ESA or No ESA is that is the question?

[trainman]

Modern electronics are normally bloody reliable, and although BMW are doing a fine job of bucking this particular trend I would suspect the mechanics of ESA to be far more likely to cause problems.

I can see the whiry windy bits being likely to seize, break or jam - although if a motor jams I suppose you could call it electronics but the reality is moving parts are liekly to stop moving rather than electronic circuitry breaking down, unless it was designed by the same bloke who sorted the EWS and FPC although if that were the case hundreds would have failed by now so I guess it is looking pretty good.

i agree, my only concern is when a bike or car maker is at the cutting edge and its the first time its been done then you have an element of risk, ABS had a chequered start to life all those years ago not just on BMWs and we all know about servo brakes (although ESA is more useful?)

working in an industry where trains are improved and modified all the time, we like someone else to experience the pain first! its amazing how electronics can play up when you bolt them to something that goes at 100mph and rattles like grannys bed

ESA is young and the good or bad bits will come out over time

 

[Paul Wakefield]

ESA is young and the good or bad bits will come out over time

Well its been around for 6 years now so it has had a fair run.

 

[Beemerman59]

Well its been around for 6 years now so it has had a fair run.

I agree its been around long enough to know about reliability issues. Took a much shorter time to find out about EWS, FPC and FD failures so I tend to think there is nothing inherently wrong with the build quality of the electronics and whirry bits. Otherwise there would be widespread critisism by now knowing this forum.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I agree its been around long enough to know about reliability issues. Took a much shorter time to find out about EWS, FPC and FD failures so I tend to think there is nothing inherently wrong with the build quality of the electronics and whirry bits. Otherwise there would be widespread critisism by now knowing this forum.

I think you've sort of answered your own doubts really.......I for one, although I'm not an Oracle of knowledge, can't recall many problems with the ESA being reported on here.....although I do recall many worrying about the possibility of a failure, normally due to the financial damage of replacing one.

And like you've said, if there was a problem it would have blown up into EWS, FPC, FD proportions by now.....and clearly that hasn't happened.

I also think people change to Wilburs because of their better quality, or ride height adjustment capabilities, rather than because they're BMW shocks have packed in.

As for stats on it?...then maybe a designated thread titled 'Anyone had any problems with ESA whilst off-roading?' might bring up some idea.

....and I certainly wasn't offended by your post Beemerman, it was a reasonable question ....you did bite quick though.

 

[Beemerman59]

I think you've sort of answered your own doubts really.......I for one, although I'm not an Oracle of knowledge, can't recall many problems with the ESA being reported on here.....although I do recall many worrying about the possibility of a failure, normally due to the financial damage of replacing one.

And like you've said, if there was a problem it would have blown up into EWS, FPC, FD proportions by now.....and clearly that hasn't happened.

I also think people change to Wilburs because of their better quality, or ride height adjustment capabilities, rather than because they're BMW shocks have packed in.

As for stats on it?...then maybe a designated thread titled 'Anyone had any problems with ESA whilst off-roading?' might bring up some idea.

....and I certainly wasn't offended by your post Beemerman, it was a reasonable question ....you did bite quick though.

It wasn't your post I was referring to, it was the one where my IQ level gets challenged. Thought I would try humility rather than the usual "jump down your throat" and personal remarks preferred by others.... I'm pretty much in agreement with your own posts.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Spoke too soon!


http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268349

 

[Beemerman59]

The mention of bleeding oil tends to suggest a shock failure not the whirry bits - nice try!

 

[Wrinkly]

I would say do not bother
Yes it changes the ride height and the softness/hardness but the bike handles just as well in sports mode one up as comfort mode two up with luggage.
I simply could not tell the difference and I ride reasonably quickly; it goes around corners with no fuss in every mode


I would suggest that your ESA is not working properly.

Steve

 

[cookie]

The mention of bleeding oil tends to suggest a shock failure not the whirry bits - nice try!

i thought you have to replace them as a unit, so what's the difference?

do bmw sell the bits separately?

 

[Beemerman59]

i thought you have to replace them as a unit, so what's the difference?

do bmw sell the bits separately?

I assume they seperate - don't Wilburs match up their shock with the ESA from a donor bike? If not, I am barking up the wrong tree

 

[cookie]

i've seen a spare strut, and it came complete.

they may not all be like that though