What makes my X5 dance?

[ekimv65]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

This...

It will handle differently than the 19's i assume you had on the 4.4i. With such large & wide tires, they often want to follow any grooves in the road...my solution is to drive faster

LMAO

[FSETH]

Here is a good link that describes what you are experiencing;

Tire Tech Information - Tramlining: Coping with the Ruts in the Road

Cliff notes are that with larger wheels, lower profile performance tires and the overall crappy condition of the roads in your area all contribute to the feeling you are experiencing. It is par for the course in your situation. Make sure your tires are not over-inflated as this apparently compounds the issue.

I feel bad for those of you in the snow belt areas. Roads are like glass down here. Plus, the X doesn't get all rusted up underneath. I have seen some DIY pictures from those of you that see significant snow and it is a night and day difference.

[jbny]

I just finished a 400+ mile trip to Maine on my 4.8is, and yes at times it does feel the car is tramlining, my solution is to allways drive on the left side where most of the heavy trucks would not drive. Also I would check if the different tread pattern would cause the issue (like other members have suggested).
On a side note, this was my first long trip as well and absolutely loved the engine growl and the effortless drive....btw I was surprised how good it was on the trails with the sports tires cause my buddy had a pathfinder and I kept tellin him that i'd be stuck since x5 is basically an on road car, but to my surprise it did'nt plus the Hill Descent control proved great where even the pathfinder felt a lil out of control (as per him)

[Hit Redline]

I had this issue myself, which turned out to be an alignment issue and tires. My right rear was -3.5 and my left was -2.0 and my tires where bald on the inside of the tire and more so on the right side. Fixed alignment and replaced tires and no issue. GL

[admranger]

I was going to guess Lady GaGa, but the other responses are probably more accurate...

[thedweeb]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

This...

It will handle differently than the 19's i assume you had on the 4.4i. With such large & wide tires, they often want to follow any grooves in the road...my solution is to drive faster

LOL

[Clutch]

Thanks very much to everyone for all your advice and comments. I sense a couple of very good theories, but also some debate, no clear cut answers. That in itself is still very useful and I will pursue your ideas and re-engage the dealer if necessary. To follow up though, here is the setup on the wife's X which drives perfectly, and mine:

2005 4.4 drives fine:

Front: Michelin Diamaris 255/50R-19-V

Rear: Michelin Diamaris 285/45R-19-107V

2006 4.8is with issue:

Front: Michelin Diamaris 275/40R-20-W

Rear: Toyo Proxes 315/35R-20-106W

[Weasel]

A good first step could be getting an alignment, if the toe is too far in or out it can have the wheels fighting each other.

[bigwave2255]

why not swap the 19 inch wheels from your 4.4 onto your 4.8 and see what difference it makes, i know when i was shopping i drove a x5 on 20,s and it tramlined heaps more than the car i ended up buying with 19,s.

that said i will be up grading to after market staggered 20,s soon (well so i hope)

Ewen

[TriX5]

Hi there - I am in Bethesda and experience the same roads. My 4.4i Tramlines quite a bit with Michelin Latitude Sports but not with Dunlop M2 Wintertires. My 4.8 is (still) on Diamaris all around and does not tramline at all.

Alignment is always good to check, make sure you run at least 32psi, lower pressure exacerbates tramlining IMO.

Suggest to check if going to same thread pattern Front and Rear helps. I am about to dump my rear Diamaris for Dunlops some time next week. Will let you know what happens.