88 750 problems....just lookin for simple answers

[boostakoosh]

alrite well my car's computer gliches every now and then, but every time i drive it about 15 minutes into the drive the car beeps and it says "suspension leveling" in the dashboard thing underneath where the speedometer is. also, i went to fill up my gas tank after not driving it much for a couple weeks, and i used a credit card so it should have filled all the way. but when i turned on the car, the meter only rised to just above 3/4 full. what does that mean? by the way im only 16 so please excuse my blondeness towards cars. thanks u guys

[libertylover]

Sorry, it's not a simple answer. Your car has a self-leveling rear suspension called LAD (Load Absorbtion Damping). The system has an additional pump piggy-backed to the power steering pump, a reservoir shared with the power steering system filled with a $pecial fluid, an accumulator at the rear for each side, and special (translation: expen$ive) struts at the rear.

The system is completely hydraulic and mechanical except for one electrical switch. The switch is used to determine when the rear wheels have too much camber caused by a load that is beyond what the system can handle. You would expect this warning if you filled the trunk with concrete blocks maybe, but not under normal circumstances. So the display that you are seeing is warning you of a problem-either real or false alarm.

Maybe you're just low on hydraulic fluid. Check the power steering/LAD fluid level. With the engine OFF and the car parked on level ground, the fluid in the reservoir should be about 1 inch below the top. If you need to add fluid READ WHAT IT SAYS ON THE CAP. REPEAT: READ WHAT IT SAYS ON THE CAP. Your '88 probably uses Pentosin CHF 7.1 fluid but it might use Pentosin CHF 11S instead. You MUST use the proper fluid or you will destroy the seals. If you need fluid, go to the BMW dealer and buy the right stuff. It's expensive, like $20/liter. The local parts stores won't have it and DON'T put regular ATF fluid in there.

If it's not the fluid, you'll probably need to take your car to your BMW dealer. Maybe the switch just needs to be adjusted or replaced, but even that requires a pit and special procedures to be done properly. Other causes would get real expensive real fast. Sorry.

You should not ignore this warning since that might end up damaging even more equipment. Worse, the car might be or become unsafe for you and other motorists with a malfunctioning suspension on such a heavy car.

BTW, the gas fill thing may or may not be related. Maybe the pump just kicked off prematurely.

Good luck.

[boostakoosh]

thanks a whole bunch, im gonna try everything you advised, hopefully today. it means a lot to me

[csieminski]

Kudos to you for driving a 750iL! I'm scared out of my wits to buy a V-12 powered car, much as I want one (I'm 20 myself and have little money ). I had an '86 528e when I was 17. How much has that 750 cost you so far?

Best wishes.

[boostakoosh]

its been treatin me good. i turn 16 in 8 days and i get my license in 9 days so i havent done too much to it yet...once i get my own job over the summer and shit and have the money to add stuff to it im gonna feel the weight drop from my wallet i bet. especially with the v12 and the gas prices today.....NOT a good combo.

[csieminski]

Yup, I'd like to get a 740 or at least a '90+ 735 myself, but my budget is only $5,000 so that limits my options. And I will pay through the nose for gas (esp. if Kerry gets in with his $.50/gal. gas tax). Right now my Acura averages 22 mpg.

Now, though, you'll never have to change the make and model of the vehicle you drive for the rest of your life--just upgrade to a newer year from time to time! The fact that a 740 (or an Accord) would suffice for most people is certainly part of the 750iL's appeal. Let me know what it's like to drive--an '89 535i is the most powerful car I've driven :-/

[bimmerskickass2]

Yeah 750iL, nice car, i is lookin' at one as me 1st car but i is hearing a few problems arisin' with em', and my parents dont really want me to have V12 for me first car, they reckon its got to much power and it not needed, plus since they're buyin' it for me, they ehat they say goes, so i'll have to make do with a 735iL for a while and then buy the 750 meself.
Anyways has there been any other problems?

[libertylover]

This link has a list of things to look for in an E32 including the 735s from 88-94.
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e32/messag...w14/54855.html