View Full Version : What kind of Air for E39
bigm707
11-30-2009, 03:11 PM
I have look for air struts for e39 bmw all i find is everything else from 3 to 7 series and e60. i found k-sport to have a kit but i want to make my own just wat to know if anyone has link for bmw 5 series e39 i saw masion-tech sells air struts by them self for VW so maybe there can be somthing for a e39
-THANKS bigm707....
somthing like this but for bimmers....http://mason-tech.com/airrideCW1.asp
fiziks
12-01-2009, 09:48 AM
ive never seen an e39 on air, fwiw. i would contact a vendor to whip up something custom.
Madface
12-01-2009, 01:13 PM
if you want something that's straight bolt in you probably have to go with one of the big european companies (HPS, BSS or G.A.S.) since there isn't much demand for those cars in the US.
if you want to fabricate something, and probably save some money, talk to the guys at Universal Air Suspension. they have an Aerosport bag that is made to fit over any strut that is 2.5" diameter or smaller, a lot of the vip cars are running them over coilovers with no issues.
bigm707
12-01-2009, 01:41 PM
if you want something that's straight bolt in you probably have to go with one of the big european companies (hps, bss or g.a.s.) since there isn't much demand for those cars in the us.
If you want to fabricate something, and probably save some money, talk to the guys at universal air suspension. They have an aerosport bag that is made to fit over any strut that is 2.5" diameter or smaller, a lot of the vip cars are running them over coilovers with no issues.
thanks man.......
slocar
12-02-2009, 07:31 AM
if you want something that's straight bolt in you probably have to go with one of the big european companies (HPS, BSS or G.A.S.) since there isn't much demand for those cars in the US.
if you want to fabricate something, and probably save some money, talk to the guys at Universal Air Suspension. they have an Aerosport bag that is made to fit over any strut that is 2.5" diameter or smaller, a lot of the vip cars are running them over coilovers with no issues.
Can they be used over coilovers; do you throw away the springs or do they go over? I want moAr info; I might be interested in putting my e36 on air.
Sorry for the 'jack.
bigm707
12-02-2009, 10:35 AM
Can they be used over coilovers; do you throw away the springs or do they go over? I want moAr info; I might be interested in putting my e36 on air.
Sorry for the 'jack.
yea its koo.....i want to know how it all works for cars too.....i know a lot about truck air suspension but not that much about cars....in truck i seen that you mostly chop it up to bag it and lay frame on car i want low, nicly bag but still look like stock suspension.....
Rally
12-02-2009, 10:45 AM
Can they be used over coilovers; do you throw away the springs or do they go over? I want moAr info; I might be interested in putting my e36 on air.
Sorry for the 'jack.
They replace the spring all together. They generally require a little custom fab to make the perches work and get low. The strut diameter only has to be larger than 2.14" actually as there is a sleeve inside the bag. There is no need to seal the bag to the perches due to this sleeve which allows you to just plop the bag right over the coilover.
slocar
12-02-2009, 12:52 PM
You have me all excited now.
slocar
12-02-2009, 08:12 PM
Ok I got one more question.
On cars where the rear spring is separate from the shock as on the e36, how does it work; how do you mount the bag?
bigm707
12-03-2009, 01:09 PM
Ok I got one more question.
On cars where the rear spring is separate from the shock as on the e36, how does it work; how do you mount the bag?
+1 yea.... any pics
Madface
12-06-2009, 07:28 PM
in the rear you wouldn't use the aerosport bag, it would be a wast eof money and it probably wouldn't get you low enough. the aeropsort only collapses to 4", but if you use an airhouse or slam specialties bag they collapse to 2".
what rally posted is correct, the aerosport is more like a doughnut. it's sealed in itself rather than being sealed to the strut.
https://www.universalairsuspension.com/store/images/Powersport.jpg
slocar
12-06-2009, 08:37 PM
So in the rear, on a e36, I'd have to keep springs? That's not really very cool if you have bags and still can't set the car down onto the ground except in the front. :(
Rally
12-06-2009, 08:55 PM
So in the rear, on a e36, I'd have to keep springs? That's not really very cool if you have bags and still can't set the car down onto the ground except in the front. :(
Huh? You replace the rear springs with bags too. The mounting depends on the car suspension. People generally have to have custom mounts welded unles a company sells a kit for your car. Since they don't have to slip over the strut, you don't use an "aerosport" bag....you'd use something like the Air Houses that they sell.
Example of mounts on the right in this pic. Obviously the design is gonna be different for different models of cars:
http://www.mason-tech.com/cw3/Assets/product_expanded/b7a4airride_ex.jpg
bigm707
12-06-2009, 10:50 PM
Huh? You replace the rear springs with bags too. The mounting depends on the car suspension. People generally have to have custom mounts welded unles a company sells a kit for your car. Since they don't have to slip over the strut, you don't use an "aerosport" bag....you'd use something like the Air Houses that they sell.
Example of mounts on the right in this pic. Obviously the design is gonna be different for different models of cars:
http://www.mason-tech.com/cw3/Assets/product_expanded/b7a4airride_ex.jpg
Hey thanks this helps man....
