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      01-16-2022, 10:07 AM   #1
GP0256
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X3M differential engagement

Hey all, just got a 2020 X3M a few weeks ago and when at slow speeds and the tire wants to spin, usually when going out of my driveway with the wheel turned, the differential is kicking in and it seems extremely harsh to me. Has anyone else experienced this or is it normal? Thinking of going to the dealer for peace of mind. Thanks I'm advance
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      01-16-2022, 10:22 AM   #2
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The car is primarily RWD. You will hear your rear wheel chirp when starting if it has gravel or 60-90 deg turns
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      01-16-2022, 10:24 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by MaxGainz View Post
The car is primarily RWD. You will hear your rear wheel chirp when starting if it has gravel or 60-90 deg turns
Yeah so it's on solid surface and I understand the engagement process as I have other AWD BMW's. But in this case, it kicks in extremely hard and makes a lout clunking noise which seems to me to be amiss. Would you agree given your experience?
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      01-16-2022, 11:41 AM   #4
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Isn't that the Ackermann turning effect? The front wheels have a larger turning arc than the rears so the rear contact patches will srub during a slow turn?
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      01-16-2022, 11:43 AM   #5
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Isn't that the Ackermann turning effect? The front wheels have a larger turning arc than the rears so the rear contact patches will srub during a slow turn?
Yeah I was wondering about that myself. Add in 25 degree weather and summer tires and it could be that plus the tires actually skipping on the pavement. It's just a bit unnerving but I may just hold off until my next oil change and have them check it. Otherwise it performs flawlessly
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      01-16-2022, 12:37 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP0256 View Post
Add in 25 degree weather and summer tires and it could be that plus the tires actually skipping on the pavement.
This is your biggest problem...
See this tread: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1887933
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      01-16-2022, 12:47 PM   #7
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I think you are describing exactly what is happening also in my GLA45 AMG with summer tires in cold weather. Perfectly normal in my case.
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      01-16-2022, 01:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 95wildtt View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GP0256 View Post
Add in 25 degree weather and summer tires and it could be that plus the tires actually skipping on the pavement.
This is your biggest problem...
See this tread: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1887933
Thank you. I am very aware summer tires should not be driven in the winter but where we live it doesn't really snow and we have other cars for that weather. My question is though, is it the tires or the differential? To me it feels like the differential engaging and it engages super hard, not the tires scrubbing. Maybe I'll have my fiancé drive it slow out of the driveway and take a slow motion video and see what happens. Thanks again for the thread
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      01-16-2022, 01:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fatalius View Post
I think you are describing exactly what is happening also in my GLA45 AMG with summer tires in cold weather. Perfectly normal in my case.
Good to hear. I'm not terribly concerned but just thought it was weird and the car is new to me. Also note, one time it happened in reverse pulling into my side entrance garage where the front wheels were in the grass but the wheel was dead straight which eliminates some of the scrubbing debate
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      01-16-2022, 03:26 PM   #10
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That's just the LSD effect - mine does it.
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      01-16-2022, 03:33 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by kzg1969 View Post
That's just the LSD effect - mine does it.
I'm glad to hear that. I never felt it kick in so abruptly
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      01-16-2022, 06:02 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP0256 View Post
Thank you. I am very aware summer tires should not be driven in the winter but where we live it doesn't really snow and we have other cars for that weather. My question is though, is it the tires or the differential? To me it feels like the differential engaging and it engages super hard, not the tires scrubbing. Maybe I'll have my fiancé drive it slow out of the driveway and take a slow motion video and see what happens. Thanks again for the thread
My bet is on tires. My summers did this (contis) when it got below 45 degrees.

Once the winters were put on it immediately stopped.

One thing to note, winter tires are not only for snow - they are for cold. Summer tires can be dangerous in cold with no snow in sight - especially so when it is wet/damp.

Summers driven in cold can also damage the tires (Continental has a warning on their site). Not to try to convince you into getting winters or all seasons, just FYI.
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      01-16-2022, 06:07 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spta97 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GP0256 View Post
Thank you. I am very aware summer tires should not be driven in the winter but where we live it doesn't really snow and we have other cars for that weather. My question is though, is it the tires or the differential? To me it feels like the differential engaging and it engages super hard, not the tires scrubbing. Maybe I'll have my fiancé drive it slow out of the driveway and take a slow motion video and see what happens. Thanks again for the thread
My bet is on tires. My summers did this (contis) when it got below 45 degrees.

