Reliability questions - E70 7-seat 3.0si (2007)

[byaru1]

Good morning!

We are looking at a 7-seat 2007 E70 X5 3.0si. It's has about 95k on the odo.

I know this may have been asked before, but given many users would have owned these for 10 years, I would love to hear some feedback.

1. It has Self Levelling suspension. Is this the same as air suspension? How reliable and dependable is it? Any issues to look out for?

2. For this mileage, what issues should I expect? We want to keep this one for another 100,000kms (even more if dependable)

3. Can ground clearance be increased a little, safely? If so - how?

Thanks.

 

[momo1]

If I'm not mistaken , this has the same N52 engine as my Z4..
if so motor wise its pretty bullet proof if well maintained, water pump should be changed after +/-150,000km depending.
not sure on the suspension but the E70s were really built strong

 

[Blue Shirt]

All the 7-seater E70's have self-levelling air suspension in the rear.

These air springs (really just big rubber airbags) can fail, I had to replace both on my old E70 between 150k and 200k km. They don't fail catastrophically, rather develop a slow leak that leaves the car sitting lopsided overnight.

The replacement air springs cost about R4k each, and replacement is an easy DIY if you are that way inclined.

 

[byaru1]

All the 7-seater E70's have self-levelling air suspension in the rear.

These air springs (really just big rubber airbags) can fail, I had to replace both on my old E70 between 150k and 200k km. They don't fail catastrophically, rather develop a slow leak that leaves the car sitting lopsided overnight.

The replacement air springs cost about R4k each, and replacement is an easy DIY if you are that way inclined.

Thank you for the information!

Is it possible to safely increase the ground clearance/ride height by some millimetres? Have some folk done it here? What's the default clearance for the E70, especially the one with the sport package which adds that extra padding on the front bumper?

 

[Blue Shirt]

I doubt that it is possible to cost-effectively raise the ground clearance on the E70.

I was never worried about where I could go with the E70, although I never took it offroad other than some dirt roads and around the farm.

 

[byaru1]

I doubt that it is possible to cost-effectively raise the ground clearance on the E70.

I was never worried about where I could go with the E70, although I never took it offroad other than some dirt roads and around the farm.

Thank you.

One more question - so the 2007 7-seat 3.0si has the air suspension, only at the back, right? Does this mean the front are normal coil springs?

The VIN lookup says:

S220A Self-levelling suspension (NIVEAUREGULIERUNG)
S226A Sports suspension settings (SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG)
P330A Sports package (SPORTPAKET)

I suppose the Self-Levelling Suspension is the air suspension only at the back?

What is the "S226A Sports suspension settings"? Does this imply a tougher/heavy duty setup? And what is the "P330A Sports Package"?

One other option I see is:

S823A Hot-climate version (HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG)

What does this actually mean? Stronger AC? Stronger/heavy duty radiator/cooling system?

Thanks.

 

[Blue Shirt]

I doubt that it is possible to cost-effectively raise the ground clearance on the E70.

I was never worried about where I could go with the E70, although I never took it offroad other than some dirt roads and around the farm.

Thank you.

One more question - so the 2007 7-seat 3.0si has the air suspension, only at the back, right? Does this mean the front are normal coil springs? Correct

The VIN lookup says:

S220A Self-levelling suspension (NIVEAUREGULIERUNG)
S226A Sports suspension settings (SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG)
P330A Sports package (SPORTPAKET)

I suppose the Self-Levelling Suspension is the air suspension only at the back? Correct

What is the "S226A Sports suspension settings"? Does this imply a tougher/heavy duty setup? Stiffer suspension settings, staggered alloys front/rear And what is the "P330A Sports Package"? Cosmetic stuff, sports bumpers, wheel arches, possibly sport seats in the front

One other option I see is:

S823A Hot-climate version (HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG)

What does this actually mean? Stronger AC? Stronger/heavy duty radiator/cooling system?

Thanks.

 

[byaru1]

I doubt that it is possible to cost-effectively raise the ground clearance on the E70.

I was never worried about where I could go with the E70, although I never took it offroad other than some dirt roads and around the farm.

Thank you.

One more question - so the 2007 7-seat 3.0si has the air suspension, only at the back, right? Does this mean the front are normal coil springs? Correct

The VIN lookup says:

S220A Self-levelling suspension (NIVEAUREGULIERUNG)
S226A Sports suspension settings (SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG)
P330A Sports package (SPORTPAKET)

I suppose the Self-Levelling Suspension is the air suspension only at the back? Correct

What is the "S226A Sports suspension settings"? Does this imply a tougher/heavy duty setup? Stiffer suspension settings, staggered alloys front/rear And what is the "P330A Sports Package"? Cosmetic stuff, sports bumpers, wheel arches, possibly sport seats in the front

One other option I see is:

S823A Hot-climate version (HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG)

What does this actually mean? Stronger AC? Stronger/heavy duty radiator/cooling system?

Thanks.

Thank you @Blue Shirt!!

--

 

[byaru1]

I doubt that it is possible to cost-effectively raise the ground clearance on the E70.

I was never worried about where I could go with the E70, although I never took it offroad other than some dirt roads and around the farm.

Thank you.

One more question - so the 2007 7-seat 3.0si has the air suspension, only at the back, right? Does this mean the front are normal coil springs? Correct

The VIN lookup says:

S220A Self-levelling suspension (NIVEAUREGULIERUNG)
S226A Sports suspension settings (SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG)
P330A Sports package (SPORTPAKET)

I suppose the Self-Levelling Suspension is the air suspension only at the back? Correct

What is the "S226A Sports suspension settings"? Does this imply a tougher/heavy duty setup? Stiffer suspension settings, staggered alloys front/rear And what is the "P330A Sports Package"? Cosmetic stuff, sports bumpers, wheel arches, possibly sport seats in the front

One other option I see is:

S823A Hot-climate version (HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG)

What does this actually mean? Stronger AC? Stronger/heavy duty radiator/cooling system?

Thanks.

Thank you @Blue Shirt!!

--

@Yes - one more question.

I see that the stated ride height/ground clearance of the E70 is 210mm?
With the Sports Package (Cosmetic stuff, sports bumpers, wheel arches..) is the ride height/ground clearance impacted (3.0si 2007)?

Do those additions to the front bumper reduce clearance? I do not see this stated anywhere..

Thanks!

 

[Blue Shirt]

Sorry, I don't know if the ride height or ground clearance is different with/without the sport pack goodies.