Madface
12-07-2009, 12:45 AM
So in the rear, on a e36, I'd have to keep springs? That's not really very cool if you have bags and still can't set the car down onto the ground except in the front. :(
you replace the spring with a bag, just not the aerosport bag. they're like $100 more per bag than an airhouse bag that doesn't have the hole through it for the shock.
its a pretty simple process. I build custom setups as a hobby/ extra cash. The front like that said you would use a aerosport strut over bag from universal air. Thes bags are designed to work with any mcpherson strut however coils work best as they allow for more range of travel. For the rears you would use either an airhouse2 or a slam specialties re5 depending on how much room you have in the rear spring cup. The rest is pretty much universal and up to persoanl prefrence ie... digital management/ gauges vs anaolg gauges and switches. 1 compressor vs. 2 compressors, tank sizes, air line sizes, manifold vs. valves.
This is a setup I built for a mk4 VW GTI/ Jetta
rear bag setup using re5's and custom made brackets that i welded up
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv78/_plush_/DSCN0015.jpg
front setup with universal air strut over bags
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv78/_plush_/DSCN1506.jpg
slocar
12-13-2009, 09:57 PM
That makes it much clearer. When you get a chance, if it's not too much trouble, link me to some control crap/valves ... basically i dont care if it's digital or not as long as it lets the car go up and down and I can semi-control the thing.
I'm really interested in doing this ... I can get a tank and compressor for nothing as my dad works at a shop and has basically all sorts of that crap laying around, and looking at the bags ... they don't seem that expensive. 2 aerosports and 2 re5s (which it looks like what I'd need) would run 450, which is so far so good IMO.
That makes it much clearer. When you get a chance, if it's not too much trouble, link me to some control crap/valves ... basically i dont care if it's digital or not as long as it lets the car go up and down and I can semi-control the thing.
I'm really interested in doing this ... I can get a tank and compressor for nothing as my dad works at a shop and has basically all sorts of that crap laying around, and looking at the bags ... they don't seem that expensive. 2 aerosports and 2 re5s (which it looks like what I'd need) would run 450, which is so far so good IMO.
I can do 2 re5's and 2 aerosports for 440 plus shipping, ive had good luck with airbagit.coms manifold I know people like to rag on them but Ive used it in 5 cars now with no issues.
http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/airvalv-mvs-1.htm
I can do that for 145 plus shipping, if you want top of the line the accuair is the way to go. and I can do that for 450 plus shipping https://www.universalairsuspension.com/store/popup_image.php?pID=211&osCsid=aae020c156fbb52cf2d15ccc2dd32dbb
If you need compressors or anyhting else I can get you prices. Also if you can I reccomend stainless or aluminun tanks as they wont rust.
sorry needed to add controls
In my personal setups i use dakota digital gauges( Im not a big fan of analog as you have to run airlines to the gauges) but these can be quite a bit more exspensive so If budget is the name of the game I would do the viair dual needle gauges. Im also not a big fan of digital management but a lot of people like the ease of use. IMO its exspensive but airbagit has an affordable setup thats only around 450 for full digital management. The best system IMO is the dakota digital. Ive alwyas used just EAI switch boxes in my personal cars, the 5 is good if you are on a budget its only like 30 bucks and super easy to install I prefer the 7 which is about 30 bucks more but has a lock out feature for valet and gives you much more control if you want a fbss system.
Rally
12-14-2009, 08:40 AM
Digital is expensive but makes install an absolute breeze. It comes with the "cool factor" and some nice added additions like leak control and preset ride heights.
Analog is cheaper, but requires some additional wiring. It can give you a nice clean install with just some nice dual needle gauges and simple switches.
This is where I get all my stuff from. Different managements will require different things. If you need help figuring it out, just let me know when you decide whether you want to go digital or analog and we can go from there.
http://www.airassisted.com/Air-Management/c2/index.html
ive had convos with a couple people on here. I have wholesale accounts with universal air, airbagit, and easy street. So I can get anything anyone would ever need for air ride. From basic all the way to top of the line. So if you have a question feel free to ask. If anyone wants prices my email is oemplush@gmail.com
opp not trying to jack your thread, if you need any more help or suggestions just shoot me an email
andrew@openroad
02-14-2010, 05:56 PM
If you're still interested in bagging your E39, give me a shout. BagYard has bagged numerous cars including:
Chrysler 300C
Jaguar S-type
Ford Focus
BMW e60
Caddy DeVille
Exami
02-26-2010, 02:26 AM
Heres pic of E39 coilovers.. a bit hint for how the airbags should go and how to attach...
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8392/img1085nk9.jpg
I would my self be interested baggin mine too :) if there is good bolt on kit to work with :shifty
andrew@openroad
02-26-2010, 07:09 PM
The fronts aren't an issue, it's the rears. Due to the way the springs sit and the fact that there really isn't a slip-over bag thin enough to fit - you have to do something custom.
The fronts aren't an issue, it's the rears. Due to the way the springs sit and the fact that there really isn't a slip-over bag thin enough to fit - you have to do something custom.
you dont have to do something custom you just cant use the rear coils. You will need to purchase chapman rear struts
http://store.gaugemagazine.com/chapmanuniversalstrutkit.aspx
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