[Go FasTA]

I've been dealing with a vibration in my M40i (delivered in April) that started just after 4000 miles. The vibration is most pronounced between 50-55 MPH while under light load (i.e. maintaining speed). The dealership had it for 2 weeks and tried various things including wheel balance and driveshaft balance with no improvement. The regional rep was brought in and drove the car deciding he wanted to drive another M40i to compare. As yet, he has not found another to drive and asked the dealership to give me my car back saying he believes it is just a characteristic of the car. I refuse to accept that answer as the car was smooth as glass prior to around 4000 miles and I don't believe this is acceptable for a $68K vehicle. The vibration is enough that my hand gets numb after just a few minutes at speed.

So I'm reaching out to the community to see if anyone else has any similar vibration.

[abcsoup]

What kind of wheel/tire combination do you have? Did they perform a road force balance? It sounds extremely lazy that the rep would say it's just a characteristic of the car. They should try swapping the wheels with another X3.

[Go FasTA]

Originally Posted by abcsoup

What kind of wheel/tire combination do you have? Did they perform a road force balance? It sounds extremely lazy that the rep would say it's just a characteristic of the car. They should try swapping the wheels with another X3.

I have the 21" 718M wheels with Pirelli tires. They claim they balanced them, but I don't know the details.

I'm disheartened that the rep would claim it's a characteristic. I fear this is going to make it a real challenge for me to get the issue corrected.

[abcsoup]

Yeah, that's unacceptable. The dealership may or may not have a road force balancer, and I would confirm with them whether they used one. It can make a significant difference over a regular balance, and supposedly low profile tires like the 21" ones we have are more susceptible to balance issues.

You could also go to an independent shop that has a road force balancer and have them check the front wheels.

[Go FasTA]

Originally Posted by abcsoup

Yeah, that's unacceptable. The dealership may or may not have a road force balancer, and I would confirm with them whether they used one. It can make a significant difference over a regular balance, and supposedly low profile tires like the 21" ones we have are more susceptible to balance issues.

You could also go to an independent shop that has a road force balancer and have them check the front wheels.

I just spoke to my service adviser and he confirmed that they tried switching another set of wheels and tires (not 21") onto my vehicle and the problem still persisted.

[383vett]

The dealer had it for two weeks. Let them have it for another week and initiate a dealer buyback. In California, it's 30 days. If it's that bad, you don't want it.

[edwood]

I have the exact same issue. x3 M40i - picked it up end of February. I did some experimenting today and discovered a few things.

1. It doesn't seem to matter what type of wheel. I have 19" with All-Seasons.
2. I also get the high frequency vibration between 50-55 MPH but if you come off the gas, the vibration goes away. It's only when maintaining speed and lightly giving gas.
3. I set the cruise control at 52 MPH and switched to Sport. The RPM's went to about 2k, vibration was still there but not as bad due to the change in engine pitch.
4. It seems to be a combination of two things, the hard side walls of the RFT's in resonance with the engine note. In D at 50-55, RPMs are between 1250 and 1500 with the vibration. If you either coast (no throttle) or be at any other speed, there is no high frequency vibration. Even in Sport with engine RPMs at about 2K and 50-55MPH, there is vibration but not as bad as when in Drive.
5. I recall this started happening very early on as well. I really think if you put non RFT's the issue will go away. The hard side walls translated road vibration.


Keep us posted and I will do the same!

[freitz]

Bumping this thread.

This is extremely relevant to many of us experiencing this issue.

Shocked that there has been no response to this thread since July; hoping that means you found a solution.

[thestuarts]

I have a 2019 M40i with 3,000 miles on it already, most of them at highway speeds. I have never noticed even the slightest vibration. 19" Alenza sport tires.

[HollyM]

Gang,

There is another thread on the forum with same subject, which now has 302 posts. Look for it (Steering Wheel Vibrations on M40i). Yes?

[B_M_VV]

Originally Posted by edwood

I have the exact same issue. x3 M40i - picked it up end of February. I did some experimenting today and discovered a few things.

1. It doesn't seem to matter what type of wheel. I have 19" with All-Seasons.
2. I also get the high frequency vibration between 50-55 MPH but if you come off the gas, the vibration goes away. It's only when maintaining speed and lightly giving gas.
3. I set the cruise control at 52 MPH and switched to Sport. The RPM's went to about 2k, vibration was still there but not as bad due to the change in engine pitch.
4. It seems to be a combination of two things, the hard side walls of the RFT's in resonance with the engine note. In D at 50-55, RPMs are between 1250 and 1500 with the vibration. If you either coast (no throttle) or be at any other speed, there is no high frequency vibration. Even in Sport with engine RPMs at about 2K and 50-55MPH, there is vibration but not as bad as when in Drive.
5. I recall this started happening very early on as well. I really think if you put non RFT's the issue will go away. The hard side walls translated road vibration.


Keep us posted and I will do the same!

Later did you try non-RFT tires and did it solve or mitigate the problem?

(If you have some new findings please post it in the larger thread on this topic here https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...485010&page=31)