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      08-28-2014, 09:51 PM   #947
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Post Lengthy but good read

Model is 2013 M Sport 335i, NO DHP, Conti SSR summer tires.
Have had it for about a year now, 10k miles at this time.
Vibration/ Buzz was present since early on. (Can hear the hobble/wobble from inside the cabin, can feel the steering wheel shake, slightly see it wobble side to side, and if no passenger, can somewhat see that seat shake too) Most noticeable at about 25mph because the tires are spinning the slowest and can actually distinguish the different sounds that are present.
More noticeable on smooth pavement, because no other artifact/noise present such as bumps etc.
Sport mode makes it worse, comfort mode not as bad, eco pro seems to be best (I guess the softer the suspension the better it gets)

I have the staggered tires setup (on 18in rims), so I have summer tires, with dedicated winter tires as well.
Most of my issues began from early on (a month in, I changed to my winter tires), and first I thought it was the winter tires were mounted incorrectly and went back to have them rechecked, but no everything was done right.
Thought it was the Sottozero serie II tires that were the issue, so ignored it since everything else checked out.

Summer came back in, and remounted the Conti SSRs, and the issue persists
Finally had time to take to the dealer, and I had a list of things for them to check, and I have posted their answer.

1) Steering rack issue: NO, no issues found
2) Hub centric ring with these rims: NO, no wobble or dance
3) Rims bent: NO, they spin fine
4) Alignment issue (just in case something got knocked from the truck): NO, straight as an arrow
5) Tires: YES. But no bubble or super defects seen

Before even taking it down to the tech, the service advisor inspected and noticed that the tires were feathered. (turned the steering wheel all the way left, checked the tires, and then turned it all the way right, checked the tires)

After it was inspected by tech, and all of the above and more were checked: the issue for my vibration and “hobble and wobble sound” was because of the tires.

SO my question to advisor was: If I purchased the car like this, and its design is defective in such a way that it is going to eat my tires unevenly, what is the solution?
Apparently there isn’t one. And also apparently the continental SSRs are better than some of the other tires she has seen the feathering on.
Some other forum members have posted, recalibration of the alignment, specifically the way BMW suspension is setup, to reduce the feathering and cupping.
I don’t want to change the setup of my alignment, as I understand that this is the way the M sport is supposed to handle, and I accept that, I guess it will come at the price of tires.

Is this just an M Sport issue?
Who knows? I had a 328 xdrive non Msport loaner with Michelins (17 in rims) and it only had 1900 miles on it, and still I could sense the steering wheel dancing in my hands at times. Maybe as the tires feather more, it will become more noticeable.
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      08-29-2014, 06:45 PM   #948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nym View Post
I have this same problem as well - my steering wheel vibrates 40-60mph and then slightly at 80mph. The only thing is the 40-60mph vibration disappears and reappears at random times. I told my SA about this - just need to set up a time to bring my car in (haven't had the chance yet).
FWIW, I had the exact same issue w/ my 2014 335i Sportline (18" wheels). Brought it back (within 2 weeks of delivery) and they replaced both front tires...said they were flat spotted, probably from sitting too long in one position. Shimmy at 45-50 is eliminated and vibration at higher speeds is gone. Very smooth.

Prior to delivery, I had a loaner 335i (also 18" Sportline wheels), because I asked them to fix a paint issue. This loaner had less than 100 miles on it, and it was very smooth (at least up to 80mph). Because I had the "smooth" loaner, I noticed the vibration in mine right away.

This doesn't help those that have had the nightmare of having to do buy back, but there are 335i that are OK...
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      09-02-2014, 06:47 PM   #949
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Fixed!

I too had this problem and I have it fixed! Finally! I road forced the tires and they passed. Rims were ok. I rotated to no avail. I even switched tires and STILL had a vibration at 50mph in the steering wheel! For what it's worth, I work in a high end shop and had a buddy of mine who is a master technician look at it. We put it on a hunter alignment rack and the alignment was off SLIGHTLY. Less then a half deg. Total toe out. After spending several hours getting the alignment perfect I test drove again and the wobble was gone! For some reason the EPS acts strangely at around 50mph with bad toe. Don't ask me why, but this fixed it. Your results may very, but I would def. start with a GOOD alignment!
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      09-03-2014, 08:21 AM   #950
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Austinformedude View Post
I too had this problem and I have it fixed! Finally! I road forced the tires and they passed. Rims were ok. I rotated to no avail. I even switched tires and STILL had a vibration at 50mph in the steering wheel! For what it's worth, I work in a high end shop and had a buddy of mine who is a master technician look at it. We put it on a hunter alignment rack and the alignment was off SLIGHTLY. Less then a half deg. Total toe out. After spending several hours getting the alignment perfect I test drove again and the wobble was gone! For some reason the EPS acts strangely at around 50mph with bad toe. Don't ask me why, but this fixed it. Your results may very, but I would def. start with a GOOD alignment!
This.
For what it is worth, I set the toe out a little more than the factory specifications, but still with some toe in.
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      09-03-2014, 09:06 AM   #951
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Exactly. I think The dealers are setting the toe within "spec" but at almost 0 toe. For whatever reason the EPS doesn't like this setup. I suspect there is something going on with the feedback system and on smooth and level surfaces with close to no toe in the front the EPS system will not have much (if any) data to use and this strange vibration/oscillation occurs. I think they will be able to eventually fix it with software.
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      09-17-2014, 06:10 PM   #952
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I've got just over 2k miles and I think (maybe hope?) that the problem is slowly getting better over time. If true, it seems that the tires having sat on the lot for lots of time may be the culprit. Perhaps run flats get flat spots more easily than get-flats?
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      03-14-2015, 08:09 AM   #953
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I want to clarify with those who have had this issue in the past; are we talking about an actual visible shimmy of the wheel or a completely still wheel that just has some slight vibration feel in it?

