New Member & Auto Level inact
 

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?

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.

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.

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.

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...):dunno:

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

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.

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...

The message is displayed continuously. I Will start with fuses as soon as I track them down.

If you look at the picture the fuse is number 79 or 87. Below the fuse starting at the left is fuse no. 72 to 87 on the right. This is located behind the panel at the rear of the truck.

http://bimmerboard.com/members/q/ori...se%20Index.jpg

Upallnight, Excellent timing. I just came upstairs after inspecting the fuses and they look just fine. I guess next on the line are the sensors. :rolleyes:

The GOOD INDY SHOPS NATIONWIDE thread is being updated by me. If you want to see details on the shops listed in the inital post you will need to thread search the shop name, I'm only providing "brass tack" data in the inital post to keep it manageable.

If you are going to DIY the air-ride system I STRONGLY suggest you invest in a Bentley manual, there is a troubleshooting section for every system in your X. If you don't own a good multi-meter it's time to step up and drop the $s.

The Bentley will more then pay for itself on the 1st repair! SOOOOOOOO may DIYs posted here do not include torque specs, ONE broken/stripped incident will exceed the Bentley cost, only a fool will attempt repairs without all the data available. Proceed accordingly.

I sometimes I just reset the compressor by pulling the fuse,I have a 03 4.6is which has only rear air bags [thank god] I hear that 04,forward have front and rear and a switch and are problematic........................good luck.

Thank dooood :thumbup:

what year is your X5 and how many miles?

To check the sensors, you will need a shop that has a factory level scan tool like a GT1 or Autologic, and can scan the system for faults.

For example, on the Autologic, a very helpful screen you want to look at is called:

Deviation, Ridel Level, From Specified Value

So first you scan for codes to find out where to start your diagnosis. Let's say the Autologic tells you to check the RF ride height level sensor. You can then swap the two front sensors to see if it's a bad sensor or if it's a wiring/module issue. If the code stays on the same wheel's sensor, immediately suspect the module. If the problem moves with the sensor, you have a bad sensor. To confirm that it's a bad module and not the wiring, (usually it IS the module or sensor), you can swap the signal wires of those sensors, and again scan the car with the Autologic. The above mentioned screen will show you where the problem is.

My first question to a new Indy shop you are considering would be: Do you have an Autologic or GT1? There are a lot of versions of the GT1 floating around, some very inexpensive, and I can't speak for the competency of all those versions. But the Autologic is a very serious investment for a shop, and makes most BMW electronic troubleshooting very straightforward; quite an awesome scan tool. And NO $9,000 Snap-on, (or MAC or Matco or OTC) scan tool can do ANY of this stuff. So if a shop you are considering tells you they use a Snap-on Verus, Modis, Ethos, Vantage or Solus, (as many shops try to do,)...your answer should be: "Not on MY BMW."

We need a "like" button.

I had what sounds like the exact problems you have. Had a bmw tech scan it and replaced one ride height sensor. It's all good now.

Just curious:cool: of the cost?

one ride height sensor is under 100 bucks. Honesty you need a GT1 to find out what error you are throwing to get the fault on your OBC, once you figure that out its a lot easier to fix the problem.

sensor was $100 and since he was a friend he scanned and installed it, and changed my transfer case fluid for $80 plus fluids. So just under $300 for everything.

By the way are such problems covered under warranty if one decides to purchase?

I have the same problem that the OP mentioned. This morning when I got in the X I noticed that the green light that usually is on for the ride height switch was not lit. I figured the fuse blew. What do you guys think?

So I went to a local independent BMW shop today. They were very reputable. I saw them connecting thr GT1 computer. They ran bunch of tests for about hour and came back with nothing! They said the message was triggered only once. All sensors, struts, bags, modules and anything else related look just fine. The reason for message being triggered is more then likely cold and may be one bag inflated in 30 seconds rather then 25 seconds. It is of no concern at this point and the car suspension along with the message are gone. The whole thing cost me $75 !!! :thumbup:

ON the brighter note, I am selling my car. One scare is enough for me. Any buyers? :D

selling??? already??? that by itself is already a scare!!!

What was wrong, other than the SLS message? I am sure, it would take more than just a computer message about suspension, to sell the car...:dunno:

Honestly, the message was enough of a scare. Reading all the posts regarding suspension problems, engine problems and other miscellaneous issues was more then enough. Plus my chat with the mechanic today regarding engine issues with 8 Cylinders that are not covered under warranty made me decide to sell the vehicle. I am not financially strong to just piss money away into unforeseen issues that may appear. Luckily the car currently is fault free, but again it is a mechanical device.

in thatcase, you should be looking into a lease of a brand new one... should you still consider lease of a bimmer, there are very nice sites that can help you out with the lease decisions, like bmwconfig.com, where you can see the factory invoices, you can do a europiean delivery lease on german made models at $500-$1000 over euro factory invoice (from $3000 to $8000 savings over US prices), car is picked up in europe with 14 days euro insurance and tags included and then delivered to you in the US for the $1000 over eu factory invoice... 2nd lease payment skipped, since the car is in transit...

anyways... good luck...

:)

If you like the X5 4.8, instead of selling it, why not just buy an aftermarket warranty?

Pics of said car, miles, options, color combo?


Didn't you get the memo that if you own an E53 you need a few grand saved up for unforseen repairs? just the nature of the beast!


Why don't you apply to some aftermarket extended warranty companies for your car, they have been referenced here before...

Its unfortunate you see it as "pissing away money"....as many of us who have owned an E53 for any length of time understand its just the nature of the beast, as RB stated. Even a minute effort into research before purchasing the X would have turned up all the issues your "mechanic" was talking about.....they're all well known, and well documented. If it's out of your reach, it's out of your reach; that's understandable. But it sounds to me like someone didn't do their homework....which IS unfortunate, because you're missing out on what an X really can be; one HELL of a ride.

I have started to research companies..

You have a valid point. I did not do any homework. I always had a blind faith in BMW's given I have had previously owned 3 BMW's. If I find a reputable warranty company, I will keep the car. Otherwise, I will sell it.

Here are the specs.

2006- 4.8 IS
Grey with Black interior.
Completely loaded and all Stock
67500 miles

nice low mileage on that and 2006 so final model year, I would imagine based on low miles and one of the last 4.8is that most of the "bugs" should be worked out and it should be fairly reliable.

my 03 has 67k as well and every time I look at other E53's the higher mileage is what keeps me away (and the fact that I only really look at manual trans models lol)