[DarkTrigger]

Originally Posted by claykin

Is this English?

LMAO, I love quotes like those. Makes me laugh. Obviously english is a second language for him.

[N-Y]

Originally Posted by claykin

Steering rack. Yes, front wheels.

Make sure car is clean and accident free. Check VIN with BMW dealer to be sure you have no surprises with warranty.

i have vin #... i got the car proof, its clean... i have a friend who's a paralegal and she checked the company out... no lawsuit, been in business for 15 years.

I paid BMW to do pre delivery inspection, so they checked everything for me.

[jimmer2654]

I have the same problem. Bought my 328i at the end of december 2012 and had issues 2 days later. My steering wheel has some vibrations driving about 40-50 mph, and on the second day of owning a brand new BMW the rear taillight pops out from the trunk. I was pissed. I contacted the dealership in Tallahasee and they told me to bring it back and they'll replace the taillight head unit and it should be good. I told them i wanted some type of compensation as this is a brand new vehicle and i drove 2 hours to get it. They ended up giving me a gift certificate for $100 and filling up my gas. I told them this was a known issue and asked if this was manufacturing defect? They said no. 3 weeks later and the same taillight pops out again. I contacted the dealship again and they called BMW and said that the approved solution is to use adhesive to fix it. I was like WTF..this is a 48k car. It shouldn't be held together with adhesive. I want out of this car and into a different vehicle...BMW said they couldn't but offered 250 dollars in store credit at the dealership....I'm going to get it fixed and hopefully it breaks again to claim lemon law on that vehicle.

[archer636]

I am yet to see a F30 that does not vibrate- I have tried several F30s and they all seem to do this- I am not saying it is normal but maybe all F30s have this defect and owners don't know about it? This is one of those things that if you are not very attentive to detail you might not notice it.

[vonmayr]

Originally Posted by archer636

I am yet to see a F30 that does not vibrate- I have tried several F30s and they all seem to do this- I am not saying it is normal but maybe all F30s have this defect and owners don't know about it? This is one of those things that if you are not very attentive to detail you might not notice it.

my new 335i msport does not have a shimmying steering wheel @ any speed.

[ronin951]

My new 328 m-sport does have a vibration issue. 2013/01wk3 build, no *HP, Potenza's.

I first noticed it driving home from taking delivery. My thought was that I had a tire(s) out of balance. I'm planning on replacing the tires anyways, so I just kinda ignored it. I haven't put many miles on it yet, but thinking back it's happened pretty much every time I get on the highway - to one degree or another. Unfortunately, the car is currently at the body shop til next Friday so I can't look into it more. Also, I admittedly have only driven it a handful of times (~90 miles on it), but something's definitely not right.

One thing I find kind of odd is that it seems to happen abruptly. My experience with unbalanced tires is that you can feel it pretty much at every speed. Kinda like a body wobble progresses to a steering vibration. This is different as I don't recall there being a low speed wobble/shimmy.

Do you guys think I should hold off on getting the new non-runflat tires (PSS's) until the issue is resolved? I fear the dealer will blame the new tires.

For the record I saw this thread after I noticed the issue, so it's not like I was looking for it or anything. This weekend is the first I've heard about it. Due diligence FAIL on my part

[Sphinx-3]

Originally Posted by ronin951

My new 328 m-sport does have a vibration issue. 2013/01wk3 build, no *HP, Potenza's.

I first noticed it driving home from taking delivery. My thought was that I had a tire(s) out of balance. I'm planning on replacing the tires anyways, so I just kinda ignored it. I haven't put many miles on it yet, but thinking back it's happened pretty much every time I get on the highway - to one degree or another. Unfortunately, the car is currently at the body shop til next Friday so I can't look into it more. Also, I admittedly have only driven it a handful of times (~90 miles on it), but something's definitely not right.

One thing I find kind of odd is that it seems to happen abruptly. My experience with unbalanced tires is that you can feel it pretty much at every speed. Kinda like a body wobble progresses to a steering vibration. This is different as I don't recall there being a low speed wobble/shimmy.

