[jgo1212]

Hey guys,

I just bought a used 2011 328xi. Unfortunately I didn't notice the shaking until I hit the highway after purchasing the vehicle a day later (I drove it on a road at about 50 when test driving and didn't really feel much, attributed whatever I might've felt to the road not being smooth, everything seemed ok then).

I can feel/see it in the steering wheel and in the seat. Essentially throughout the vehicle.

At higher speeds, more prominent after accelerating and letting go of gas pedal/cruising. Doesn't completely go away when accelerating but isn't as bad as when cruising. Can feel it when slowing down from highway speed.

Now that I felt that, I can feel it a little on slower speeds under 50/40. Also, now I've noticed that letting go of steering wheel, car pulls slightly to the right.


I'm guessing alignment and tire balance are in need. (hoping not control arm or bushing going bad. I don't really hear any noises at all)....I'm planning on having this done and having the shop I do it at check the control arm while having car lifted.

It's my fault for not catching this. Any other suggestions or am I pretty much going down the right path?

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Starting with a wheel balance is good. Control arms are second.

[jgo1212]

Thanks for the reply

So I'm on the right path at least. Unfortunately because I'm battling the used dealer on this I have to make sure I describe and suggest what to look at because I have to use their preferred shops to get it paid.

Essentially this is going to be incredibly terrible. Hopefully alignment and balance does the trick.



Any ideas on the average cost of replacing control arms at indy shop/dealer?

[ahlbe1cl]

Same thing on my 2011 when i first picked it up. Wheels needed to be balanced.

The tell tale sign is if the vibration comes and goes at a speed.

Example, no vibration from 0-50. 51-65 it vibrates, then 66+ it smoothes out.

[jgo1212]

thanks, i will be finding out tommorrow or day after

I definitely feel it the same way you describe. Obviously now that I'm sensitive to it I can feel it under 50, but not anywhere close to where it is from 50-65

[jgo1212]

Originally Posted by jgo1212

thanks, i will be finding out tommorrow or day after

I definitely feel it the same way you describe. Obviously now that I'm sensitive to it I can feel it under 50, but not anywhere close to where it is from 50-65

So I got my tires balanced and an alignment. No more shaking in the steering wheel at all at any speed.

Still feel a slight shakiness in seat. Feels more bumpy, almost like it could be a tire or out-of-round wheel. Feel it more when cruising over 60.

Thinking about getting a road force balance. Any other thoughts?

[nsjames]

miles?

could be guibo, or anything driveshaft related.

[jgo1212]

97k

[jgo1212]

No noises or anything fyi

I can sometimes feel it at lower speeds, depending on road....."bumpiness" consistent with speed/tire rotation it seems

[NathanK24]

If your car is an xdrive model, confirm that you are not missing the subframe stiffening plate. Sits directly behind front belly pan. I was missing mine (even though it says do not drive without it). After putting it on, I actually felt vibrations decrease slightly, hopefully not placebo. I too need an alignment and possibly, but fingers crossed not, control arms/bushings.

Occasional pulls to side when letting off from hard throttle. Some vibrations at higher speeds. Had brand new winter tires mounted to replace my unevenly worn all seasons, and car rides very smooth. Can tell my steering is not 100% precise though, so maybe a steering alignment as well.