High Speed Dancing

I'm starting to think either the aerodynamics or the run-flats are the cause for wiggling at high speeds . . .

I had the car running yesterday, and it was wiggling. Yeah, it could've been oversensitivity to the pavement, but I'm not sure. Even if it was, could it be that the run-flats are that sensitive?

or is it the aerodynamics?

Anyone have the same problem?

Originally Posted by Fantastic Five

I'm starting to think either the aerodynamics or the run-flats are the cause for wiggling at high speeds . . .

I had the car running yesterday, and it was wiggling. Yeah, it could've been oversensitivity to the pavement, but I'm not sure. Even if it was, could it be that the run-flats are that sensitive?

or is it the aerodynamics?

Anyone have the same problem?

I have found some wiggliness when on roads that have been grooved to aid grip in the wet. Otherwise, no problems at speed.

Originally Posted by Fantastic Five

I'm starting to think either the aerodynamics or the run-flats are the cause for wiggling at high speeds . . .

I had the car running yesterday, and it was wiggling. Yeah, it could've been oversensitivity to the pavement, but I'm not sure. Even if it was, could it be that the run-flats are that sensitive?

or is it the aerodynamics?

Anyone have the same problem?

Depends on what you consider "high speed". I had mine at 120 on the autobahn and didn't notice any wiggling...........perhaps that was because the tires were new.

im with Spartacus_33 just had my 545 a little over 100 in montana and it was rock solid. its still got the donlap RF tires with 10,000 miles. its my first bmw the didnt have a little float at over 100mph [328,330i,330cic all with sport ]]

As mentioed earlier... I haven't noticed the "speed" affecting the car... but RUTS... that's a different story. These summer performance tires (not necessarily just the RF tires) are really sensitive to ruts in the road. All 3 of my bimmers have thrown me back an forth across the lane when encountering wear ruts in the pavement. This is called tramlining. I've only noticed this with my bimmers, but then again these are the only cars that had/have real performance tires. Is this what your are referring to?

Does anyones steering wheel turn rapidly to the left when hitting the brakes??

Ace, it shouldn't do that. On level pavement you should stop dead straight, even with your hands off the wheel.

Check your air pressure (don't count on the TPM to be accurate, as it may not have been calibrated correctly). I'm willing to bet your left front is low on air. Failing that have the dealer check your alignment.

Let us know what you find.

She was solid at this speed!!

Pulling one way or the other can be several things but if it happens when hitting the brakes, I suspect there is an imbalance in the hydraulic fluid pressure feeding the braking system. In other words, the side that the car pulls to has a higher clamping pressure on the discs versus the other side. There could many reasons for this.

Mine was solid up to 125....

Have you checked the inflation of your tires?

Originally Posted by Spartacus_33

Depends on what you consider "high speed". I had mine at 120 on the autobahn and didn't notice any wiggling...........perhaps that was because the tires were new.

Ditto.Since the Autobahn I've had mine up to 105mph for a good 5 minutes with about 6000 to 7000 miles on the tires with out any problems,( except getting a ticket in SC) IMO the faster you drive the car the better it feels.
cheers
vern

Hey guys,
Car is going back in again. The dealer really is awesome and is working with me on this, but from what the dealer tells me of BMW they are not so easy to work with.
My advisor is having a very difficult time getting the "design team" and the "PUMA line" to get back to her. It has been 2 weeks now....nothing.

Here it is in a nutshell:
Constantly making several left and right corrections or twitches to the steering wheel to keep it from wandering one way or another.

Steering wheel WHIPS to the left if you hit the brakes regardless of speed or road conditions i.e. ruts, slant, angle, etc.. Tire pressue is 35psi rear 30psi front cold. That is what is stated on my drivers door jamb for my tire size.

Bump up the pressure all around about 5 psi and see what you think. Can't hurt anything.

Shouldn't take your SA that long. I don't mean to step on any toes, but the fact the dealer is "awesome" and "working with (you) on this" does not necessarily mean your SA and tech are competent to solve the problem.

I would be inclined to raise this to the next level, by sending a registered letter to the dealership principal and BMWNA stating that :

(A.) In your opinion it is a serious safety defect;
(B.) You have made __ good faith attempts to have the problem corrected;
(C.) Unless you receive a satisfactory response by May __ you intend to pursue relief under your state's lemon law.


I know that the BMWNA folks often read and respond to posts on other forums - I am too new to Bimmerfest to know if that is the same here, but it may not hurt to gripe about your experience on another board or two as well.

(Admin, can I post the term RF here?)

Good luck!

Hey guys,
Thanks for the input.

