[Tag]

Hey guys, I have a 2011 335is w/DCT fully stock, never modded. About a month ago I started having a vibration issue with the car that's progressively gotten worse. I've taken it to the dealer twice and they couldn't figure it out. I'm scheduled to bring it back this Wednesday because a BMW rep is going to be there to inspect it. I just wanted to see if anyone could shed any light on what you think this may be?

Here are the symptoms...

About a minute into a cold start an oscillating vibration starts and last for about 20 seconds until the engine settles down to its normal idling RPM. The vibration comes back again after the cars temperature starts to reach 240° and is at at worst when at 240° or higher. You can hear as well as feel the vibration on the floor, in the steering wheel, armrest and if you feel the fenders, hood and in the engine. It does not matter if the transmission is in Drive, Neutral or Park. The vibrating gets a tad less intense when it's in Drive. Not sure if there's a correlation with the engine being under a load or if it's DCT. I’ve never experienced anything like this with the car before but over the past month the vibrating has gotten progressively worse and is a real concern.

Initially the technicians thought it was my exhaust being too close to the car. They eventually ruled that out and diagnostics show no codes. The oddest thing about this is it happens only half the time. Other times when I drive my car it's not there. I'm fearful that the BMW rep will say they cannot duplicate the issue and/or I'll get the run around.

Any thoughts?

[R1000K3]

Is there any correlation to whiskey consumption the night before? J.K.

[Tag]

I could sure use a few shot of whiskey because this issue is driving me crazy.

[Tag]

I'm almost afraid to ask but what's yours in for?

[samchoi604]

Hopefully it is not the DCT. Fixing that would be ugly and not fun. I'm guessing it's the same old injector, coil pack issue with N54.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by msterallenn

was rearended a few weeks ago. just in the shop to get the trunk and bumper replaced as well as exhaust. I'll be checking if the car still as a problem after the fix from the body shop

Aww man, sorry to hear that about you car. Sounds like you got hit pretty good if they had to replace your exhaust. Were you getting the vibration in Reverse prior to your accident?

[Tag]

Originally Posted by samchoi604

Hopefully it is not the DCT. Fixing that would be ugly and not fun. I'm guessing it's the same old injector, coil pack issue with N54.

My fingers are crossed as well. If it's something with DCT I think I'll get an ulcer, lol. I don't think it's injectors or coil packs. I previously had an 07 335i and had injectors and coils go bad on that. This is something totally different.

[RacerUnderTheSon]

It's unlikely to be the DCT since the vibration occurs at idle, while in park... when the DCT clutch and gears are not even engaged. Let us know what they diagnose.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by RacerUnderTheSon

It's unlikely to be the DCT since the vibration occurs at idle, while in park... when the DCT clutch and gears are not even engaged. Let us know what they diagnose.

I hope you're right. I dropped her off this morning and it was doing the vibration, tech witnessed it for the 3rd time. I bet I don't hear anything until next week but I'll keep this thread posted as to what the outcome is. Meantime they put me in a loaner 328xi with hail damage, weeeeeeeeeeee.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by tag824

Here are the symptoms...

snip

Any thoughts?

One: Check lemon laws in Illinois. Just in case....this is your third try to resolve the problem, new car.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

One: Check lemon laws in Illinois. Just in case....this is your third try to resolve the problem, new car.

IL lemon laws are terrible. It's only applicable in the first year of ownership. My car is 10.5 months old so if it's not resolved in the next month and a half I have a chance to lemon it, although slim.

In order to be covered by the Illinois Lemon Law, a vehicle must:

• have a nonconformity that both substantially impairs the use , market value or safety of the vehicle and is not repairable by the dealer or manufacturer in at least four attempts for the same repair, or
• be out of service for a total of 30 or more business days.

I'm going to refuse to accept it back unless the issue is gone. So if they keep it for 30 business days I can lemon it without issue. That's my best shot. To be honest I hope it's something minor because I do love my car.

[Tag]

Update:

Got my car back today but it hasn't been officially released from the dealer. They just wanted me to drive it for a few days to see if the issue is gone. They replaced the drive belt thinking there may have been a flat spot on it causing the vibrations. I had my doubts and I was right when I went on a quick 10m test drive with the tech. I could still feel the vibration although it was not as heavy as before. This isn't anything new to me because sometimes it's very heavy and sometimes faint like this. I know it will come back, just a matter of time.

Total time it's been in the shop now is 9 days. Technically even though I have the car they still consider it as being in the shop until they sign it over to me.

[KevinJ]

Run over any potholes or anything? Sometimes if the bushings break this can cause vibration to creep up.

Another thing would be the gas in your engine. Maybe you put a tank of bad gas that has some water in it? or low octane?

I've heard of steering column issues can cause vibrations also.

