[mbroadway]

I've purchased my 335i new (11 miles) on May 13th of this year. Since then, I've noticed a few things that seem wrong for a vehicle in this price range. Perhaps it's just something that needs adjustment. I'm hoping someone can answer a question or two here before I take it back to the dealer to see what can be done.

Tramlining: Terrible at times. Other times, not so bad. It's usually when I'm heading downhill and applying the brake. The car pulls. Sometimes left. Sometimes right. I don't know if it's a computerized brake-saving procedure so that it uses one front brake more on an alternate basis or if it's simply tramling or if it's an alignment issue. If it was pulling in the same direction each time, it would be simpler to diagnose. However, it does pull to the right occasionally, although it's generally to the left. I know that makes no sense, but that's my issue with that topic. Any input would be helpful.

Headlights: I thought the headlights were self-adjusting. If they are, then there's something that needs to be adjusted on the self-adjusting mechanism. When my lights are on dim, my lighted area is approximately 30 yards in front of the car. And there's a definite dark area above the illuminated roadway. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone else have this issue?

Visibility: I have a really difficult time with rear visibility when changing lanes. I know there is an option that assists drivers when there's something in their blind spot. Is this something that can added after the car is delivered? Also, do any other models have better visibility? If so, I may consider trading this one in while it still has less than 5,000 miles on it.

Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated. I really don't want to dislike this car. I know it's a great car but I just don't like it as much as I should at the price I paid if you get my drift.

Thanks in advance for any help.

MB
335i Xdrive Space Gray / Black Dakota Leather

 

[Mark K]

Tramlining: Terrible at times. Other times, not so bad. It's usually when I'm heading downhill and applying the brake. The car pulls. Sometimes left. Sometimes right. I don't know if it's a computerized brake-saving procedure so that it uses one front brake more on an alternate basis or if it's simply
tramling or if it's an alignment issue. If it was pulling in the same direction each time, it would be simpler to diagnose. However, it does pull to the right occasionally, although it's generally to the left. I know that makes no sense, but that's my issue with that topic. Any input would be helpful.

Kansas city. LOTS of burial grounds around. Lots of bad spirits.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570236

Headlights: I thought the headlights were self-adjusting. If they are, then there's something that needs to be adjusted on the self-adjusting mechanism. When my lights are on dim, my lighted area is approximately 30 yards in front of the car. And there's a definite dark area above the illuminated roadway. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone else have this issue?

In all seriousness (forget link above, it was just for fun and some really good advice in it anyway), I don't understand 100 ft in front of the car. That's what normal light beams are supposed to project. If not enough, you hit high beams. Did I miss something?

Visibility: I have a really difficult time with rear visibility when changing lanes. I know there is an option that assists drivers when there's something in their blind spot. Is this something that can added after the car is delivered? Also, do any other models have better visibility? If so, I may consider trading this one in while it still has less than 5,000 miles on it.

What I was taught in Europe on my first driver license test is to turn my head towards the left side mirror when changing lanes. This allows you to see (even with "wrongly" adjusted mirrors) your blind spot. Had I failed to do that (at least 25 times) during my driving test, I would have flunked. I didn't and I still use it with great results. Try it.

 

[floydarogers]

Tramlining: Terrible at times. Other times, not so bad. It's usually when I'm heading downhill and applying the brake. The car pulls. Sometimes left. Sometimes right. ... Any input would be helpful.

Low profile tires means you are going to tramline. Nevertheless, it sounds like you're having more trouble than perhaps usual. Only thing I can say is to carefully check your tire pressures and set them exactly as the door sticker says. These tires are extremely sensitive to low pressure.

Headlights: I thought the headlights were self-adjusting. If they are, then there's something that needs to be adjusted on the self-adjusting mechanism. When my lights are on dim, my lighted area is approximately 30 yards in front of the car. And there's a definite dark area above the illuminated roadway. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone else have this issue?

I think there's a knob to adjust them up/down. There also could be a problem with the self-leveling: while in the garage, start the car and turn on the lights. They should move up and then down (or reverse that) and settle into position. If they don't, it's broken.

Visibility: I have a really difficult time with rear visibility when changing lanes.

The blind-spot warning is not available on E9x - it is on 5 series, and should be available on the new F3x 3-series. This problem (with seeing into adjacent lanes) is sometimes caused by not being aware/trained/accustomed to the auto-dimming feature. The light sensors on the interior mirror drive the exterior mirrors to dim also. When I first started driving my 335d, it took some time to get used to the dimmer exterior mirrors when you are used to "full" reflectivity.

 

[mbroadway]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check my headlights and see if the move up and down when I start the car. I don't know why they do that, but if they're supposed to, then that's their business. I'll also check the tire pressure. Thanks for the help and the comments. You guys are great.

 

[jelliotlevy]

Xenon headlamps have a very sharp cutoff. In the low beam setting, the best way to describe it is that you feel like you are wearing a baseball cap with the visor pulled down. Perhaps that is what you are experiencing. The high beams are just great. I also drive a Honda S2000, and its Xenons have an even sharper cutoff effect.

 

[adityab]

I had serious tramlining issues with my Bridgestone RE050 RFTs, even when they were set to the correct pressure. It ruins the feel of an otherwise incredibly solid car. A swap to Conti DWS remedied that entirely.

BMW's xenons are among the best I've ever used (thumbs up to the S2000 also!). The low beams take care of everything within a reasonable distance from the car, and the high beams can set fire to tree tops when necessary. Be sure to have your lights set to "Auto" if you're going to see them self-level (turn the switch counterclockwise).