[ottorocket]

Just talked to the BMW service manager and hey say that BMW is aware of this and they are waiting for a fix on this, can we all send a group letter or email BMW about this directly.

[justinnum1]

The problem is i dont see how this gets fixed unless they replace the ZF steering box with a revised unit. This is not a software problem imo. It's hardware.

[kirklander]

Hi ottorocket ,

BMW is aware of the problem since February 2012 because of people like us reporting it. You can see posts of people from that era. At the beginning BMW wasn't helpful and tried to play it down. I picked up mine in August and since then dealing with my SA. He says there is no bulletin for the steering wheel vibration. I spoke with high ranking BMWNA folks, and they told me the car is fine and there is no steering wheel vibration problem. Even though BMW is in denial mode, I am sure they are looking for a fix. We are at the end of September and for the last 7 months, there is still no fix and they have been producing cars with this problem. As written by others, it is not an easy software fix. I think it will require hardware fix/change. Another issue is not every car is affected. I am not sure they have the problem or dont feel it. The best way to notice it is holding the steering wheel at the top or bottom. If you hold both hands in the middle left/right, you may be overlooking at it since the vibration is left/right and steering wheel is very thick there.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

The problem is i dont see how this gets fixed unless they replace the ZF steering box with a revised unit. This is not a software problem imo. It's hardware.

Not likely to be fixed by software I agree.

But we don't yet know that it's the steering rack. It could be, but it could still be something else.
Checking the hubs is obviously an area that BMW are looking at since they issued a procedure to check for that. This way they gather data to see if it's something there.

I'm curious, have any of you had an opportunity to drive on a long sweeper where you have the steering wheel turned and are going at the speeds where this vibration occurs? If so, does the vibration stop, change, lessen, increase?

Or, even at vibration speed, if you turn the wheel to make a multi lane change, does turning the wheel make any difference with the vibration?

One more thing, easy to test, at vibration speed, select a gear or two lower, then a higher gear from where it's normally at at the SAME speed.
So, maintain 55mph, likely it's top gear 8th for AT, then shift down to 6th maintaining 55mph. Does the vibration change in any way?

Do we have data regarding trans and vibration?
Does this happen with AT and MT?

[justinnum1]

The vibration is not really something i feel, its more of a visual vibration so its almost impossible for me to see it when the wheel isnt dead str8.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

The vibration is not really something i feel, its more of a visual vibration so its almost impossible for me to see it when the wheel isnt dead str8.

Really? You feel nothing?

That's odd because a good number of people reporting this issue have said they do feel a vibration, and from the descriptions the intensity varies, likely due to how people describe it.
But according to you, in your car you don't feel anything, but you simply see the wheel moving left to right.

You should still be able to test the gear changes though. Give it a shot.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Really? You feel nothing?

That's odd because a good number of people reporting this issue have said they do feel a vibration, and from the descriptions the intensity varies, likely due to how people describe it.
But according to you, in your car you don't feel anything, but you simply see the wheel moving left to right.

You should still be able to test the gear changes though. Give it a shot.

I'll give it a shot tomorrow. tbh i dont even think about the steering wheel anymore. I just know its there and there is no fix. I just hope its not any worse on my new car than it is right now.

[Seagull]

Originally Posted by kirklander

Hi ottorocket ,

BMW is aware of the problem since February 2012 because of people like us reporting it. You can see posts of people from that era. At the beginning BMW wasn't helpful and tried to play it down. I picked up mine in August and since then dealing with my SA. He says there is no bulletin for the steering wheel vibration. I spoke with high ranking BMWNA folks, and they told me the car is fine and there is no steering wheel vibration problem. Even though BMW is in denial mode, I am sure they are looking for a fix. We are at the end of September and for the last 7 months, there is still no fix and they have been producing cars with this problem. As written by others, it is not an easy software fix. I think it will require hardware fix/change. Another issue is not every car is affected. I am not sure they have the problem or dont feel it. The best way to notice it is holding the steering wheel at the top or bottom. If you hold both hands in the middle left/right, you may be overlooking at it since the vibration is left/right and steering wheel is very thick there.

