Car shakes at idle

StevenBTO · 06-19-2012, 11:18 AM

I picked up my 328i Sport last Thursday and I've noticed that when the car is idle (either in Park, or in drive with the brakes engaded), there is a very subtle shake to the car. At first I wasn't even sure if it was real or if it was just me, but with a water bottle in the cup holders (yay real cup holders!), you can definitely see the water move in relation to the shake that I feel. The car is smooth once in motion.

The car idles at about 800RPM - has anyone else noticed what their car idles at? Is the RPM higher than this?

My last car was a 2008 323i with the 6 cyl engine and I never noticed anything like this. Is it just a characteristic of the 4 cyl engine?

On the plus side, I don't have any issues with steering wheel vibrations.

bcl0328 · 06-19-2012, 11:18 AM

i've felt it.

J Tiberius · 06-19-2012, 03:30 PM

Mine does not vibrate at all. If anything the engine is almost imperceptible at idle or while in park. You almost have to look at the tach to see if it is running - no complaints.

svache · 06-19-2012, 03:40 PM

Tbh, I never noticed anything like that.. will pay more attention when I'm in my car again later today

StevenBTO · 06-19-2012, 03:56 PM

I'd be curious to know what RPM your car idles at - it feels like mine might be on the low side.

sr5959 · 06-19-2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

I picked up my 328i Sport last Thursday and I've noticed that when the car is idle (either in Park, or in drive with the brakes engaded), there is a very subtle shake to the car. At first I wasn't even sure if it was real or if it was just me, but with a water bottle in the cup holders (yay real cup holders!), you can definitely see the water move in relation to the shake that I feel. The car is smooth once in motion.

The car idles at about 800RPM - has anyone else noticed what their car idles at? Is the RPM higher than this?

My last car was a 2008 323i with the 6 cyl engine and I never noticed anything like this. Is it just a characteristic of the 4 cyl engine?

On the plus side, I don't have any issues with steering wheel vibrations.

Yes mine has a slightly uneven idle with a little bit of vibration. I think it's a characteristic of the N20 engine, doesn't feel like a fault on mine. My last car was a six-cylinder Lexus which was pretty damn smooth at idle!

bcl0328 · 06-19-2012, 05:10 PM

it's usually only when it first starts up.

StevenBTO · 06-19-2012, 05:20 PM

After 20min of driving it was still occurring. It happens in neutral too but it seems like if I give it just a tiny bit of gas to get the RPM's up, it goes away and feels smooth again.

Is the idle speed something I can adjust myself?

micknugget · 06-19-2012, 05:38 PM

I've noticed a shake at idle but only when the A/C is on.

svache · 06-20-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

I'd be curious to know what RPM your car idles at - it feels like mine might be on the low side.

I checked today, no vibration whatsoever, the car is as smooth as possible in idle.. I'm idling at around 700 RPM, this is with A/C on

oedipol · 06-20-2012, 09:50 AM

I have slight vibration at idle but worse when the engine restarts after auto start stop !

StevenBTO · 06-20-2012, 07:28 PM

Turning the A/C on or off doesn't make a difference. I haven't noticed that ASS makes a difference - it was really hot today so it didn't even turn off but still had a slight vibration/shake.

pkimM3r · 06-20-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svache

I checked today, no vibration whatsoever, the car is as smooth as possible in idle.. I'm idling at around 700 RPM, this is with A/C on

(with all this commotion about "feel")

svache yours is luxury line so of course it wont shake, everyone else's is sport so its shaking to give it the sporty feel. i do feel it a little as well but nothing compared to the jolting of my old ride.

shoptb · 06-20-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkim1079

(with all this commotion about "feel")

svache yours is luxury line so of course it wont shake, everyone else's is sport so its shaking to give it the sporty feel. i do feel it a little as well but nothing compared to the jolting of my old ride.

Hahahahhahahaha, I was unaware that shaking and vibration was a "sport effect"

Elk · 06-20-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoptb

Hahahahhahahaha, I was unaware that shaking and vibration was a "sport effect"

There is truth to this. A performance car, particularly with an aggressive cam, will have a lumpy idle - even in stock form.

benpatti · 06-21-2012, 06:36 AM

I also have this issue....it's the only thing i dislike about this car... Its more than just a vibration, it actually shakes the car...it's odd though that some are experiencing this and some are not... Also, the car doesnt shake as much at idle when i am driving in sport mode...

Robin_NL · 06-21-2012, 06:43 AM

The N20 is equipped with balance shafts afaik, so I think this is a bit strange.

Cheers
Robin

StevenBTO · 06-21-2012, 07:33 PM

I spoke to someone in the service dept. on the phone today and they suggested I try to fill it up with gas that contains no ethanol. I'm still on the tank that came with the car so I sort of feel like this is BS, but I am willing to give it a try.

pkimM3r · 06-21-2012, 07:43 PM

what gas doesn't contain ANY ethanol? put in diesel go back and say WTF.

