Newbie "SUSPENSION INACT" Issues

[gobiman]

No tyre valves on 4.8iS. Think they had them in pre-facelift.It works off the ABS sensors - basically detects differences in braking by corner from a baseline (the reset switch).
Not quite sure why tyre pressure monitor should trigger suspension inactive?
Good luck with it

[CondorX5]

Yes, thats the system on my 2005 IS, the tyre pressure monitor measures rolling radius or somesuch tng and detects a drop of pressure which then triggers the dash light.  The faulty tyre valve I am referring to is the actual tyre valve itself on the front tyre, which I think may be responsible for the very slow air leak, so makes sense to have the tyre removed, refitted with a new valve etc. much cheaper than messing about with air suspension anyway.

As to why it triggers the fault, who knows? The electrics of these cars remain a total mystery to many, including the BmW and other dealers attempting to trouble shoot them. All manner of unrelated random electrical faults pop up on dash warnings which are completely unrelated to the actual issue - I suppose thats life with an E53.

The funny thing is the air compressor stops working instantly and the suspension goes into gokart mode the minute that tyre pressure warning light comes on.  Reinflate the front wheel, drive a few miles, and the air suspension compressor just kicks in of its own accord, works perfectly.  Next time the car starts, the tyre pressure light vanishes as well and all back to normal till the pressure in that wheel drops below a level it finds acceptable and the suspension just stops working again.

Like you and Raj, my car is along term keeper and I am likely to get fed up with this if it persists and change to coils with Raj's help.

Not sure how much longer I will carry on with the warranty, I thought I would see if the pano roof packed up and the ZFgearbox decided to call it a day. - I have had my car 3 years now and paid for 2 years. Of the extended warranty which I think so far has left me quids in - have had a Bluetooth unit replaced, parking sensors, oil cooler, pano roof repair, new electric wing mirror, gear box leaking seal / transmission fluid all happily replaced with new when repaired, and now awaiting a new rear light cluster and new chromatic mirror glass when it goes in, plus the suspension hopefully. 

Only repair I have personally paid for in the 3 years was an engine mount. However, first insp 2 is due now, plus brake pads and discs likely to need replacing sometime, so a bit of money needed this year despite warranty.  My mileage just over 60 000. 

Happy days........

[Raj]

You've done well with the warranty but I'm sure over 60k the price does go up quite a bit for the warranty from memory. Is that still the case?

Once all the electrical replacement components on the air suspension, alternator and other issues were sorted under my warranty I binned it off as the cost was something like £130/month with £100 excess.

I figured anything else that needs sorting now I've got the garage to be able to fix it myself.

[CondorX5]

Warranty price stays at whatever you were offered when the original expired, if you do the monthly payment - mine was well under 60K then.  No excess payment, £100 a month includes BMW Emergency. Might carry on another few months and then make friends with the garage of Raj

[Raj]

[quote="CondorX5"]
Warranty price stays at whatever you were offered when the original expired, if you do the monthly payment - mine was well under 60K then.  No excess payment, £100 a month includes BMW Emergency. Might carry on another few months and then make friends with the garage of Raj
[/quote]

Lol. Fair play and of course as you aren't very far away.

Which also means, I expect to see your name down on the Cosford meet list for the 27th April...

[Bargain Bucket]

[quote="CondorX5"]


Only repair I have personally paid for in the 3 years was an engine mount.
[/quote]

What prompted you to have that replaced if you don't mind me asking?

[CondorX5]

BMW workshop told me about it at the time they did the gearbox seal.  Hadn't noticed any problems, but at a cost of around £50 it really wasn't bad, so I took the advice and had it done.

[CondorX5]

[quote="Raj"]
[quote="CondorX5"]
Warranty price stays at whatever you were offered when the original expired, if you do the monthly payment - mine was well under 60K then.  No excess payment, £100 a month includes BMW Emergency. Might carry on another few months and then make friends with the garage of Raj
[/quote]

Lol. Fair play and of course as you aren't very far away.

Which also means, I expect to see your name down on the Cosford meet list for the 27th April...
[/quote]

Haha yes, will try on that one depending on which contract I am working on next as due to end the Brum one in the not-too-distant.

Touch wood, air suspension behaving ok at present.  Managed to have the errant tyre checked today and refitted, leaking past the seal on the rim very slowly. Also managed to source two new Wintracs so will change when they arrive next week and keep the undamaged part worn as a spare, could have been a spot of bother if unable to source a replacement if one was beyond repair, so best to have one in the shed.

Not changing to my 20" Sessantas anytime soon with this weather though.........so the new Wintracs may see a bit of wear yet!!  )

[redzed]

Hi Raj,

Whic KW kit's have you been fitting and how much do they run out at?

[Raj]

[quote="redzed"]
Hi Raj,

Whic KW kit's have you been fitting and how much do they run out at?
[/quote]

Hi.

It's the KW V3's. They are fully adjustable (height, bump, rebound). A proper kit tbh.

I think cheapest I've seen on the net is £1450.