Squirming over white lines?
09-20-2005, 02:28 AM
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Hi All,
I'm new the the board, and a new owner of a 520i - just a baby comapred with some of the monster-engines around! Love it to bits though - what a car!
The strangest thing when crossing thick white lane marking lines on the motorway - the whole car kind of "squirms" when each wheel passes over the line. Is this something to do with traction control, or should I simply check the tyre pressures!
Cheers!
I'm new the the board, and a new owner of a 520i - just a baby comapred with some of the monster-engines around! Love it to bits though - what a car!
The strangest thing when crossing thick white lane marking lines on the motorway - the whole car kind of "squirms" when each wheel passes over the line. Is this something to do with traction control, or should I simply check the tyre pressures!
Cheers!
09-20-2005, 04:23 AM
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Hello bigkuri and welcome to the forum!
How wide are your tires? I.e. I have 245/40 18" and these makes the car unstable then driving over vertical treds etc.
How wide are your tires? I.e. I have 245/40 18" and these makes the car unstable then driving over vertical treds etc.
09-20-2005, 05:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Ricracing' date='Sep 20 2005, 01:23 PM
Hello bigkuri and welcome to the forum!
How wide are your tires? I.e. I have 245/40 18" and these makes the car unstable then driving over vertical treds etc.
How wide are your tires? I.e. I have 245/40 18" and these makes the car unstable then driving over vertical treds etc.
[snapback]172634[/snapback]
Not that wide - only 225/50 17". Although with what you say about vertical treds fits with what it feels like. Can't say I've ever noticed it in other cars though.
09-20-2005, 05:17 AM
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You may be experiencing tramlining. Some tires seem to suddenly wiggle over a paint strip, a seam or grove in the road. My Bridgestone Potenza SO-3s are particularly adept at this trick. 
But when I put on my winter tires (Blizzaks) there is no tramlining at all. So, it isn't the car, it's the rubber.
But when I put on my winter tires (Blizzaks) there is no tramlining at all. So, it isn't the car, it's the rubber.
09-20-2005, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by bigkuri' date='Sep 20 2005, 10:28 AM
Hi All,
I'm new the the board, and a new owner of a 520i - just a baby comapred with some of the monster-engines around!? Love it to bits though - what a car!
The strangest thing when crossing thick white lane marking lines on the motorway - the whole car kind of "squirms" when each wheel passes over the line.? Is this something to do with traction control, or should I simply check the tyre pressures!?
Cheers!
I'm new the the board, and a new owner of a 520i - just a baby comapred with some of the monster-engines around!? Love it to bits though - what a car!
The strangest thing when crossing thick white lane marking lines on the motorway - the whole car kind of "squirms" when each wheel passes over the line.? Is this something to do with traction control, or should I simply check the tyre pressures!?
Cheers!
[snapback]172614[/snapback]
The run-flat tyres could also be contributing as they have stiff sidewalls. The E60's suspension is good as masking the effect of them but there's still quite a difference from 'normal' tyres! If you've never checked the pressure I'd suggest doing it straight away - factory/dealer pressures can be a bit hit and miss!
The ride quality in mine sometimes amazes me and then is just damn rough and noisy!!!
PS Update your profile with your spec
09-20-2005, 12:44 PM
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Park Distance Control - Front/Rear
Service Inclusive
Star Spoke 138 7.5Jx17" + Run Flat Tyres
Thanks for the advice. Thought my profile was populated - will put some more info in - sorry!
It's a ex-demonstrator that I got a deal on - so has around 9k miles, and was pretty well looked after in all apparent regards.
I think that it may be tram-lining as suggested, and maybe also a combination of run-flat tyres - never had these before, so makes sense they are diff to drive on than normal tyres. It is kind of strange though - really grabs the car a bit and makes it lurch. Nothing that would ruin control but just strange.
I'll check pressures - has been very enjoyable first few days driving but time to take care of it!
It's a ex-demonstrator that I got a deal on - so has around 9k miles, and was pretty well looked after in all apparent regards.
I think that it may be tram-lining as suggested, and maybe also a combination of run-flat tyres - never had these before, so makes sense they are diff to drive on than normal tyres. It is kind of strange though - really grabs the car a bit and makes it lurch. Nothing that would ruin control but just strange.
I'll check pressures - has been very enjoyable first few days driving but time to take care of it!
09-20-2005, 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by bigkuri' date='Sep 20 2005, 08:44 PM
Thanks for the advice.? Thought my profile was populated - will put some more info in - sorry!
Originally Posted by bigkuri' date='Sep 20 2005, 08:44 PM
It's a ex-demonstrator that I got a deal on - so has around 9k miles, and was pretty well looked after in all apparent regards.
Originally Posted by bigkuri' date='Sep 20 2005, 08:44 PM
I think that it may be tram-lining as suggested, and maybe also a combination of run-flat tyres - never had these before, so makes sense they are diff to drive on than normal tyres.? It is kind of strange though - really grabs the car a bit and makes it lurch.? Nothing that would ruin control but just strange.
I'll check pressures - has been very enjoyable first few days driving but time to take care of it!
I'll check pressures - has been very enjoyable first few days driving but time to take care of it!
Enjoy!
09-20-2005, 05:03 PM
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09-20-2005, 06:17 PM
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I had this problem at around 7,000 miles. Had an alignment done and it fixed the problem. Now have 13,500 miles and it is back. I guess these cars do not "hold" an alignment. Big problem - it should not happen. And an alignment is $400 + !! :'( And the inside of the front tires are scalloping - very loud, like snow tires. BMW won't do anything about it because "the tires are not OEM tires".
09-21-2005, 02:06 AM
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Dark Poplar Wood - High Gloss
De-chroming
Front Centre Arm Rest-Sliding
Leather interior
Metallic paint
No Model Inscription
Park Distance Control - Front/Rear
Service Inclusive
Star Spoke 138 7.5Jx17" + Run Flat Tyres
Originally Posted by Capebimmer' date='Sep 21 2005, 03:17 AM
I had this problem at around 7,000 miles.? Had an alignment done and it fixed the problem.? Now have 13,500 miles and it is back.? I guess these cars do not "hold" an alignment.? Big problem - it should not happen.? And an alignment is $400 +? !!? :'(? And the inside of the front tires are scalloping - very loud, like snow tires.? BMW won't do anything about it because "the tires are not OEM tires".?
[snapback]172965[/snapback]
Capebimmer - so the car had the lurching squirming feeling over ridges in the road? Thought that alignment was more vibration felt through the wheel at speed (at least it was in the Triumph stag I had about 20 years ago!)
Will flag it up with BMW regardless - at least there will be a paper trail soon after purchase in case it is something like alignment that costs $$ to get fixed.