My X3MC wanders on the highway

Young04 · 05-19-2020, 08:04 PM

My brand new X3MC doesn't track very straight on the highway. Conti tires set to 33/38. Sport setting helps it a little but it still wanders. Are others experiencing this? Any fixes?

BMWZ4 · 05-19-2020, 08:08 PM

Alignment out? Some dealers will re-align for free if less than 90 days - unless you curbed it or hit a pothole?

Young04 · 05-19-2020, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Alignment out? Some dealers will re-align for free if less than 90 days - unless you curbed it or hit a pothole?

I'm no expert but it doesn't seem like alignment. Doesn't pull to one side. Just needs a lot of corrections

Sebap3 · 05-19-2020, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Young04

I'm no expert but it doesn't seem like alignment. Doesn't pull to one side. Just needs a lot of corrections

Maybe you just have to get used to the sensitive steering? When I picked up mine a week ago and left the dealership, I must have looked like I was a drunk driver. I went straight from a Volvo XC90 with a forgiving steering to a X4MC with a very sensitive steering, especially at highway speeds and wandered all over the lane until I got used to it.

MrItaly · 05-19-2020, 08:34 PM

I had a similar issue in Italy at high speeds with scorpion winters. I increased air pressure and resolved the issue completely. Might work for you too.

Transfer · 05-19-2020, 08:51 PM

Yes I have same problem. It is an issue primarily with road surfaces that have grooves or troughs in them and much better with truly flat surfaces. I switched from Continental to Michelin's and it didn't really change. Another thing I've noticed is I get a little torque steer at times. The steering and handling are just very sensitive. I'm at 1900 miles now and I do feel like it is a little better but maybe I've just become accustomed to it. I run tires at 36/40 cold.

Young04 · 05-19-2020, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebap3

Maybe you just have to get used to the sensitive steering? When I picked up mine a week ago and left the dealership, I must have looked like I was a drunk driver. I went straight from a Volvo XC90 with a forgiving steering to a X4MC with a very sensitive steering, especially at highway speeds and wandered all over the lane until I got used to it.

Perhaps. I will give it some time. Maybe tinker with the tire pressure.

Young04 · 05-19-2020, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transfer

Yes I have same problem. It is an issue primarily with road surfaces that have grooves or troughs in them and much better with truly flat surfaces. I switched from Continental to Michelin's and it didn't really change. Another thing I've noticed is I get a little torque steer at times. The steering and handling are just very sensitive. I'm at 1900 miles now and I do feel like it is a little better but maybe I've just become accustomed to it. I run tires at 36/40 cold.

You are likely right - that the steering is very sensitive. My other vehicle I daily drive is a JL Jeep Wrangler. It tends to wander too but because of a polar opposite reason - its got a huge dead spot on center. Even on the highway, you have to turn the wheel at least 1.5 inches for the input to register. It's going to be interesting jumping back and forth between the two.

AlpineWhite_SJ · 05-20-2020, 01:53 AM

I switched to Sport steering and it seemed to help on the highway. In comfort, I felt like I was constantly making micro-corrections.

spta97 · 05-20-2020, 08:45 AM

I've found the steering twitchy and requiring a lot of corrections due to sensitivity.

I cannot comfortably drive with one hand in this car if there are curves or bends in the road.

onfireX5 · 05-20-2020, 08:54 AM

Even though you do not have run flats, it is pointing to a tire or tire pressure problem. Our first X5 came with run flats in 2017 and the steering was horrible. Wander city. I had no choice. Pulled off new tires and put on Michelin’s non run flats. Totally different ride.

Transfer · 05-20-2020, 06:04 PM

Another observation I'm making over the last few days is that I'm noticing that my suspension feels like it softened up and my tramlining wandering steering has lessened. I wonder how much of this has to do with break in (1900 mi) or just me getting used to it.

AlexFL · 05-20-2020, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transfer

Another observation I'm making over the last few days is that I'm noticing that my suspension feels like it softened up and my tramlining wandering steering has lessened. I wonder how much of this has to do with break in (1900 mi) or just me getting used to it.

Yes, the suspension does soften up a bit after the first 2-3k miles.

j080808 · 05-21-2020, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Young04

I'm no expert but it doesn't seem like alignment. Doesn't pull to one side. Just needs a lot of corrections

I thought it was just me...lots of corrections to keep it in the lane.

In just the last 10 years I’ve driven tons of cars on tons of surfaces from tons of manufacturers, both everyday and high performance vehicles. This car is by far the hardest to keep centered in a lane.

The steering is very twitchy indeed.

kzg1969 · 05-21-2020, 02:44 PM

Previous F31 3-Series was exactly the same....constantly doing minor adjustments. Its almost like there is a dead zone at the straight ahead position. Sport steering does help. But it is annoying.

Wills2 · 05-21-2020, 03:29 PM

Mine doesn't wander but then I "drive it" it's different to my 7 series as that almost drove itself with zero effort needed but you need a hand on the tiller as the car has a sharp response either to your input or the road's, if you like to drive with one finger on the wheel it will move around.

OP's front tyre pressures seem low no need for such a difference front to rear even them up.

Wills2 · 05-21-2020, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzg1969

Previous F31 3-Series was exactly the same....constantly doing minor adjustments. Its almost like there is a dead zone at the straight ahead position. Sport steering does help. But it is annoying.

