;emans4.8: I agree that this is the standard issue response but it cant hurt if a lot of us bombard them with the same problem and concern.

As far as the repair, do you know why it is highly recommended to do a GT1 computer ride height calibration? Everyone I have talked with says it isnt. Just curious as to if I should make sure the shop is capable of doing that. Is it crucial?

Allright, is my air strut failing or am I going crazy. After the X sits in the garage the front left drops lower than all the others. The last time I drove it there was suspension clunking noise from that corner and it had seemed as if it failed. Tonight, i took the X around the block to do some tests. I pulled it out of the drive and raised the suspension to the highest setting. All four corners went up fine. I lowered it down to normal ride height, all four corners were at normal ride height and there was no clunking noise coming from the front left. I will check the X in the morning to see if it the front left has settled back down. Does all of this sound normal and still sound like the front left air strut has failed? Could it be anything else like a resistor or fuse? Any input or experiences you guys have had would be much appreciated. I ordered the arnott air strut today and want to make sure I really need it. Thanks! As well, I have not had any warnings or "self leveling inactive" messages in the dash. Do you usually get those with this issue? If a fuse or anything like that was not working would the suspension even go up or down?

sounds normal. The air bag dry-rots and gets little holes in it. Over several hours, the air will leak out. But when the car is running, the air compressor is continuously pushing air into that airbag. As the hole gets bigger, the air compressor will have trouble keeping up and it may burn out. This is why it is suggested to replace ASAP. I was actually told by several BMW reps (both in Canada and US) that ride height calibration was needed (especially if going with after market parts like the Arnott). The BMW rep I last spoke to said that it was a "common problem". But of course, the e53 is an outdated model now and has been for a couple of years. If all the e53's with air suspension blew their airbags tomorrow, BMW would not care since they can not be legally held liable for this part (especially since it is a wear issue).

Ok, thanks. Today I took the X to a local indy. We hooked it up to his computer and it read out the ride height that each corner was at. The front left was a little lower. He reset the ride height, putting all four corners back to stock spec. I am keeping an eye on the suspension level and measuring it to see if it starts to drop back down. I think it is still possible that the system is failing. However, before I replace the air strut I am going to keep an eye on it for a while and see how it behaves. Does the air compressor run continuously when the car is running regardless of a leak in the system? Or does it run when the air strut looses air?

Arnott has no cores to rebuild for the front left. It seems like the options are to take mine off and send it to them which would be around a 3 week process or get the best deal I can on an OEM BMW part. My air strut leaking has been very unpredictable. Some days it wall drop all the way in a few hours. Other times it stays almost fully inflated for 3+ days. Does this makes any sense?

I just returned my left core ( 2 ) weeks ago. Guess it got snapped up ! Your strut is acting exactly like mine did....stays up a few days, then sags in an hour - no rhyme or reason to it. I did notice that it was getting worse over time. Had to keep pumping it up with switch. I finally just ordered the strut from Arnott on the phone. Guy taking the order told me they didn't have stock, but would ship ASAP, and darn if they didn't send one out within ( 10 ) days. I would say put one on order and hope for the best. Only other option seems to be dealer @ $ 1,000. +/-

That is reassuring to hear yours behaved the same before it totally failed. I do have an order in for the left front with arnott. Hopefully they get one soon. Last night I was looking under the X and saw a bushing that was shot. So I guess I have a couple projects!! One new thing, I am noticing that the times when my front left entirely deflates my right one deflates a little as well. Does this sound familiar?

Yes.....had same thing happen with mine. Since replacing the left strut, I still have a few issues with right being low. I have not had recalibration done yet - hoping that is the problem. If not, guess I will need to replace right side as well. Not such a scary job once you have completed one.

Just a note to everyone. I called Arnott this morning to check and see if they have any left front in stock. All of the sudden they have 4 in stock. So if anyone needs a front left air strut, Arnott has them right now!!!!! Cant wait to have my X fixed!! Now time to decide if I will do the work or take it to my indy?

I am glad they have them in stock. I will be replacing my left side soon so let us know how it turns out. When I do mine, I plan on taking a lot of pictures to show everyone that steps I took.

I would be interested to know the difference in strut condition between the one they send you and the one you remove from your car.