first POST! just drove it home

[msammy]

Originally Posted by Russianblue

...Maybe tramline is a bad word. The car 'floats' while at speed on the highway and requires CONSTANT input to stay in the lane. I wouldn't say it 'pulls' to one side or the other. But once it starts in one direction, it goes...

We had the same problem with our 2002 3.0i Sport when she had about 35K on the clock. It drove me nuts - it felt like this - move the steering wheel "left-right-left-right-left-right-left", etc just to keep the car in a straight line at 70 MPH. It didn't float or tramline, just constant steering input to keep the car in the lane mostly noticeable on the highway at 50+ MPH. We drove from CT to FL and when we returned I asked the wife (since it was her daily driver) if she really liked this car that much since I wanted to trade it in since it didn't have that "BMW steering feel". Well, she declined and we decided to take it in to the dealer for a look-see and they replaced the "wishbones" both right and left and the problem disappeared, the car has tracked smoothly and now has 99K on her and handles like a dream. Give it a shot - I may be way off-base but this seemed to fix our problem. Welcome and let us know how things go with your steering problem!

[JoshGM]

CONGRATULATIONS! Nice ride.

[oztme]

Welcome to our club

Regarding your tramlining problem, I haven't had it on my X, but I know in the rally car if the front suspension is set without the correct toe-in, it tram lines (something you sometimes want in a race/rally car, but not in a street car).

I think a wheel align + toe adjustment might help quite a lot...

Make sure you take it somewhere that deals with your model X5 so they know what the ideal settings are, and get them right...

HTH
Cheers
Scott.

P.S: If the suspension components are damaged/bushes are worn etc., I think that can make the toe change while driving. The wheel aligner hopefully would be able to detect this..

[J.Belknap]

Welcome to the forum and the tramlining club.

[PeteHubs]

Originally Posted by rooroo

But seriously, just know that in an emergency situation (i.e. avoidance maneuver at high speed) your X5 will do things that would flip most Suv's and spin most cars. Then, like I did, you should pull the X5 over and give it a hug and a kiss!

haha this is great, and true. Hydroplaning at 90 while changing lanes is not something you usually drive away from confidently

[alexmish]

CHECK THE TIRES PRESSURE. Overinflated or significantly different tire pressures lead to just what you've described.

Also, just because dealer did the alignment, does not mean it was done "right".

[JoshGM]

Originally Posted by PeteHubs

haha this is great, and true. Hydroplaning at 90 while changing lanes is not something you usually drive away from confidently

Talking about such (tricky) situations, I live in Africa where animals both domestic and wild pops up from no where on the highway.... talking about pulling over your X5 hug and and kiss it... I did!

I was doing about 230km/h on the highway about 4 or 5 big wild animals (I guess Kudus, I couldnt tell, I freaked out!) I guess they were either scared or spooked from somewhere in the bushes came dashing across the road just when I was passing, the first one was so close but managed to dodge it.. in a flash 3 or so more appeared I did a fast zig zag maneuver and managed to avoid the whole bunch... few meters after the "ordeal" I stopped on the side. Switch on the hazard lights. We (with 2 other passengers) came out... wondered what the hell were those animals!

While still trying to figure out about the animals one of the guys said "Thats why I love X5s..." Thats when the attention was shifted from the animals from hell to the X5.. I just went on the bonnet BMW logo and kissed It!... we talked about cars all the way....

[BGM]

Check the tire pressure. I have the 3.0 with Sport package 18" wheels and I know it's supposed to be at 38 psi but I do 32 which is what BMW recommends it not a heavy load in the car (ie if you aren't hauling kids around).

[Russianblue]

Originally Posted by BGM

Check the tire pressure. I have the 3.0 with Sport package 18" wheels and I know it's supposed to be at 38 psi but I do 32 which is what BMW recommends it not a heavy load in the car (ie if you aren't hauling kids around).

i'll do that this weekend. i wouldn't be surprised if that's the issue.

[diyanich]

I am wondering if this issue's got fixed.
Russianblue просто так или русский?