[Th3xf4ctor]

First of all, I've taken the car in once and then have said that this is normal, which I clearly believe to be BS. It's getting to the point where it has the potential to cause a severe accident.


Problem:

Couple of months ago I noticed that anytime I hit a divot in the road or go over a bump that leads to a drainage area (weird Texas road construction), the wheel (steering) and the actual wheels that touch the road jerk in either the right or left direction forcing me to have to correct. Now, obviously when going at higher speeds this has the possibly to have the car just veer in some random direction.

When driving on roads that look to be lumpy (best way to describe it), the car does the same thing and the steering wheel and actual wheels pull left and right and i constantly have to correct so that I am traveling straight.


What might this problem be? Please tell me I'm not smoking crack and that this shouldn't happen like I believe.

[335NJ]

Do you have Active Steering? Maybe a sensor or something. I'm currently learning a lot about AS since my buddy is having some weird issues with his.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

First of all, I've taken the car in once and then have said that this is normal, which I clearly believe to be BS. It's getting to the point where it has the potential to cause a severe accident.


Problem:

Couple of months ago I noticed that anytime I hit a divot in the road or go over a bump that leads to a drainage area (weird Texas road construction), the wheel (steering) and the actual wheels that touch the road jerk in either the right or left direction forcing me to have to correct. Now, obviously when going at higher speeds this has the possibly to have the car just veer in some random direction.

When driving on roads that look to be lumpy (best way to describe it), the car does the same thing and the steering wheel and actual wheels pull left and right and i constantly have to correct so that I am traveling straight.


What might this problem be? Please tell me I'm not smoking crack and that this shouldn't happen like I believe.

How long have you owned the vehicle?
(Attempting to assess you are, in fact, smoking crack)

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Do you have Active Steering? Maybe a sensor or something. I'm currently learning a lot about AS since my buddy is having some weird issues with his.

I do not have active steering. I have the M-sport package which has the sport suspension.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by Douche

How long have you owned the vehicle?
(Attempting to assess you are, in fact, smoking crack)

Owned the vehicle since new on July 9, 2011. Was picked up in Munich. Seems it began to get worse since I moved to Texas....Texas

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

Owned the vehicle since new on July 9, 2011. Was picked up in Munich. Seems it began to get worse since I moved to Texas....Texas

OIC. I asked because mine actually feels a lot heavy when going through a bad road. First car in which I experience this. I do not have active steering, but I related to having the Sport Suspension, as you do.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by Douche

OIC. I asked because mine actually feels a lot heavy when going through a bad road. First car in which I experience this. I do not have active steering, but I related to having the Sport Suspension, as you do.

OIC? I know my steering is "hard" , but that is due to hydraulic steering which I love because I can feel when I'm losing the car.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

OIC? I know my steering is "hard" , but that is due to hydraulic steering which I love because I can feel when I'm losing the car.

Oh I See. OIC.

I wasn't talking about it being "hard" as in heavy. And you're wrong, it's not because it's hydraulic, many hydraulic power steering cars have a much lighter steering.

I was referring to it being hard as in it tries to pull and veer to the sides where lumps on the road are, which is what I thought your post was about, but now I just think you're trolling... So stop with the pipe.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by Douche

Oh I See. OIC.

I wasn't talking about it being "hard" as in heavy. And you're wrong, it's not because it's hydraulic, many hydraulic power steering cars have a much lighter steering.

I was referring to it being hard as in it tries to pull and veer to the sides where lumps on the road are, which is what I thought your post was about, but now I just think you're trolling... So stop with the pipe.

Not trolling. I always thought the heavier steering was due to hydraulic steering.

Please explain OIC. And lumps in the road due pull and make the car veer a lot.

[justanotherdude]

Could be grooves in the road.

There's a few roads on my way to work that I have to be careful on because the steering will pull into a certain direction. I know for a fact that my issue is indeed the roads because it happens in the same spots every time and no where else.

Just a thought.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

Not trolling. I always thought the heavier steering was due to hydraulic steering.

Please explain OIC. And lumps in the road due pull and make the car veer a lot.

OIC = Oh I See

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by angryshortbloke

Could be grooves in the road.

There's a few roads on my way to work that I have to be careful on because the steering will pull into a certain direction. I know for a fact that my issue is indeed the roads because it happens in the same spots every time and no where else.

Just a thought.

Same here... There is one spot on a slight curvy road where the car will always pull to the right. Only happens in the e92, never did it in any other car.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by angryshortbloke

Could be grooves in the road.

There's a few roads on my way to work that I have to be careful on because the steering will pull into a certain direction. I know for a fact that my issue is indeed the roads because it happens in the same spots every time and no where else.

Just a thought.

I mean it definitely happens in the same areas, or areas that i expect, I just would never think the suspension would be allow to pull that hard.

[justanotherdude]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

I mean it definitely happens in the same areas, or areas that i expect, I just would never think the suspension would be allow to pull that hard.

The suspension can only do so much. When the wheels get into the grooves, it's like you're putting the car on tracks, it'll follow because it's the path of least resistance. That creates the pull that you find yourself correcting, even the best suspension will still follow tracks.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by angryshortbloke

The suspension can only do so much. When the wheels get into the grooves, it's like you're putting the car on tracks, it'll follow because it's the path of least resistance. That creates the pull that you find yourself correcting, even the best suspension will still follow tracks.

appreciate the explanation.

[justanotherdude]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

appreciate the explanation.

No problem.

Just be sure to always monitor it and if something doesn't feel right, you know your car best.

[Rick F.]

Th3xf4ctor,

Does your car have run-flat tires and, if so, are they fairly worn? RFT's in general, and worn ones especially, are very subject to "tramlining," where the tires will pull strongly in reaction to crowned road surfaces, bumps, rain grooves, etc. It can be downright scary.

If your tires aren't the issue, then it's probably time for an alignment and a careful inspection of the suspension bushings. A little bit of toe-out can cause a lot of instability. Worn bushings could allow significant changes in the suspension pivot points with corresponding effects on alignment and stability.

Oh, one other point: Run-flat tire issues generally develop gradually over time as the tread wears down. Alignment and bushing problems can occur all of a sudden as a result of clobbering a pothole. If your problem developed abruptly, I'd guess it's more likely to be an alignment issue caused by a road hazard.

Good luck tracking this down--and let us know what you find.

Rick F.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by Rick F.

Th3xf4ctor,

Does your car have run-flat tires and, if so, are they fairly worn? RFT's in general, and worn ones especially, are very subject to "tramlining," where the tires will pull strongly in reaction to crowned road surfaces, bumps, rain grooves, etc. It can be downright scary.

If your tires aren't the issue, then it's probably time for an alignment and a careful inspection of the suspension bushings. A little bit of toe-out can cause a lot of instability. Worn bushings could allow significant changes in the suspension pivot points with corresponding effects on alignment and stability.

Oh, one other point: Run-flat tire issues generally develop gradually over time as the tread wears down. Alignment and bushing problems can occur all of a sudden as a result of clobbering a pothole. If your problem developed abruptly, I'd guess it's more likely to be an alignment issue caused by a road hazard.

Good luck tracking this down--and let us know what you find.

Rick F.

This sounds like it could be my issue. I am getting ready for new tires. On original potenza tires with roughly 18k on them. The issue has define fly gotten gradually worse. I'm already planning on going with non run flats for my next tire, but what you mentioned is very interesting.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by Rick F.

Th3xf4ctor,

Does your car have run-flat tires and, if so, are they fairly worn? RFT's in general, and worn ones especially, are very subject to "tramlining," where the tires will pull strongly in reaction to crowned road surfaces, bumps, rain grooves, etc. It can be downright scary.

If your tires aren't the issue, then it's probably time for an alignment and a careful inspection of the suspension bushings. A little bit of toe-out can cause a lot of instability. Worn bushings could allow significant changes in the suspension pivot points with corresponding effects on alignment and stability.

Oh, one other point: Run-flat tire issues generally develop gradually over time as the tread wears down. Alignment and bushing problems can occur all of a sudden as a result of clobbering a pothole. If your problem developed abruptly, I'd guess it's more likely to be an alignment issue caused by a road hazard.

Good luck tracking this down--and let us know what you find.

Rick F.

This +1000

Had same issue. Replaced rft and issue disappeared

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

This sounds like it could be my issue. I am getting ready for new tires. On original potenza tires with roughly 18k on them. The issue has define fly gotten gradually worse. I'm already planning on going with non run flats for my next tire, but what you mentioned is very interesting.

Th3xf4ctor,

If you consider staying with run-flat tires, I had really good luck with the Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Position RFT's I put on my 2006 Z4. They're a "third generation" run flat, designed to provide a much better ride and minimal "tramlining" while still retaining the run-flat capability. (See Tire Rack Test.) They are all-season tires, however, and not nearly as sporty as some other tires. They were fine for my purposes.

Rick F.

[Th3xf4ctor]

Originally Posted by Rick F.

Th3xf4ctor,

If you consider staying with run-flat tires, I had really good luck with the Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Position RFT's I put on my 2006 Z4. They're a "third generation" run flat, designed to provide a much better ride and minimal "tramlining" while still retaining the run-flat capability. (See Tire Rack Test.) They are all-season tires, however, and not nearly as sporty as some other tires. They were fine for my purposes.

Rick F.

I really do despise my Bridgestone potenza tires. Who the hell makes a tire with tread depth of 140

[W37V]

Originally Posted by Th3xf4ctor

I really do despise my Bridgestone potenza tires. Who the hell makes a tire with tread depth of 140

What are you talking about? Are these metric measurements of some sorts?
They are all 10/32" or 11/32"

Also, their UTQG is at least 260.