Help an old dog, lowering a touring.

[Wilmslowboy]

We have a 2012 BMW F11 (touring) and an 11-year-old chocolate lab (tall and about 48 kg).

Fudge (the handsome dog) is now starting to struggle to jump into the car boot, often taking half a dozen attempts, if the wife and I are out together, we usually end up lifting him in.

The BMW is already one of the lowest boot floored cars available (at around 55 cm), therefore swapping it out is not really an option.

The car is an 'M sport' therefore fitted with self-levelling suspension, which operates through airbags and a compressor, I've read that when these fails (leak) they cause the car to drop (the photos suggest they drop considerably), so my question is...

Is it possible to programme the car to drop on demand (release all the air in the bags), or perhaps fit a valve/ switch in the boot that achieves the same result ?



Fudge doesn't struggle at all to jump up onto the old sofa in my office which is 40 cm high.

[A500leroy]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Easipet-Plastic-Folding-L...

[Wilmslowboy]

A500leroy said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Easipet-Plastic-Folding-L...

Thanks, we have a 'like new' one in the garage, he refuses to use it.

[helix402]

You can use dealer software, ISTA D, to permanently lower the rear suspension. This would be odd without matching lower springs at the front.

I’m sure a switch for temp rear lowering is possible but is beyond my electrical engineering skills! A good auto electrician should be able to make one.

[Wilmslowboy]

helix402 said:

You can use dealer software, ISTA D, to permanently lower the rear suspension. This would be odd without matching lower springs at the front.

I’m sure a switch for temp rear lowering is possible but is beyond my electrical engineering skills! A good auto electrician should be able to make one.

Thanks, I wound not want it permanently lowered.

I know fitting an aftermarket air ride kit will achieve what I want, but it seems a waste to replace the already installed compressor and airbags.

[Elliot2000]

You could rig up something to run a 12v feed to the two solenoids first each suspension strut and to the control valve solenoid to vent it- could alll be done from inside the boot

[Wilmslowboy]

Elliot2000 said:

You could rig up something to run a 12v feed to the two solenoids first each suspension strut and to the control valve solenoid to vent it- could alll be done from inside the boot

That's sounds like a plan, need someone to carry out the work, far beyond my own DIY skills.

[Elliot2000]

Should be easy enough for an auto electrician - Tap into three wires with diodes and a single relay from a permanent feed - all of it is within the boot