New member...Just bought a

[Lancer]

2004 BMW X5 4.8is. Been a long time lurker of the forum and have always loved the 4.8is’. Started my search a few months ago, pretty rare to find on the west coast. Found this one privately about 4 hours from me. Decided to make the drive this last week and couldn’t leave without it. It does have a few quirks but hopefully will get those sorted out this week. Here’s the specs,
TSM with black leather. Only has 85k miles. Pano roof, cold weather package. Came with a folder full of service records. Brand new Toyos. Brakes just recently charged front and rear. Now for the bad. It has the dreaded self level susp. Inactive message. The PO has changed just about everything in the system, new front and rear air bags, module and more. He said he was unable to clear the message. The fault kept saying it was the driver rear bag. Car drives fine and there is air in all the bags. The height level switch is lit and on the middle bar. When I press to raise or lower. It just blinks. Any ideas? I’m taking it to my local Indy Tuesday to get a once over.
Any idea what would be a great price for it? I think I got a great deal but what would you all have paid for it?

[14thbmw]

Looks like you got a good one!

There are others much more expert than I here, my guess would be the compressor or related stuff which possibly got wet, or a sensor. The non-response to the raise/lower button makes me suspect the compressor etc. Obviously start with the fuses...or better yet, get the codes read.

[GOQE5348is]

Congratulations on you new ride. I gotta say it’s one of the most funnest cars to drive. It can get a little costly sometimes but who cares lol. Make sure all your doors are closed when trying to adjust the height level. See if it still keeps blinking.


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[Lancer]

Yes it sure is a blast to drive. Repair costs are to be expected with an older German luxury vehicle. I kept that in mind when I bought it. Should be good to get it all sorted out and still be under value. Fingers crossed.
I did check all fuses in the rear, all look good. And I did try to adjust it with all doors closed. No changes, still just blinked. I’m leaning towards possibly compressor.

[andrewwynn]

Read the real-time values on the height sensors and use a floor jack to force a change while reading. Push up on the dif so they are changing the same amount. They can be quite different the relative differences is what the computer reads once calibrated.

I've followed a few threads where it ended up being the sensor so that's where I would start.

I'm not aware of any sensor that can give you a direct code to a bag but leak rate I suppose the computer can guess.

[Lancer]

What kind of scan tool/software would you guys recommend?

[Dking078]

Originally Posted by Lancer

What kind of scan tool/software would you guys recommend?

INPA / DIS / or ISTA

[andrewwynn]

I hate 25 year old software only slightly more than windowz so I use the foxwell nt510 (520 similar) no need for laptop.

ISTA etc can do more things but I haven't found any that I needed yet.


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[Lancer]

I like the idea of not having to pull out a laptop. Is the Foxwell nt510 able to get into the suspension programming?

[andrewwynn]

Yes. Calibrate and read realtime values. Also for $60 per make you can add brands. I've added Toyota/Lexus, Chrysler, GM to mine