Bent A Strut...

LMAO... and BMW wont cover it because I have H&R lowering springs installed. $1800 in parts + 8 hours labor.

I was wondering why I bottomed out on every curb ramp I drove on and replaced the same wheel 4 times.


Pretty much done with BMW after this. They're fragile pieces of crap. Havent had a decent one in the past 6 cars. All brand new.



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Yikes!

Sorry about the strut - did it get bent from a NJ pothole? BMW's remind me of airplanes: strong where they have to be but delicate and fragile in other ways ...and expensive to repair like planes I think our upcoming M6 vert may the last for awhile unless the X5M proves to be robust. So far it's built like a tank but it's a truck and not a sports or GT car. My dealer was shocked I bought a SUV, and frankly, it surprised me, but...

555 HP with 500+ ft-lb of torque, X-drive, launch control and snow tires isn't all bad though

Originally Posted by dkreidel

Sorry about the strut - did it get bent from a NJ pothole? BMW's remind me of airplanes: strong where they have to be but delicate and fragile in other ways ...and expensive to repair like planes I think our upcoming M6 vert may the last for awhile unless the X5M proves to be robust. So far it's built like a tank but it's a truck and not a sports or GT car. My dealer was shocked I bought a SUV, and frankly, it surprised me, but...

555 HP with 500+ ft-lb of torque, X-drive, launch control and snow tires isn't all bad though

FDR Drive

Can't even avoid them because there are cars flying by on either side of you and coming up from the rear as well.

Haha yes, I know what you mean. Aerobatic category airplanes coming back down with nosegear shimmy lol.

I'm gonna try Porsche next I think. It probably won't be any better but my father in law doesn't have these wheel/tire/suspension problems and he drives through the city everyday. Not a huge fan of SUVs but sounds like the X5M is a beast. I prefer a low ride though.

First order of business is to get out of these hard sole shoes and into sneakers (run-flat vs standard) The shin splints turned into stress fractures.

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Sheeeesh man sorry to hear it... I spent Christmas back home in NY.. When I got back to the DC area I had a nail in a tire and a crack rim.. Thanks to the FDR. I love my city but that will be the last time I drive my car there. Next time ill just get a rental.. Really sorry to hear it..

Originally Posted by Itinj6

First order of business is to get out of these hard sole shoes and into sneakers (run-flat vs standard) The shin splints turned into stress fractures.

My 650 rides much, much better since I ditched the runflats - got rid of them 2 weeks from purchase on the X5M too. One of BMW's worst decisions

Originally Posted by Itinj6

FDR Drive

Can't even avoid them because there are cars flying by on either side of you and coming up from the rear as well.

Haha yes, I know what you mean. Aerobatic category airplanes coming back down with nosegear shimmy lol.

I'm gonna try Porsche next I think. It probably won't be any better but my father in law doesn't have these wheel/tire/suspension problems and he drives through the city everyday. Not a huge fan of SUVs but sounds like the X5M is a beast. I prefer a low ride though.

First order of business is to get out of these hard sole shoes and into sneakers (run-flat vs standard) The shin splints turned into stress fractures.

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Do the 991 thing hockeyman.

Originally Posted by dkreidel

My 650 rides much, much better since I ditched the runflats - got rid of them 2 weeks from purchase on the X5M too. One of BMW's worst decisions

Do I ever agree on the Run-Flats!! What real tires did you go with?

Originally Posted by ShakeDaddy

Do I ever agree on the Run-Flats!! What real tires did you go with?

I decided to save a few bucks and put on Hankook Ventus V12's. They aren't quite as good as the Michelins but I've had really good experience with them on the Z4, 650 and my old 550. I woudl have put them on the X5M too but decided I needed a little more weather capability and mounted a set of Continental DWS since that pig is going to remain in Montana.

Unless you are tracking your 650 the 'kooks are a good choice.

sorry to hear about the strut issue, you gotta find a service advisor thats not such a hard ass.
i cant wait to ride thru mid-town with my top down thru 42nd at night, but im scared as hell to ride on the grand central, or LIE.., guess it'll be a long slow trip going and coming

Sorry to hear about that.

