[M40iG01]

brutal ! I have another m40i with 1600kms not bad for a loaner. not as nice as mine but cant really complain

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by M40iG01

my yesterday (friday) afternoon update was the factory engineers directed the shop Forman to fill the x3 with weights and road test. After the road test the factory said to complete an alignment. Following the alignment they road tested again and there was no change with the vibration. The factory then said to add more weights and re road test and the Forman declined the request and said he wouldn't do it as the issue has nothing to do with alignment. They are now trying to have a "expensive part" approved by the factory which I think is the rear differential.

my observations are that the factory has really no idea what is causing the vibration and there is no end in sight.

until the next update....

Sounds like these so called engineers are just going to throw parts into it hoping to fix it instead of analyzing it properly and curing the problem.
Are you sure they aren't just mechanics (aka, parts changers)?

[M40iG01]

my understanding is the dealer service formen/technicians are doing what they are being directed to do by the factory engineers. I think that each part they install has to be approved by the factory prior to them installing it. This is likely so that the dealer can be compensated for the labour.
They claim they have some type of vibration analysis tool that is being used to find the area of the vibration

I would agree with you that it would be nice if they could properly diagnose the problem however, it seems they gave up and have actually moved to changing parts...

[Go FasTA]

Originally Posted by M40iG01

my understanding is the dealer service formen/technicians are doing what they are being directed to do by the factory engineers. I think that each part they install has to be approved by the factory prior to them installing it. This is likely so that the dealer can be compensated for the labour.
They claim they have some type of vibration analysis tool that is being used to find the area of the vibration

I would agree with you that it would be nice if they could properly diagnose the problem however, it seems they gave up and have actually moved to changing parts...

My dealership attempted one parts change (rear diff) at the direction of the factory engineer and regional tech, but it made no difference. My sales manager informed me when I took delivery of my 2019 that BMW had asked for my 2018 back and was sending it to the factory for them to tear down and investigate. Perhaps it will help them diagnose the root cause and come up with a plan for addressing those with the same issue.

[OB1]

Update: Took the X3M40 back to the dealer, they recognized the vibration. They put new wheels and tires on with no change. They tighten all the drivetrain and body bolts with no change. They test drove a newly delivered X3M4 and discovered the same issue. The dealer told me there is nothing they can do and I should call BMW/USA customer service. The customer service folks told me there is nothing they can do, I should work it out with the dealer. Can anyone help me out of the issue?

[RegieX]

Originally Posted by OB1

Update: Took the X3M40 back to the dealer, they recognized the vibration. They put new wheels and tires on with no change. They tighten all the drivetrain and body bolts with no change. They test drove a newly delivered X3M4 and discovered the same issue. The dealer told me there is nothing they can do and I should call BMW/USA customer service. The customer service folks told me there is nothing they can do, I should work it out with the dealer. Can anyone help me out of the issue?

I would get the ball rolling on the Lemon law trail.

[Lux700]

Originally Posted by OB1

Update: Took the X3M40 back to the dealer, they recognized the vibration. They put new wheels and tires on with no change. They tighten all the drivetrain and body bolts with no change. They test drove a newly delivered X3M4 and discovered the same issue. The dealer told me there is nothing they can do and I should call BMW/USA customer service. The customer service folks told me there is nothing they can do, I should work it out with the dealer. Can anyone help me out of the issue?

Utterly atrocious, take them to court!

[M40iG01]

absolutely. I am just waiting to see what the next step is with my vibration issue otherwise we are going to be headed to court! They cant expect us all to live with a horrid vibration ! If that is the case we should have bought a GM product.

[wannax3?]

Waited 2 months for M40i delivery, reached dealer this week. Just cancelled the order, to avoid the steering vibration problem discussed here. Wife is not happy, neither am I. Felt I needed to bail out.

I assume this problem is restricted to M40i, doesn't affect the 30?

[RegieX]

Originally Posted by wannax3?

Waited 6 months for M40i delivery, reached dealer this week. Just cancelled the order, to avoid the steering vibration problem discussed here. Wife is not happy, neither am I. Felt I needed to bail out.

I assume this problem is restricted to M40i, doesn't affect the 30?

