X5 Shaking at Mid to High Speeds!
 

Today I found out a new problem with the X5. Just 2 days ago, it died of its battery. Looks like I'll see my rep every other day now with these service issues.

Today I was driving on the highway. I was going at 110km/h (about 65MPH). I had already driven 25km (15M) so far and everything was fine.

All of a sudden, my steering wheel started shaking and shuddering. It was a side to side motion at first. The car still went where I wanted it, but the steering wheel vibrated left and right, so I had to hold on tight.

At first I thought there was something with the road. I switched lanes, and the vibrating continued. I slowed down to 80km/h (50MPH) by letting off the gas and during the decelleration, the shaking got even worse. The whole car was violently vibrating and shaking. At 80km/h the shaking decreased, and it stopped once I reached 60km/h (38MPH). If I went above this speed, the car shook violently. It didn't matter if I was giving gas, coasting or braking - it shook.

I pulled over and checked the tires, rims and suspension for obvious damage and found nothing. The engine worked perfectly, as did everything else in the car.

I drove for another 40km (25M) at 60km/h with my hazards on. Then I tried accelerating again. It worked! I could reach 150km/h, and still no shaking. Drove at 120km/h for about 30km, and then the shaking returned again suddenly.

This time, I also noticed a constant jurking motion back and forth, too. This makes me think the clutch is slipping or something is up with the differential for the AWD. It was weird. I would give gas, and the engine would rev up 1000RPM, yet I could feel almost no acceleration. It's like the clutch wasn't engaged!

I'm bringing the car to the dealer first thing Monday morning. Any ideas?

I think I had the same thing happen to my X5. I was coming out of a toll booth and the SES light came on. Then the engine started sounding a little wierd and rough. It would come and go, like yours. Eventually it came back for good, and I kept losing speed and it wouldn't accelerate more. I got off the highway, got two green lights in a row, luckily, and then I turned into the dealer parking lot and it died completely. I had my mom in the car, because we were on the way to get the tail light fixed. That scared her and she thought that it was an unsafe car (despite the fact that almost EVERY car breaks down once in a while)... So that's the day we bought the 330xi. Anyway, I found out later that it was something with the engine coils. I had the same thing happen on the 330xi only two weeks later, but it happened while I was still in the driveway. My X5 was a '02 4.4i. Good luck!

Thanks for your input CJ, I'll suggest the engine coil theory to the dealer tomorrow.

Luckily the current mileage is 79964. The new-car warranty runs out at 80000. However, I still have the CPO warranty for another 40000 or so. :)

It doesnt sound like you have an engine related problem if it was only at certain speeds. It would be rpm related then. You don't have a clutch, so rule that out. If it was suspension, wheel, etc related, the problem wouldn't just go away, although perhaps something got caught underneath and when you slowed down it got dislodged. I would look to the something driveline related: tq converter, transmission, awd system,etc. Good luck.

Today I took a long 50km drive with the dealer's service foreman. Luckily the car reproduced the shaking and vibrating...

Turns out that:

1) My front-right brake rotor is slightly warped
2) My front-right brake caliper isn't releasing in sync
3) My front-right brake pad is wearing out unevenly

They should have the car ready by tomorrow lunchtime as they are busy. I'll let you know what the final replacement verdict is, as this was the foreman's theory.

I thought it might be brake related...I've had the shakes for couple years of undiagnosed, uncaring glances by the Stlr(s). When I got new pads and rotors last Friday, under ext Maint, it is much better, though I still have a steer wheel "wobble" at any speed above walking pace and the frequency of the wobble increases w/speed. I'm thinking wheel balance as the bal job is original, but no high tech wheel balancing joint here in hillbillyheaven. GL with your fix, Ian.

Hey Bavarian, what did your problem end up being? My X5 is doing the exact same thing and I suspect its what you were told it could be. On the streets its drivable on the highways it shake violently. So bad that the glove box opens at times. YET, there are times when I could be doing 75pmh for 8 seconds and nothing happens, let off the gas and it'll start shaking. Mine just started last night. Tightened up the lugs thins morning thinking that could be it but it wasn't, I had to take the streets to work and I was 20 minutes late. Thanks

Good luck asking for follow up on a six year old thread. The OP hasn't posted in five years now. Suggest you start a new thread.

Thanks... I need brakes anyways, I'm going to change them as soon as I get out of work and if that doesn't get rid of the shaking I'll post it tomorrow.