Air Suspension
 

Can anyone tell me how the air suspension is 'supposed' to operate in the 4.8's?

I just drove down to the hardware and when I was walking back to my car, I saw that the rear supension was lowered and the car had a 'nose up' attitude.

As soon as I started it, the rear came back up. Is this something to do with self leveling or load adjustment? (I didn't change the load) or something weirder?

It has happened before, except it did not come back up until I stopped at a set of lights.

Your advice and thoughts appreciated..........

I have a comprehenisve document describing the twin-axle suspension on the X5 (but only a paper copy), otherwise I posted an article on X5world that had a description of the various modes (although I'm not sure that fully explains your symptoms). If you PM me then I can email it to you as a Pdf file.

The only reason I can think why your rear would have been sitting visibly lower than the front, would be due to a ride height sensor providing a faulty reading, either that or a fault in your air pressure resevoir (so when the engine is switched off it doesn't have enough air to equalise the ride heights but when you turn the engine on, then the compressor comes into action and provides the necessary air pressure). I'd tend to err on the side of the ride height sensors (which are cheap parts) and have been known to be wrongly fitted at the factory. If they're not fitted at the horizontally or perhaps back to front (it has been known!) then that will cause it to perform unevenly. Probably a duff sensor which for a few dollars would be worth getting BMW to change. They can tell by taking a voltage reading across each sensor and then comparing the numbers, that should answer your questions pretty swiftly.

But just be clear that it's NOT normal...

u scared me Steved. i saw Air Suspension and ur name, but didn't realize u were replying. i thought u started this post. i was gonna ask, what now?

anyway, LVR, definitely check out his thread. there is a wealth of information there.

but wait..... there's more!!!!!!!

today the 'suspension inactive' light has come on and it has decided to raise and lower when I am driving (stopped at a light)

To the dealer I go, to the dealer I go, hey ho please fix it I go.....

I took mine in today because of the suspension inactive light was on and they have to replace the pump and it will be done Mon. I noticed when the light came on,(I've been driving like this for four days), the suspension became real stiff and the rear end was squatted down. I'm glad it's under warranty! Loaner all weekend............