Regulating Time, Maintenance & Inspections, Oil Level Ride Height & Procedures Information

Regulating Time

The ride control system only works with the ignition turned ON. In order to bring the car to nominal ride height as quickly as possible, even with heavy loads and low temperatures (viscous hydraulic oil), it is recommended to turn the ignition ON before loading the trunk.

Maintenance and Inspections

The system does not require maintenance except for checking the oil level and adjusting the rear end ride height, if necessary.

Checking Oil Level

The oil level in the hydraulic unit tank must be checked during PDI and inspections. Check only with the vehicle unloaded.

Approved hydraulic oil: "LHM" (BMW P/N 81 22 9 407 025)

CAUTION

^ The level must not exceed the "max." mark!

^ Remove spilled fluid immediately as damage may occur to painted surfaces.

Nominal Ride Height

The nominal ride height is adjusted to: 531 +/- 10 mm for M5 cars; 578 +/- 10 mm for M6 cars, as measured between the wheel rim flange and wheel opening.


Adjusting Ride Height

Since the suspension parts of new cars will settle slightly, it will be necessary to check the adjusted ride height of the system during the PDI and service inspections - See TECHNICAL DATA for ride height.

Procedures

Perform only on level surface! Load vehicle with 150 kg (330 lbs.) in the center, most forward portion of the trunk. Turn ignition ON, release parking brake and place transmission in neutral.
In order to allow movement of suspension components during automatic setting of ride height, push the car backward and forward at least one wheel revolution. Alignment racks with floating wheel plates also allow the proper movement.

- After completion of automatic adjustment cycle, measure ride height "H" on left and right sides (actual value).

- Determine difference between actual and nominal values.

- Correct by changing length of the regulating rod.

Regulating Rod Length for Basic Adjustment

Basic adjustment: M5: 127.5 +/- 0.5 mm M6: 127.5 +/- 0.5 mm

- Disconnect regulating rod at switch end. Unscrew ball socket locknut (secure ball socket with an 11 mm wrench if necessary).

- Adjust length to correspond with the determined difference, whereby one turn of the ball socket will change the height by about 6 mm.

^ Shortening the regulating rod = increases the height "H".

^ Lengthening the regulating rod = decreases the height "H".

- Tighten locknut, Note: The openings of both ball sockets on the regulating rod must face in the same direction.

- Connect regulating rod.

- Perform regulating step again and recheck height "H".

- If the nominal ride height is still not correct, the adjusting procedures as described above must be repeated.