Love the car but SLS is just a nightmare........

[CondorX5]

After two and a half trouble free, happy months, my 4.8 suddenly threw up a SLS error message on the dash again, although the ride quality was nowhere near as bad as it had been before all the major past issues (sensors, air bag wtc replaced in May/ June)
Booked into Sytner Sutton Coldfield again, driving around in a 64 plate X1 that only had delivery miles on it, its ok but very boring - I wouldn't buy one although its nice to drive around in a new car now and then!

Update from dealer this morning is that there are no stored error codes. But the dash warning comes up every time the car is started. Wonder what is going on now!    I really hate the Self Levelling Suspension, it is simply far more trouble than its worth.  Still a warranty issue at present, but I think I am going to ultimately head down the coilover route as it is a constant nightmare with these frequent problems!    And of course, BMW generally seem incapable of fixing something if they don't have some sort of error code, even when they see something is wrong.

Will post further when I hear from them again, they are still "testing" ! 

[X5Sport]

Sorry to read this Condor, especially as we know how much your 'X' means to you.

Hopefully it will all be sorted, but I understand your frustration with BMW Techs as they are just not up to the capability that the brand should have.  Perhaps pinging 'Moar' might help as he's a Master Tech sent out to help Dealers with an inability to understand the products they service.

Richard

[CondorX5]

Sods law, dealership now say there was no error message and no codes stored when they started it.......but its been there consistently for the past two weeks and I drove in there with it on the dash!      But they are now driving it around trying to replicate it.....    Guess I will just fetch it and it will happen again on the way home!     

[Horizon]

Sorry to hear of your continual wos with the suspension. You. Retain lye have had. Ore than your fair share. If it wasn't for the extended warranty I suspect the car would be a distant memory.
May be an idea to video the problem on your phone for the dealers, but as you've pointed out , no error code, no idea.
Hope you get it resolved as it spoils the enjoyment of the car.that feeling of dread every time you go to use the car, expecting the worst.

[CondorX5]

You're certainly right there - so glad I kept that warranty up, almost stopped it a few months ago!  Never thought the error message would be constant for three weeks, be on when Idrove into the dealers yesterday and now its suddenly vanished without a trace of an error code!   

I do find myself wondering what error message will pop up in the morning after its ruminated all night as to what to do next- I can drive for hundreds of miles with not an error code to be seen, arrive home and start up the next morning to the dreaded SLS inactive message.  They are still fiddling about with it at the dealers, doubt they will find anything without that stored code though.

Maybe time to consider a coilover conversion.

[kjb1]

I would take your own advice and coilover it, sounds a pain in the backside, and more stomach kicking each time it misbehaves!

[CondorX5]

Update - was about to collect car back from dealer Friday then got an urgent message to say the fault had "reappeared" and would I like to stay in their X1 until next week?  Well, not really but it beats the constant error message for now!    Wonder if its not the suspension ECU this time as there are no air leaks and the sensors and compressor are all ok.  Coils are getting closer I think, but while the warranty pays, BMW might as well keep replacing bits!

[kjb1]

very true [emoji3] may aswell let them pay out!!

[Turks]

Good luck with this. It can be a pain, especially as said above, it seems the Tech's don't know how to do anything unless the laptop tells them exactly what is wrong.

I had a very small pinhole in rear n/s brake pipe. I sent it to be replaced - simple you would think...

After 2 weeks they still had the car. They replaced the pipe, then topped up the system for bleed. Error messages then appeared... they replaced the Master Cylinder which didn't work... did a full fluid change which didn't work... replaced the Brake System Control Unit which didn't work... then they said they managed to fix by resetting and calibrating something. I couldn't be arsed to ask. It was all under warranty apart from a door handle carrier which I asked them to fix... and they tried to charge diagnostic on the door handle!!


Turks.

[Raj]

Your SLS woes continue. It certainly does sound more like the module if no apparent leaks etc. of course other electrical gremlins do cause SLS errors to appear at the first signs of electrical drainage etc.

Do have a cheaper alternative to Coilovers now if/when the time occurs.

[CondorX5]

Thanks Raj.....I guess the time will come at some point!  Just had an update from Sytner Sutton, the control unit has just been replaced and they are driving around to see if the fault remains "gone" so hopefully collect tomorrow. Glad I don't have to pay for this!    The air suspension bills since May have been over £2000, most of which was covered by insurance (they didn't pay for the sensors as they claimed water ingress to cracked sensor) but given the sensors are only about. £80 apiece, thats ok!    The control module is a hefty sum again.

[CondorX5]

Hopefully last update for a while.........on SLS at least!  Car back from dealers after 8 days - new electronic control unit for SLS.  The extended BMW warranty is the best thing about this car.........