01 740iL - Sport suspention

Hi, im sure this has been covered before so im sorry to repeat if I am, but im finding conflicting answers. I have a 2001 740IL with a factory sport package. Im being told that all sport packages have self leveling suspentions but ive also been told that if your power steering cap says "ATF ONLY" then you dont have self leveling. I have both of those things so now you understand why i might be a little confused. I really dont care either way but would really like to have a clear answer if anyone can help because im trying to buy lowering springs and turns out I need to know to figure out what ones to put on her. Please help if you can and I thank you in advance.

This part is wrong...

Originally Posted by 740IL

Im being told that all sport packages have self leveling suspentions

This part is right. ATF only means no self leveling.

Originally Posted by 740IL

but ive also been told that if your power steering cap says "ATF ONLY" then you dont have self leveling.

Are you sure that it is a 2001 model? I thought that all of the 2001 models got all of the options included in the car, which includes the self-leveling option.

What is the build date on your door? (mm/yy)

Originally Posted by balance

I thought that all of the 2001 models got all of the options included in the car.

Where did you hear that??? Pretty sure that is not at all the case. As the years went on, some items that were options became standard (like NAV, Xenon lights, rain sensing wipers...) but there wasn't a "ALL OPTIONS" year.

Well I'm probably wrong then.

I think I've heard it a few times on different websites, but I never did any research on it myself. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. Nevermind guys.

Then what constitutes sport suspension exactly?

If I'm remembering this right ...

The "iL" models got appearance packages only, it was the "i" sport models that got 10% stiffer suspension front and rear, lowered stance .8 inches front and .2 inches rear, and thicker front swaybar, but they did not recieve the rear sway bar. The only E38 models that recieved the rear sway bars are the ones with the self-leveling suspensions because they use a sensor that attaches to the sway bar (rear) to adjust how high the rear end is sitting. But I'm not sure if the "i" sport models were available with the self-leveling option.

Originally Posted by balance

the "i" sport models that got 10% stiffer suspension front and rear, lowered stance .8 inches front and .2 inches rear, and thicker front swaybar, but they did not recieve the rear sway bar. The only E38 models that recieved the rear sway bars are the ones with the self-leveling suspensions because they use a sensor that attaches to the sway bar (rear) to adjust how high the rear end is sitting. But I'm not sure if the "i" sport models were available with the self-leveling option.

I'm no expert on self leveling, as I don't have it on my car... The stiffer suspension and lower stance (different springs, etc.) sounds right. Bottom line to the original question, ATF on PS reservior means no self leveling. Take a look at the owner's manual to help with the different reserviors, if necessary.






(Image from 'Q')