2006 X5 A Lemon?

[CANTWAIT]

Can you change dealers and still get a loaner? I had always thought you had to bring it back to the same place you bought it from in order to get the free maintance and loaner.

[CANTWAIT]

How severe is it? Very interesting.

[E61Silver]

It not so bad, if in turn on the a/c it adds enough load that the problem goes away.

I had to the dealer in the summer, they fixed it but in came back after about three weeks. It leased and don't really want to take the time to bring it back; I just keep the AC on.

[Quicksilver]

So if i have you post correct the problem is an error message comes on "Self Level Susp Inact" and it's done this 4 times correct?

Could it be that your vehicle is not a lemon but the technicians who are trying to solve the problem don't know what they are doing?

As I mentioned i would head to another dealer. On the face of it your biggest worry is an error message and having to make too many trips to get it solved. Compared to the issues others are having your experience may be huge to you but in comparision to others ide say it's not that big a deal.

It may be a software glitch that BMW is having trouble chasing down. So as long as someone's trying to get it figured out hang in there and keep us posted.

The upside of this kind of thing is when you find out what the problem is keep a record of it then pass the word. X5world is a great resourse for solving issues the dealers don't know about and you can be a pipeline to help others if it comes up again.

This kind of thing is not new. A few years back many dealerships didn't know squat about the iPod interface but we did.

Originally Posted by In_A_Jam

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has had this much difficulty with their '06 X5 4.4...

First week of owning the car the "Self Level Susp Inact" error message comes on. Called dealer and reported problem and was told to bring it in the next time it occurred.

Few weeks later, same issue so car went to dealer and item was allegedly repaired.

Five weeks after that, same issue. Again, car goes into dealer, this time spending two days there and was told the item was, again, repaired. Indicated on our "satifaction" phone survey, that not so satisfied with the car given the recurrent issue. Was told that my concerns would be forwarded to BMWNA and that they would be in touch--never heard a peep from them.

Six weeks later, same issue AGAIN. Car is currently at dealer (tomorrow will be day two).

Have mentioned CA Lemon Law and dealer has filed a report with BMWNA and I will be calling them to follow up.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions?

Car is 5.5 mos old and has already needed service 4x for the same issue. I have young kids and having to take the car in so frequently is getting annoying, not to mention that I get saddled with a crummy Mini-Cooper each time as my loaner.

[zerochief]

Originally Posted by In_A_Jam

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has had this much difficulty with their '06 X5 4.4...

First week of owning the car the "Self Level Susp Inact" error message comes on. Called dealer and reported problem and was told to bring it in the next time it occurred.

Few weeks later, same issue so car went to dealer and item was allegedly repaired.

Five weeks after that, same issue. Again, car goes into dealer, this time spending two days there and was told the item was, again, repaired. Indicated on our "satifaction" phone survey, that not so satisfied with the car given the recurrent issue. Was told that my concerns would be forwarded to BMWNA and that they would be in touch--never heard a peep from them.

Six weeks later, same issue AGAIN. Car is currently at dealer (tomorrow will be day two).

Have mentioned CA Lemon Law and dealer has filed a report with BMWNA and I will be calling them to follow up.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions?

Car is 5.5 mos old and has already needed service 4x for the same issue. I have young kids and having to take the car in so frequently is getting annoying, not to mention that I get saddled with a crummy Mini-Cooper each time as my loaner.

Yes, I had the same problem! Dealer trip 4 times, but the last time I went to Stevens Creek BMW in Santa Clara CA - They took care of the problem: appearently they replaced several parts - they mentioned $5000 for repairs if I didn't have the CPO. IF YOU LIVE IN THE SF BAY AREA, DON'T TAKE YOUR CAR INTO THE ALLISON (MT VIEW) BMW DEALERSHIP - THEY SUCK - POOR ATTITUDE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY X. They told me to just drive around the air susp error and enjoy the rough ride and no DSC. I couldn't accept that. What a difference a good dealership can make! That was in June 06 - No problems since.

[zerochief]

Originally Posted by zerochief

Yes, I had the same problem! Dealer trip 4 times, but the last time I went to Stevens Creek BMW in Santa Clara CA - They took care of the problem: appearently they replaced several parts - they mentioned $5000 for repairs if I didn't have the CPO. IF YOU LIVE IN THE SF BAY AREA, DON'T TAKE YOUR CAR INTO THE ALLISON (MT VIEW) BMW DEALERSHIP - THEY SUCK - POOR ATTITUDE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY X. They told me to just drive around the air susp error and enjoy the rough ride and no DSC. I couldn't accept that. What a difference a good dealership can make! That was in June 06 - No problems since.

"Selflevel Susp. Inact" is back and I'm bummed out - back to the dealer again for this problem. (I already checked fuses - front/rear). This will be the 5th trip for the same problem. Atleast I'm still covered under CPO.

[zerochief]

Originally Posted by zerochief

"Selflevel Susp. Inact" is back and I'm bummed out - back to the dealer again for this problem. (I already checked fuses - front/rear). This will be the 5th trip for the same problem. Atleast I'm still covered under CPO.

Picked up the X5 tonight - Air compressor was replaced.

[In_A_Jam]

Update...dealer called and wants authorization to keep the car for the THIRD flippin' day! Stick a fork in me, I'm done! it shouldn't take this long to fix this or to try and figure out how to.

The next closest dealer to me does not have a great reputation and since the car is still under warranty, I only want it at a dealer.

[X5Flyboy]

I did not get the self-leveling suspension in my '06 4.4 sport and I'm hardpressed to think of any real problems it's given me - I've had to adjust to the "hesitation" when accellerating from a dead stop - I just hope posting this reply doesn't "jinx" me

[ucimike829]

I have 2006 X5 4.4. I had it for about 1 yr now with 15k. Previously I had 2001 MB ML320, for five years, several problems like broken window switch, ... etc. Nothing major, not a single time that car stoped.
On the other hand with X5. Yes it is a lot better acceleration & ride compared to ML. It should be for about $20k more. Three wks ago on Sunday morning after car wash, car never started again. X5 was towed to Riverside BMW, and I asked for Mr. John Horgan. I read about his good reviews here previously. No rental car of course, since I bought mine from Shelly BMW. They kept mine for two days, and they claimed that it was all fixed up. On the freeway back from Riverside BMW, engine failure warning kicked in and RPM hits floor. Every warning lights on the dash flash like crazy. I was on the first lane on interstate 15 N. Thank god traffic was light that day, otherwise I would have been stucked in middle of freeway. I called Riverside BMW, and explained what just happened. They towed X5 again, and guess what this time round, they had X5 as loaner ready. I guess they realized they did something wrong. This time it took them 3 days to figure out the problem, moisture in main computer chip, and 3 more days to fix everything.
After all, BMW service sucks compared to MB (MB service is not the best either). Yeah BMW covers breaks and 4 yr oil changes...etc. But when your car really needs service, all dealer service depts are all filled up for days. They wouldn't even look at your car for days. Service depts are already filled up, but BMW usa wants to bring in 1 series next year. I bet it is not going to get better than now.
By the way what is wrong with BMW loaner program. If we get toyota camry as loaner from enterprise, why did we pay extra $30-40k for BMW?? toyota camry owners get camrys as loaner from toyota dealership!!