StevenBTO · 06-21-2012, 07:46 PM

At least here in Canada...

Quote:

Shell V-Power premium gasoline in Canada does not contain ethanol

From Shell's Website

Jax826 · 04-03-2013, 08:41 AM

so did anyone actually fix this problem ?
mine also vibrates when idle, and I really don't think this is normal.

kppanic · 04-03-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenBTO

I'd be curious to know what RPM your car idles at - it feels like mine might be on the low side.

mine idles exactly at 710rpm when the engine is at operating temperature.

Car shakes with ac on at idle. without ac car does not shake.

06-19-2012, 11:18 AM	#1
StevenBTO Private 14 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Car shakes at idle I picked up my 328i Sport last Thursday and I've noticed that when the car is idle (either in Park, or in drive with the brakes engaded), there is a very subtle shake to the car. At first I wasn't even sure if it was real or if it was just me, but with a water bottle in the cup holders (yay real cup holders!), you can definitely see the water move in relation to the shake that I feel. The car is smooth once in motion. The car idles at about 800RPM - has anyone else noticed what their car idles at? Is the RPM higher than this? My last car was a 2008 323i with the 6 cyl engine and I never noticed anything like this. Is it just a characteristic of the 4 cyl engine? On the plus side, I don't have any issues with steering wheel vibrations.
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06-19-2012, 11:18 AM	#2
bcl0328 Major 127 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Abingdon, MD iTrader: (0)	i've felt it.
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06-19-2012, 03:30 PM	#3
J Tiberius Captain 19 Rep 192 Posts Drives: Imperial Blue Sport Line Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Seoul iTrader: (0)	Mine does not vibrate at all. If anything the engine is almost imperceptible at idle or while in park. You almost have to look at the tach to see if it is running - no complaints. __________________ 2012 F30 328i, Imperial Blue, Sport Line, ZPP, ZPS, ZTP, Sport Auto, Heated Seats, Xenons, H&R Sport Springs, Michelin Pilot Super Sports
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06-19-2012, 03:40 PM	#4
svache Lieutenant Colonel 267 Rep 1,879 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [5.74] 2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 SMG [8.66]	Tbh, I never noticed anything like that.. will pay more attention when I'm in my car again later today __________________ F30 328i Luxury w/ Mojave metallic, beige interior (timeline) Note: Many PM me for links to the software needed to code. Please note that I do not have download links to this software. Your best bet is using the search function in the coding thread
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06-19-2012, 03:56 PM	#5
StevenBTO Private 14 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I'd be curious to know what RPM your car idles at - it feels like mine might be on the low side.
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06-19-2012, 05:10 PM	#7
bcl0328 Major 127 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Abingdon, MD iTrader: (0)	it's usually only when it first starts up.
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06-19-2012, 05:20 PM	#8
StevenBTO Private 14 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	After 20min of driving it was still occurring. It happens in neutral too but it seems like if I give it just a tiny bit of gas to get the RPM's up, it goes away and feels smooth again. Is the idle speed something I can adjust myself?
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06-19-2012, 05:38 PM	#9
micknugget Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 215 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328 Red Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Detroit iTrader: (0)	I've noticed a shake at idle but only when the A/C is on. __________________ 2012 328i Base, Auto, Melbourne Red
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06-20-2012, 09:50 AM	#11
oedipol Private First Class 11 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: HK iTrader: (0)	I have slight vibration at idle but worse when the engine restarts after auto start stop !
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06-20-2012, 07:28 PM	#12
StevenBTO Private 14 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Turning the A/C on or off doesn't make a difference. I haven't noticed that ASS makes a difference - it was really hot today so it didn't even turn off but still had a slight vibration/shake.
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06-21-2012, 06:36 AM	#16
benpatti New Member 1 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Sport Line Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I also have this issue....it's the only thing i dislike about this car... Its more than just a vibration, it actually shakes the car...it's odd though that some are experiencing this and some are not... Also, the car doesnt shake as much at idle when i am driving in sport mode...
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06-21-2012, 06:43 AM	#17
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	The N20 is equipped with balance shafts afaik, so I think this is a bit strange. Cheers Robin
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06-21-2012, 07:33 PM	#18
StevenBTO Private 14 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I spoke to someone in the service dept. on the phone today and they suggested I try to fill it up with gas that contains no ethanol. I'm still on the tank that came with the car so I sort of feel like this is BS, but I am willing to give it a try.
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06-21-2012, 07:43 PM	#19
pkimM3r Banned 205 Rep 7,298 Posts Drives: m3 saloon in granny mode. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lost angeles iTrader: (0)	what gas doesn't contain ANY ethanol? put in diesel go back and say WTF.
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04-03-2013, 08:41 AM	#21
Jax826 New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Taiwan iTrader: (0)	so did anyone actually fix this problem ? mine also vibrates when idle, and I really don't think this is normal.
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