Leaning
 

Read up a bunch on this and just wanted to get folks' thoughts. I noticed yesterday afternoon that the car was leaning fairly noticeably to driver's side. I'd driven it to work and back (short distance) and didn't notice anything, also went a quarter mile to the Y and back, so I figure it should have been able to level out. Anyway, both front and rear driver side were low - couldn't visibly discern if one or other was to blame. I need to run it over to the dealer to have them check the transmission (drivetrain only warranty) so I thought I'd have them look at this, but today it's totally fine.

I've always left car keys in the car in the garage and, although I know better with comfort access, forgot and left the spare in there the other night. I read where a low battery can cause unleveled suspension. Any chance that was the issue, or am I more likely experiencing the early stages of a bad/leaky component? Seems odd that one day it couldn't get level then the next it can.

Car is an '08 4.8 with AD, sport pack.

I am not sure if this is your "low battery".
My money is on faulty air spring.

Here are two DIY:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...nt-x5-e70.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ement-diy.html

I tend to agree Gregg, thanks for the response. I just can't figure how it can leak so bad one day that it can't sit level then the next day it's fine.

I am not sure how but my x5 would do the same thing.
I could only relate this to driving hard one day and suspension working over time vs. taking it easy. But..., this may have nothing to to with anything, the spring could just position itself in such a way that at one time it leaks and not the other.

Good Luck.

Leaking bag.

Not odd in the least- this has been reported.

As the car rides the airbags can change in how they are positioned in the springs- sometimes they flex just right and a crack opens, other times they are loaded enough so the crack is sealed.

Ignore it long enough it will fail well and good.

;)

Thanks Ard. Suspicion confirmed I guess. How pressing is need for repair re: load on the compressor; fix this week, within a month, wait til it's really apparent?

I had mine done last month. Don't wait too long (I got it fixed within a week) as you don't want to replace the pumps that go with them--they are even more expensive and will be stranded once they do go out.

It is not always a air spring/bag leaking issue. The pump itself can leak air. This is the case with my noisy as heck pump...been this way for 8 months or more and I am just waiting for it to fail. But, when the pumps leak, the rear usually sags the same on both sides, not more on side or the other.