Hey all,

So I bought a 2004 530i (~130k) automatic (steptronic) about two months ago. Recently I've noticed while driving between 30km/h and 50km/h the car 'shakes', and by shaking I don't mean like vibrating quickly as if the bass is too loud, I mean it feels like some weight is off balance and is being rocked from one side to the other (left and right) like a boat.

This does not happen 100% of the time, I'd say about 60%, if a jam on the gas and accelerate through it I don't really notice it, I normally notice it when I'm coasting to a stop or lightly braking or lightly accelerating in that range. I'll have to double check the rpm when this happens, but i'd say its normal ~1500 to 2000?

I have 17" goodyear eagle tires, and they are likely worn, but not completely shot. I don't hear a noise or anything when this happens, and when I'm stopped idling its perfect and when I'm going faster than 50 its fine. I tried dropping it into neutral one time at about 50km/h and coasting to 30km/h and it still did it.

It only happens in that range, any thoughts or suggestions? I'll happily provide more info.

 

might be the tires and/or wheels. had a similar problem when my fronts were out of balance. after 40 mph the steering wheel would shake. it would progressively get worse with higher speed, then get better after 70-80. I had the tires balanced and it's gone. should probably get tires/wheels checked. good luck.

dc

 

That was my first incline too, I figure I need to buy winter tires soon, so when I get them put on I'll have them balanced and hopefully it goes away. I was just wondering if there was any way I could rule out more serious issues.

Thanks very much for the advice, in a month or so when I get winter tires and have them balanced, I'll post to say if it fixed it or not.

 

Actually does anyone have an opinion about the universal joint? Is it possible it is something in the drive shaft that could be causing this?

 

if the u-joint was on it's way out you'd also have some rough shifting