Self leveling suspension inactive??

skiboats · #1 03-31-2010, 08:58 AM

Hello everyone, have not been here latley. Got that message the other day, took it to the dealer, needs a sensor. They ordered the sensor said it would be a couple of days.

The car is riding fine at a proper ride hight.

After a day I came out in the morning and the a$$ end was way up in the air, all the way. The car had a horrific ride, no suspension at all, looked like a 72 Cuda or something.

The part came in, said it would only take a sec to replace.

An hour later it needs a new module as well. Told to park it and got me a loaner.

Module came in. The car went down but went back up.
Was supposed to be done last night, but they are still messing with it. Something about the sensors are not getting power? Not quite sure what he said.

Any thoughts?

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Casey's 2003 X5 4.4 · #2 03-31-2010, 09:14 AM

Just spent $2,100.00 in Jacksonville Florida BMW dealer getting my self leveling suspension inactive light to go off, that lasted 2 months now the light came back on and the dealer now says I need to replace the compressor at over $1,000.00 prts and labor. I love this car so much!!!!!

skiboats · #3 03-31-2010, 09:16 AM

Glad I have a good warranty.

TrickerZ · #4 03-31-2010, 10:07 AM

That's when you replace them with coils and sell your working parts on here or ebay. The air suspension is not worth the hassle. There is very little gain from it unless you constantly tow boats or other heavy objects. You can get decent struts and springs for around $500 and labor shouldn't be that much. Should cost about $50 to get the air suspension disabled. For less than the $1000 compressor (assuming you only have rear air), you can solve the problem permanently. You can probably make most (if not all) of that back by selling the struts, compressor tanks, computer and sensors.

Casey's 2003 X5 4.4 · #5 03-31-2010, 10:45 AM

TrickerZ,

I was told by the stealler that this can not be done for whatever reason!!

Do you know of this being done to any members here? Please give me all the details!!!

Casey's 2003 X5 4.4 · #6 03-31-2010, 10:56 AM

Sorry forgot to mention that I have full air suspension for a all 4 wheels.

skiboats · #7 03-31-2010, 12:34 PM

Overnighting a left rear sensor. They replaced the right now it need the left. Will be done tomorrow.

TrickerZ · #8 03-31-2010, 01:23 PM

skiboats, I would imagine you'd have killed someone by now if you didn't have that warranty.

Casey, it will be more expensive to replace all 4 obviously, but it can be done. The OBC just needs to be told that there is no air suspension module and to stop looking for it. Then you just rip everything out and put in standard struts/springs. Not all E53 have air suspension. As far as I know, there is no limitation that you would be unable to remove it. Search the forum for it. I know I've seen posts of people going to standard struts/springs.

phildg2000 · #9 03-31-2010, 10:21 PM

The P38 Range Rovers were notorious for their air suspension which is why several companies started selling coil conversion kits with chips that fooled the computer. I had a P38 4.6HSE that had this conversion and I can tell you didn't miss those air springs. My poor brother in law with another P38 had such a huge headache with his air suspension. When time comes, I hope I can find such a kit for my X5.

X52002 · #10 04-01-2010, 02:53 AM

Sucks...brought mine to the stealer and he actually couldn't fix the problem...height is okay at the moment...hope it doesn't change....saving up coin to hopefully fix it soon!

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