SLS questions - Page 2

Keeperomega · 2nd May 2006, 22:20

GSM5er:
Apparently I am the fortunate one who owns the only ///M5 E-28 in existence in South America; Bogota, Colombia and situations such as the one you`ve experienced are not uncommon to me. There are no mechanics who can repair this vehicle and the only dealership that might be able to service it is totally out of the question for many reasons. Luckily I have tinkered with unusual and classic cars most of my like: I drive and race Classic Minis, Porsches, and of course; BMWs.
I had the same problem as you did with the SLS... fortunately it was a broken hydraulic hose.. just as I was leaving on vacation with the whole family packed in.
Solution:
1. I had new hoses made all around (40 minutes) (to the shocks and in the pump itself).
2. Started the car and pressurized the pump.
3. Raised it all the way up.
4. got underneath the vehicle and disconnected the linkage between the pump and the stabilizar bar.
5. BY HAND, turned the lever on the pump until the car WAS LEVELED and exactly where I wanted it!!!! (by turning the lever a little... the car lowers, and a little more, it lowers a bit more, and so on...!
6. Totally removed the carburator linkage looking thing from the pump.
7. Removed the relay (blue) at the pump so it does not work any more.

The car has retained the same height since last year. It rides as usual. I have no problems any more!
and it did not cost me a thing except for the hoses which can be made rather cheaply and it is a better solution than buying Konis or replacing the damn pump or the entire system which will always be a big problem.
Good luck

Izzyzx · 2nd May 2006, 22:38

Very Good... Your solution to problem was very creative. But let me ask you: Why did you disconnect the control valve and relay after you repaired the hose? Wouldn't that defeat the self leveling function?

BTW: What's the price of premium gasoline in Colombia?

Keeperomega · 3rd May 2006, 03:40

As of 12:01 AM this morning the price of premium leade 91 octane is $7,923.00 Colombian Pesos. One dollar official exchange rate (we have black market) is $2,330.00 pesos which equals US$3,40 per gallon. Of course, they do not charge for the water, the ethanol, and the miscellaneous debris in it!!!
As for the SLS and why I disconnected the darn thing, it was because it refused to work properly in the first place. Somedays it would be higher than others... etc. I got tired of messing with it and since the only solution was getting into the hydraulics themselves; new pump and etc., I decided to go another way. And let me tell you, it works just as good since the car is riding almost at its lowest level. I drive it mainly on mountain roads which are the majority and on race track (with JP Montoya when he comes around to visit).The roads in Colombia are an absolute dream for anyone with a sports car. They remind me of some roads in the Swiss Alps adn the Pirinees.

Izzyzx · 3rd May 2006, 05:31

$3.40 per gallon is what we pay here in NYC. But we don't have to pay extra for the water and dirt either... Sounds like you're having fun driving your M5 in the mountains... Just remember to keep the shiney black side up...