2006 X5 A Lemon?

[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.

[MSUSaul]

Jam,

Hi. I have a 2000 X5 and I get the same "suspension" message. I am taking it in soon. I have had a lot of problems with my X5, all of course, engineering problems and nothing to do with me. I thought spending this much money on a car was a good idea. I don't know now. I should have bought a Benz I think.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by MSUSaul

Jam,

Hi. I have a 2000 X5 and I get the same "suspension" message. I am taking it in soon. I have had a lot of problems with my X5, all of course, engineering problems and nothing to do with me. I thought spending this much money on a car was a good idea. I don't know now. I should have bought a Benz I think.

Don't think that Benz is problem free, in fact they have more quality issues than BMW. My relative bought an ML and he is one unhappy ML owner due to repeated problems. The transmission on his ML failed at 14k miles.
On the other hand there are several members here who are very happy X5 owners.

[Quicksilver]

Change dealers. That might be the ticket. I hate to say it but some folks on this site have issues with dealers who it appears don't know what their doing.

[SilverBullet]

[X5Sport]

Dealer quality is just as poor in the UK. We no longewr use our supplying dealer for any work as both rides always come back with the original work done but something else screwed up. When I'm paying $200+ (£115) per hour (plus tax) for labour they have got to do better.

Their service and support was great until the money was handed over - since then it's been poor and as we have a dealer 7 miles away rather than the supplier being 25 miles away it was no contest really.

BMW GB aren't much use either. I don't think the issue is with the make specifically, it seems (to me) that most auto-dealers have some serious problems keeping up with what the manufacturers are producing.

[v10rick]

It's a common practice for manufacturers to set a reimbursement limit for diagnostic and repair work. If your tech is familiar with the issue you are in luck.
If not another service center may be in order.

Speaking from personal experience with a POS SLK350, their engine/transmission problems are much worse than any BMW issue. IMO

[E61Silver]

I have a 2005 X5 4.4 and have had very little problems with the car.

I agree with the suggestion of trying another dealer. Or maybe you should call the service manager at the current dealer and discuss the problem with him.

The problem you are having while aggravating will not leave you stranded.

I had a Volvo with a check engine issue that caused me to visit the dealer many times. I that case the dealer worked hard to solve it but it talk many tries. Today's cars re lie on computers and it is hard to solve an intermittent problem.

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by v10rick

Speaking from personal experience with a POS SLK350, their engine/transmission problems are much worse than any BMW issue. IMO

Burning oil problem, maybe??

[sageriders]

My '06 4.4 now has 7000 miles, including a 5000 mile cross country trip to and thru the Colorado mountains and back. All at highway+ speeds. (Went over one 11000' pass with a Nissan Max on my tail at 90+.) I have the sport with adj ride height, and the car has been flawless! Not a single problem.

As I always do with new cars, I carefully broke in the engine, following my own oil change guidelines. I had the oil changed before I left on the trip, and again upon my return. After 5000 miles at 70+ mph, including climbing several 11,000 passes at 70+ mph, the oil was one quart low (from normal fill line). Not bad oil usage!!

As to the dealers and their service writers, I've been more than satisfied every time I've gone in (There are two BMW's in the house) for service. They respond to customers the same way customers respond to them. They are human, after all, and we should use the same courtesy with them we expect to receive from them. I've had no problems either with my selling store or with the others I've used as I travel around the US.