Should this be happening?

[np2004]

This is my first Suv an 08 4.8i I just picked up about two weeks ago. Coming from a 330ci I recently noticed when at highway speeds even the slightest amount of wind makes the X5 blow from side to side making it tough to stay in my highway lane. Is this normal since this is an Suv? or is this a sign of an alignment problem which is made worse in the wind? I always assumed even though it sits higher than a car which makes it more vunerable to wind and less aerodynamic that the added weight of the vehicle would make it even more stable at highway speeds in the wind.

[rh71]

Indeed because it sits higher.

[motordavid]

Have only driven an E70 around the block, but our 6 1/2 yr old
E53 is quite stable in any weather, including near hurricane force
winds on a few road trips. Certainly a higher CofG than a sedan,
but I don't ever recall it being "tough to stay in my highway lane"...
Weird.
GL,mD

[soldmystang]

i get bounced around when following semi's on the interstate but high winds don't seem to have any noticable effects.

[xnsf]

probably just high cross winds...or you were driving really fast

[Penguin]

If, as you say, "even the slightest amount of wind makes the X5 blow from side to side making it tough to stay in my highway lane," then something is certainly wrong. While an SAV/SUV will be significantly more sensitive to the wind, what you are describing is extraordinary -- I have driven large U-Haul trucks on the highway and that does not happen to them with the "slightest amount of wind."

You should take it to your dealer ASAP and let them test drive it, as what you are describing is quite extraordinary and they should experience it.

[np2004]

At highway speeds I mean at 65mph or more. It seems as if when there is no wind the X5 is fine at staying staight in the highway lane at 65mph plus but even the slightest amount of wind blowing causes the truck to move side to side in the lane. I could understand it being an issue in severe winds but not at extremely low wind speeds outside.

[motordavid]

I still don't get why it feels that way to you...ours tracks like a slot car
and it takes some seriousazz wind to shove it, let alone "move it around
in a lane". Maybe different levels of sensitivty as I ride M'cycles often in
substantial wind, but something is amiss or, you might consider a less
high profile car.
GL,mD

Originally Posted by np2004

At highway speeds I mean at 65mph or more. It seems as if when there is no wind the X5 is fine at staying staight in the highway lane at 65mph plus but even the slightest amount of wind blowing causes the truck to move side to side in the lane. I could understand it being an issue in severe winds but not at extremely low wind speeds outside.

[X5Jay]

Are you running huge tires (20")? It could be that you're really just feeling the tramlining affect of wide tires and it isn't really the wind...

[np2004]

I have the sports package with the all season 19 inch Michelin tires.