[Aperture]

I've searched the forums and I havent found a situation exactly like mine, so here goes, hope someone can help.

I have a 2006 325i with 61k miles. About a year ago and some 12k miles I started to feel a vibration while braking from speeds above 55mph. I immediately thought it was warped rotors. I didnt do anything about it at the time because it wasnt that bad.

Now I'm 2 weeks away from doing my first HPDE, so I decided to change the rotors and pads thinking this was the issue. I went with premium centric rotors and cool carbon pads. The vibration is still there!

I took it to my indi and he thinks it may be the upper control arm bushings. Really? So these failed at around 50k miles? Sounds premature. But he tells me that there isnt a sure fire way of testing the bushings for failure, so we'd have to replace them in the hopes that this is indeed the issue. And if that doesnt fix it, look at other possible causes and replace those parts. This is going to get super expensive quick.

I read that some people had similar issues, and that an alignment fixed the problem. My car tracks straight so I dont see how it could be an alignment issue, but is it possible any way?

I'm running out of time as I want this sorted out before my HPDE and would like some input. Please help!

[Bimmer This]

Did you replace rotors on all four corners or just front?

[Aperture]

Originally Posted by Bimmer This

Did you replace rotors on all four corners or just front?

I replaced rotors and pads at all four corners.

[fdriller9]

You should have taken care of it when you noticed the vibration. Regardless of where it originated from, driving around with vibrations will cause components to fail.

I'm not surprised that your bushings might be failing. 12k miles is a long time to neglect a vibration you noticeably felt.

I would look into upgrading suspension parts with M3 parts if you're interested in suspension upgrades.

Alignment won't really causes vibrations. Out of balance wheels can. Worn bushings. Bent suspension components. Failing wheel bearings. All are possibilities but aren't limited to just those.

Check for bends in the wheels. If they are bent, get them balanced. That will do more good than an alignment.

[burton727]

even if you feel your car tracks straight, i would take it to the dealer for a four wheel alignment. i needed one because my tires were cupping, even tho it was tracking perfectly straight.

[Aperture]

Just had my indi install my new M3 upper control arms to see if this would resolve the issue and it didnt change at all.

Did a run out check on the rotors and hubs and the passenger side rotor had like 4 thousandths of an inch off on one spot. Tomorrow he's going to resurface both front rotors to see if that fixes it. I'm definitely not happy about resurfacing brand new rotors.

[The HACK]

Sometimes wheels that are slightly out of round may exhibit symptoms similar (ie vibration only when braking from high speed). Also early symptoms of wheel bearing issues may share similar symptoms.

[ALL4_3SERIES]

So yesterday I picked up my brand new 2011 BMW 328xi from the local German dealer in Mainz. I was super stoked. This is my first BMW. After picking it up, I started feeling a vibration and a studdering in the brake pedal. All of a sudden I came to a stop on the autobahn due to a stau (traffic jam) and "POP!" I immediately thought it was something in my drivetrain, but nope my right rear brake caliper snapped in half and lodged into my now cracked wheel. Long story short, could not get off autobahn due to brake caliper preventing wheel from spinning and now I am in a rental with 15 miles on my new car sitting back at the dealership. BMW of course is paying for a new tire, wheel, brake assembly, rental car, tow, and everything in between, but now I am very scared of taking this car on the road. Anyone heard of this happening before? I am not sure what to think of this. Any ideas on what could've happened?

[Aperture]

Originally Posted by Aperture

Just had my indi install my new M3 upper control arms to see if this would resolve the issue and it didnt change at all.

Did a run out check on the rotors and hubs and the passenger side rotor had like 4 thousandths of an inch off on one spot. Tomorrow he's going to resurface both front rotors to see if that fixes it. I'm definitely not happy about resurfacing brand new rotors.

Well I got my 2 week old rotors resurfaced and sure enough that stopped the vibration during braking at high speeds, but there was still some vibration while driving at around 70-80mph. I had the tires road force balanced and an alignment. Alignment was way off.

