BMW E61 5 Series

Find your parts for your BMW, 5 Series, E61 here. All you need to do is enter your vehicle model, make, year, and trim to see a list of compatible products for your ride. For extra peace of mind, all our parts are built with OEM-grade quality, helping ensure you always have the perfect fit for nearly any air suspension component you'll ever need. Need a corresponding pair? Order both and we'll throw in a 10% discount.

The suspension of the BMW E61 features a reliable design, and the manufacturer claims that it is guaranteed to function properly for at least 100 000 km. But even on good European roads, it turns out that this figure is too high. If you drive your BMW aggressively, its air suspension will malfunction early.

What Parts Fail First?

The owners of this BMW model claim that the most vulnerable elements are bushings and the stabilizers. They can fail even within the first 60 000 kilometers. The other elements of the rear suspension of the car can function properly for up to 120 000, or even 150 000 km.

When buying a BMW E61 with air suspension, experts strongly recommend that you check the rear axle thoroughly. If the mileage of the vehicle is 100-150 000 km, dust and debris that have entered the system can provoke breakdowns of the air springs or the compressor valve. At around this mileage, the steering rack can start producing knocking sounds. This element has a complex structure and is quite expensive.

Some owners of this model even claim that the suspension has lost its legendary reliability, so it is necessary to repair it more often.

Can Malfunctions be Prevented?

In most cases, malfunctions do not lead to the shutdown of the vehicle. It is enough for the owner to follow the appearance of signs of malfunctions. One way is to diagnose the problem yourself. That is very easy if you have a garage with the needed conditions. Attention is to be paid to:

  • dust coats and covers (they have to be intact) - if the some of them is torn, you will soon have to change the element that they cover;
    • shock absorbers - check for oil leaks (there should be no smudges);
    • check springs for cracks;
    • bushings (there should be no deformation);
    • connecting rods (there should be no wobbling).

    If all of the above elements are intact, but there are some issues in the function of the suspension, а professional diagnostics using computer equipment is required. Most likely, you will have to change the whole unit, and not a separate part.

    Budget Repair or Full Replacement?

    Every car owner wants repairs to be as cheap as possible. An example for that is the attempt to repair the compressor instead of changing it. Attempts for such savings are, however, extremely doubtful.

    Firstly, it is much more convenient to change the whole assembly than to remove it, change a separate part and install it back. After all, each part has its own degree of wear and tear, and in the near future, you may have to repeat the procedure with the removal of the unit and replacement of the part.

    Secondly, the remaining service life of repaired parts is much less than the installation of a new unit. This means that after the repair, the new part will hardly be able to make it to a mileage of 100 000 km. Thus, the purchase of a new unit greatly simplifies installation and saves time and money.

    Purchase of Spare Parts for BMW Suspension

    If you decide to buy high-quality auto parts at the best prices, you can always order them in the Aerosus online store.