So, I got the now familiar and much dreaded "Drive Control System" and "Start Off Assist" errors. After researching much in this forum *thank you e60.net by the way*, I was able to diagnose the problem as a prototypical SZL sensor failure.

I took the car to BMW Houston North hoping it was a recall for the US as I had read in a few of the posts. Alas, it isn't. . . HOWEVER, my Service Advisor - Billy Jones (who by the way typifies what you should expect from the service experience from BMW!) - looked up my VIN and discovered it had been replaced 2 years and 9 days before!!!! (The warranty is 2 years on replacement parts). . .

After bringing the car (2006 525i build date 01/06, 64k miles) in for my appointment they verified it is in fact the SZL sensor and subsequently spoke with BMW NA which gave them clearance to replace the part under warranty (the car itself is no longer under warranty). They ordered the part and I will go in next Friday to get it replaced and the Daytime Running Lamps turned off so I can use the Angel Eyes function (they are mutually exclusive on my year and non-xenon model for some reason).

On the drive home I get the ALSO familiar and not so much dreaded "Passenger Restraint System Failure". . .I called Billy and he added it to the ticket. Talk about timing! My dash looks like a Christmas tree!

 

Sorry to hear, at least everything seems to be covered...hope everything gets resolved

 

Sorry to hear, but we are in same boat. My SZL will be fixed or replaced within couple weeks.

Did your services advisor said, if they will replace the whole SZL (>500$) or just a sensor (repair kit)?

 

YUP, had my '07 530xi SZL (Steering Angle Sensor) It had to be special ordered and replaced; car was also recoded at 19K miles.

 

Billy, the SA, had written $551 on the sheet of paper and I'm assuming it was to replace the sensor which has already been replaced previously. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

The SZL unit on mine was replaced on 9/1/2009. The dealer had to replace the SZL unit twice while the car was in the shop. The dealer claimed the first SZL unit intalled was defective. When they installed the second SZL unit, they also replaced the battery which they said had a dead cell.
I wonder if the battery cause the original SZL to burn-out and the first SZL unit the dealer installed to burn out as well?
My car is currently at the dealer for a leakin hydraulic pump.

 

I've had the 'SZL unit' replaced on my car as well about 18 months ago. Is this a sensor that we need to worry about every 2-3 years or was the replacement sensor designed afterwards? I've had the 'Drive Control System malfunction' error pop up once since the replacement, but thankfully it went away the next time I started up the car.