Damn Self Level Suspension AGAIN !!!!!!

kena · Post by **kena** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:46 pm

As most of you are aware I had the front suspension and compressor replaced at the end of last year at a cost of just over 3k.
On wednesday morning, just as me and the Mrs were about to set off for the long drive to Wimbledon, the self level susp. inactive light comes up. Checked the X and saw that the rear offside suspension was blown right up causing the car to sit uneven, and the lights on the switch to the right of the steering column were out. Called my indy and took it straight down. He checked it over and stated as long as I took it easy I should be OK.
Any way the X drove fine, just felt a little uneven sitting in the drivers seat.
I haven't heard the compressor kicking in at all so I don't think it's a leaking airbag and the rear has stayed right up. So hoping it's just a sensor.
Booked in for monday morning to have it sorted.

Am now really beginning to think about getting rid for something else

I've never had this amount of problems with any other car i've owned in the past.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:00 pm

BMW really stands for two things......

Break My Wallet, or Being Mended Weekly

My X5 has also been the most unreliable car I have ever owned, but I still like it. Depressing innit

Hope in your case it proves to be a simple fix this time.

Richard

kena · Post by **kena** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:57 am

Took the X to a friends yesterday. He has a Range Rover Vogue and a little thingy that plugs into the OBC. It's designed for Range Rovers and only reads/resets suspension faults. We decided to give it a try as the vehicles are very similar.
The fault showed up as rear right ride height sensor fault so off to Indy tomorrow armed with this info

kena · Post by **kena** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:30 pm

All sorted. New R/O/S level sensor fitted and ride height adjusted.

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:52 pm

Glad you got it sorted! Was it expensive ?

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kena · Post by **kena** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:03 am

[quote=""ITBarbie""]Glad you got it sorted! Was it expensive ?

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Â£170 all in Penny.
But he also stripped all the wheelarch out to check the wires as he said they tend to chaff where they go through the bulk head.

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:16 pm

Not bad at all! I always like to have an idea of the misery that may be ahead

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kena · Post by **kena** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:51 pm

[quote=""ITBarbie""]Not bad at all! I always like to have an idea of the misery that may be ahead

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That's the reason I post these snippets as you never know when someone else may benefit from the information.
I was thinking about getting rid of the X, in the back of my mind anyway, but since getting it back last night it is just so nice to drive. Just like new.

Neil48is · Post by **Neil48is** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:49 pm

I feel your pain Kena, my 4.8 is currently at the indy trying to have the suspension sorted. So far we've replaced two front air springs,two front level sensors and just had a new compressor fitted ! (OUCH !!!). The compressor kicks in fine when you open the car etc but the light on the switch is out,however the Self Level inact message has not appeared yet. Since buying and finishing the car i've managed to do a grand total of 100 miles !!! Seriously thinking of throwing the towel in.

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:36 pm

Hi Neil

I'm sorry to hear of your woes and I hope you manage to locate the fault

If you threw in the towel now just think someone else could benefit from the fruits of your labour. Buying such a complex machine comes with benefits as well as disadvantages so chin up!

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Neil48is · Post by **Neil48is** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:58 pm

It seems to be a habit of mine,i always make my cars mint for the next person to enjoy !!

kena · Post by **kena** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:16 pm

I know how you feel.
I had both front struts/airbags and the compressor replaced last november, and then this.
Just pleased it was only a sensor this time.
This is my 4th BMW and i never had half as much trouble with the others.
I had no trouble at all with the M3 in ovr 2 years.
I guess it's an X5 thing

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:48 pm

I sometimes wonder if the problems with the first X5 stem from getting the tech from their ownership of LandRover together with all the unreliability that came with that brand at the time.

It will be interesting to see how the E70 and E71 hold up over the same time period as the E53. I hope the lessons were learned, but there may just be some that weren't, or new ones that appear unexpectedly.

Neil48is · Post by **Neil48is** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:42 am

Been to check on the car at the indy this morning. They were working on it till 9.30 last night and the conclusion now is that we need a new suspension module aswell,they tried a test module from a local dealership and the car behaved as it was meant to. Looks like some more sleepless nights on the way !!!

baldguy · Post by **baldguy** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:22 pm

You guys have serious patience with these X's I've just spent a grand on having oil and water leak fixed and also the entire engine breathing system replaced. I still have a gearbox that leaks and that means the box out to replace the input shaft seal. And if not covered by my warranty thats another grand.
Like you guys, I love driving the damn thing but its one of the most un-reliable cars i've owned and my 1st BMW.

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