Once the winters were put on it immediately stopped.

One thing to note, winter tires are not only for snow - they are for cold. Summer tires can be dangerous in cold with no snow in sight - especially so when it is wet/damp.

Summers driven in cold can also damage the tires (Continental has a warning on their site). Not to try to convince you into getting winters or all seasons, just FYI.
Totally agree and thanks for the input. We won't even drive this car in the snow we just got excited to take it out on a dry, cold day! I used to teach winter driving school and I agree, a worn Blizzak or Ice-X is better than a new all season in snow let alone the summer rubber I got stuck with 😆
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      01-16-2022, 06:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spta97 View Post
My bet is on tires. My summers did this (contis) when it got below 45 degrees.

Once the winters were put on it immediately stopped.

One thing to note, winter tires are not only for snow - they are for cold. Summer tires can be dangerous in cold with no snow in sight - especially so when it is wet/damp.

Summers driven in cold can also damage the tires (Continental has a warning on their site). Not to try to convince you into getting winters or all seasons, just FYI.
I agree here. The summer oem conti's made the loud clunky sound which startled me at first. Once I hit it with AS4s, completely stopped.
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      01-17-2022, 08:15 AM   #15
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This sounds like wheel hop to me which is very common on regular tires when losing tracking. Especial stiff summer tires tires in the cold.
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      01-17-2022, 08:49 AM   #16
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To me it sounds like both lead to what you feel. A cause and effect...

The summer tires at 25F have much less traction. In a sharp turn, the inside rear tire kicks loose for an instant. The M Differential has to immediately compensate and sends power elsewhere. That's what you feel.

In warmer weather the tire continues to grip and the differential can smoothly transfer rotation speeds as required.

That's my theory at least.....
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      01-17-2022, 09:57 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard in NC View Post
To me it sounds like both lead to what you feel. A cause and effect...

The summer tires at 25F have much less traction. In a sharp turn, the inside rear tire kicks loose for an instant. The M Differential has to immediately compensate and sends power elsewhere. That's what you feel.

In warmer weather the tire continues to grip and the differential can smoothly transfer rotation speeds as required.

That's my theory at least.....
I like it! Thanks for the input. I'll keep everyone posted, might actually order all season 265/295's today and sap em out and see
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      01-17-2022, 09:59 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goldfz8 View Post
This sounds like wheel hop to me which is very common on regular tires when losing tracking. Especial stiff summer tires tires in the cold.
Yeah there is some wheel hop but what I am feeling is the diff kicking in.
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      01-31-2022, 12:32 PM   #19
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So after driving the car more, it is 10000% the rock hard summer tires scrubbing! Thanks for the input everyone
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      02-02-2022, 12:17 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP0256 View Post
So after driving the car more, it is 10000% the rock hard summer tires scrubbing! Thanks for the input everyone
It's really a shame that an AWD SUV (SAV) did not have the option for all season tires like it is to sit in the garage all winter long.

Did you get temp appropriate tires to resolve?

Be super careful if it is below 45 and in any way damp if on the summers.
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      02-02-2022, 12:18 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spta97 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GP0256 View Post
So after driving the car more, it is 10000% the rock hard summer tires scrubbing! Thanks for the input everyone
It's really a shame that an AWD SUV (SAV) did not have the option for all season tires like it is to sit in the garage all winter long.

Did you get temp appropriate tires to resolve?

Be super careful if it is below 45 and in any way damp if on the summers.
Being mounted as we speak
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      02-02-2022, 12:22 PM   #22
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Being mounted as we speak
Excellent! Many here are happy with the PSAS.

When I got mine they did not exist (or I wasn't aware) so I got winter wheels/tires and switch 2x per year.

I'm still not convinced that they handle as good as summers despite what I have read here but I think for most people they will be fine year round.

Makes me wonder how many Continentals ended up in the land fill as a result of the X3M....
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