TBF if that was a 335d the automotive equivalent of Mogadon, it would rarely respond to any input the dead zone extended throughout the car.

Young04 · 05-21-2020, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wills2

Mine doesn't wander but then I "drive it" it's different to my 7 series as that almost drove itself with zero effort needed but you need a hand on the tiller as the car has a sharp response either to your input or the road's, if you like to drive with one finger on the wheel it will move around.

OP's front tyre pressures seem low no need for such a difference front to rear even them up.

33/38 is what the door jamb says.

DAC17 · 05-21-2020, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Yes, the suspension does soften up a bit after the first 2-3k miles.

I've actually noticed this after about 1500 miles. I thought it was just me getting used to it, but I'm glad to hear others are having the same experience.

kzg1969 · 05-22-2020, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wills2

TBF if that was a 335d the automotive equivalent of Mogadon.....

go on...tell us what you REALLY think

AlpineWhite_SJ · 05-22-2020, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzg1969

Previous F31 3-Series was exactly the same....constantly doing minor adjustments. Its almost like there is a dead zone at the straight ahead position. Sport steering does help. But it is annoying.

That’s how I’ve thought about it - dead zone is too wide at comfort so constantly correcting. Sport stiffens it up and narrows the window so not as constant.

KennyM340ISouthFLA. · 05-22-2020, 10:29 AM

As a few people know me i have sold my F90 and picked up an X4M comp. i agree with the steering . different feel than my F90. I been having the same issues keeping this car in the lane as it wants to wander and keeps correcting itself back into the lane. I hope i can get used to this. At this point i really do miss my F90.

05-19-2020, 08:04 PM	#1
Young04 Captain 681 Rep 854 Posts Drives: iX, i4 and 392 Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	My X3MC wanders on the highway My brand new X3MC doesn't track very straight on the highway. Conti tires set to 33/38. Sport setting helps it a little but it still wanders. Are others experiencing this? Any fixes? __________________ 2023 iX M60 2023 i4 M50 2024 Wrangler 392
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05-19-2020, 08:08 PM	#2
BMWZ4 Major General 1908 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Alignment out? Some dealers will re-align for free if less than 90 days - unless you curbed it or hit a pothole? __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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05-19-2020, 08:34 PM	#5
MrItaly Major 1305 Rep 1,221 Posts Drives: X5M Competition Join Date: May 2019 Location: Vicenza, Italy iTrader: (0)	I had a similar issue in Italy at high speeds with scorpion winters. I increased air pressure and resolved the issue completely. Might work for you too.
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05-19-2020, 08:51 PM	#6
Transfer Major General 5250 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Yes I have same problem. It is an issue primarily with road surfaces that have grooves or troughs in them and much better with truly flat surfaces. I switched from Continental to Michelin's and it didn't really change. Another thing I've noticed is I get a little torque steer at times. The steering and handling are just very sensitive. I'm at 1900 miles now and I do feel like it is a little better but maybe I've just become accustomed to it. I run tires at 36/40 cold.
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05-20-2020, 01:53 AM	#9
AlpineWhite_SJ Banned 1578 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ZCP, 2020 F97 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I switched to Sport steering and it seemed to help on the highway. In comfort, I felt like I was constantly making micro-corrections.
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05-20-2020, 08:45 AM	#10
spta97 Colonel 1390 Rep 2,220 Posts Drives: BMW 2020 X3MC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	I've found the steering twitchy and requiring a lot of corrections due to sensitivity. I cannot comfortably drive with one hand in this car if there are curves or bends in the road.
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05-20-2020, 08:54 AM	#11
onfireX5 Brigadier General 3618 Rep 4,532 Posts Drives: F90M5,F85X5M Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	Even though you do not have run flats, it is pointing to a tire or tire pressure problem. Our first X5 came with run flats in 2017 and the steering was horrible. Wander city. I had no choice. Pulled off new tires and put on Michelin’s non run flats. Totally different ride.
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05-20-2020, 06:04 PM	#12
Transfer Major General 5250 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Another observation I'm making over the last few days is that I'm noticing that my suspension feels like it softened up and my tramlining wandering steering has lessened. I wonder how much of this has to do with break in (1900 mi) or just me getting used to it.
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05-21-2020, 02:44 PM	#15
kzg1969 Lieutenant Colonel 1299 Rep 1,924 Posts Drives: X3M Comp / M3 E93 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: AberFreeze iTrader: (1)	Previous F31 3-Series was exactly the same....constantly doing minor adjustments. Its almost like there is a dead zone at the straight ahead position. Sport steering does help. But it is annoying.
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05-21-2020, 03:29 PM	#16
Wills2 Barge driver 8647 Rep 12,421 Posts Drives: 730d Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Mine doesn't wander but then I "drive it" it's different to my 7 series as that almost drove itself with zero effort needed but you need a hand on the tiller as the car has a sharp response either to your input or the road's, if you like to drive with one finger on the wheel it will move around. OP's front tyre pressures seem low no need for such a difference front to rear even them up. __________________ 730d/Z4C
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05-22-2020, 10:29 AM	#22
KennyM340ISouthFLA. Second Lieutenant 170 Rep 241 Posts Drives: X4MC Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	As a few people know me i have sold my F90 and picked up an X4M comp. i agree with the steering . different feel than my F90. I been having the same issues keeping this car in the lane as it wants to wander and keeps correcting itself back into the lane. I hope i can get used to this. At this point i really do miss my F90.
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