We will see what Hendrick BMW in Charlotte can do for my car. One thing for certain is that my car is not right.

Originally Posted by quackbury

Shouldn't take your SA that long. I don't mean to step on any toes, but the fact the dealer is "awesome" and "working with (you) on this" does not necessarily mean your SA and tech are competent to solve the problem.

I would be inclined to raise this to the next level, by sending a registered letter to the dealership principal and BMWNA stating that :

(A.) In your opinion it is a serious safety defect;
(B.) You have made __ good faith attempts to have the problem corrected;
(C.) Unless you receive a satisfactory response by May __ you intend to pursue relief under your state's lemon law.


I know that the BMWNA folks often read and respond to posts on other forums - I am too new to Bimmerfest to know if that is the same here, but it may not hurt to gripe about your experience on another board or two as well.

(Admin, can I post the term RF here?)

Good luck!

BMWNA will occasionally post on here but I haven't seen them in the 5er forum in quite some time.

Ah, which RF term are you thinking about?

Radio Frequency?

Roadfly.com is where I USED to hang out before I discovered this FAR SUPERIOR site!

Seriously, the E39 board there was great. Can't say the same for the E60 board. But I know BMWNA monitored RF, so it can't hurt to make a post there, then come back to all us vastly more interesting folks on Bimmerfest!

Originally Posted by quackbury

Roadfly.com is where I USED to hang out before I discovered this FAR SUPERIOR site!

Seriously, the E39 board there was great. Can't say the same for the E60 board. But I know BMWNA monitored RF, so it can't hurt to make a post there, then come back to all us vastly more interesting folks on Bimmerfest!

I read in e60.net about the mass exodus from RF e60 forum back in '04. I go there every now and then, notice it is pretty much a barren wasteland. Not too much of any meaningful content there. I'm not hating on RF, it's just my observation is all.

Originally Posted by Fantastic Five

I'm starting to think either the aerodynamics or the run-flats are the cause for wiggling at high speeds . . .

I had the car running yesterday, and it was wiggling. Yeah, it could've been oversensitivity to the pavement, but I'm not sure. Even if it was, could it be that the run-flats are that sensitive?

or is it the aerodynamics?

Anyone have the same problem?

Wasn't there another thread with this problem and a solution?

Have them change the Steering Position Sensor Switch. That worked for someone else. The "problem" is that no fault codes are thrown. Let us know. I am speculating that the faulty switch throws off DSC which then send brief brake instructions to individual wheels. It feels like the wind is catching the car, right?

Yes, that thread is stuck near the top of the forum and FF is quite well aware of it. I just hadn't thought it might be related but now I think it could be!

It's not that the car needs correction . . .it's that it feels like it's being hit by severe crosswinds knocking it back and forth at serious speed . . .

It may be the grooves in the road, but I was just making sure it wasn't an aerodynamic phenomenon or a runflat issue.

Originally Posted by Fantastic Five

It's not that the car needs correction . . .it's that it feels like it's being hit by severe crosswinds knocking it back and forth at serious speed . . .

It may be the grooves in the road, but I was just making sure it wasn't an aerodynamic phenomenon or a runflat issue.

I am having the same problems @ 112 - 125mph once I get up to 130mph it smooths out. I was thinking that maybe I was getting more downforce at higher speeds? It feels real sensitive to the drafts of other vehicles (especially semi's). My little Acura ITR is glued to the autobahn at the same speeds. I do not have the run flats nor the sports package on the 530. I have the allweather conti's that are V rated. I was also thinking that a front chin spoiler might help. Underneath the car is so flat and smooth it probably creates lift like a plane wing.

Originally Posted by DBU

Wasn't there another thread with this problem and a solution?

Have them change the Steering Position Sensor Switch. That worked for someone else. The "problem" is that no fault codes are thrown. Let us know. I am speculating that the faulty switch throws off DSC which then send brief brake instructions to individual wheels. It feels like the wind is catching the car, right?

So if I turn of the DSC, I shouldn't experience the problem at these speeds?

Originally Posted by Charles

So if I turn of the DSC, I shouldn't experience the problem at these speeds?

Worth a try, eh? Let us know if you feel any difference.

Please understand that my assertion is nothing but an unproven theory at this time. I experienced "the wind catching the car" syndrome at 60 MPH on a calm day test driving a 2006 530 with sports package, incl. RF tires. The feeling I experienced was consistent with the car applying small periodic brake pulses to individual wheels, which is what DSC can do.

I've cruised at 150MPH in my '04 530i (Between Los Angeles and San Jose on interstate 5)... had none of these problems. The car would just go straight.

Should definately have it checked out...