Decrease in Ride Quality

DrPowers · 11-30-2006, 02:33 PM

I've noticed a decrease in ride quality over the last several months. I bought the car in late march and it seemed to ride well. I then got a flat tire and it seemed that my car rode poorly ever since.

I can feel EVERY crack in the road no matter how small it is.

Before you say anything... I dont have RFTs anymore. They were cupping and because I thought they were part of the problem I had them replaced. I now have 16" Bridgestone Potenzas. After changing tires I noticed negligible difference in the ride quality. I even had the wheels realigned... which is expensive through BMW btw.

Another note... it seems like the problem is escalated when the outside temperature is low and I'm driving in a lower speed.

I'm looking for any information or comments about this problem. Is it all in my head or is there something obvious that I should be looking for.

obLu · 11-30-2006, 03:10 PM

Check your tire pressure.

DrPowers · 11-30-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obLu

Check your tire pressure.

What is the recommended psi for front and back?

Edit: I have heard different things from Bridgestone and BMW

DrPowers · 12-01-2006, 08:17 AM

I checked the PSI and it was close if not spot on the recommended amounts in the door jam.

Any other ideas???

KL2DC · 12-01-2006, 08:22 AM

stop driving around DC ...

j/k ... Seriously, I can't think of anything else. Perhaps the OEM tire pressures specs are not suitable for your non-RFT potenzas.

ROCKETRON · 12-01-2006, 09:13 AM

i think you will have to experiment with pressures as the non runflats wont be the same pressure as runflats that are shown in door jam.

DrPowers · 12-01-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROCKETRON

i think you will have to experiment with pressures as the non runflats wont be the same pressure as runflats that are shown in door jam.

So as a guide.... does a higher PSI make the ride rougher?

BK · 12-01-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPowers

So as a guide.... does a higher PSI make the ride rougher?

Yes.

As a general rule - too low and the steering feel may seem a bit mushy, plus the sidewalls will take the brunt of the weight of the car (and as a result, could heat up and lead to tire failure in the worst case). Too high and the ride will be harsh.

DrPowers · 12-02-2006, 02:13 AM

I'll try that out tomorrow... I also noticed in some reviews of the Potenza G009 that they were notorious for a very rough ride.

DrPowers · 12-02-2006, 08:37 PM

Ok so I dropped the PSI to 25 front and 30 back... same deal. I then brought it back up to 29/ 35.

I did notice that there is a wobbly? feeling from the front left wheel. Could one of the suspensions be out of wack?

Any other ideas...

BK · 12-02-2006, 11:17 PM

Unbalanced tire? Could you have lost some of the tire weights?

DrPowers · 12-03-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Unbalanced tire? Could you have lost some of the tire weights?

I just had the tires put on... got rid of those run flats... they were balanced then.

Does the suspension get stiffer with use?

Jaws · 12-07-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPowers

I just had the tires put on... got rid of those run flats... they were balanced then.

Does the suspension get stiffer with use?

No, but it does get stiffer as it gets colder.

boyce'06 330i · 12-07-2006, 09:29 PM

The bushings on BMWs are notorious for stiffening when the ambient temperature gets cold.

DrPowers · 12-08-2006, 11:37 PM

how cold is cold???? I kindof notice this happening at temperatures around 40 deg C.

It also seemed to go away when the car warmed up.

DrPowers · 12-11-2006, 12:21 PM

Just an update: The ride does seem to get better after about 5 min of driving.

The "wobbling" stops after the car seems to warm up. could this be a characteristic of a bad bushing?

obLu · 12-11-2006, 01:38 PM

How cold is cold btw? Sounds more like tire flat spotting from sitting out in the cold.

DrPowers · 12-12-2006, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obLu

How cold is cold btw? Sounds more like tire flat spotting from sitting out in the cold.

Even for brand new tires? They dont sit out for any more than overnight. I drive this car daily.

obLu · 12-12-2006, 12:35 PM

Just a couple hours can do it if it's cold out. Mine vibrate a little in the morning if I leave my car outside. Only hits mid to low 30's here.

DrPowers · 12-12-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obLu

Just a couple hours can do it if it's cold out. Mine vibrate a little in the morning if I leave my car outside. Only hits mid to low 30's here.

Is this happening to anyone else?

BrunoT · 02-09-2007, 01:42 PM

I get some flat-spotting vibration the first few minutes of driving this E90, previous BMW's, and a Saab, so I guess it's pretty normal.

I drive a variety of vehicles (full size truck, Tacoma, BMW, Saab) and I think sometimes the more time you spend in a smooth riding car, the more you think the ride quality is bad. When I get out of the Ram and into the BMW, it's like it's a cushy Cadillac. But then after a while in it I'm thinking the same thing....it's not as smooth as before. Any chance you're just getting more attuned to the stuff that does come through from the road surfaces?

Also, as your tires wear I have always felt that the ride is less smooth.

