Reliability Survey : E53 Twin Axle Adjustable Suspension, (Dashboard controlled)

[AW8]

Having read & heard of members with adjustable suspension woes on E53 models so equipped, ( standard on 4.6is & 4.8is optional on other engine size models) , I was wondering just how problematic cars are when so equipped.

It may be helpful for folk voting to post any relavant info such as type of failure & actions/costs costs to resolve.

I havent got any plans to change my car at this time, (though like many I occasionally speculate changing).

Results will be of interest & may be useful for those considering or owning cars so equipped.

[Cannondale]

No problems on my 2005 4.8is with 60K on it, checked the print out of work done on the car since new and it has never had work done on it.

I guess it will need new air bags and sensor now


Richard...

[AW8]

Hopefully not the case.........thanks for elaborating in your post

[kkodal78]

i haven't had problems with mine but my friend with a 2003 3.0i is having self level inactive warning. i am helping him to see what it might be. from the looks of it it doesn't effect the ride or height. it just comes on and off. so i am guessing it might be the sensor as discussed on different threads so we'll give it a try to see if that is the problem.

[Turks]

Both front Air Bags replaced after they burst and a level sensor. They told me at the dealership that this was the first they heard of Air Bags failing, so I doubt it is as common as we think. More that people with problems highlight them than those who drive around fine every day.

Also, components like the level sensors are going to fail after time, it is inevitable due to its location and delicacy.

Having a full adjustable suspension set up would not put me off purchase. Its the same old story - the more toys, the more likely it is that something will go wrong. That doesn't mean they are bad.


Turks.

[Raj]

My first year of ownership saw the arrival of an airpump, control module, actuator and valve block. All dealer supplied and fitted. Total cost was near the £1600 mark but luckily with the independant supplying dealer and Sytner Sutton Coldfield covering most of the costs.

Started with no lights on dash switch and the whole motor sat firmly in NO air at all. Looked really good though.

[weirdfish]

Apart from the normal wear and tear items, ( drop links and torsion arms/bushes ), then no problems up 'till now,( touches nearest piece of wood ).
It probably doesn't help that we live out in the sticks and the road is not the smoothest piece of tarmac, so it will find anything a little bit suspect regarding the suspension.

[gobiman]

I've had mine from 28k to 70k. Only issue was skiing in Austria. Had to drive it through deep snow. Light came on (Suspension inactive) but a visual inspection showed no issue so drove home.
My trusted indy confirmed what I had suspected - sensor took a knock - £50 to put right.
Clearly it is a complicated sytem with various bits that can fail but I am very suspicious (particularly for cars under warranty) that garages will look to create work by replacing kit unnecessarily - kit is expensive with good margins and requires plenty of hours to fit.
As has been mentioned, sensor failure often the cause and cheap to fix.

[Ubatoid]

The biggest problem with these systems is the rubber components. Air bags and sealing O rings seem to have a lifespan of about 8 years.

[Sanj]

[quote="Ubatoid"]
The biggest problem with these systems is the rubber components. Air bags and sealing O rings seem to have a lifespan of about 8 years.
[/quote]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, I'm buggered then! She's 8yrs and 3 months old.

[Raj]

[quote="Sanj"]
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, I'm buggered then! She's 8yrs and 3 months old.
[/quote]

Time to get ya wallet out then...

[AW8]

Thanks for all reponses/replies thus far.

Disappointing vote count..................I mean 5 members responded by voting thus far. Folk don't need to post as well if concerned it will somehow be  an issue come late resale, ( fwiw I wouldn't expect zero issues in or before ownership of a car so equipped .

[weirdfish]

[quote="AW8"]
Thanks for all reponses/replies thus far.

Disappointing vote count..................I mean 5 members responded by voting thus far. Folk don't need to post as well if concerned it will somehow be  an issue come late resale, ( fwiw I wouldn't expect zero issues in or before ownership of a car so equipped .
[/quote]

It always enters your head regarding future resale whenever posting about a problem on here, but if you show that ou have rectified the problem correctly then I can't see that it matters too much, and, as you say, for cars like ours, and the age/mileage of some of them then any future owner will probably realise  that it would have had some work carried out?

[X5Sport]

I didn't have the option (tested a car with it and it would have made HRH car sick), and never had trouble with rear self-lev air susp.  A lot of the members probably don't have it either which will reduce the voter pool.  That and the site is very 'quiet' nowadays 

[graemeX5]

I don't think I qualify with a 4.4 as only has rear axle adjustable but it was the thing that worried me about a 4.8 and cost of fixing it as local Indy explained the cost.

But saying that I still look at the 4.8 and dream now where's that lottery ticket!