I think BMW is definitely aware of the issue, but they can't fully/officially admit it until they have a fix for it. If they state there's a problem, they're left holding the bag, and even more complaints come in that they can't solve. They don't want to deal with returns or worse, lease returns worth less than their residuals. They'll keep their mouth shut until there's a fix. Till then, they'll discretely deflect any bad press, and buy as much time as possible. Then when they have the fix, it will not be a recall but be a TSB - i.e. you have to specifically complain and state the right magic buzz words. Once you do however, they will do the right thing and fix it no matter the cost. Handling/steering feel is one of the things they are known for so they do know that they have to fix this.

I remember on my e46, it had the "lighter" steering, and people complained so much they eventually agreed to replace the entire steering rack for anyone who complained. It took one simple phone call to BMW Canada, and they replaced it all free of charge.

I think not everyone feels it because not everyone has it. Basically like any complex system, its probably a combination of things going wrong or out of spec. I also think this was honestly not detected early as the numbers in production during test were not great enough to show this or, the numbers in production now have cause production quality ( BMW or supplier ) to drop to levels where it does matter.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts, and not based on any real facts or insider comments etc...

[Caput Mortuum]

328i comes with servotronic as standard which can then be upgraded to variable sport steering. 320i has the most basic set up as standard.

[jallenbach]

Since my last post on August 31st I have been in contact with my dealer and BMWNA. I am still having a vibration problem between 40 and 50 mph but is a little less severe and not happening quite as often. Just this past Monday I got a call from my dealer and after they (Sales and Service Directors) spoke to their area Market Team they have decided to order me a new car. So as of today the car is in production in Germany and should arrive by the first week in November. I give all the credit for this to my dealer who has been great and extremely supportive.

[Honker]

Originally Posted by jallenbach

Since my last post on August 31st I have been in contact with my dealer and BMWNA. I am still having a vibration problem between 40 and 50 mph but is a little less severe and not happening quite as often. Just this past Monday I got a call from my dealer and after they (Sales and Service Directors) spoke to their area Market Team they have decided to order me a new car. So as of today the car is in production in Germany and should arrive by the first week in November. I give all the credit for this to my dealer who has been great and extremely supportive.

So did BMW change something with the new car being built or will your new car still have the vibration? If they did change something, then BMW must know what is wrong. If nothing is changed, then you take your chances that the vibrations will still be there on the new car.

Mine is somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean right now. Hope to have in in 2-3 weeks. I hope it doesn't have the vibration, but I wouldn't bet either way.

[PGT]

we have 400miles on our 2013 and I noticed this when I "borrowed" the car from my wife today. It's less than a week old.

[kral_mzk]

solution ?????? absuletly i hate bmw :@ i will buy fiat punto no vibration this car

[ottorocket]

Has anyone tried a 2013 f30 to see if the vibration is there?

[rado]

Originally Posted by ottorocket

Has anyone tried a 2013 f30 to see if the vibration is there?

Every day . My '13 328i with VSS, staggered 18" wheels, and Potenza S001 RFT's has no vibration. None. Really. I can let go of the wheel at 50mph (or any other speed for that matter) and the wheel stays rock steady. The VSS may be the most important distinguishing characteristic.

[ottorocket]

Thank you ill have to fight with my dealer to make this work, thanks

[PGT]

Originally Posted by ottorocket

Has anyone tried a 2013 f30 to see if the vibration is there?

yes, we own one and its there.

Originally Posted by rado

The VSS may be the most important distinguishing characteristic.

VSS?

[mark.L]

Originally Posted by PGT

VSS?

Variable Sport Steering

[PGT]

Hmm. I'll have to check our window sticker....not sure if we have it (bought it off the lot, not ordered)

[rado]

Originally Posted by PGT

Hmm. I'll have to check our window sticker....not sure if we have it (bought it off the lot, not ordered)

On MY 2013, variable sport steering is included in the "Dynamic Handing Package", which also includes the adaptive M sport suspension, I don't think VSS is available as a separate option (in the US at least).

[cardnation]

Originally Posted by ottorocket

Has anyone tried a 2013 f30 to see if the vibration is there?

Yes, my 2013 328i sport HAS the vibration from 40-55mph.

[TonyS]

2013 335i here with VSS, adaptive suspension, 6MT, and absolutely no vibration at all. Trust me, I would notice if there was, I'm very picky about that sort of thing. I've only done 900 miles so far, but it's rock steady on any surface.