Help.. Advise Please

[wheaties1980]

About five months ago the steering wheel in my 2002 330I non-sport begin to shimmy... it starts at about 35 mph and continues up past 80. It is more noticable at 35 - 45, you can actually see the steering wheel shift from right to left and back.. constant back and forth motion in the range of about 3/4 of inch both ways... at higher speeds the motions is smaller but still felt. I am driving the same section of highway every day, but some days appear worse than others. Sometimes it is almost gone completely. Sometimes it feels like the vibration is in the steering column. When it first started I thought the tires were out of balance and I needed new tires anyway so about three months ago I replaced all 4 tires and I had a four wheel alignment and balance. Since then I have had the tires rebalanced twice... no improvement. Last month I had my inspection I service performed and their solution to my problem was to replace the front rotors and pads because the rotors were warped. I still have this issue. The car had 38,000 miles or so on it when this started and It now has about 43,000 miles. So here is my question.

If the tires are out of balance, does tire pressure affect how much vibration or shimmy you notice in the steering wheel... ? I am using 34 in the front and 37 in the rear. I am trying to understand why it comes and goes?

If the the tires are not out of balance what else could it be?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It is ruining what has otherwise been an enjoyable ride.

Thanks

Michael

[operknockity]

Please don't cross post.

Answers should be posted in the similar thread started in the E46 forum where it has already gotten some answers. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102521

[lilmano1]

Among other things and I was told it was my tires, but it isn't. I noticed that you said they said something about rotors, I hate my brakes & pads. They create way too much dust and I hate the grinding noise every so often when turning the wheel & reversing. I have other issues with my 02 745 also. And it only has 39k miles. I only had it a month. Let me know what you find out what the issue is. I feel that the dealer is so horrible because they always know what the issue is, and as long as it isn't safety affected they let you spend your money on nonsense. I will be contacting the bmwnorthamerica tomorrow again for my coolant level too low again (2x in two weeks) and now the transmission shifts to p when the car is off. I will definitely keep you in mind when I find out something new. I have had lexus and mercedes and never these types of problems. :eek: