[Twickers]

Hi everyone. I hope you are all enjoying your new X3’s. I recently took delivery of a UK spec M40i and although I am really enjoying it, I am getting some really annoying vibrations from the steering wheel. This seems to happen on pretty much all road surfaces (bearing in mind some UK roads are really bad). The car currently has 20” Pirelli P Zeros run-flat tyres.
My local BMW dealer has had the car in and they have concluded that the vibrations felt on the steering wheel are considered in keeping with a car that has a suspension that is performance biased. I find that a little surprising as I don’t remember the steering feeling like that for the first few 300-ish miles and I have also driven many performance biased SUV’s (F-Pace, Macan, RR Sport) and have never felt it to that extent before. I have also driven a M140i which didn’t seem to vibrate as much either. I do expect some vibration, especially whilst idling but not to that extent when on the road. Obviously it’s good to have some road surface feedback but this seems excessive. I wondered if anyone has had any similar experiences with that model in particular? I did hit a pot-hole quite badly a while back and wondered if perhaps it had created an alignment issue but BMW did check that and didn't report anything untoward. I wonder if switching to 19” wheels, possibly even to non run-flats might help alleviate the problem? I would be very interested to hear from anyone who might be bale to share some insight.

Many thanks for any help.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Twickers

Hi everyone. I hope you are all enjoying your new X3's. I recently took delivery of a UK spec M40i and although I am really enjoying it, I am getting some really annoying vibrations from the steering wheel. This seems to happen on pretty much all road surfaces (bearing in mind some UK roads are really bad). The car currently has 20" Pirelli P Zeros run-flat tyres.
My local BMW dealer has had the car in and they have concluded that the vibrations felt on the steering wheel are considered in keeping with a car that has a suspension that is performance biased. I find that a little surprising as I don't remember the steering feeling like that for the first few 300-ish miles and I have also driven many performance biased SUV's (F-Pace, Macan, RR Sport) and have never felt it to that extent before. I have also driven a M140i which didn't seem to vibrate as much either. I do expect some vibration, especially whilst idling but not to that extent when on the road. Obviously it's good to have some road surface feedback but this seems excessive. I wondered if anyone has had any similar experiences with that model in particular? I did hit a pot-hole quite badly a while back and wondered if perhaps it had created an alignment issue but I believe BMW did check that. I wonder if switching to 19" wheels, possibly even to non run-flats might help alleviate the problem? I would be very interested to hear from anyone who might be bale to share some insight.

Many thanks for any help.

Here's your problem:
I did hit a pot-hole quite badly a while back and wondered if perhaps it had created an alignment issue but I believe BMW did check that.

Not an alignment issue, but perhaps a bent wheel or out of balance wheel (wheel weight feel off). Does the vibration occur at all speeds or at a higher specific speed range?

[Twickers]

Originally Posted by Kief

Here's your problem:
I did hit a pot-hole quite badly a while back and wondered if perhaps it had created an alignment issue but I believe BMW did check that.

Not an alignment issue, but perhaps a bent wheel or out of balance wheel (wheel weight feel off). Does the vibration occur at all speeds or at a higher specific speed range?

Hi Kief, many thanks for that. It seems to happen at all speeds. Perhaps it is a little less noticeable at higher speeds. When driving on brand new tarmac it also eases off a little but is nevertheless always there.

[MostlyHarmless]

I would tend to agree with Kief; sounds like you lost a wheel weight and/or damaged the wheel when you hit the pothole.

I have an M40i with those exact wheels and tires and don't have any vibration whatsoever.

[Max Well]

Just to throw in another possibility, considering your title - 'Steering wheel vibration'. Could something be off on your lane change vibration unit within the steering wheel proper (assuming all other possibilities have been R/O'd)?

[arciga18]

I haven't noticed anything similar but I was part of the steering rack and pinion issues with the F30 A few years ago. That was a headache to deal with.


That was very specific at 40-50 mph issue. It requires Bmw field engineers getting involved among other professionals

Not inferring you have a major issue but it is not impossible

[edwood]

I have the exact same issue. x3 M40i - picked it up end of February. I did some experimenting today and discovered a few things.

1. It doesn't seem to matter what type of wheel. I have 19" with All-Seasons.
2. I also get the high frequency vibration between 50-55 MPH but if you come off the gas, the vibration goes away. It's only when maintaining speed and lightly giving gas.
3. I set the cruise control at 52 MPH and switched to Sport. The RPM's went to about 2k, vibration was still there but not as bad due to the change in engine pitch.
4. It seems to be a combination of two things, the hard side walls of the RFT's in resonance with the engine note. In D at 50-55, RPMs are between 1250 and 1500 with the vibration. If you either coast (no throttle) or be at any other speed, there is no high frequency vibration. Even in Sport with engine RPMs at about 2K and 50-55MPH, there is vibration but not as bad as when in Drive.
5. I recall this started happening very early on as well. I really think if you put non RFT's the issue will go away. The hard side walls translates road vibration specific at 50 to 55 or and the base engine note


Keep us posted and I will do the same!

