Have the suspension components checked out and make sure it is properly aligned. There could be something wrong there, but don't discount the fact that it could just be the tires though. Have you checked the tire pressure? Overinflated tires are more susceptible to tramlining/wandering.

motordavid, i agree with you. on my e28 when i went back and forth from my 15 inch balloonish wheels to my 17inch wheels, the 15 inch wheels exhibited the exact VELCRO characteristics you are talking about. the 'tramlining' was nearly a direct result of the wider contact patch and lower profile sidewall. it's very pronounced. that's why i describe this more as WANDERING, or FLOATY steering.

when i say dealer serviced, i mean that i have a 3 inch stack of paper from my dad's file with every single service visit since 2003. he was the only owner. i have consulted him on service etc since day 1.

oh and here is an IGNORANT question: i have always assumed that this SAV was 2WD. but X in bimmer-speak means 4. so does my car have AWD? : )

Yes, it does.

oh and what is the best kit to polish out the headlights? something overpriced from BavAuto? or does RMEuropean or somebody offer a more reasonably priced alternative?

holy cow. i had no idea.

what a moron. oh well. i'm never too proud to learn.

yes, i did build the megasquirt for my e28. and it runs.

If you are talking about the haze that forms on the outside of the lens, there are a bunch of different options for this and many people have had success with them. I personally used Crystal View from Advance Auto parts. Kit was $20 and instructions were as clear as can be. Here is a link to a few of my before and after photos. Starts with post #12.


http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ight-lens.html

and I get you now. You think the steering feels floaty, not like the car is tramlining.

-Yes, AWD with a permanent split of ~38/62 torque split, front to rear.
-I agree with FSETH on the Crystal View kit; toothpaste ain't
bad either as I've used that too.
-Sorry, wasn't suggesting you got snookered by dlr; didn't know it was
your father's ride.
-as a poster suggested, I would hit a local dlr, find an E53 and drive it:
I doubt you will experience any "floaty" feeling compared to your car's
description.
-Give the manual a read: an amazing amount of info.
Welcome to the best X board and, one of the best gen info boards on
the net, imo.
GL, mD

thanks for the tips on the haze. i've got a bucket of wet sanding supplies and abrasives and polishes, but i'll probably just try to get over to Advance. That's good news. I'll be sure to take some before and after photos.

thanks for all the tips. i've got to order a Bentley so i can get a handle on this thing.

I'm pretty good with electronics, but the sheer increase in electronics from Motronic 1.3 to to the 97 3 series to a 2003 X is staggering. STAGGERING.

good call on driving a used E53.

glad to be here. i'm a regular on E30tech and mye28. nice to add another Bimmer board to the list.

Not with these M54 engine model....If you know what to do to it and what to put into it..It's will turn these M54 engine to different animals