F10 Touring - compressor gone - cost?

IrishZeus

Driving along the N7 today and the car started bouncing and shaking badly. Got over to the hard shoulder and checked the car - the rear was practically sitting on the wheels. Though the air suspension bags were gone but managed to limp the car to a Circle K a few hundred teamed away and arranged a tow.

When the tow arrived, the car was sitting back up properly but starting dropping again when I was loading it up. Towed to BMW in Naas who are looking at it but believe it’s a compressor is gone.

Would anyone have a ballpark on the cost to fix? A rough figure of €1000ish was thrown out to me, but the service manager said he would look for goodwill from BMW for it. Couldn’t give an actual cost until the fault is properly diagnosed, which is fair enough.

Car is a 141 520d, with 155km on the clock. The “airbags” themselves were replaced when I bought it 8 months ago at 131km. Was bought from an independent garage so there is no warranty in place on the car. Car had full BMW service history up to 131km and is due again at 160k so there is a decent chance of goodwill. Oil/filter changes done every 10k by an indy since I got it.

Tropheus

I have an Audi Allroad that has a similar suspension set up. There are several things that could have happened here.

Compressor failure as you mentioned. I would look at a non-OEM replacement or one from a breakers. If there is no goodwill from BMW, you are looking at around €1k plus labour.

It is also possible that one of your bags failed. The auto levelling will then bring both sides down to the same level. It's worth checking. Can you still hear the compressor running?

They are pretty much the same compressor across Audi/Porsche/MB and BMW. A common failure is the piston ring which wares and significantly reduces the effectiveness of the compressor. You can get kits to replace these for less than €50 and it will make the compressor as good as new.

These compressors are relatively simple and pretty robust. My car has 265k miles on it and I just replaced the original compressor recently with a secondhand unit for €150.

If you're buying yourself, make sure you get a Wabco which are the OEM manufacturers. There are Chinese knockoffs on eBay and the likes that don't last.

If you're handy with a spanner, they are a DIY job. I've taken mine out several times on the Allroad and replaced airs springs.

Darc19

Very well known issue with the f11.

Get into any independent garage and a reconditioned compressor from autohaus in Dublin for about €200 if memory serves me right.

http://www.autohausaftermarket.ie/special-offers

Link is to the bags, just give them a call for compressor price

If you are near Naas / Newbridge, Padraig in PLR motors in Toughers will set you right

Just saw that the car is in Conlons bmw. PLR are behind them

Henry Ford III

Troublesome cars

IrishZeus

New compressor, bag and hose needed apparently. Ridiculous money but BMW are covering 80% as goodwill.

Back on the road tomorrow for €670 total, including labour. Not too bad considering what I was expecting!

mickdw

Still an expensive repair.

rabbitinlights

That's impressive from BMW tbf, good work.

IrishZeus

No labour covered but 80% of the parts and a 2 year warranty on the work done. I can live with it to be honest - it’s at least €1000 cheaper than I was expecting.

Voodoomelon

Can I ask what dealer this was?

IrishZeus

Conlans BMW Naas. Always been very good to deal with, in fairness to them.

Jimmy, the service manager, was an absolute gent in this situation.