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[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by ward

glad to hear it got worked out, hopefully it stays that way!

Thanks, me too!! I have a long drive coming up Sunday... that will be the acid test.

[obLu]

I've never had a new car delivered with a proper alignment ... but never had problems with the balance. I just figure it's all the banging around in shipping.

On older german cars, something to think about when you start to hit 50-60k, a slight shimmy is typically an indication that the control arm bushings are worn. And yeah, they're wear items get used to the idea of spending a couple hundred bucks to replace them at the 50k mark. BMW always puts up a shit-fit when you try to get them done under warranty. Just check those first so you're not wasting a bunch of time aligning it and getting tires balanced. The bad thing about the worn bushings is that the alignment place, if they don't know how to look for it, can align it to spec and send you on your way.

[spacedogg]

Ledzep...good to hear that all is well so far. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hopefully this solves the problems you've been having.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by obLu

I've never had a new car delivered with a proper alignment ... but never had problems with the balance. I just figure it's all the banging around in shipping.

On older german cars, something to think about when you start to hit 50-60k, a slight shimmy is typically an indication that the control arm bushings are worn. And yeah, they're wear items get used to the idea of spending a couple hundred bucks to replace them at the 50k mark. BMW always puts up a shit-fit when you try to get them done under warranty. Just check those first so you're not wasting a bunch of time aligning it and getting tires balanced. The bad thing about the worn bushings is that the alignment place, if they don't know how to look for it, can align it to spec and send you on your way.

Thanks! Good info to keep in mind. I agree about the shipping and how harsh they are on alignments... had a wheel guy tell me that too, that first thing you should do with a new car is get an alignment.

Guy I know said that to properly align a BMW to factory specs - they have to put a weight in the driver's seat to simulate a driver in the car. True or BS?

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Ledzep...good to hear that all is well so far. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hopefully this solves the problems you've been having.

Thanks! I hope so too.

[Quisp]

I just picked up my new 335 Coupe yesterday and was so bummed out. I traded in an E46 and the handling on this is horrible. Where the E46 handling was tight and resonsive, this car lacks any of that. At highway speeds the car wanders and almost has a floating feeling. Very vague and needs almost constant steering correction. If I move the steering side to side the car seems loose in a way that is hard to describe. My wifes suv did it. The body sort of floats in a flat swaying motion. The car lacks the precise handling feel that my old car had. Pease tell me this isnt how they are supposed to handle.

[hotrod2448]

Originally Posted by Quisp

I just picked up my new 335 Coupe yesterday and was so bummed out. I traded in an E46 and the handling on this is horrible. Where the E46 handling was tight and resonsive, this car lacks any of that. At highway speeds the car wanders and almost has a floating feeling. Very vague and needs almost constant steering correction. If I move the steering side to side the car seems loose in a way that is hard to describe. My wifes suv did it. The body sort of floats in a flat swaying motion. The car lacks the precise handling feel that my old car had. Pease tell me this isnt how they are supposed to handle.

Almost sounds like a swaybar isn't hooked up. Do you have the sport package?

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Guy I know said that to properly align a BMW to factory specs - they have to put a weight in the driver's seat to simulate a driver in the car. True or BS?

True,

How's the car ? Hope all is well with the world and keine Erschütterung anymore.

[DustinDallas]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

A Kia drives 1000% better.

You've driven a Kia? wtf is wrong with you dude

jk

[OC ///M]

LEDZEP:

FYI- Many roads in the U.S. are pitched "to the right" for drainage. I have the same issue on certain roads with my E92 where it tends to drift to the right and also know that my previous cars like the CL 500 did the same. Your case with the "steering wheel shimmy" sounds like there may be more to it though...

bad set of tires???

Check it on a road that is slightly "banked left"...if it still does the drift to the right; you'll know it's more than your imagination and you're not going crazy.

Please keep us posted following your service visit! Good Luck with this.

[ruff]

Originally Posted by DustinDallas

You've driven a Kia? wtf is wrong with you dude

jk

What if a Kia does drive better? Sounds like the badge is the only thing that matters to you.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by ruff

What if a Kia does drive better? Sounds like the badge is the only thing that matters to you.

