06 X3 shaking at speed

[ac22]

I have had my 2006 CPO for a few months now and all has been great...

But, in the last few days it has been giving me some big problems and even the dealer cant figure it out.

About 4 hours into the 5 hour drive from Toronto to Montreal, the car started shaking..It would shake between 100 and 120 kph and only when I was on the throttle or going up hill. As soon as i let off even a bit it would stop. This happened a few times but went away. Then on the way home it started again. About 2 hours into the drive and this time got even worse. Again between 100-120 and only when i was on the gas or going up a hill.

So I took it to the dealer and they drove it and checked it and all seams fine.
I know its not the wheels (balancing, ice stuck in there, bearings etc) as the shaking would only happen when on the gas. At the same speed with no gas on it would not shake. I guess i can also conclude that the car has to be hot as it occurs after i am driving for a while.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? what could it be? Drive shaft or drive shaft bearings? transmission? Any help is appreciated. It is now getting frustrating as the dealer has zero issues when they have it and drive it for a bit but it only happens after a while and they cant have someone drive it for three hours .lol.

[AzNMpower32]

Transfer case? Bad tank of fuel?

Does this happen in a specific gear or at any point between 100-120 km/h?

[ac22]

It seams that its happening is all gears between 100-130kph(stepped on it to see and although it downshifted, it still did it).

[JoshGM]

hhmn? Thats a hard one what came into my mind was balancing.... ok ok wait a minute I used to have similar problem with my 318iM at 120-130km/h but it was CONTROL ARMS (after I even changed costy shocks!), do X5 have control arms anyway?? somebody out there?... the control arms to the wheel for my car had a 'play' between the arm and the sock... seal rubbers where gone creating play or room between the male and the female! One garage checked this one out only after they lifted the car up and walk under but this other stupid guy at another garage said its shocks! (and I replaced!), only to see very little change. I replaced both left and right Control Arms and I was back in business... all the way to 195km/h!

[jackmeyer]

It seems that we have a similar problem. Ours is an 07, standard shift. Is yours a standard shift? Our problem started around 30,000 miles. I first noticed it with cruise control on at 62 mph going up hill. If I increase the speed it will continue to shake, well past 70 mph. As soon as I take the load off it gets smooth. I can duplicate it on a flat road, in either 4th, 5th, or 6th gear, when accelerating for a short period of time in each gear while it is under load. It happens with snow tires that are on rims & with the tires & rims that came with the car. It was under the 50,000 mile warranty, so they
replaced the GYBO on the driveshaft & the vibration disappeared for about 7,000 miles. Then the vibration returned & they replaced the front transfer case, but that didn't fix it. They do not want to replace the GYBO, this time. The dealership is behind us, but their hands are tied, because the Factory Rep,
feels the vibration but claims that it is "normal". It seems to be getting worse.
How are you doing with yours?

[pete_c]

I never really paid much attention but occassionally see (feel) similiar on my '06 with now 38K miles on the OD.

Best way to test is just to accelerate very slowly to a certain speed (not using the speed control) and keeping it there and see what happens.

95 Kmph
100 kmph
105 kmph

feel it driving yourself.....sounds like it could be the transmission. Write down what you see and feel on a notepad. Duplicate methodology then with SA at dealer.

I've felt these "vibrations" but didn't ever pay attention with myself either just speeding up or slowing down...

My vehicle is still covered under warranty but sometimes worried about methodology of service (lack of confidence)

[srhorn]

My 2004 X3 started vibrating as well. First noticed it on cruise control going up long hills. Now I can make it happen at 35-40 by gently accelerating...and as soon as I let up on the throttle it vanishes. It will also vibrate now at 60-70. Dealer had it for a couple days and now says they 'think' it's the tranfer case...to the tune of $3200! I hate to spend that much money only to find out it doesn't resolve the problem! Has anyone really fixed this issue???

[jackmeyer]

DO NOT change the transfer case. It did not fix the problem. Mine was done under warranty, so it didn't cost me anything. After all was changed & they couldn't fix it, they declared that it was "NORMAL". For the ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE to do this is not acceptable, in my book. They did extend my warranty but that was all they would do. It does not have to heat up to vibrate.
At this point, it happens around town.
Is yours a stick shift, like mine?
Jack

[srhorn]

Mine is an automatic. I told the dealer to close it up before I make a decision on spending the $3200! So they had to re-fill it with new fluid (to the tune of $55 for a quart). Interestingly the new fluid made the vibration at 35-40 almost totally go away. The vibration from 60-70 MPH is still there though. So it may well be the Transfer Case. They said when they drained it that there were metal shards in the fluid. It sounds like BMW really should change the fluid on a schedule...so much for 'permanent' lubrication!

So I'm pondering doing the work myself with a new or used case...I can't see paying out $3200 for a six year old car with 150,000 miles on it. It's that or it's time to trade it in!

Steve

[jackmeyer]

You can pull the fuses that say 4-wheel drive, as a test. I think that there are 4 of them. The 25 amp one should shut off the servo motor. That shuts off the transfer case. We got a whole new transfer case but it didn't fix our problem.

I ran into someone, that had a 2006 automatic, & she had to keep her gas tank at least 3/4 full or it would hesitate, shudder, or vibrate.

Good luck!
Jack