Hi Guys,
Picked up the wife's new motor (2005 3.0d Sport)on Wednesday this week. During the 5 mile school run on Thursday a warning of Self Level Suspension Incative came up. I turned off the engine and then back on again and it disappeared.
The problem I have is that the wife had only driven the car for about 20 miles before the warning came on, so its difficult to compare the before and after ride. We've done about another 130 miles since and to be honest the ride is very bouncy.
That's the only way I can describe it. I have a 530Dsport and that ride is firm and quite stiff. This X5 is something completely different and I wouldn't have expected it to feel like I was driving a tractor with soft tyres.
Is the ride expected to be like this and if not any ideas what I should be looking out for or what to check?
Thanks
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Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
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Monkey Tennis
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:58 pm
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
Is it full air suspension or just rear? What's the mileage too?
I did find the full air suspension on mine to be fairly bouncy tbh. It used to lean a bit to in corners, etc. Your 530d suspension will be stiffer and hard to compare to the X5.
I did find the full air suspension on mine to be fairly bouncy tbh. It used to lean a bit to in corners, etc. Your 530d suspension will be stiffer and hard to compare to the X5.
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Monkey Tennis
- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:58 pm
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
No idea if its full or just rear. How do I tell?
I've been through the owners manual and it looks like some models have three settings and a button on the centre console to press. This X5 doesnt have that. Not sure if that's the difference between full or rear.
I'm sure that it shouldn't be as bouncy as this. If it is then I dread to think what the SE is like in comparison to the Sport if this has the firmer suspension.
I've been through the owners manual and it looks like some models have three settings and a button on the centre console to press. This X5 doesnt have that. Not sure if that's the difference between full or rear.
I'm sure that it shouldn't be as bouncy as this. If it is then I dread to think what the SE is like in comparison to the Sport if this has the firmer suspension.
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
There is switch to the right of the steering wheel with the three settings you mention for cars equipped with full air suspension. So as you say it doesn't have that so you have just rear air suspension with traditional shock/spring setup up front.
What's the mileage as an abnormally bouncy ride is usually worn shocks, etc.
What's the mileage as an abnormally bouncy ride is usually worn shocks, etc.
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Monkey Tennis
- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:58 pm
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
Only 59k. I'm pretty certain that it's genuine. I've done the due diligence and know the history of the car. I don't believe for one second that it has been clocked. (I spot them very quickly as I worked in the motor industry for 6 years).
I wouldn't expect suspension problems with that type of mileage.
I'm a little bit worried about gremlins given that the warning came on and then went off again.
Today the flat tyre warning light has come on. Could be a coincidence but last Thursday we also has a bulb warning failure (turned out to be the bulb not sitting quite right in the holder I think).
Am I likely to be in for many of these potential false alarms with owning an X5? ::)
I wouldn't expect suspension problems with that type of mileage.
I'm a little bit worried about gremlins given that the warning came on and then went off again.
Today the flat tyre warning light has come on. Could be a coincidence but last Thursday we also has a bulb warning failure (turned out to be the bulb not sitting quite right in the holder I think).
Am I likely to be in for many of these potential false alarms with owning an X5? ::)
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
Mileage isn't excessive and as you say probably is genuine so no worries there. I'm guessing you really need to try and hook up with a local member to see how there's is to be sure it's not just the normal wallow of the X5. I went from tuned and sorted E46's/E60's including an M5 so the standard setup of the X was very soft by comparison.
As for electrical gremlins, unfortunately that is E53 ownership but usually down to things like low batteries of electrical drain from alternators, heater matrix, starter motors, etc.
As for electrical gremlins, unfortunately that is E53 ownership but usually down to things like low batteries of electrical drain from alternators, heater matrix, starter motors, etc.
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
[quote="Monkey Tennis"]Today the flat tyre warning light has come on.[/quote]
Coincidence !! this happened to me yesterday !
Came out to the car this morning and it was sat low on the rear suspension. I heard a leaking air noise when walking away fromt he car, now I know why.
Some quick googling and it appears to be the air suspension, I`ve sorted a pair of rears from the US, a friend is bringing them back for me next week. You can buy one off ebay in the UK for £125 each, delivered.
Looks to be a piece of cake to fit, I`ll let you know once I`ve done it
Coincidence !! this happened to me yesterday !
Came out to the car this morning and it was sat low on the rear suspension. I heard a leaking air noise when walking away fromt he car, now I know why.
Some quick googling and it appears to be the air suspension, I`ve sorted a pair of rears from the US, a friend is bringing them back for me next week. You can buy one off ebay in the UK for £125 each, delivered.
Looks to be a piece of cake to fit, I`ll let you know once I`ve done it
Last edited by Nige on Tue Dec 18, 2012 1:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Self Level Suspension Inactive - cleared but bouncy ride
[quote="Nige"]
[quote="Monkey Tennis"]Today the flat tyre warning light has come on.[/quote]
Coincidence !! this happened to me yesterday !
Came out to the car this morning and it was sat low on the rear suspension. I heard a leaking air noise when walking away fromt he car, now I know why.
Some quick googling and it appears to be the air suspension, I`ve sorted a pair of rears from the US, a friend is bringing them back for me next week. You can buy one off ebay in the UK for £125 each, delivered.
Looks to be a piece of cake to fit, I`ll let you know once I`ve done it
[/quote]
Rears are straight forward replacements tbh. Boot trim under the floor need to be removed to gain access to the top of the airbags and release the hose.
[quote="Monkey Tennis"]Today the flat tyre warning light has come on.[/quote]
Coincidence !! this happened to me yesterday !
Came out to the car this morning and it was sat low on the rear suspension. I heard a leaking air noise when walking away fromt he car, now I know why.
Some quick googling and it appears to be the air suspension, I`ve sorted a pair of rears from the US, a friend is bringing them back for me next week. You can buy one off ebay in the UK for £125 each, delivered.
Looks to be a piece of cake to fit, I`ll let you know once I`ve done it
[/quote]
Rears are straight forward replacements tbh. Boot trim under the floor need to be removed to gain access to the top of the airbags and release the hose.