steering/front end issues?
 

I am now over 2000 miles on the 2010 x5 35d. Mostly loving it, except for a little complaint with the front end. On uneven or rutted roads, the steering has a life of its own. The tires tramline (follow the ruts like they are on rails, meaning I have to fight it with a close grip on the wheel.) Haven't (in a long time) experienced this with prior trucks, and my 2003 X5 was not prone (it had other front end issues). There is no vibration in the wheel at any speed, and no pull to the side when braking on flat surfaces. The car just hates bad or rutted road surfaces (by "rutted", I do not mean unpaved). I find, however, that the steering feel is MUCH lighter than the 2003, despite what I have read. Essentially, I have floaty steering on less than ideal road surfaces, and the tires seem to catch every bump and follow its contours. When the road is perfect, the problem isn't a problem.

I once had a mid-80s Buick station wagon, with GM's early attempt at front wheel drive (before SAAB taught them how to do it right). Its overkill power steering and floaty front end was similar.

Anyone else having this, or have any ideas if this is a specific problem? Drove the car straight from the factory so no techs have ever had the car on a regular road before.

Have you tried to deflate your front tire ?
What is your cold pressure ? 2,3 bars ?

good thought. I'll check and report back.

what size wheels do you have? i have 19s (2008 4.8i) with 40k miles on them and have never experienced this.

Is it the Run Flats? My Z4 tramlines like a mother because of those stupid tires. Im just too cheap to replace them until they wear out. I dont notice this on my x5 however.

runflat Michilins. My first impression of them was that the ride is very good, but having the wheel tug each time the car encounters an imperfection in the road is VERY annoying. Didn't have this problem with my 2003 X5.

I have some Bridgestone Snow tires which are Run Flats on my car now. I had them put on the day after I got the car (I have Bridgestones) and do not notice Tram Lining. We will see what happens when I put the others back on.

Have your wheel alignment checked. I have had similar following ruts problems that were corrected by a proper wheel alignment on other cars. Be sure to mention the problem to the alignment shop. Also make sure that you go to a good shop that specializes in alignment. I would not trust a dealer on this.

Chuck

if alignment was out, wouldn't there be some vibration at highway speed? or is that just if wheels are not balanced? Car tracks straight when breaking hard on flat surface.

Most definitely NOT.

You can be out of alignment and have no clue until you tires wear out at 8000 miles. Or you can have skittish handling, or tramlining.

A dealer could check the alignment under the warranty, but likely you will get a 'could not duplicate' on the test drive. GIve it a shot though, maybe you have a good relationship with your SA.

I would never pay a dealer for an alignment- I use a specialized shop for all my alignment needs, where they let me set the spec to exactly where I want, within the BMW spec.

Be forewarned: The wide BMW specs allow settings that will result in a broad variability in wear. I always recommend setting on the minimum side of the toe range.

A