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      12-12-2016, 01:44 PM   #1
epiphone3
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Road grooves affecting steering/direction

Does anyone else have issues with grooves, cracks, etc. in the road affecting the direction of their X3? I find mine tends to really grab onto imperfections in the road surface... the car moves I around, I have to fight it with the steering.

I have a 2013 35i with M'Sport if that makes a difference. I have a winter wheel set and summer set and behavior is similar with both sets of tires.
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      12-12-2016, 03:19 PM   #2
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We haven't had that issue with any of our X3s over the years (past 2011 X3 35i, nor current 2012 X3 35i X-line and 2015 X3 35i M Sport). We had that consistently on previous Mnfrs vehicles with wider performance tires, but not on our X3s with the usual RFTs BMW provides. When first reading I immediately thought tires, but if it occurs on two completely different sets that seems less likely. Wish I could be of more assistance, perhaps others can chime in.
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      12-12-2016, 03:19 PM   #3
gullyg
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Tramlining.

I have the same issue on a 1 month old 20d msport. Cars with run flats and wide,low profile tyres are particularly susceptible to it.

On previous cars it's been helped by 4 wheel alignment.
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      12-12-2016, 03:36 PM   #4
epiphone3
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Thanks for the replies, guys. I should add that both my summer and winter sets are RFT tires.

I think my summers will need to be replaced next season so I am thinking of going with non-RFT for that set.

I am wondering if something is loose in my suspension or steering but I don't know. The tramlining is pretty severe compared to anything I've observed in this car or my E90 before that.
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      12-12-2016, 06:03 PM   #5
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As previously stated, it is called tramlining. Described here..

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47

Changing from RunFlat tyres to NON RunFlat tyres on my X3 xDrive 30d MSport with 19" Staggered setup on summer tyres made a very noticeable difference with no tramlining.

I still have RunFlat tyres on my 18" winter wheels and tramlining is very evident.
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      12-13-2016, 12:25 AM   #6
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Sitting high up in the air does not help. I got better:
-sidewindsensitivity
-steer-into-a-curve
-stability at straigt ahead driving

by lowering with H&R - 35mm/1 1/2". 20" PZERO RFT:s.

Tramlining should also have been improved.

Slightly less chassis comfort.
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      12-13-2016, 02:43 PM   #7
danend
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I had/have the same issue with my 2013 35i M-Sport. It was so bad on a stretch I drove twice a week that it was making me consider routing around it even though it would add 30 min to a 6 hr drive. It made me feel slightly nauseous it was so bad...

During one of my recent service appointments, the tech noticed that I had uneven wear on my tires and corrected the alignment. To my surprise, it is vastly improved while driving the same stretch of road.

I suggest getting the alignment checked before any more drastic options.
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      12-14-2016, 10:17 AM   #8
epiphone3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danend View Post
I had/have the same issue with my 2013 35i M-Sport. It was so bad on a stretch I drove twice a week that it was making me consider routing around it even though it would add 30 min to a 6 hr drive. It made me feel slightly nauseous it was so bad...

During one of my recent service appointments, the tech noticed that I had uneven wear on my tires and corrected the alignment. To my surprise, it is vastly improved while driving the same stretch of road.

I suggest getting the alignment checked before any more drastic options.
That is helpful! I will ask for that. I currently have 86,000 km on it and have never had an alignment done.
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      12-14-2016, 04:42 PM   #9
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I had tramlining with my 20" summer setup (9.0 in front and 10.0 rear rims with 245 and 275 tires). It irritated me quite a bit so that I now use my 19" in the summer aswell (8.5 and 9.5 rims with 245 and 275 tires).

My explanation for increased tramlining with 9.0x20" front wheel is that:
1) the sidewalls on 20" setup are less tall, meaning that the tire will flex less in grooves, cracks, etc and therefore give more feedback to the driver.
2) the 9.0" front wheel is wider than 8.5. Therefore the tire sidewalls are no longer parallel as on the 8.5. This "stretch" reduces the flexing aswell and passes on more feedback to the driver. Very often tuned cars have "slightly stretched" tires, cause it often looks great and handles more agile in curves. So, in my opinion its great for sportcars (like my previous Abt Audi on which I had 225mm on 8.5 wheels), but not so great in an SUV, which should give you a relaxed driving experience and provide a feeling of being able to plow through uneven roads.

I wonder if the 310M wheels causes tramlining aswell? They are 8.5 in front, so the tires aren't "stretched" like with my 9.0 Kelleners Sport...

Glad to hear about the experience of 310m drivers.
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      12-16-2016, 07:20 PM   #10
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Alignment? Tire status? Miles and replaced suspension bits? These are the questions to ask if you're experiencing tramlining.

Keep in mind there are known issues with the steering racks of the F25's. Issue typically replicated by turning wheel to right and drivers side wheel will knock if it hits a uneven surface.
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      01-25-2017, 10:14 AM   #11
epiphone3
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Just to close out this discussion, I just had an alignment done at a local indy shop and the steering and behavior of the car is dramatically improved. Both front camber adjustments were out of spec as well as both rear toe adjustments and one front toe. It drives much better now.
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      06-26-2017, 12:50 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
Just to close out this discussion, I just had an alignment done at a local indy shop and the steering and behavior of the car is dramatically improved. Both front camber adjustments were out of spec as well as both rear toe adjustments and one front toe. It drives much better now.
I am experiencing the same tramlining issue as well as loose steering feel awhile back.

Initially I thought the floaty feel was contributed by worm front tires and hence Ive had them replaced with the new P Zero (PZ4) run flats. Car still felt floaty.

Went to BMW and complained about the floaty front end and steering knock and they replaced my steering rack (version 3). Steering feels alot tighter and ultra sensitive to small inputs. However, car still tramlines when going over undulated surfaces/road grooves while changing lanes.

Ive had all suspension components check at BMW and also alignment checked also. I did realise that my front right camber is actually +0.2 degree which shouldve been -0.2 and I was told by both BMW as well as independent alignment shop that front cambers on F25 are not adjustable. How did you manage to have your front camber adjusted?

Ive also brought the car to an independent suspension specialist and they said all bushing and joints look and feel solid other than Radius Rod/Bushings being slightly soft. Could this be the contributing factor to tramlining?
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      06-28-2017, 09:45 PM   #13
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Tread pattern contributes greatly. I haven't had the issue with the tires ive run so far on my X3, but on my WRX I had some Dunlops that did it pretty bad. Switching to another tire fixed it instantly.
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      12-13-2023, 01:42 PM   #14
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I had the same issue when I bought the X3 xdrive 1 year ago.. I still have it but reduced a lot. So I was thinking it is the tyre and thread groves
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