Provided that this forum is heavily populated by M40i owners, I still have not seen a 30i owner report the same problem here.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by wannax3?

Waited 2 months for M40i delivery, reached dealer this week. Just cancelled the order, to avoid the steering vibration problem discussed here. Wife is not happy, neither am I. Felt I needed to bail out.

I assume this problem is restricted to M40i, doesn't affect the 30?

I think that may have been rash...IMO. I have one, no vibration. Furthermore, 6 or 8 individuals who are claiming they have the vibration doesn't mean they all have the issue. ANY vehicle, not just BMW can have a potential issue.

Even if mine develops this over time, it's warranty

[skier219]

Originally Posted by wannax3?

Waited 2 months for M40i delivery, reached dealer this week. Just cancelled the order, to avoid the steering vibration problem discussed here. Wife is not happy, neither am I. Felt I needed to bail out.

I assume this problem is restricted to M40i, doesn't affect the 30?

I don't think this is a universal problem on every M40i -- mine certainly doesn't have any issues thus far. I sure wouldn't have bailed out of an order, at least not without a test drive first.

[wannax3?]

Originally Posted by skier219

I don't think this is a universal problem on every M40i -- mine certainly doesn't have any issues thus far. I sure wouldn't have bailed out of an order, at least not without a test drive first.

Test drive wouldn’t show problem that comes up later. I agree that bailing is extreme, but so is the problem.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by skier219

I don't think this is a universal problem on every M40i -- mine certainly doesn't have any issues thus far. I sure wouldn't have bailed out of an order, at least not without a test drive first.

Agreed. And even if it proves to be universal, they'll figure it out and issue a recall or an SIB.

[aclockwrk]

I have the same problem M40i bought new Dec 2017 and currently have 20,800 miles. The vibration started about 4,000 miles ago. It's anywhere between 48 and 55 mph any mode (efficient, comfort, sport, sport+), I do notice that if you have constant throttle in this speed range it's very noticeable. Tried shifting to see if it's rpm based but it's still there but maybe less so. When coasting it basically goes away in the same speed range. I also tried efficient and coasting where it disengages the driveshaft and it seems to go away. Again its only the steering wheel when you hold it. It's not like out of balance tires that cause the wheel to shake to the point that you see it shaking. Very strange. I will take it in at the next oil service in about a month or so based on the amount of miles I put on it. It's a very annoying problem especially for roads with 45 to 50 mph speed limits.

[BMWZ4]

Maybe bad batch of drive shafts, or incorrectly assembled

[BMWZ4]

Just thinking about this...had a similar issue years ago on a 2010 4runner...turned out to be warped or out of round front rotors - actually was a manufacturing defect (new car as well)

Just a thought

[M40iG01]

All my drive shafts have been replaced with no change in vibration. Service is now trying to obtain approval from BMW Factory for the replacement of the differential. Others on here have had the differential replaced and the vibration still persists. I've been without my M40 for nearly 2 months. Really hope this is isolated to only a few of them. First BMW and what an awful experience.

[TxHornX3M40iGuy]

I've had mine at the dealer twice now for the vibration. First time, foreman said they needed to reprogram something and were advised that would fix the issue. Nope. Brought it back a week later, was told that it was likely my aftermarket wheels (no way), and if it persisted, to bring it back and they'd try some factory wheels on it to see if it's still there. So I guess I'll be taking it in this next week to let them try that. This is super obnoxious and inconvenient.
I've also got a weird buzz sound that comes and goes (almost sounds like a soft frog croak) behind the dash that they couldn't duplicate (of course), but refused to look into it even though I sent the service advisor a video of the noise happening. Not impressed with BMW so far.

[RegieX]

what if the vibration is coming from faulty lane correction vibration?

[RevNev]

Originally Posted by RegieX

what if the vibration is coming from faulty lane correction vibration?

That's a good point

Has the vibration been reported on right hand drive versions given that everything steering wise is on the opposite side in the chassis? My RHD version hasn't got enough Km's on it but it doesn't have any vibrations other than lane correction yet.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by RegieX

what if the vibration is coming from faulty lane correction vibration?

Excellent question