My 428 does this and I've been wavering back and fourth on whether or not it is normal. My wheels have been road force balanced, and I can see no visible shimmy in the wheel, but if I grip the wheel when I'm driving I can feel a little vibrating in the palm of my hands. I feel like this is most likely just shitty road conditions with run flats but I'm not sure, as some people swear all day long they feel nothing at all.
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      03-14-2015, 09:17 PM   #954
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someone answer me so I can sleep at night
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      03-16-2015, 09:37 AM   #955
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
someone answer me so I can sleep at night
In my case there is a very slight, but visible shimmy in the steering wheel. It isn't a big deal in my case, but I'm very curious to see if it's still there after I rotate the tires in the next month or so. The loaner I just drove was smooth as silk.
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      03-16-2015, 05:25 PM   #956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LMK5 View Post
In my case there is a very slight, but visible shimmy in the steering wheel. It isn't a big deal in my case, but I'm very curious to see if it's still there after I rotate the tires in the next month or so. The loaner I just drove was smooth as silk.
That's what I'm feeling. Car is getting an alignment soon.
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      03-16-2015, 06:07 PM   #957
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
That's what I'm feeling. Car is getting an alignment soon.
My car also has a slight drift to the left, which my dealer doesn't see (2 tries). I was thinking of having it done at my own expense at an independent ($150.00), just to see if it affects the shimmy.
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      03-16-2015, 06:13 PM   #958
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LMK5 View Post
My car also has a slight drift to the left, which my dealer doesn't see (2 tries). I was thinking of having it done at my own expense at an independent ($150.00), just to see if it affects the shimmy.
Funny I think mine is slightly drifting to the left also... I know that center on my wheel is slightly to the right to go straight (I believe)
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      03-16-2015, 07:02 PM   #959
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
Funny I think mine is slightly drifting to the left also... I know that center on my wheel is slightly to the right to go straight (I believe)
Yep, same here. My steering wheel is very slightly towards the right in order to maintain a straight path. Interesting.
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      03-16-2015, 07:49 PM   #960
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i noticed this as well today but in my case it could be due to pothole incident.
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      03-18-2015, 09:41 PM   #961
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
Funny I think mine is slightly drifting to the left also... I know that center on my wheel is slightly to the right to go straight (I believe)
May sound obvious, but have you checked tire pressure with a digital gauge? What about a tire balancing?

Usually, a steering wheel cocked to one side and vibration means low pressure in one tire or so with a balancing issue.

Not trying to insult your intelligence, just that I'd try checking the tires first thing in the morning to be sure.
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      03-18-2015, 09:54 PM   #962
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rolltidef32 View Post
May sound obvious, but have you checked tire pressure with a digital gauge? What about a tire balancing?

Usually, a steering wheel cocked to one side and vibration means low pressure in one tire or so with a balancing issue.

Not trying to insult your intelligence, just that I'd try checking the tires first thing in the morning to be sure.
Road forced balanced TWICE! Lol!

Inflation are not only to spec (32 front and 35 rear cold) but are also exactly the same on both sides.

So unless there is something in these tires (idk just shit tires?) causing this issue that is not balance related then It can't be tire related.
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      03-19-2015, 08:18 PM   #963
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
Road forced balanced TWICE! Lol!

Inflation are not only to spec (32 front and 35 rear cold) but are also exactly the same on both sides.

So unless there is something in these tires (idk just shit tires?) causing this issue that is not balance related then It can't be tire related.
Man that sucks. Sounds like you've done everything and checked all that an owner can do. Must be something wrong with the steering; likely from manufacture. Could be software, but likely something mechanical is off in the suspension.

If you took it to a dealer, did they say anything it could be? Hope my F32 I pick up next week is as trouble free as my F30.
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      05-03-2015, 11:06 PM   #964
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Wait, is this something still goes on with new 2015 cars? bmw hasn't fixed it during the past 3 years?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rolltidef32 View Post
Man that sucks. Sounds like you've done everything and checked all that an owner can do. Must be something wrong with the steering; likely from manufacture. Could be software, but likely something mechanical is off in the suspension.

If you took it to a dealer, did they say anything it could be? Hope my F32 I pick up next week is as trouble free as my F30.
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      05-04-2015, 07:22 PM   #965
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And people are complaining that the steering wheel has no feedback.
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      05-04-2015, 07:43 PM   #966
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I just had a 428 sportline as loaner for 2 days. (4000 miles)

It had minor steering wheel vibration too, feels just like my F30.

I know it is not wheel balancing because it seems i can stop the vibration from holding on to the steering wheel firmly, like holding on to my dear life.

It is so minor that i can ignore it.
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      05-05-2015, 09:55 AM   #967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oonowindoo View Post
I just had a 428 sportline as loaner for 2 days. (4000 miles)

It had minor steering wheel vibration too, feels just like my F30.

I know it is not wheel balancing because it seems i can stop the vibration from holding on to the steering wheel firmly, like holding on to my dear life.

It is so minor that i can ignore it.
I just had my tires rotated and the shimmy is now slightly less but still there, so I know it was not one of the front wheels/tires. I saw that one of the front tires was not inflated correctly after rotation so I brought all 4 to 34psi cold. Shimmy seems to be a little less but I'll have to see over the next few days (been fooled before). Also, I could swear that the shimmy is less when the car is cold.
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      05-05-2015, 11:26 AM   #968
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Honestly, i think it is all in your head. The vibration exists but it is not something "we" can fix.


I noticed the vibration since the first week owning my car and now 27,000 miles later with new tires. Same thing.

Last edited by oonowindoo; 05-05-2015 at 11:33 AM..
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