I took my nicely paved local roads for granted until I started hearing about what y'all are experiencing. That's gotta be a PITA having to worry about this crap on a daily basis.

I was thinking..... For an issue like this Porsche may not be the way to go. Their leases are very very expensive when compared to BMW. They don't have the free maintenance like BMW.. And I suspect they probably wouldn't cover the repair due to the upgrade as well. Before I purchased my Sixer I flirted with the Panamera. And those dealers wouldn't budge when it came to negotiating a a lease. It was basically here is the price take it or leave it.. Just my two cents though.

Originally Posted by EmM HoLLa

I was thinking..... For an issue like this Porsche may not be the way to go. Their leases are very very expensive when compared to BMW. They don't have the free maintenance like BMW.. And I suspect they probably wouldn't cover the repair due to the upgrade as well. Before I purchased my Sixer I flirted with the Panamera. And those dealers wouldn't budge when it came to negotiating a a lease. It was basically here is the price take it or leave it.. Just my two cents though.

It really does depend on the dealer. Mine has both a BMW store AND a Porsche store. Known them for many years and offered me good leasing deals on both.

I have never heard of someone bending a strut on these cars. Why exactly would BMW warranty a suspension component when you modified the suspension?? That's like asking them to warranty engine damage after you tuned the engine...

Originally Posted by Emilner

I have never heard of someone bending a strut on these cars. Why exactly would BMW warranty a suspension component when you modified the suspension?? That's like asking them to warranty engine damage after you tuned the engine...

I wasnt expecting them to cover the strut under warranty. Can you tell me where I complained about it? Just mentioning it so others are aware. However, I still think it's BS that a 1" (spring mod only) drop would cause such damage. It is what it is. Im pretty sure that the harshness of the run-flats caused it. I even had the car in Comfort + to soften the blows but I can still feel the impact being absorbed by my body. I've bent 2 wheels and bubbled 5 tires way before I even thought about modding the springs. I think you just got a little emotional when I mentioned leaving your beloved BMW.

Even the BMW mechanic said he never heard of such a thing and he said his car is slammed on paper thin tires. Im gonna try to get a picture of it.

I appreciate all the condolences. Definitely gonna go with standard tires for the next 2 years I have left on the lease. Wish I did it sooner because now my interior rattles like a New Years party favor (sigh)



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Originally Posted by dkreidel

I decided to save a few bucks and put on Hankook Ventus V12's. They aren't quite as good as the Michelins but I've had really good experience with them on the Z4, 650 and my old 550. I woudl have put them on the X5M too but decided I needed a little more weather capability and mounted a set of Continental DWS since that pig is going to remain in Montana.

Unless you are tracking your 650 the 'kooks are a good choice.

Thanks for the advice. I saw the 'kooks online and the price is right. Probably gonna go with them as well

Originally Posted by lighty150

sorry to hear about the strut issue, you gotta find a service advisor thats not such a hard ass.
i cant wait to ride thru mid-town with my top down thru 42nd at night, but im scared as hell to ride on the grand central, or LIE.., guess it'll be a long slow trip going and coming

Its annoying how hard I have to pay attention the road directly in front of me with the idrive screen constantly showing my tire pressures. The Palisades Parkway is no better. Had a few run ins with potholes on there too. I just moved to Rockland County.

Just be very careful.


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Originally Posted by EmM HoLLa

I was thinking..... For an issue like this Porsche may not be the way to go. Their leases are very very expensive when compared to BMW. They don't have the free maintenance like BMW.. And I suspect they probably wouldn't cover the repair due to the upgrade as well. Before I purchased my Sixer I flirted with the Panamera. And those dealers wouldn't budge when it came to negotiating a a lease. It was basically here is the price take it or leave it.. Just my two cents though.

