[phillyg!]

Hello,

Recently I installed ECS tuning coilovers on my 2011 bmw 328i E90 N51.
After the install, there were no immediate vibration problems. A few days later, I got new set of wheels and tires on the car, which ever since then I have been having pretty rough steering wheel and overall car vibrations.
I have gotten the wheels re-balanced 3 times, an alignment, and checked for loose bolts.
The rear of the car sits slightly lower than the front now, I’m wondering if this could be a driveshaft issue?
My old wheels were genuine 2011 bmw 17inch 225 45 17 tires
New wheels are genuine 1999 bmw 16x7 inch with 205 55 16 tires. There is no issues with rubbing or clearance.
No issues with vibration or steering wheel shaking before the new tires.

Aside from the steering wheel vibrations, the seats and rest of the car also shake.
The weird part is the fact that this is not constant. While the vibrations are present most of the time, sometimes it will disappear and come back soon after, usually after a left turn.

Picture attached

Any ideas??

Thanks

-Phil

[lordnikon]

Ahh the infamous steering wheel vibration. I've been chasing the same thing for months, still haven't found a solution. I had the front tension arm bushings replaced, tires balanced 3 times, there is still a shake. Sometimes it's there sometimes it's worse at different highway speeds.

See this as well:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=674537

[phillyg!]

Thanks for the input. I saw thrust arms and ball joints quite a few times in that thread, might be worth a shot. Also good to mention I got my wheels straightened as well.

[bmwbob89]

What were the wheels off of? Center holes might be different.

[phillyg!]

They seem to sit nicely all the way around.
Wheels off a 1999 bmw 528i
Mounted on 2011 328i

[Jaytabz21]

I don’t know if this would even help but I had an issue with the steering wheel shaking also. It would be most noticeable around highway speed and when I’m braking (fast and slow speeds).

Culprit was having one tire in the front that was different (tire was destroyed and had to get another tire). Moved that tire to the back and the shaking steering wheel was non existent. As for the shaking while braking, I changed my brakes all around and that resolved that issue.

[bmwbob89]

You have to look it up. But I believe the center hole larger on those wheels. If that's a case you can buy a plastic piece to put in to take up the space. Common shimmy culprit.

[lowrydr310]

^^^ good suggestion on the center hole.

Also check the tires for roundness. I chased a steering wheel vibration for a long time, had the tires road force balanced twice until the third tire shop showed me that the tire had a defect and wasn't perfectly round. There was an obvious high and low spot as it spun. It balanced fine, just a wobble as it spun at high speed.

I drove like that for 3 years since there was a lot of tread left on those tires, and I'm cheap - only a problem at highway speeds which I usually don't get to.

Fast forward to last week when I finally replaced them with a set of Michelin PS4s and holy crap what an improvement. Zero vibrations, ride and handling are absolutely amazing now.

[fleetfoot]

Try playing with your tire pressures. Going from 33psi up to 38psi (cold) made a big difference for my vibration levels after my suspension upgrades.

[bmwbob89]

https://images.app.goo.gl/BeAB6a5cWfxciUZX8
You need these.

[phillyg!]

Ordered. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Thank you sir

[bmwbob89]

Good to know E39 wheels fit. I have a set of E39 530 wheels In the basement.

[phillyg!]

Yes sir fit perfectly when I did the mock up in regards to bolt pattern and size. Mistakenly didn’t pay much attention at first to the center bore size.

[phillyg!]

Went under the car on Sunday and found the lower control arm bolt slightly loose. Vibration was still pretty bad but maybe a little bit better.
Installed the hub centric rings last night, car drives very smooth no vibration at all. Crazy how much difference 2mm can make.
Thanks for the idea!

[bmwbob89]

This was a big probably eighties. You're welcome.