The vibration got better, but is still slightly there. Now I'm thinking the front tires are bad from the alignment having been so far off. Although it didnt pull to either side.

[ciomas]

happened to me before - simple wheel balancing took care of it

[4turbo]

to: Aperture
I have the same problem as you and I want to ask you if you found any solution. Did the vibration disappeared or amplified over time?
Thank you in advance for your answer.

[Aperture]

The vibration is still there and its gotten worse. I thought it may have been a bent rim so I waited until I could put on my winter rims and tires to see if that was the case, but it still does it. I feel it a little less cuz the snow tires are narrower and have a smaller contact patch with the road, but its definitely still there. After the new year I will be bringing it back to my indi to have another look but I'm losing hope that I will be able to repair this at a reasonable cost.

[hennigan]

I had a similar situation (2006 330xi 115K miles) where the steering wheel was shaking, sometimes violently when braking, seemed worst when decelerating from 50 to 40mph. My local indy replaced the control arm bushings saying they were a little soft ($215US total) and sure enough that got rid of the problem.

[JayTdotP]

Im having bad vibration issues, usually braking at 70++Kms

ive recently snapped my rear right lower control arm, from spinning out and slamming into a curb.

got that fixed and a allignment but then thats when vibration showed up. i thought it was because my winter wheels were bent .. just switched them to my summer wheels.. i am about to replace all rotors and brakes, to see if the vibration goes away, but does anyone know what else i should be looking to replace.

since i hit the curb really bad.

[goeslikeschnell]

Aperture, did you ever get a resolution on this? I just put new centric rotors and cool carbon pads on my Z4 and am experiencing the same issues as you. Just had the front control arm bushings replaced and am still having the vibration.

[Aperture]

Sorry to say the issue was never resolved. I dont think it was brake related since I ended up going with stop tech rotors and hawk pads this year and the shaking was still there.

I got tired of it and traded it in for an 07 335i coupe. That ended up fixing my problem.

[goeslikeschnell]

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. Sounds like I may have to dive into my suspension bushings. Enjoy the 335!

[asus389]

I have this exact same problem with my 2006 325i. I had new thrust arm bushings put in 6 months ago and the problem continues. I had my rotors resurfaced once, and the vibration when braking (40-60mph range) was reduced, but the vibration while driving in the same range remained. Now the vibration while braking is back. Inspection of my car shows everything "fine" with the suspension, wheels, tires. Obviously someone is missing something. I'm open to anyone's ideas as this is frustrating and ruins the driving experience.

[vwetish]

did you ever solve the issue?

[balgopi]

any updates guys?

[butanmist]

Originally Posted by Aperture

I've searched the forums and I havent found a situation exactly like mine, so here goes, hope someone can help.

I have a 2006 325i with 61k miles. About a year ago and some 12k miles I started to feel a vibration while braking from speeds above 55mph. I immediately thought it was warped rotors. I didnt do anything about it at the time because it wasnt that bad.

Now I'm 2 weeks away from doing my first HPDE, so I decided to change the rotors and pads thinking this was the issue. I went with premium centric rotors and cool carbon pads. The vibration is still there!

I took it to my indi and he thinks it may be the upper control arm bushings. Really? So these failed at around 50k miles? Sounds premature. But he tells me that there isnt a sure fire way of testing the bushings for failure, so we'd have to replace them in the hopes that this is indeed the issue. And if that doesnt fix it, look at other possible causes and replace those parts. This is going to get super expensive quick.

I read that some people had similar issues, and that an alignment fixed the problem. My car tracks straight so I dont see how it could be an alignment issue, but is it possible any way?

I'm running out of time as I want this sorted out before my HPDE and would like some input. Please help!

shocks and struts are rated to 50k after that the bounce will start and slowly grow, if you have the original shocks and struts that could be your problem.

[showntell87]

same issue here, 08 335xi 65k on the clock. This issue is more annoying than anything else. Any luck or issues still remain, everyone?