Found wife's dream X5 4.8is
 

Is there any tell tale signs of issues with the air ride suspension I should look for when I go take a look? I keep hearing that this is a big issue with some of the iS cars.

Also, I don't think it has the sliding rear floor and I remember someone saying its not that useful unless you're like below 5 ft tall. Well, my wife's 5 ft tall so how hard and how much is it going to cost to retrofit that? :rofl:

Lastly, how hard and how much is it to put the trailer hitch on?

Thanks for any advice!

JT

BTW, hello everyone! Been lurking on here for awhile. Nice site with good info. This is where I get all my Navi updates for my 740i! Hope to be an X5 owner soon, well, at least for the wife's sake.

Happens to some. It's not a game changer though especially if you're under warranty. Read this for one of the worst case scenarios:
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/..._x5/index.html
You'll get lots of different opinions on the sliding load floor. I had the option and didn't want it because it does add a little height to the trunk floor thereby further reducing space a little bit. Plus I didn't think it was particularly useful to me. The retrofit CAN be done, BUT you'll have to buy all the parts individually and they will cost you a heck of a lot more than it would preinstalled in your car (it was a $380 option). http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/m...-retrofit.html
It technically is a retrofit, but since there is no retrofit "kit" per se, there are no corresponding instructions on how to do the retrofit! Something else to consider that is IMHO incredibly important is that sliding load floor is quite rigid and heavy. In the event of a rear end collision you don't want that big plank coming barreling into the backs of the rear seat passengers. Thus BMW specifically engineered it to rise up in the event of a rear end collision rather than move simply straight back. So if you attempt this retrofit you better be comfortable with the proper installation of what is essentially also a safety device. So I don't know for certain, but one could imagine that BMW's omission of retrofit instructions for this item wasn't an oversight, but intentional.

Trailer hitch. Don't even ask. It's sold out in North America / Canada and discontinued. Long story. BMW are working on developing a new one but apparently it is still months away and no one knows if it will install / integrate the same way as the old one. If you are interested in seeing the old one, the installation instructions are on the home page.

Hello JT//MC, welcome. X5 Meister hit it right on the head about your questions. Regarding the full air suspension, problem is a hit or miss. For me it was a hit but covered under CPO. Just about every component was replaced including the compressor. So far so good now. Its been about 18 months with no real issues. However I had to reset the error message twice since (compressor overheat error). I'm out of warranty now but luckily my Indie has a GT1 DIS. Do a search for "selflevel susp inact" here on x5world. You will find a lot of info. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me either but its best to know about it. When you check out the 4.8is, you might want to raise an lower the suspension a bunch of times to see if it triggers the error. Before mine was overhauled, it was super sensitive and the error message plagued me. Also, when the full air system is inactive, the ride quality sucks big time. I couldn't stand it and would drive my other cars until is was repaired. Researching the service records on the vehicle would be good idea. BTW full front/rear air is standard on the 4.8is, optional on the 4.4i.

cool guys. if and when we get it, I'll be posting up pics! :)

:wavey::xoutpost::wavey:

Hey Zerochief - doesn't the owner's manual specifically say NOT to press the suspension height button a bunch of times or it WILL overheat the system and render it temporarily inactive? I think I did it once before I read the manual and overheated it, but no issues since (knock on wood).

:xoutpost: :wavey:

Post pics once you buy it!

Sure, good point. I don't mean to go crazy on it, just saying to operate the ride height feature within reason. From what I understand, the compressor is constantly adjusting the vehicle at all times. Even when parked it checks every 6 hours for changes. I read a great document that explains much about the system, just can't find it right now. I'll keep looking...

UPDATE: E53's see page 13: Hydraulic Level Control & Air Suspension Systems Document

Says the doc is not available right now. Thanks for clarifying that procedure. I was going to push it a bunch of times! :)

OK, link corrected :thumbup:

I have raised and lowered my X several times in a short period of time with no problems (at least since BMW replaced the entire system!)... also have the Intrax module installed.

Thanks Zerochief! You guys are really helpful here! Much more mature crowd which is great. Thats how it is with the 7 series guys. Not too much hoopla but lots of great info!

Hey zerochief, great article, thanks for the link. Fortunately when I did go crazy on the switch one time I managed to snap a photo of the instrument cluster error message.

That should be enough to kill the "mature crowd" theory.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...is-message.jpg


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: That's great X5 Meister! :cool:

You guys are funny. So do you think raising it up and lowering it down about 3-4 times in a row will cause it to overheat? Or should I just cycle it 2-3x instead? I do want to test this feature to make sure the car is still sound.

BTW, we plan on taking the 4.8is out to the Dunes in Pismo beach. Do you think light offroading in the sand would be ok on the drivetrain? I'm not planning on taking jumps or anything, but just driving around on sand and probably descending a dune with the hill descent. Does it have to be activated or will it just know to turn on if it finds itself going down a steep grade?

Thanks for all the info! You guys have been really helpful!

JT

If there is no error message then there is no reason to think it's not working. Raise and lower it a couple of times and see how it works. It won't kill it. If you kept doing it a whole bunch of times (I don't have an exact number in mind) then it WILL overheat it, but that will fix itself, it's not a permanent failure.

Running in dunes would be fun. Probably not the greatest thing in the world for your paint but then again people do burnouts and donuts with their cars all the time and don't seem too concerned about their driveshafts or diffs! Just don't go crazy and get hurt, sand doesn't have the same level of traction as pavement if that's not obvious enough. You don't want to wind upside down.
You have to activate hill descent yourself. It's not automatic. Try it out beforehand on any old hill on pavement, you'll be surprised at how slow you'll be moving really. It's almost funny. (Have to thank the Brits for that one!)

cool deal, yeah, I don't think I'll be going too fast on the sand as I do like the Estoril (but maybe I'll get a BRA!). BTW, Land Rover should thank BMW for the 4.4 V8, the interior bits, and their German engineering for helping turn their relics into modern cars again.

Be easy on the tires as I have learned !!

:iagree:

Hey zerochief. Just passed you will number of posts! He he he...

going to pick it up tomorrow!

:xoutpost:

Hey JT, have a read of this: Took the X5 Offroad to World's Largest Sand Island A good read about a fellow Aussie who got his monies worth off roading in sand. Check air pressures mentioned.

Congrats on the new ride. I'm sure you'll post pics.

BTW Meister & zero, good read on the rear sliding cargo tray :thumbup:

Brought her home late tonite! More pics up in the AM after the detail!

2004 4.8is 08/04 Build (one of the few and far between 4.8is Estorils!)
Estoril/Alcantara
Every option I wanted!
67k miles
100k BMW Maint plan incl!
Price: STOLE IT!
Happy wife, Priceless!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/...31a628dd_o.jpg

:thumbup:

Very nice, congrats :thumbup:

:wow: Congrats! Another Estoril 4.8is owner here. Where is jvit27?
Waiting for more inside/outside pics.