Air suspension possible issue?

[Eagles21]

Hi all, I have only recently purchased an approved used E70 35D with many options including 3rd row seating and self levelling suspension.
In the month or so I have had it, on about 3 occasions I have found the rear of the car to be sunk right down low as if it's carrying weight. There are not any messages or warning lights and wondered if it's worth taking it to a dealer to inspect?
Would they only be interested on checking for a fault if there has been a message on the computer? Would air suspension issues (assuming that's why it occasionally sinks) be covered by the AUC warranty.
Thanks

[Alan Gunn]

If you have only had it a month or so i would go back to the dealer anyway.

[CondorX5]

The first year of the AUC warranty covers everything, even the battery.  My old E53 is still covered on extended AUC warranty and had its entire air suspension changed over the years.........my E70 is still in its first year and has already had a new transfer box, parking sensors, glow plug control unit, intercooler oil pipe replacement nd oil sensor replaced.........and a free servce as it still had  bit of time left on the extended service pack bought by original owner.  The AUC warranty is in my opinion one of the best in the business, owning an X5 without one would be like playing Russian Roulette for me.... most things that go wrong on them seem to cost a fortune to fix.

[Eagles21]

Thanks for the replies. I can't take it back to the supplying dealer as they are too far from me. (I'm in Kent and they are in Scunthorpe) so will book it in to a dealer near me. I just hope they don't try to fob me off by saying there isn't anything on the OBC (although I have taken pictures of the car while it's happened).

[celica]

Sounds like the rear air suspension is worn

Does bmw used approved not cover the full dealership network use?

[X5Sport]

Should do.

[CondorX5]

Definitely does.  Both my Xes came from dealerships a long way from me. Any main dealer will sort out AUC warranty issues.  As I understand it, BMW themselves warrant the car for the first year so the warranty is more comprehensive than the extended one, which is underwritten by Mondial.  Dealerships are paid via BMW GB for first year warranty, which covers everything.    Over the years, I have paid very little myself for repairs - would have been eye watering amounts without the warranty.

[Broggy]

[quote="Eagles21"]
Hi all, I have only recently purchased an approved used E70 35D with many options including 3rd row seating and self levelling suspension.
In the month or so I have had it, on about 3 occasions I have found the rear of the car to be sunk right down low as if it's carrying weight. There are not any messages or warning lights and wondered if it's worth taking it to a dealer to inspect?
Would they only be interested on checking for a fault if there has been a message on the computer? Would air suspension issues (assuming that's why it occasionally sinks) be covered by the AUC warranty.
Thanks
[/quote]

When has the car been sinking its back end down-when it has been stood still with engine off for more than an hour or so, or is it sinking down when engine on/driving? As I understand it, the suspension settings can be configured to sink back end down when the car is parked up, and it pumps back up as soon as you unlock doors and open them.

[Eagles21]

Hi Broggy, it sinks down when the engine is off but not every time!?
It has now done it noticeably about 4 or 5 times in the month or so I've owned it. It did it the first evening I had it and I did think at first it was supposed to do it but as it doesn't do it every time I think it's a leak / fault with the system somewhere.

[rj1986]

Had this recently.

Either one or 2 of the bags is worn and leaking, or the pump is going/gone.

Get it checked asap, because you might be able to save the pump/compressor if it's just the bags.

[approved]

I had the east same problem which the main dealer didn't want to or couldn't find.

So i took mine to a local specialist who put it on a ramp, sprayed both air bags/struts with soapy water and within minutes, they came back in and told me one of the airbags had a tiny tiny hole in it.

was either £200 or £300 fitted and it hasnt done it since.

[davetherave]

Definatel airbag had same issue but get fixed asap as compressor will continue to try & fill airbag which will eventually burn out compressor which cost c £800!!!

[Eagles21]

To all who replied and who may be interested, my car went into Stephen James BMW and they found a leak in the rear suspension and was replaced under warranty