BMW 6 Series Air Suspension Nightmare, Help Needed!

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2012 BMW 5 series (also owned a 3 series before). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with. My car was sagging on one side and the ride comfort was terrible. Took it to my trusted workshop and yes, it was indeed the air suspension valve that went bad. They had to replace the valve unit completely. Cost me around 590 Euro for the whole job, but it was worth every penny. The car's been riding perfectly since then, no more error messages or rough shifts. Before you proceed, could you share: Which side is sitting lower? Are you hearing any hissing sounds? Does the sagging get worse when parked overnight? This info would help me give you more specific advice based on my experience. Also, these symptoms can sometimes be confused with other suspension issues, so it's best to get a proper diagnosis from a BMW specialist.

Hi there! Thanks for the detailed response. Yeah, it's the right rear that's sitting lower, and I definitely hear that hissing sound you mentioned, especially noticeable when parked. And yes, it's way worse in the morning after sitting overnight. I've got 111746 KM on the clock and had my last service about 3 months ago, but this issue just started recently. Looking at the repair cost you mentioned, that's actually not as bad as I was expecting. It's good to hear it fixed similar symptoms on your BMW. Did you notice any improvement in the transmission behavior after the fix too? I'm hoping it's all related to the same issue.

Hey again! Yes, I remember when my 5 series had these exact same symptoms. The right rear drop is a classic sign, that's exactly where mine was sagging too. And that hissing sound? Dead giveaway for the air suspension valve issue. About the transmission, yes, absolutely! Once the suspension was fixed, the transmission behavior improved dramatically. See, when the suspension isn't working properly, it messes with the car's overall balance and sensors, which can confuse the transmission control module. After the valve replacement, my car's shifts became smooth again. Given your mileage (mine was around 98000 km when it happened), this is pretty typical timing for these valves to start failing. The 3-month-old service wouldn't have caught this since it's not usually part of regular maintenance checks. Quick tip from my experience, while they're in there replacing the valve, have them check the air lines too. Mine had a small crack that wasn't obvious at first, and getting it all done at once saved me another workshop visit. Trust me, after the fix, it'll feel like a completely different car. Just make sure you go to someone who knows BMWs well, these air suspension systems can be tricky if not handled correctly.

Thanks so much for all this helpful info! It's such a relief to hear someone else went through the exact same thing and got it sorted. I'll definitely get those air lines checked while they're working on it, really good tip about catching potential issues all at once. Makes total sense about the transmission being affected by the suspension problems too. I've already called my BMW specialist and booked it in for next week. They quoted pretty close to what you paid, which is way better than I was fearing. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's made me feel much more confident about getting this fixed. Can't wait to get my car back to driving the way it should!