It doesn't

[Str8EJ]

i have a 328xi...no shimmy.

[Quisp]

Yes I have the sport package. I also checked my air pressure in the tires and wow was I shocked. One was at 54psi the others were right around 51psi. Took some air out of them and what a difference. Still no tfantastic, ut a lot bnetter. Having the dealer loook at alignment, balance and sway bar. After i metioned the air pressure to him he was mored thsan happy to look.,

[Quisp]

Sorry about the typing. The batteries in the keyboard arew dying and it is not sending a strong signal(plus I just cant type very well either)

[vishnu_jcw]

I would test drive another 328, and see if you notice it. I have had probably 10 new Bimmers in the last 7 years and never felt that, but on my current car people say its loud, and I don't think it is. Maybe your just sensitive. I would do a test drive with the shop foreman on your car and a car off the lot.

[jen330xi]

I have had my 330xi for 6 years and here is what I have learned....
The tires must be balanced perfectly AND perfectly round. ANY variation will cause noticable vibrations.

My story:
When I test drove a 330xi at the dealership, there was a shimmy. I complained and test drove a different one and it was perfect. Turns out the first one I tested had had a tire changed. This should have been a warning sign to me that the car in general is extremely sensitive to tires.
My car came with the stock tires and no vibration whatsoever.
After I replaced my tires years later with some Japanese tires that were not top-of-the-line I had vibrations. I went through 5 rounds of balancing at different places with some improvement but no total resolution. Eventually I scrapped the tires, after reading there were some out-of-round quality issues with that model.
I bought top-of-the-line tires after that, researching roundness and balancability ratings when making my selection. Now I generally run Yokohama ES100 tires in the summer, and Nokian Hakkapeliitta in winter. I get them balanced at a place that has the best equipment. No problems now, but I still have a lot of stress whenever I need tires.

The car is just sensitive. I love it so much when it's right that I haven't sold it out of frustration. My husband, on the other hand, calls it a piece of junk.

[bmwmaxum]

I tought Iwas the only one!I tought you were writing my story!This is my second bmw and it my be my last.I just changed the original rims with rft (i tought it was the problem rft)with 18'' falken tire with m5 rims and i have the same problem.Iwent back to the dealer and they said that something was wrong with tire tread.So weve changed the tire 3 TIMES and STILL have the same problem so i will go back and but myF*** RFT BACKDont get me wrong I love this car but I am just fed up ... BMW: THE ULTIMATE DRIVING EXPERIENCE???

[jen330xi]

to give the car credit, the tires and ball joints are my only major headache. well, that plus the fact that I can't move it in my driveway...it has to run for at least 10 minutes otherwise it won't start the next time.

anyway, I love to drive the car. I hate to service the car because it's a pricey headache.

[jen330xi]

oh, and I should add to my story that the original car I test drove that had vibes? some person bought it right off the lot the very next day...even though it vibrated so bad I had trouble seeing things clearly in the rear view mirror

so, if you want to get out of these problems cheap, then numb yourself and lower your standards :rocks: if you notice things less you don't have to fool around fixing things! my husband always looks at me like I am crazy when I complain about a shimmy or a squeak...HE DOESN'T FEEL/HEAR IT!

so the problem is that we are all a bunch of sensitive, picky drivers

[Str8EJ]

there are no mysteries/voodoo when it comes to suspension, steering.
get your shit balanced and aligned. if you have a persistent problem and have checked the usual culprits (tires, wheels, bushings, etc.), then take it to another shop or dealership.

the outside chance is that a suspension component is bent, damaged. if you haven't been in any accidents, no worries.

the only way ball joints could affect vibration, etc. would be if they're worn so far they won't seat properly. and, if that's the case, get them replaced immediately.

[Richwm]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Thanks! Good info to keep in mind. I agree about the shipping and how harsh they are on alignments... had a wheel guy tell me that too, that first thing you should do with a new car is get an alignment.

Guy I know said that to properly align a BMW to factory specs - they have to put a weight in the driver's seat to simulate a driver in the car. True or BS?

My dealer said the same thing about the weight and he wanted to charge me $300 for an alignment so I walked away.