BMW i4 Air Suspension Failure, Symptoms and Solutions

Hey there! I went through something similar with my 2020 BMW iX3. My car had uneven suspension and those annoying error messages too. After dealing with this headache, I took it to my regular workshop. Turned out it was just a faulty cable connection to the air suspension control module. They fixed it for 95 Euro, pretty straightforward repair actually. But before jumping to conclusions, could you share: How long has this been happening? Does it get worse after parking for extended periods? Are you hearing any unusual noises from the suspension? The i4 and iX3 share quite a few components, so your issue might be similar, but let's get more details to be sure. The reduced engine power is concerning though, might be the system's fail-safe kicking in to prevent damage. Hope this helps! Let me know those details and I can share more specific info.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This issue started about 2 weeks ago, and yes, it definitely gets worse after the car sits overnight. I'm hearing a weird hissing sound when trying to adjust the suspension height. Just had my service done at 21075 KM, and everything was fine then, so this caught me off guard. No problems before this. That's interesting about the cable connection fix on your iX3. Did your car also have the reduced power issue? I'm hoping it's something simple like that rather than the whole compressor needing replacement. Getting a bit anxious about possible repair costs, especially since I've never dealt with air suspension problems before.

Hey again! Good to hear back from you. Yeah, my iX3 did have that reduced power issue, it's actually a safety feature that kicks in when the suspension system isn't working properly. The hissing sound you're describing is definitely different from what I experienced though. With my cable connection problem, there wasn't any noise at all. Given what you're describing, especially that hissing sound, I hate to say it but this sounds more like an actual compressor issue rather than just a loose connection like mine was. When air is escaping like that, it usually points to a leak in the system or a failing compressor. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! After getting my cable fixed, I actually had a similar problem about 6 months later, turned out to be the compressor that time, and it wasn't cheap. Cost me around 1200 Euro for parts and labor. But don't panic yet, maybe your hissing is just coming from a loose air line that needs to be reseated. Quick tip: If you're hearing the hissing, try to note exactly where it's coming from. That'll help the mechanics pinpoint the problem faster. And definitely get it checked soon, driving with suspension issues isn't great for the rest of the car. Let me know what you find out when you get it looked at. I'm curious to know if it's similar to what I went through the second time around.

Thanks for the detailed response, but this isn't great news. I was really hoping it would be a simple fix like your first issue. The hissing seems to be coming from the front right area, but it's a bit hard to pinpoint exactly. I'll definitely get it to the shop this week, don't want to risk making things worse by driving it too much in this condition. I wasn't prepared for a possible 1200 euro repair bill... might have to dip into my savings for this one. But I guess that's part of owning these high-tech cars. At least now I have a better idea of what to expect when I take it in. I'll keep you posted on what they find, really appreciate you sharing your experiences with both repairs. It's helpful knowing what I might be dealing with, even if it's not the news I wanted to hear!