My father in law is paying the same monthly lease payment as I am with a very nicely equipped Carrera 4S. The maintenance might be an issue though. I dunno. I have two years to do some research. Lets see how standard tires hold up to these good for nothing NYC roads. Just scared sh*tless that im going to be stranded with a flat and no spare. At least the run flats never left me stranded.

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Buy and carry the M5/M6 spare and jack kit. That's what I carry to go with my non-RFT Michelin super sports. Two years and no flats yet...

Originally Posted by gregb

Buy and carry the M5/M6 spare and jack kit. That's what I carry to go with my non-RFT Michelin super sports. Two years and no flats yet...

Thanks. I didnt know the ///M's came with spares and non run-flats. I will look into it.

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Originally Posted by Itinj6

Thanks. I didnt know the ///M's came with spares and non run-flats. I will look into it.

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That's news to me. The M5/6 comes with non-runflats, but they only come with a roadside inflation kit. There is a compact spare that is available from the aftermarket, but it does take up a fair amount of trunk space.

Has anyone priced a spare and the jack required for jacking up these cars? I'm not yet convinced on swapping to the non-RFTs, but I think I'd feel better with a backup rather than being a sitting duck.

I rarely have more than a towel in my trunk, so the loss of space doesn't bother me. Not fond of the extra weight, but I think I'd be hard pressed to feel a drop in my acceleration because of the addition of a spare tire.

Originally Posted by Itinj6

Thanks. I didnt know the ///M's came with spares and non run-flats. I will look into it.

That says it all about how BMW really feel regarding run-flats. They are not going to compromise the M's performance and over all capabilities with run-flats. The 6'ers shouldn't be compromised either! Just waiting to run through my set of RF's and then it's off to the Michelin's Super Sports or Pilot Sports.

My vote is a roadside kit(doubt if you ever would use it) and/or AAA. That's all you need.

Originally Posted by ShakeDaddy

That says it all about how BMW really feel regarding run-flats. They are not going to compromise the M's performance and over all capabilities with run-flats. The 6'ers shouldn't be compromised either! Just waiting to run through my set of RF's and then it's off to the Michelin's Super Sports or Pilot Sports.

My vote is a roadside kit(doubt if you ever would use it) and/or AAA. That's all you need.

Funny you posted this. I was trying to justify the reason for buying non RFTs to my wife and one of my arguments was that the ///M Division doesn't use those pieces of crap and there's a reason for it lol.

While my car is getting orthopedic surgery for a tibia replacement, I'm gonna have them fit on a set of Nike Shox. Hopefully this does the trick.

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Originally Posted by Itinj6

LMAO... and BMW wont cover it because I have H&R lowering springs installed. $1800 in parts + 8 hours labor.

I was wondering why I bottomed out on every curb ramp I drove on and replaced the same wheel 4 times.


Pretty much done with BMW after this. They're fragile pieces of crap. Havent had a decent one in the past 6 cars. All brand new.



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What did you expect? I know you're angry and disappointed, but it's common knowledge that you need to replace the struts and shocks if you get lowering springs. This is why.


As for the parts being fragile, they're forged aluminum - light weight - in most cases (not in the struts, etc., but the control arms are) and as such are made to be strong in the direction of importance. They're definitely not strong in every direction. If you hit a curb sideways even at low speeds, it will likely snap that control arm right in half.

Maybe you should get a Jeep Wrangler? Something more rugged than a luxury coupe?

Originally Posted by petriej

What did you expect? I know you're angry and disappointed, but it's common knowledge that you need to replace the struts and shocks if you get lowering springs. This is why.


As for the parts being fragile, they're forged aluminum - light weight - in most cases (not in the struts, etc., but the control arms are) and as such are made to be strong in the direction of importance. They're definitely not strong in every direction. If you hit a curb sideways even at low speeds, it will likely snap that control arm right in half.

Maybe you should get a Jeep Wrangler? Something more rugged than a luxury coupe?

Im so sorry to talk bad about your precious beloved BMW. What was I thinking? They are the bestest company in the whole wide world. It will never happen again. They are so perfect in each and every way.

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