[GBMW6612]

I have a 2012 BMW X3 with the M package and I have recently noticed while driving on certain roads you will feel like a bouncing sensation not thru the steering it feels like the whole car. Does anyone else feel this or could it be something wrong with the car. Run flats? Bent rim? Maybe tire pressure or is the suspension just that sensitive that it just picks up the road defects or not being perfectly smooth.

[Want the thrill]

Those Pittsburgh roads will kill ya! Grew up there and still visit regularly To answer you question though, I have a 2011 35i and have not felt what you are describing.

[Nahoa]

I've come to believe it's just the nature of this particular sport suspension. I thought something was wrong with mine. Had people drive it. Got the head technician to drive it. At the end of it all, I think it's the suspension and one particular stretch of freeway here (that I drive a lot) has a pattern to the pavement that makes it quite noticeable at one particular speed.

To me it felt like a "light chop". A bouncy, vibration feel. Felt like if I let hands off the steering wheel it should vibrate, but it didn't.

[bluedevils]

Originally Posted by GBMW6612

...on certain roads you will feel like a bouncing sensation not thru the steering it feels like the whole car....just that sensitive that it just picks up the road defects or not being perfectly smooth.

Do you mean floaty like a boat or like it was hugging the road so much that you feel every bump? My 35i with DHP does not feel floaty at all, but I do feel road imperfections. The higher centre of gravity also seems to exaggerate this feeling of the chassis moving in different angles. At least from my perspective.

[Earlofessex]

I thought I was imagining subtle bouncing. Feels like the tires have a flat spot. I'd feel it leaving work on a relatively smooth road, feel the vibrating, but then it would disappear. Still might be in my head, but sounds like what you're describing. Or could be the stupid RFTs...

[Nahoa]

I think I've noticed both flat spots on cold RFTs on smooth roads in the morning and this other thing. The flat spots go away quickly. This other thing is consistent at any temp.

[Le Chef]

The big question is do you have DHP? My wife's truck has DHP and I've not felt what you;re describing in "sport" which is what I drive it in regardless of wheel size or type of tire. I put 18" and winter tires on my wife's truck 3 months ago and have not had that sensation. Even with 19" and a staggered summer tire setup before this wasn't an issue.

[Nahoa]

I have DHP.

[GBMW6612]

I have the DHP package as well, not a floating sensation more of a bouncing. I tend to notice it more at higher speeds and certain roads that I drive. I think that it is the suspension being so sensitive to the road surface I will try different modes sport and sport+ and see if that makes a difference my concern was that I hit a pot hole about two weeks ago and wasn't sure if I dinged a rim or not. The rim does not look bent and if it was I think I would feel this sensation all the time and feel it in the steering wheel not the whole car. To give you an example I was driving yesterday with my wife and she asked why am I bouncing? If I looked over at her I could actually see her moving up and down as well as the seat. Went on a different road way and it went away not sure if it was speed or the road leaning towards it being the road.

[Earlofessex]

No DHP and I only notice the flat spot sensation for the first few minutes of driving after leaving the parking garage at work. Funny thing is I don't notice it in the morning, although it could be that the local roads are rougher and mask it or my imagination is still asleep :-)

[highmodulus]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

I think I've noticed both flat spots on cold RFTs on smooth roads in the morning and this other thing. The flat spots go away quickly. This other thing is consistent at any temp.

cold RFTs was my guess too.

[x3heh]

I think bouncing is unfortunately a carryover of some of the previous generation suspension's quality. Bounces and you really feel it in your behind on bad pavement. RFTs make it even worse. Must be jarring if you have to drive on cobblestone paved streets.

[pokerface]

Originally Posted by GBMW6612

more of a bouncing.

On a basic X3 x28 with 18s I get the bouncing sensation as well. It's probably the combination of both the ride height, stiff suspension, and the harder RFTs. The motions do make it a bit disconcerting, but I don't ride our X3 enough to get used to it.

This is still a whole lot more compliant than the E90 though.

[Chutes]

I just test drove the X3 35 with M package, although I didn't drive it on the highway, I thought the car drove well. I do however have a lot of experience with R/F tires, which I now like a lot (earlier tires were not great) tire pressure is very important, do not over inflate. I am concerned about comfort, how are the sport seats? Would love to hear from an owner.

[Chutes]

I would love to know how you like the Sport seats, and are the side bolsters adjustable like the M3 seats are?

[tuco44]

I have a 35i with MSport. I love the sport seats, superior to the regular seats.

I have no "bouncing" at speed, and I have put over 4000kms on it in last month, mostly hiway. I have about 13000kms total, and have zero issues with the ride of the vehicle.

[jdmass]

Originally Posted by Chutes

I would love to know how you like the Sport seats, and are the side bolsters adjustable like the M3 seats are?

Yes the side bolsters are adjustable. I love the sports seats.

[02420X3]

I have sports seats on my 35i. The side bolsters are adjustable. IMHO the seats are quite comfortable.

[tetten]

Originally Posted by GBMW6612

I have a 2012 BMW X3 with the M package and I have recently noticed while driving on certain roads you will feel like a bouncing sensation not thru the steering it feels like the whole car. Does anyone else feel this or could it be something wrong with the car. Run flats? Bent rim? Maybe tire pressure or is the suspension just that sensitive that it just picks up the road defects or not being perfectly smooth.

I had the same sensation (M-sport with regular suspension) - Couldn't live with it.. So far changed from RFT's to normal on winter tyres and it definitely gives a smoother ride. My dealer changed after 2 months at no cost.
I even had my dealer to test my car in case it was something else - He said that the RFT's give this feeling.. It's a shame the car cannot be delivered with non-RFT's.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by GBMW6612

I have a 2012 BMW X3 with the M package and I have recently noticed while driving on certain roads you will feel like a bouncing sensation not thru the steering it feels like the whole car. Does anyone else feel this or could it be something wrong with the car. Run flats? Bent rim? Maybe tire pressure or is the suspension just that sensitive that it just picks up the road defects or not being perfectly smooth.

So you have the basic X3 which IMO rides horrible. There is no X3M btw. My cousin had one and not only do you have no leg room, its slow, interior is a flashback from the Ford days.. Whats to like in this vehicle? I opted for a bigger X5 and never looked back.. I may move over to the 2014 X5 next year as I like the newer look from my older E70 X5.

I was very disappointed with the X3 line as the X1 line.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by Endless619

So you have the basic X3 which IMO rides horrible. There is no X3M btw. My cousin had one and not only do you have no leg room, its slow, interior is a flashback from the Ford days.. Whats to like in this vehicle? I opted for a bigger X5 and never looked back.. I may move over to the 2014 X5 next year as I like the newer look from my older E70 X5.

I was very disappointed with the X3 line as the X1 line.

Why did you bring back a thread that is over a year and a half old when you don't even own an X3?

[plymjack]

Originally Posted by Endless619

So you have the basic X3 which IMO rides horrible. There is no X3M btw. My cousin had one and not only do you have no leg room, its slow, interior is a flashback from the Ford days.. Whats to like in this vehicle? I opted for a bigger X5 and never looked back.. I may move over to the 2014 X5 next year as I like the newer look from my older E70 X5.

I was very disappointed with the X3 line as the X1 line.

Blimey you must have VERY long legs... I know everything in US is big but your not all 7ft are you?