New Member & Auto Level inact

[Hisenberg]

Hello all,
I am a new member of this forum. I just purchased a 4.8 a month ago. Prior to that I had a 2008 M 5 and a 2007 M3 and was very pleased with both.
This is the first time I have owned a BMW that is out of warranty.
As much as I love the car, there are days where I think the purchase was a mistake. Primarily because the car is not currently covered under any warranty. Albeit there were no issues with the vehicle but today a message appeared on the display panel.
I have done search online and it appears the issue can vary anywhere from struts to airbags, sensors or simply fuse. Upon initial observation, there is no hissing sound heard or any change in suspension movement while starting or shutting off the vehicle. The ride is also normal. However, the car refuses to invert into lower or higher mode.
What do the pundits of this forum think?
Additionally, I am contemplating on purchasing a warranty. I am open to recommendations. Also, will the warranty be able to cover issues, if such arise?

[upallnight]

If you don't work on your car, you're better off buying a new car or at the very least a CPO car. Repairs on the BM trouble U can add up very fast.

If you don't work on your car I would look for an independent mechanic to service the BM trouble U. Believe it or not most Indies probably have more experiences finding and fixing problems since most dealer mechanics only works on cars under warranty and the dealers attitude toward repairs is to replace entire components in lieu of just the parts that are bad. If you had a bad solenoid or servo in the trans they will just tell you, you need a new trans.

Plus once a car goes out of warranty and the owner brings it back to the dealer they are usually shock at the cost since prior repairs were picked up under warranty. With the internet it is very easy to find an honest reliable independent mechanic, because if they rip off their customers, the customers will post negative feedbacks about them.

[Hisenberg]

Thanks for the response. If any one can recommend a mechanic in Minneapolis, please share. I have made an appointment with Orr Autosport. I have read some great reviews on them. They have offered a computer diagnostic for $75. My initial thought is to get the diagnostic and go from there. As far as working on the vehicle is concerned, I am extremely comfortable with it.

[upallnight]

I used Yelp to find my Indy when I don't want to work on the BMW or if the job is too big for me. Just type in Mechanic, BMW, on the Yelp website and read the reviews.

You maybe able to find one in this thread. Go through the entire thread because other owners have added to the initial thread.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ationwide.html

If you want people on this website to provide you with some info about the problems that you are having with your X you need to post the EXACT Message(s) that you are receiving on the display panel.

[Hisenberg]

Originally Posted by upallnight

I used Yelp to find my Indy when I don't want to work on the BMW or if the job is too big for me. Just type in Mechanic, BMW, on the Yelp website and read the reviews.

You maybe able to find one in this thread. Go through the entire thread because other owners have added to the initial thread.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ationwide.html

If you want people on this website to provide you with some info about the problems that you are having with your X you need to post the EXACT Message(s) that you are receiving on the display panel.

The exact message is AutoSuspensionInact. Seems to be a very familiar message among X53 owners.

[Big "J"]

Could be the height sensor(s) going bad. For our 4.8's each lower control arm has them and are a very easy DIY. Previously I had changed one control arm and placed the sensor incorrectly on the arm and got the Self Level inactive. Corrected it and no more issues.

[Hisenberg]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Could be the height sensor(s) going bad. For our 4.8's each lower control arm has them and are a very easy DIY. Previously I had changed one control arm and placed the sensor incorrectly on the arm and got the Self Level inactive. Corrected it and no more issues.

Big J, thanks for the response. My suspicion lies amongst the sensors also. I will try to do a search on the DIY procedure. Also, if the sensor is going bad, does it disable the function of the height control switch? ( I assume so...)

[Big "J"]

Yes.. it will. Its either a fuse or a sensor if your air springs are staying inflated.

[upallnight]

Since you receive the Suspension inactive message, yes the height control switch is disable, similar to if you have a SRS light on you will still be able to drive the car, but the airbags will not deploy because the system has been deactivated.

[TerminatorX5]

so, the message is there all the times? or, it comes and goes? before throwing money into it, start from simple - did you check the fuses? when i say check the fuse, it is not just visually, check it electrically... then move to more complex...