[neilandanne.mcdougal]

Have a 2015 F11.....50K miles. Had since new. Full BMW maintenance. In Jan 22 had a problem with the suspension dropping at the rear. Sytner diagnosed leaking air spring but compressor ok. Replaced both Air springs....£900. Last week problem reappeared. Into Sytner again. Compressor failed and has damaged both air springs through the weight of the vehicle. Now require another £2500 I just want to curl up and die. Is this a common problem on the F11 ?

 

[Alan G]

Did both sides drop this time.

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

Yes.

 

[Alan G]

Can't see why it would damage the air-bag/spring.
Seen this before and it turned out to be just a fuse.
Could you hear the compressor running at all.

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

i could up until a couple of days ago. I could hear it but the suspension did not rise much. since then nothing and the car is sitting on its stoppers. BMW say the compressor was worn out because of the leak in a air bag in January and has failed now. They are saying because it is sitting on its stoppers the new air springs are damaged and need to be replaced again.

 

[Atyn]

Sounds to me like they misdiagnosed it.
Both air springs failing at the same time?
Probably was the compressor all along.
Why should the air springs be damaged otherwise what's the point of the 'stoppers'?

Can you not replace the compressor yourself ? There bound to be some Youtube vidoes and used ones on ebay.

Bear in mind that dealers can't get enough cars to sell so they need to generate income by other means..... such as from the service dept....

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

Thanks. In January only one air spring failed but they replaced both " just in case". I do think the compressor was knackered then but it was still working so it was left in place. I sort of accept that the compressor needs changing now but really pissed off about the air springs again. They say because it has been sitting on it's stoppers they will have internal damage.
I am a technical numpty. Struggle with fitting a headlight bulb.
Interestingly I had an email this morning from bmw sytner asking if I am interested in part exchange for a new BMW. Hmmmm

 

[Johnnyroper]

I wouldn’t be changing the air bags if it was me, I would change the compressor and see how it goes.

 

[Atyn]

Thanks. In January only one air spring failed but they replaced both " just in case". I do think the compressor was knackered then but it was still working so it was left in place. I sort of accept that the compressor needs changing now but really pissed off about the air springs again. They say because it has been sitting on it's stoppers they will have internal damage.
I am a technical numpty. Struggle with fitting a headlight bulb.
Interestingly I had an email this morning from bmw sytner asking if I am interested in part exchange for a new BMW. Hmmmm

But do they have one in stock that you'd be tempted by?

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

But do they have one in stock that you'd be tempted by?

Ha…..yep, but not one that is practical (dogs) or affordable. Nice M4 Competition convertible at £101k. Dream on Neil

 

[Alan G]

Have you got a local bmw indi you could go to.

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

Have you got a local bmw indi you could go to.

Thanks. Too late to use this time as I needed the car back and working quickly but will look for one for the future. Dealer prices are mad.

 

[snowblind]

I smell more than a little stealership skullduggery here. They've take a fault which is about £150 quid to fix if you do it yourself and spun it into about £4K and rising.
I've just spoken to my local main dealer about a blown air spring on my X5. Arnott is maybe £140 for a new bag. BMW want £450 for the bag alone and I know they'd push to do both bags.
Potentially I can buy a pair of bellows for a shade over £100 if I choose to plumb the depths of cheap aftermarket.

There's also the perennial problem of finding somewhere to do the work when you are in a hurry. Most of the places round here have 2 week waits before you can even get in the front door. Nothing is easy these days.

 

[Alan G]

Had aftermarket bags on my e53 x5 for coming up to 5 year now no problems.
Not sure but £44 each springs to mind no pun intended.

 

[snowblind]

Yep. You can still get air bags that cheap. I'm looking at the Arnott's just because they have good rep, The rubber they use is from Continental so you'd hope the quality should be up to par.
I did my old 530i touring with no-name aftermarkets and that was fine. No issues at all apart from the 10p clip that locks the reservoir cylinder hose in place snapping and BMW don't sell them separately. Whole new tank - that will be £90 please. "And no we won't accept a return if you try to send the tank back unused but without the clip." 🤬

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

Yep. You can still get air bags that cheap. I'm looking at the Arnott's just because they have good rep, The rubber they use is from Continental so you'd hope the quality should be up to par.
I did my old 530i touring with no-name aftermarkets and that was fine. No issues at all apart from the 10p clip that locks the reservoir cylinder hose in place snapping and BMW don't sell them separately. Whole new tank - that will be £90 please. "And no we won't accept a return if you try to send the tank back unused but without the clip." 🤬

Angry emoji indeed. Dealers really are a rip off.

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

I smell more than a little stealership skullduggery here. They've take a fault which is about £150 quid to fix if you do it yourself and spun it into about £4K and rising.
I've just spoken to my local main dealer about a blown air spring on my X5. Arnott is maybe £140 for a new bag. BMW want £450 for the bag alone and I know they'd push to do both bags.
Potentially I can buy a pair of bellows for a shade over £100 if I choose to plumb the depths of cheap aftermarket.

There's also the perennial problem of finding somewhere to do the work when you are in a hurry. Most of the places round here have 2 week waits before you can even get in the front door. Nothing is easy these days.

Stealership indeed. My bill was £2584 on top of the £1000 in January. Needed the car back so have paid. The dealership say they are talking to BMW about a goodwill payment but I am not holding my breath.

 

[neilandanne.mcdougal]

Well, shocked to the core. My dealership have called this morning and have persuaded BMW to refund £1900. This is actually a lot better than I imagined or even hoped for……faith restored somewhat.

 

[snowblind]

I think hell just froze over.......

 

[jiminnz]

I think hell just froze over.......

Yeah, I've owned four BMWs, then eight Mercs since, would never go back to those mobile disasters, Jim, 76.