[Minmet]

First post. Current Audi owner. Looking at new 540i. Test drove a 540i xDrive M sport trim (with M suspension). Not to my like (I know people might feel weird. But that's my personal preference). Dealer don't have Sport trim (with regular suspension) one for me to try, instead, let me test drove a sports trim i5 eDrive40. Really like it. Super quiet, very smooth and very comfortable over minor dips without any minor vibration. At the time I though the smoothness, cushion no vibration might come from the rear air suspension. But further reading got conflict information. Some say US market i5 eDrive40 don't have the rear air suspension. If that's true, then the smoothness must come from the regular suspension then I would find another dealer to test drive a 540i xDrive Sport trim/regular suspension.

[deutsch100]

I do not believe it does. I had a 2022 530e and it did not have air suspension....and it was so smooth and the ride very compliant. The 5 Series has always been like this! With or without air suspension....great ride!

[RichardInCA]

Per the sticky at the top of the forum both i5’s have rear air suspension:

“The BMW i5 is also equipped with rear-axle air suspension as standard. The self-levelling suspension ensures optimum vehicle height for comfortable and safe driving, even when heavily loaded. The air supply to the suspension is regulated individually for each wheel and can thus also compensate for uneven loading.”

[SkykingUSA]

Everything I have read and watched online has indicated that the two i5 models in the US have the air suspension as standard in the rear only. My understanding is that this is needed to handle the weight of the batteries in those cars.

[deutsch100]

I guess I was wrong. Sorry! But happy to hear, that both the e40 and M60 i5 has air!

[Minmet]

Thanks all for the reply!
I knew that initial reports all said rear-axle air suspension is standard. However, Horatiu Boeriu from BMWBlog stated rea-axle air suspension is optional in his review (linker below) and in couple of his videos specific stated rear suspension is not air suspension in US market.
https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/10/01/2...-drive-review/

BMWUSA site i5 feature describes eDrive40 with "Multi-link rear suspension" while M60 with "Adaptive Suspension with electronically controlled damper" plus "Multi-link rear suspension".

That's why I came here and aksed. Was hoping to get some input from real eDrive40 owners or service techs.

[RichardInCA]

Maybe the easiest solution is to ask the dealer where you test drove the i5 whether the car you tested had air suspension?

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Maybe the easiest solution is to ask the dealer where you test drove the i5 whether the car you tested had air suspension?

Although I have found most people at most dealers (any marque) are pretty clueless

If you can see the car you drove, you can peek in the wheel well. It's easy to tell what cars have air suspension or standard springs.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Although I have found most people at most dealers (any marque) are pretty clueless

If you can see the car you drove, you can peek in the wheel well. It's easy to tell what cars have air suspension or standard springs.

Maybe there is some mention of it on the window sticker too. I have not thought to look there before.

[Minmet]

SkykingUSA, you have the eDrive40. Guess you can confirm from your car's set up then.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by Minmet

SkykingUSA, you have the eDrive40. Guess you can confirm from your car's set up then.

I wish! My car is still in the port in Germany waiting for a ship to transport it to the USA. I don't have it yet.

[Minmet]

Here is the reply from BMW Gunius: "The 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 Sedan comes standard with a multi-link rear suspension system. The optional M Sport Package includes the M Sport Suspension when ordered at the time of manufacturing."
Basically confirmed that it doesn't have the rear-axle air suspension as I specifically asked to confirm if it has or not.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by Minmet

Here is the reply from BMW Gunius: "The 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 Sedan comes standard with a multi-link rear suspension system. The optional M Sport Package includes the M Sport Suspension when ordered at the time of manufacturing."
Basically confirmed that it doesn't have the rear-axle air suspension as I specifically asked to confirm if it has or not.

Albeit a bit of a template non-answer answer ;-)

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by Minmet

Here is the reply from BMW Gunius: "The 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 Sedan comes standard with a multi-link rear suspension system. The optional M Sport Package includes the M Sport Suspension when ordered at the time of manufacturing."
Basically confirmed that it doesn't have the rear-axle air suspension as I specifically asked to confirm if it has or not.

So I was right when I replied to this thread that the edrive 40 does NOT have air suspension?!

[agorski]

The BMW Pressclub USA announcement for the new 5 series:

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...language=en_US

Way down the article it says:

The BMW i5 is also equipped with rear-axle air suspension as standard. The self-levelling suspension ensures optimum vehicle height for comfortable and safe driving, even when heavily loaded. The air supply to the suspension is regulated individually for each wheel and can thus also compensate for uneven loading.

[Minmet]

Originally Posted by agorski

The BMW Pressclub USA announcement for the new 5 series:

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...language=en_US

Way down the article it says:

The BMW i5 is also equipped with rear-axle air suspension as standard. The self-levelling suspension ensures optimum vehicle height for comfortable and safe driving, even when heavily loaded. The air supply to the suspension is regulated individually for each wheel and can thus also compensate for uneven loading.

The press release was May 24, 2023 as general information for global market. Anything could happen since then and specifically for US market. Remember, US market M suspension is specially calibrated to "US driver's like" and different from other markets. Horatiu Boeriu wouldn't have stated that US i5 eDrive40 don't have rear air suspension if he don't have clear information. The BMW Genius' written reply to me would have simply say yes to my question if it is equipped.

[RichardInCA]

Given your interest is in teh 540i XDrive, isn’t the simplest path here to just test drive a 540i in the trim you’re considering? Regardless of the situation with the i5, that doesn’t directly address your underlying question of whether the 540i is the right car for you.

[Minmet]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Given your interest is in teh 540i XDrive, isn’t the simplest path here to just test drive a 540i in the trim you’re considering? Regardless of the situation with the i5, that doesn’t directly address your underlying question of whether the 540i is the right car for you.

Yes, on my to do list however dealers near me don't have one for test drive yet as of now (Plus I don't have the time keep going to dealers). And, eDrive40 along with the upcoming xDrive40 are both on my list now if the 540i Sport trim doesn't meet my like thus I am still looking at the details now. I would have ordered eDrive40 already if the rear air suspension is already confirmed as I would have been quite sure my positive experience with the eDrive40 is came from the air suspension.

[ando]

My i5 eDr40 had a rear tire change and it does look like it has rear air suspension and NOT a coil spring. See screen shot of service video below

[Minmet]

Originally Posted by ando

My i5 eDr40 had a rear tire change and it does look like it has rear air suspension and NOT a coil spring. See screen shot of service video below

Thanks for the picture, Ando!
I think what you see is probably the plastic cover of the shock absorber. You most likely won't see the spring like coil-over system where the spring "wraps" around the shock absorber. For rear suspension, either the spring or the air-bag is located below the shock absorber towards a bit inner side of the axle. Need to look from under to see.

[RichardInCA]

Not sure if this might help - it’s the rear of my M60 which definitely has air suspension in the back - there might be more adaptive stuff in here, but I only know how to drive the thing. Apologies for the blurry shots from a recent inspection video:

[Minmet]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Not sure if this might help - it’s the rear of my M60 which definitely has air suspension in the back - there might be more adaptive stuff in here, but I only know how to drive the thing. Apologies for the blurry shots from a recent inspection video:

Thanks, RichardInCA! The location is surely right. Just unable to see clearly to identify.