New 4.8is owner with problems
 

Well I purchased my first BMW back in Feb and it is an 06 4.8is Lemans Blue. The vehicle had 38k on odo and was a former lease from CA. It is absolutely mint and looks brand new. The car fax and maintence history was clean also. It went out of factory warranty in May and now I am begining to have problems. The first problem occured about a month ago, the ride height on the right side was about 1" lower than the left side. I took the X5 to an independent BMW shop and the tech tried to reset the computer and the module crapped out and I had to pay $1200 for a new module. Now the right front shock loses air after sitiing a couple of days. When I unlock the vehicle I can hear the compressor come on and the right front shock levels back to normal. I was told by the tech that I need a new right front air shock, that will cost $1198. I am having that replaced on 12/7. Yesterday I notice fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle onto my driveway. After investigation I found that it is windshield washer fluid, it is coming from the bottom of the resesvoir. I can't believe all the problems that I am begining to have. I love the performance of the vehicle but don't know if it's worth the high maintence. I am thinking about trading the vehicle.:( What are your thoughts?

Off lease...did you get it at a BMW dealership? The you may have a CPO car which means it could still have warranty. AND...sometimes, if the dealership sees that the car has not passed the 50000 miles yet within the first four years and that the warranty has just expired then they can sometimes do a courtesy job on it.

Where in MA did you buy it? I have had very good luck with the service manager at Wagner BMW Sherwsbury, his name is Lance Mitchell.

I did not buy from BMW dealership but from high end Independent (Wilbraham Auto Sales). I had the vehicle serviced at Herb Chambers Sudbury when it was under warranty but did call Wagner BMW last week. The service advisor told me that since my vehicle had been serviced by an independent shop and was not a BMW certified preowned vehicle that BMW would not cover the repair. He told be to take it to Auto Engineering where I had the module replaced. My vehicle has 45k on it now. I did call BMW customer service and all they could tell me was to take it to a BMW dealership but they could not tell me if it would be covered under a courtesy repair. I did not want to chance it and pay $125/hr labor rate. I was told the air shock is $900.

Sorry about your issues; I had both front air struts go out within 2000 miles of each other earlier this year. Fortunately I have a warranty, which I suggest you purchase if you plan on keeping her. Unless you can DIY, a warranty will likely pay for itself with one of these (or at least it's insurance). Seems like the indy mechanic is a little to blame for your module "frying". The possible leaking strut should have been the first place to start, right? I have not had mine in the dealer's bay for months now, and couldn't be happier (probably just jinxed myself). The X was purchased because I wanted a BMW, but needed a little more room. I would keep it and get a warranty, because I can't DIY everything. Second, you should try to find somewhere else to take it unless you already had a relationship with that indy, though it doesn't sound that way. Check with other forum members in your area, your local BMWCCA chapter, or even google. Good luck.

Scott

What exactly does "high end Independent" mean. They are usually all the same, just nicer suits and no "we tote the note" signage. There is a huge off-lease market out there where they pick up low mileage, higher end vehicles at auction.
No guarantees but try searching on here. Some guys have had luck with Arnott industries for lower cost replacements.

Scott

relax man. these are common problems. you dont have to change it , just make sure you dont fill to the brim the reservoir. and you had to change the fronts shocks in the same time as i did

What I mean by high end independent is a dealership that sells high end vehicles, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes. They buy low mileage vehicles that are in mint condition from auction, they are at www.wilbrahamauto.com. I looked into the Arnott industries shocks but Auto Engineering said that they would not install anything other than factory shocks.

I did purchase a warranty from AAA-Car Guard ($3300) a month ago, Air shocks or air springs are excluded because they are wear items. Auto Engineering is a reputable shop and has a former BMW Dealer tech working there. The service advisor at Wagner BMW told me that they have experienced bad module problems before and that 2 issues were wrong with my vehicle.

Air shocks leaking is a common issue. Mine both went with under 45,000 miles on the clock. They start slow, and get progessively worse. Compressor will inflate them, or use height adjustment button to pump up. They will settle - sometimes takes a few days / other times happens in a few hours. I had left side go first, then a month later, right side. Go to Arnott Industries - they rebuild using BMW cores and new rubber bags. Cost $ 299.00 each with exchange which is about $ 500. less than BMW part. I was impressed by service & quality. Replacement isn't too hard - took me about an hour on first side / less on second.
Then go get your $ 1,200 back from the " faulty module " guy !