[RichM50d]

No vibrations on mine, and I have the 20” wheels. I have noticed that the ride is very firm, so you get bounced around a lot on any imperfect (so, most!) roads. As much as I love the look of the 21” wheels, I’m so glad I don’t have them, as they’d be truly terrible on our crap roads.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by RichM50d

No vibrations on mine, and I have the 20" wheels. I have noticed that the ride is very firm, so you get bounced around a lot on any imperfect (so, most!) roads. As much as I love the look of the 21" wheels, I'm so glad I don't have them, as they'd be truly terrible on our crap roads.

I came from a E70 which used to jolt and bang over bumps and potholes on our roads and compared to that the M40i is amazingly smooth, do you have adaptive option?

[pskdude]

i recently started getting vibrations on my steering wheel. Mostly at idle. I think i may have had an engine mount go bad. sucks it's so early in the cars lifespan but it happens...taking it to the dealer on monday.

[Go FasTA]

Originally Posted by edwood

I have the exact same issue. x3 M40i - picked it up end of February. I did some experimenting today and discovered a few things.

1. It doesn't seem to matter what type of wheel. I have 19" with All-Seasons.
2. I also get the high frequency vibration between 50-55 MPH but if you come off the gas, the vibration goes away. It's only when maintaining speed and lightly giving gas.
3. I set the cruise control at 52 MPH and switched to Sport. The RPM's went to about 2k, vibration was still there but not as bad due to the change in engine pitch.
4. It seems to be a combination of two things, the hard side walls of the RFT's in resonance with the engine note. In D at 50-55, RPMs are between 1250 and 1500 with the vibration. If you either coast (no throttle) or be at any other speed, there is no high frequency vibration. Even in Sport with engine RPMs at about 2K and 50-55MPH, there is vibration but not as bad as when in Drive.
5. I recall this started happening very early on as well. I really think if you put non RFT's the issue will go away. The hard side walls translates road vibration specific at 50 to 55 or and the base engine note


Keep us posted and I will do the same!

It's interesting that you're starting to have similar issues. BMW has 3 corporate guys working on my case and are expected to contact my dealer any day with a plan. They admit there is a problem, but don't currently know what is causing it or how to fix it. The regional rep said he thinks "it's a characteristic of the car".

[edwood]

Sounds good. I plan on bringing this up when my first maintenance is due, in a bout 1.5k miles. Yes I have the Adaptive M Suspension. I'll keep posting any updates on my end.

[pskdude]

Dropped my car off on Friday. Let's see what they come back with on the vibrations.

[Go FasTA]

Good luck. I'm on day 27 without my car over 3 visits. The regional tech has been in twice to work with mine with no known cause or resolution yet. The latest is that they sent data back to an engineer at Spartanburg and are awaiting his response.

[arciga18]

Thanks for the update.

[edwood]

Same...thanks for the update.

[kamek]

Subscribed.

I get a vibration too in the lower RPM range when on the highway. Thought it was that the wheels are not balanced correctly but dealer has confirmed that is not the case. I took a ride with the shop foreman and he says all seems normal, but I figure this is one of those things that are only obvious if you drive the car enough to notice.

[OB1]

Hi, I have the same issue. Noticed vibration in steering wheel sometime after 500 miles (now 2000 miles). Recently had wheels checked at dealer and found out of balance, corrected using Road Force balancer (21" wheels). Vibration is different but still quite noticeable, seems most prevalent on mild acceleration and lower rpms, usually 45-65 mph. Returning to dealer to ride with tech, I will update after visit.

[Krill]

Hi all! Have they managed to solve the vibration issue yet?

[Go FasTA]

Originally Posted by Krill

Hi all! Have they managed to solve the vibration issue yet?

In my case they were never able to determine the cause. They did try replacing the rear differential, but it didn't make any improvement in the vibration. My dealer decided to pursue a trade assist and ordered me a new 2019 model. It's in production now and I hope to have it in a week or so.

[TxHornX3M40iGuy]

So I've had the same vibration at lower RPMs, especially in gears 5-8 and trying to accelerate, go up hill, etc. Took it in, the shop "fixed" a rear passenger rattle that they said was the sunroof, but it's still there. They also felt the vibration, said they thought there was a service bulletin out on this issue. Foreman had them recode the car and said they felt like it had been fixed apparently...
But, no. Both issues are still there and obnoxious. I'll have to take it back in again.

[Sprite531]

Greetings !
I am having exactly same issues that you guys have described - took the delivery of X3m40i back in January and vibration has started after passing 8000km sometime in July. Vibration was not stronger than LDW but very evident and intrusive while driving on paved road/hwy. I thought it was a simple fix so waited until due for first oil changes in Aug. Since then, my car is still in dealer maintenance shop over three weeks now. My dealer has confirmed that vibration from steering wheel is abnormal and has started swap out front drive axles, steering bearings and etc. But issue is still not corrected with unknown cause. They told me that dealer is waiting for further guidance from BMW Canada. However it was brought to me as one of ‘driving caracteristics’ of m40i with RFT on 21’ wheels but I was not able to agree on that with him since I have had many expriences from low profile RFTs on many performance cars. Thus pointed that if that is the case, vibration should be gone when tires & wheels are swapped out with 19’ all seasons with more sidewalls. They will perform this particular test and confirm back to me whether issues are still persist or not. I will keep you guys posted with how this pans out.