New member - 4.8is Le Mans

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

After the Inspection II service and fresh Castrol Edge 5W-30 oil, my engine started putting out big clouds of blue smoke after extended idling in traffic.
Embarrassing for me, and unpleasant for the following car!
Having read about the use of thicker oils on this forum, I decided to drain 4L of oil and add 4L (one jug) of Shell Helix 5W-40 full-synthetic (as used in Ferrari engines).
Still some smoking evident when hitting the gas after long idle periods (no smoke on startup).
So I drained off another 5L of the above oil mix and topped it off with a full 5L jug of Penrite 10W-50, full-synthetic.
No more smoke!!

I'll run this mix for a few thousand kms then drain and refill with 8L of Castrol Edge 5W-40 Titanium.
Will also attend to the replacement and cleaning of CCV valves and pipes.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by 4.8iS Le Mans_NZ

Sorry I didn't answer this in previous post - I do sometimes get the 'slam-dunk' downshift, but not always.
Also get some 'hunting' between ratios during steady speed city driving (approx. 35 mph).
But I seem to remember these were common complaints about the 4.8is, in some of first published road-test articles on these cars back in '03 & '04.

The hunting is normal... I get it on my 4.8is and has prompted me to drive it in manual mode more often. I actually find I get better gas mileage doing this as well, probably a result of being in the wrong gear less often.

Does sound like you have a solenoid issue. There is a thread here on it about swapping the solenoids. I think they are available directly from ZF. I am thinking about buying my previous 4.4i back... and it has this problem so I will have to fix it on that truck (it will be the wife's).

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Thanks for the advice crystalworks.

I suspected maybe a solenoid at first, but the trans shop did not fault anything but the wiring connector, during the service and testing.
I guess I should have asked them to investigate the sluggish reverse selection more thoroughly, having initially mentioned it to them when dropping off the car.
I just assumed all was good when they made no further mention of it, after servicing and test-driving the car.

Will look at doing the mirror switch/sensor cleaning, thanks.

[bcredliner]

Good looking X5. Hope all goes well.

[E53Werlt]

Looks good!!!

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Thanks guys.
I took some pictures earlier this week after the car had received some detailing treatment. The paintwork has been transformed to a deep lustre that is now slippery to the touch.
All glass however needs machine-polishing to remove etched-in water marks, and the headlamp lenses will also benefit from a full surface restoration.
I'm pleased with the interim result though.......just needs a surfboard on top!!

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Had the car in for diagnosis of "SELF LEVEL SUSP INACT" message which reappeared after about 350 kms since it was last reset during the Inspection II service.
Again no faults showing and no obvious defects found in the system.
My Tech suspects the air pump may be the culprit, but could not prove this conclusively enough to warrant the expense of replacing the unit.
Reset completed and I'll keep driving it, pending a return of the dreaded message.
The car rides and handles so much better with the system active again, but having that niggling intermittent issue lurking in the background annoys me so I may look at buying a new pump.
Does anyone know where I can get a good deal on a new air compressor, P/N 37226787617?
I see that Pelican have a Wabco unit for $USD808.00, while the genuine BMW unit is $1167 (I suspect this may be manufactured by Wabco anyway).

[bcredliner]

If the compressor is running, this is often what will correct the problem. One way to test the compressor is to remove the height sensor link and push the sensor arm up, that should activate the compressor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKqiwaxrWAk

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

If the compressor is running, this is often what will correct the problem. One way to test the compressor is to remove the height sensor link and push the sensor arm up, that should activate the compressor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKqiwaxrWAk

Many thanks for the reply and the link to Andy's video - looks like a great, low-cost solution if compressor piston ring wear is the culprit.
I can confirm my pump runs fine, and the message stays cleared for quite some time before reappearing, but I think I'll go ahead and order this repair kit anyway.

[jbny]

could it be the height sensor? Mine does it at times too, goes into inactive mode and then drops down after a few days of not driving it, but comes back once i unlock the door, however sometimes it does not come back till i hit 30 MPH to it's regular height.