Vibration problem. (Engine mount issue solved)
 

I hate to do it but I may have to take this issue to the dealer unless someone has experienced this issue. This is not hard to explain but may be hard to diagnosis. Note the differences between the morning first start and after the X warms up.

1 In the morning, Idle speed with compressor off, vehicle in drive, sitting still not driving, steering wheel vibrates like a message chair. Step on accelerator vibration goes away but not completely.

2 In the morning, Idle speed with compressor on, vehicle in drive, sitting still not driving, vibration much less but still evident. Step on accelerator vibration goes away

3 After the X warms up Idle speed with compressor off, Sitting still with vehicle in drive, steering vibration less but very evident. Step on accelerator vibration goes away

4 After the X warms up Idle speed with compressor on Sitting still with vehicle in drive, vibration hardly evident.

Any thoughts. :dunno:

Engine mounts? They become more pliant when warmed up?

:iagree:

Have someone rev the engine up and down while you look at the engine. Does it rock from side to side? If it does your engine mounts are shot.

I have the same exact situation too.............but really engine mounts?

I had similar issue and it was engine mounts. So check them out.

OKAY WILL DO.:dunno:

:iagree: Classic symptoms

As the rubber cushion deteriorates the ability of Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) isolation goes away. The noise will increase to a "BUZZ" noise as everything gets worse. This is why they are made from rubber.

If you would like to experience true NVH, try a V8 american '60 vintage with solid mounts or a elephant ear mounts for a hemi application. You can even feel the alternator and water pump bearings spinning. The starter engagement feels like it is attached to your right leg.:wow:
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps1052f8b8.jpg

I changed my engine mounts because of a similar vibration issue that you describe. I have to tell you I was shocked in the difference in noise isolation quality when I changed my engine mounts. I have 106K on my 4.6is X5. If you have original mounts I would not hesitate in getting this changed. These X's are sensitive to noise vibration.

Oh and I understand why you may be a little hesitant in wanting to change the engine mounts. Its not an easy job and a little more labor involved than the standard engine mount change.

The engine in these X5's may not rock side to side even with a deteriorated engine mounts. Mine had deteriorated mounts and still held the engine upon revving but the vibration noted in the car was killing me (that little resonance felt through the steering wheel). Changed the engine mounts and like magic the vibration disappeared.

I'm going to jump on the engine mount band wagon... and mine @ 108k is on my list of things to do. I've got the tell tale signs of vibration through the steering wheel.

Will probably change trans mounts as well as a matter of completeness.

I'm pretty sure its (engine mount change) going to make a significant difference then what you are currently experiencing. The deal is many of us are meticulous on expectations of refinement that we expect in the BMW product. I knew something was wrong in my X5 with regards to the vibration because every time I got into my E39 M5 or my E39 540i wagon those kind of vibrations were not present, didn't feela thing in the steering wheel. My M5 has 92K miles and 540I Sport wagon had 173K miles, granted I changed the engine mounts on both of those vehicles, M5 at 91K and 540i wagon at 165K. So to get into the X5 and feel these slight vibrations in the wheel was just killing me. I did not really want to change the engine mounts at this juncture because its a lot more involved than the E39 cars but I had to take the plunge to get to satisfaction. By the way on the X5 I changed all of the tensioners, the alternator and power steering pump were new when I got it. So I eliminated most other areas where the vibration could be coming from and finally came back to the engine mounts.

You could also torque brake which sometimes is easier to see a broken motor mount. Foot hard on brake, parking brake full on, engine in drive, increase the rpms--engine may lift and drop back when you let off gas. Of course you have to be sure the person watching is not in front of the vehicle and nothing is in front of you.

Well isn't this interesting; I believe my indy mentioned the same thing.
I guess we're off to get engine mounts replaced next Wednesday.
Thanks to all for the info. If it works it will be like a new ride.:driver:

Me change engine mounts???:rofl::rofl: Not a chance. I'm too old to be
tackling vehicle repairs of that magnitude. I am curious about what its gonna cost.:dunno:

OMG, here's someone's process http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...unts-4-4i.html
This one is gonna get in my pocket big time…….:wow:
Oh well it's only money. I could buy a new one right??? Nope…

Yes a labor intensive job indeed.

It cost me about $800 to get those done just to give you an idea.

Hi Quick Let me know if it was the problem, I have a appointment to have this done next week ,BMW dealer gave me a price of $2400 with parts , but said He would drop the price for me .:thumbup:

Parts are cheap. About $90-$100 per mount if I recall.

Working slow, figure about 3 hrs of weekend warror time

That was it. No more vibration period. Cost $950.00

Yeah , I wish I could find a cheaper shop the a BMW dealer but, No choise for now.

There's plenty of shops if you are in the five boroughs

Well Well Well what a revelation. Glad to see this was the fix for you. I know it was not inexpensive but well worth the results. Enjoy the next chapter "Life with the X":thumbup:

Thanks. It was solved by the experts of Xoutpost. Thank you one and all.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

This is great. Awesome troubleshooting everyone. With age, we are going to all need this soon enough.

Ouch. My indy did that for me last fall (I supplied the OEM parts) for $450.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Wow the group actually came up with a correct diagnoses to the problem.

That's great! I am glad you got it fixed...

Is it necessary to have an alignment done after doing this repair?

No. Nothing on the suspension is changing. Just the compliance and height of the engine.