When my car was new there were a few noises and vibrations but after a month everything settled in and no problems since.

Originally Posted by tag824

Hey guys, I have a 2011 335is w/DCT fully stock, never modded. About a month ago I started having a vibration issue with the car that's progressively gotten worse. I've taken it to the dealer twice and they couldn't figure it out. I'm scheduled to bring it back this Wednesday because a BMW rep is going to be there to inspect it. I just wanted to see if anyone could shed any light on what you think this may be?

Here are the symptoms...

About a minute into a cold start an oscillating vibration starts and last for about 20 seconds until the engine settles down to its normal idling RPM. The vibration comes back again after the cars temperature starts to reach 240° and is at at worst when at 240° or higher. You can hear as well as feel the vibration on the floor, in the steering wheel, armrest and if you feel the fenders, hood and in the engine. It does not matter if the transmission is in Drive, Neutral or Park. The vibrating gets a tad less intense when it's in Drive. Not sure if there's a correlation with the engine being under a load or if it's DCT. I’ve never experienced anything like this with the car before but over the past month the vibrating has gotten progressively worse and is a real concern.

Initially the technicians thought it was my exhaust being too close to the car. They eventually ruled that out and diagnostics show no codes. The oddest thing about this is it happens only half the time. Other times when I drive my car it's not there. I'm fearful that the BMW rep will say they cannot duplicate the issue and/or I'll get the run around.

Any thoughts?

[KevinJ]

I"ve had a very slight vibration when you shift into reverse or drive quickly and slowly press the gas you get a clutch studder.

Originally Posted by msterallenn

I have the 335is and got it recently when my car is in reverse. I never really looked into it as my car is in the shop atm.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by KevinJ

Run over any potholes or anything? Sometimes if the bushings break this can cause vibration to creep up.

Nope, I'm very careful and believe it or not never hit a pot whole. They even put my car up on the lift to check it, it's clean.

Originally Posted by KevinJ

Another thing would be the gas in your engine. Maybe you put a tank of bad gas that has some water in it? or low octane?

I thought the same at first but it's not the fuel. RPM's are steady, no fluctuations. They even tested my gas and it came back good.

Originally Posted by KevinJ

I've heard of steering column issues can cause vibrations also.

It's something not balanced right in the engine, even the tech's and a BMW rep confirmed that's what they believe is the issue. Problem is no one has a clue as to what it could be.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by KevinJ

I"ve had a very slight vibration when you shift into reverse or drive quickly and slowly press the gas you get a clutch studder.

They've ruled out the DCT at this time.

[mosx]

I have this same problem with my 09 step. Its intermittent so I never took it in, hope you get it fixed.

[KevinJ]

I'm almost out of suggestions then. This is the type of stuff I hated on my last BMW where the dealer claims everything is normal and can't find anything to cover their ignorance or lack of training on the issue. I would suggest to them if they could have a master mechanic take a look.

If they already have then that suggestion is blown also. I would ask if they have also engaged BMWAG on the issue and opened a case and obtained their suggestions?

Originally Posted by tag824

They've ruled out the DCT at this time.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by KevinJ

I'm almost out of suggestions then. This is the type of stuff I hated on my last BMW where the dealer claims everything is normal and can't find anything to cover their ignorance or lack of training on the issue. I would suggest to them if they could have a master mechanic take a look.

If they already have then that suggestion is blown also. I would ask if they have also engaged BMWAG on the issue and opened a case and obtained their suggestions?

Yeah, I don't know what to say either. When I got my car back the tech said if he can't replicate the issue to troubleshoot it there's nothing he can do. I bit my tongue and didn't say anything. I still have the car and it's still doing the weird oscillating vibration but now I get a drone that kind of clogs my ears too. I hope it's doing it on my way into work tomorrow since the dealership is only 10m away and I can drop it off to them.

Bottom line I'm going to put my foot down and not accept my car to be released back to me until this issue is resolved. The car is brand new and just turned 7k miles. This is BS.

[samchoi604]

You should take some videos (high quality ones). Post it here, and also show it to the techs. Also post start a thread in some other BMW forums, including the 1M or 135i section... it's likely that someone else somewhere experienced the same issue.

[Renus]

Originally Posted by samchoi604

Hopefully it is not the DCT. Fixing that would be ugly and not fun. I'm guessing it's the same old injector, coil pack issue with N54.

Hi bro, will these injector and oil pack are the major problems for N54 engine??

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by Renus

Hi bro, will these injector and oil pack are the major problems for N54 engine??

Some people had the problems with the injectors, but I have not yet, on my 2007 335i.

If your engine is vibrating and/or cylinders misfiring, then it is most likely going to be injectors OR high pressure fuel pump. However, that does not mean it is a common problem.