport and regular suspension on their website for their air springs...
I've noticed the sport air spring base is white, while the regular air spring is black. The Arnott's are black... Hmm....
I have a leaky rightside air spring on my Sport w/ SLS suspension and need to make a move on something soon.....
Any feedback appreciated..

[Clark Grizwald]

quasi related question, what is an indicator of the bags needing replacement? other than them leaking air?

[geargrinder]

Them leaking air. Come out to car and it needs to air up after overnight. Starts as rare occur then becomes more frequent. No other real problems ie not like ride deteriorates but they dont leak.

[bear5]

Ordered the Arnotts's for my E39 (with Sport & SLS suspension) on Thursday, they were delivered yesterday.
Just completed the install (no surprises, nicely made product) the bags are Continental btw, they included new clips.
Real nice PDF install instructions on their website. Car rides better in the rear. My right side SLS bag would pretty much deflate overnight. Now both sides are level.
2 thumbs up.

[geargrinder]

Nice. Just waiting for mine to fail before trying them. Glad to hear they come w new clips, that's great and smart.

Any comments re side by side comparo w the OEMs?

[bear5]

It was hard to tell for an "exact" side by side comparison as my OEM's were 13 years old. The new Arnott's were slightly shorter but haven't yet been inflated at all, but as mentioned the old ones were all stretched out (and actually compressed in/ down ridiculously easy), one had a tiny hole in it.

I did take measurements before and after the install and the ride height is the same OEM vs. Arnott air shocks (with the right side being back to level).

[geargrinder]

Yeah agreed one would expect the old ones to be all stretched out and saggy (great old girlfriend joke here but against forum rules). Just wondering if the construction and parts look the same - sounds yes?

Def you'd expect the ride height to be exact same since sensors make it a closed loop system