Do you guys think I should hold off on getting the new non-runflat tires (PSS's) until the issue is resolved? I fear the dealer will blame the new tires.

For the record I saw this thread after I noticed the issue, so it's not like I was looking for it or anything. This weekend is the first I've heard about it. Due diligence FAIL on my part

Unfortunately, your doubts are real. There's an issue with vibrations and no fix yet, as far as I know.

I feel bad for everyone on this post! I started this thread last year and was expecting an isolated issue on my car, but apparently it's not.

Some folks here said they were able to reduce this issue with forced road balance. So my suggestion is, talk to the dealer before you put on the new tires.

And good luck!

[billiebob]

I have the vibration too, at all speeds above 40 on my 328 Msport, last week Jan 2013 production. 900 miles of driving didnt' change it.

At first I thought it was the rental winter tires, but the car is at the dealer now and the dealer felt the vibration and is replacing the rotors. i'm not hopeful that will solve it as braking is very smooth.


EDIT: shockingly enough, replacing all four brake rotors solved the issue 100 pct. there is no more vibration at all, and it was fairly pronounced.

[Mchamp49]

I just got mine back Wednesday after the dealer replaced my steering rack, fixed the problem thankfully. Said the electric motor was the issue. Mine started vibrating at 40 mph and go really bad around 50mph.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by archer636

I am yet to see a F30 that does not vibrate- I have tried several F30s and they all seem to do this- I am not saying it is normal but maybe all F30s have this defect and owners don't know about it? This is one of those things that if you are not very attentive to detail you might not notice it.

Given the number of people with the vibration issue, I obviously accept that it is happening to SOME F30's.
Again, it's not ALL F30's, my 335i Msport steering wheel does NOT vibrate at all.

To say I or others don't feel a shimmy is because we are just not very attentive is insulting.
If your F30 has vibration issues, I accept that, but don't come here telling me that ALL F30's have this problem, and the reason why I don't feel it is because I'm simply not as astute as you are to how my car drives or should drive.

If you need to believe that all F30's have this problem, then that is simply your limited experience of the issue and F30's in general.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by vonmayr

my new 335i msport does not have a shimmying steering wheel @ any speed.

Clearly you are not very attentive to how it really does vibrate.

[mjmonjure]

I have the same problem. 2013 328i with run flats. I didn't notice this until, with 200 miles on the odometer, I ran over some metal chards which took out the front and rear right tires. After they replaced the tires (exact same ones), its had a slight, but annoying vibration in the steering wheel, beginning around 40 mph and disappearing around 60.

Dealer balance did nothing and of course they charged me for it. It seems to almost completely disappear after driving for 5 miles or so and I wonder if it has anything to do with the temperature of the air in the tires.

It's not bad enough for me raise a big stink with the dealer, but it is non the less annoying. I guess I am surprised to see so many complaints about this and BMW does not have a fix which is known to the dealers.

[dbmd]

A 328i was to be my first BMW. I test drove three, and on the last one we were on the highway and I started feeling a vibration in the steering wheel. It definitely surprised me when it started, I thought "What the hell is that?" It didn't really feel like a balance problem, it felt mechanical, forced, unnatural, and annoying. So when I got home I looked it up, found this thread and a lot of others.

I drove down the same stretch of road at the same speed in a 2010 370Z, and a 2006 Civic. They both gave the slightest bit of feedback, but it felt very much like road surface feedback, and it was very slight. Definitely not the unwelcome interference I felt in the 328i.

I see steering complaints about the Audi A4s too.

[Tsuyoi]

Do realize that there's a huge bias in terms of posts on this thread in terms of who says they do and who says they don't. The ones who all claim to have the issue are also a lot of people who googled the problem, and were led here. However, no one who DOESN'T have the issue is going to google "steering wheel vibration" and come here to post that they don't have it. Therefore, it's more like the entire internet vs the regular members of this forum.....

