Vibration issue - please help me

something is wrong wrong wrong, Steering wheel should not shake.PERIOD. LEMON LAW.

Originally Posted by jasper7821

WOW,
I just picked up my 2013 328i a few days ago and driven it to work twice and haven't noticed anything.
BUT our roads here in Tucson are horrible and all cars shake on these city streets.
I'll find a smooth road somewhere and see if I have an vibration, but as far as I know I haven't felt anything.

Maybe I'm just so excited about the car and always playing with the iDrive features and just haven't noticed it yet.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but how did you get a 2013 MY so quickly? I thought they were starting production of 2013 in July.

Sorry, typo. meant 2012

Originally Posted by MyBimmers

I feel it strongly although I hold the wheel with my hands. Yes it is there all the time between that speeds.

And you are saying every F30 on your dealer's lot shakes like yours?

Originally Posted by The X Men

And you are saying every F30 on your dealer's lot shakes like yours?

Definitly nope. I tested at least 6 cars at the same dealer.

Here is a list of cars I tested.

•One I tested on Team USA event - NO vibration -
•On my first visit after purchasing - One I tested - NO vibration... On that time, tested it with technisian. I clearly told him no vibration I felt, so it was normal. then he said that I need to make an appointment with BMW engineer to take a look my car.
•On my second visit - One with 18'' I tested on my second visit, - NO vibration.... I wanted to test the one I tested on my first visit with BMW engineer, but it was already sold out.
•Also on my second visit - I tested 2 more cars with 17'' - they all have vibration.
•On my thrid visit - One I tested - there is vibration but much less than mine.

So its safe to say that all the F30 you test drove with 17" rims have the vibration.

Originally Posted by The X Men

So its safe to say that all the F30 you test drove with 17" rims have the vibration.

No it is not true.

•One I tested on Team USA event - NO vibration - --> 17''
•On my first visit after purchasing - One I tested - NO vibration --> 17'' ... On that time, tested it with technisian. I clearly told him no vibration I felt, so it was normal. then he said that I need to make an appointment with BMW engineer to take a look my car.
•On my second visit - One with 18'' I tested on my second visit, - NO vibration.... I wanted to test the one I tested on my first visit with BMW engineer, but it was already sold out.
•Also on my second visit - I tested 2 more cars with 17'' - they all have vibration.
•On my thrid visit - One I tested with 17'' - there is vibration but much less than mine.

Originally Posted by MyBimmers

No it is not true.

•One I tested on Team USA event - NO vibration - --> 17''
•On my first visit after purchasing - One I tested - NO vibration --> 17'' ... On that time, tested it with technisian. I clearly told him no vibration I felt, so it was normal. then he said that I need to make an appointment with BMW engineer to take a look my car.
•On my second visit - One with 18'' I tested on my second visit, - NO vibration.... I wanted to test the one I tested on my first visit with BMW engineer, but it was already sold out.
•Also on my second visit - I tested 2 more cars with 17'' - they all have vibration.
•On my thrid visit - One I tested with 17'' - there is vibration but much less than mine.

This was my experience also. It was frustrating as there was NOT a common factor to point to.

Originally Posted by T111

How lengthy or "difficult" of a process was it to get your BMW dealer to replace the car? If they can't fix my car the first time should I pursue this option?

It was not very difficult. It is far easier to do this than the lemon law process. The dealer called it a "Trade Assist"
I actually traded today for a 535 xi that I drove extensively with no noticed vibrations.
So I am out of the F30. I wish you guys the best.

Originally Posted by MyBimmers

No it is not true.

•One I tested on Team USA event - NO vibration - --> 17''
•On my first visit after purchasing - One I tested - NO vibration --> 17'' ... On that time, tested it with technisian. I clearly told him no vibration I felt, so it was normal. then he said that I need to make an appointment with BMW engineer to take a look my car.
•On my second visit - One with 18'' I tested on my second visit, - NO vibration.... I wanted to test the one I tested on my first visit with BMW engineer, but it was already sold out.
•Also on my second visit - I tested 2 more cars with 17'' - they all have vibration.
•On my thrid visit - One I tested with 17'' - there is vibration but much less than mine.

Did the technicain balance the tires with a road force machine? Sometimes the rims can cause an inbalance as well.
At this point, if I were you, I would either have your wheel balance check by an independent tire technician or file a complaint with BMW USA. Maybe get on the BMW facebook page and express you dis-pleasure. If all else fail, have a lawyer draft a letter to BMW asking them for a new car.

Good Luck

Any 18 inch wheels with vibration? Both dealerships I went to for the USA even and the test drives (I went there twice) they didn't even have a car without a package so all were with 18 inch wheels. I didn't notice any vibration.

Originally Posted by windsor027

Any 18 inch wheels with vibration? Both dealerships I went to for the USA even and the test drives (I went there twice) they didn't even have a car without a package so all were with 18 inch wheels. I didn't notice any vibration.

Yes, there are 2 sport package cars that I know of at my dealer with the issue. One is a salesman's car.

This is really pain, but can anyone who owns F30 328 17'' with no vibration issue provide me the vin number (only last 7 disit) to my email (antithrombin@gmail.com)? I don't know whether this works or now, but I want to show them there is a NORMAL car without vibration out there. Thank you for your help in advance.

Sorry, I posted that I have no vibration but I have 18" wheels.

Originally Posted by RxCritical

Yes, there are 2 sport package cars that I know of at my dealer with the issue. One is a salesman's car.

Oh man that sucks.

Originally Posted by LX-biker

It's really sad especially for BMW, but thanks for sharing this. I would keep my e46 as long as I can... I remember early e90 where suffering some kind of highway vibrations because of alignment. Now may be too much electronics for ride/suspension control. The worst part they refuse to agree about the problem.

I read post again and I am pretty sure it's electrical steering issue. Hopefully will be just software update. Most car makers who switch to electrical suffer some sort of problems with steering first years of production.

Is it auto or 6 speed?

If you are curious, co back to the old www.bimmer.org archives for the early E46 launch issues. You will find many threads on the subject sounding much the same as here. In the case of E46 the culprit was the control arm bushings which were later updated...

Don't give up on your car, there is a fix out there. Sounds like your dealer could do a better job of standing up for you, though.

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

If you are curious, co back to the old www.bimmer.org archives for the early E46 launch issues. You will find many threads on the subject sounding much the same as here. In the case of E46 the culprit was the control arm bushings which were later updated...

Don't give up on your car, there is a fix out there. Sounds like your dealer could do a better job of standing up for you, though.

++ Absolutely agree with Jon on this. I too am putting in my order despite knowing that this issue could very well surface on my car as well.

Originally Posted by MyBimmers

This is really pain, but can anyone who owns F30 328 17'' with no vibration issue provide me the vin number (only last 7 disit) to my email (antithrombin@gmail.com)? I don't know whether this works or now, but I want to show them there is a NORMAL car without vibration out there. Thank you for your help in advance.

Do you really think the mechanic was asking for a VIN# of a car that doesnt vibrate or maybe he was just trying to get rid of you. You will not be able to convince the mechanic with just a VIN#, he would want to actually test drive the car.