I see that you are on 16" wheels/tires. That means you are probably wanting as smooth a ride as possible, at the expense of some grip and handling. I have 18's on now and the 16's (even runflats) were pretty smooth riding to me.

imolazhp_ci · 02-09-2007, 01:48 PM

it's because you have bridgestones. they have poor wear characteristics, deformation issues, and develope flat spots very easily. remember, this is the same company as firestone... the infamous tire exploders.

11-30-2006, 02:33 PM	#1
DrPowers Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0)	Decrease in Ride Quality I've noticed a decrease in ride quality over the last several months. I bought the car in late march and it seemed to ride well. I then got a flat tire and it seemed that my car rode poorly ever since. I can feel EVERY crack in the road no matter how small it is. Before you say anything... I dont have RFTs anymore. They were cupping and because I thought they were part of the problem I had them replaced. I now have 16" Bridgestone Potenzas. After changing tires I noticed negligible difference in the ride quality. I even had the wheels realigned... which is expensive through BMW btw. Another note... it seems like the problem is escalated when the outside temperature is low and I'm driving in a lower speed. I'm looking for any information or comments about this problem. Is it all in my head or is there something obvious that I should be looking for.
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11-30-2006, 03:10 PM	#2
obLu Major 50 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA iTrader: (1)	Check your tire pressure.
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12-01-2006, 08:17 AM	#4
DrPowers Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0)	I checked the PSI and it was close if not spot on the recommended amounts in the door jam. Any other ideas???
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12-01-2006, 08:22 AM	#5
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	stop driving around DC ... j/k ... Seriously, I can't think of anything else. Perhaps the OEM tire pressures specs are not suitable for your non-RFT potenzas. __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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12-01-2006, 09:13 AM	#6
ROCKETRON 320D M-sport le-mans blue 12 Rep 152 Posts Drives: E90 320D M-Sport le-mans blue Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: N.W London UK iTrader: (0)	i think you will have to experiment with pressures as the non runflats wont be the same pressure as runflats that are shown in door jam. __________________ ROCKETRON MAZDA CX5 2.2D 175 AUTO AWD SPORT NAV. E90 320D M-Sport Lemans blue/beige leather/wood/auto/lumbar support/folding mirrors/through load/bluetooth/pro satnav,i-drive/voice control. NOW SOLD
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12-02-2006, 02:13 AM	#9
DrPowers Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0)	I'll try that out tomorrow... I also noticed in some reviews of the Potenza G009 that they were notorious for a very rough ride.
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12-02-2006, 08:37 PM	#10
DrPowers Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0)	Ok so I dropped the PSI to 25 front and 30 back... same deal. I then brought it back up to 29/ 35. I did notice that there is a wobbly? feeling from the front left wheel. Could one of the suspensions be out of wack? Any other ideas...
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12-02-2006, 11:17 PM	#11
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Unbalanced tire? Could you have lost some of the tire weights? __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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12-07-2006, 09:29 PM	#14
boyce'06 330i Private First Class 4 Rep 134 Posts Drives: '06 330i Slvr/Gray Prem/Sport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: TN iTrader: (2)	The bushings on BMWs are notorious for stiffening when the ambient temperature gets cold.
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12-08-2006, 11:37 PM	#15
DrPowers Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0)	how cold is cold???? I kindof notice this happening at temperatures around 40 deg C. It also seemed to go away when the car warmed up.
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12-11-2006, 12:21 PM	#16
DrPowers Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0)	Just an update: The ride does seem to get better after about 5 min of driving. The "wobbling" stops after the car seems to warm up. could this be a characteristic of a bad bushing?
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12-11-2006, 01:38 PM	#17
obLu Major 50 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA iTrader: (1)	How cold is cold btw? Sounds more like tire flat spotting from sitting out in the cold.
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12-12-2006, 12:35 PM	#19
obLu Major 50 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA iTrader: (1)	Just a couple hours can do it if it's cold out. Mine vibrate a little in the morning if I leave my car outside. Only hits mid to low 30's here.
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02-09-2007, 01:42 PM	#21
BrunoT Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2012 F-150 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I get some flat-spotting vibration the first few minutes of driving this E90, previous BMW's, and a Saab, so I guess it's pretty normal. I drive a variety of vehicles (full size truck, Tacoma, BMW, Saab) and I think sometimes the more time you spend in a smooth riding car, the more you think the ride quality is bad. When I get out of the Ram and into the BMW, it's like it's a cushy Cadillac. But then after a while in it I'm thinking the same thing....it's not as smooth as before. Any chance you're just getting more attuned to the stuff that does come through from the road surfaces? Also, as your tires wear I have always felt that the ride is less smooth. I see that you are on 16" wheels/tires. That means you are probably wanting as smooth a ride as possible, at the expense of some grip and handling. I have 18's on now and the 16's (even runflats) were pretty smooth riding to me.
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02-09-2007, 01:48 PM	#22
imolazhp_ci Major 29 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: orange county iTrader: (0)	it's because you have bridgestones. they have poor wear characteristics, deformation issues, and develope flat spots very easily. remember, this is the same company as firestone... the infamous tire exploders.
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