I've driven 4 F30s (test drove a 328 and a 335 at dealership before buying, test drove a 328 at diff dealership that I had gone to first but where the SA threw me off, and my current 328i I own), and I have never felt this steering wheel vibration. I've driven them on asphalt, tarmac, at all speeds from city crawl to highway 70-80mph. They've all been on run flat tires (dunno what brand).

I'm not saying that the issue doesn't exist, I'm just saying it's not as huge or widespread a problem as people on this forum make it out to be (listening to people here you'd expect 7 out of 8 F30s to have it). I'd be surprised if this affected more than a few percent of the cars produced.

It's also very telling how many of these people say their dealerships/repair places can't "replicate" the issue. I think some people don't have this problem, but are rather just unused to how sports cars handle (prob expecting a slushy ride like a caddy), and upon coming across this thread think it's the same problem.

[Evilsmith]

You have to take into account that this isnt a problem with cars as they approach 50k miles or 100k miles. This is a problem that is happening to at least double-digit cars FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. People are still buying cars that have this problem for a lot of money, and from everything I have heard so far it doesnt look like much is being done in the way of resolving the issue from an owner perspective by either dealerships or BMW. This issue does not appear isolated to one batch of cars, one year, or one package. This issue is happening at a seemingly random rate with unknown future ramifications. Is this going to cause my steering box to prematurely wear out? Are my tires going to wear out quicker? How will the bushings take 50k miles of high-speed vibration? These are all things that have had me at the dealership 3 times to resolve the issue with no positive results. If nothing else, I feel like the dealership is merely placating. Yes, I have a PUMA number, yes they know that its a problem. They have gone as far to imply that its not a big deal, and I feel like BMW is taking much of the same lackadaisical approach to this.

I have had plenty of sports cars, and this is my 6th BMW. I have had E30's, an E36, and an E46. I cant speak for everyone thats having this problem (And some of the descriptions definitely sound like different problems), but this is definitely an issue and it needs addressed. The fact that there is more than one forum talking about this issue has to speak to the amount of people experiencing it. Between the vibrating wheel and a handful of other issues, this will likely be my last BMW for a while. I would really like to turn around my newly negative feelings about this car from "extremely displeased" to a general "underwhelmed".

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by Evilsmith

You have to take into account that this isnt a problem with cars as they approach 50k miles or 100k miles. This is a problem that is happening to at least double-digit cars FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. People are still buying cars that have this problem for a lot of money, and from everything I have heard so far it doesnt look like much is being done in the way of resolving the issue from an owner perspective by either dealerships or BMW. This issue does not appear isolated to one batch of cars, one year, or one package. This issue is happening at a seemingly random rate with unknown future ramifications. Is this going to cause my steering box to prematurely wear out? Are my tires going to wear out quicker? How will the bushings take 50k miles of high-speed vibration? These are all things that have had me at the dealership 3 times to resolve the issue with no positive results. If nothing else, I feel like the dealership is merely placating. Yes, I have a PUMA number, yes they know that its a problem. They have gone as far to imply that its not a big deal, and I feel like BMW is taking much of the same lackadaisical approach to this.

I have had plenty of sports cars, and this is my 6th BMW. I have had E30's, an E36, and an E46. I cant speak for everyone thats having this problem (And some of the descriptions definitely sound like different problems), but this is definitely an issue and it needs addressed. The fact that there is more than one forum talking about this issue has to speak to the amount of people experiencing it. Between the vibrating wheel and a handful of other issues, this will likely be my last BMW for a while. I would really like to turn around my newly negative feelings about this car from "extremely displeased" to a general "underwhelmed".

I think you need to stick to end of cycle models as opposed to fresh redesigns. There are always teething problems. Always. Regardless of brand, build location or cost. It's a fact of life. My 11/12 335i is flawless. No issues of ANY sort. Not a single trip back to the dealer. Not a single buzz, creak, whistle or vibration. Over 7k miles and counting...

Internet forums are the WORST place to attempt to ascertain even a remotely accurate assessment of failure rates. Worst. The worst. Horrible. Useless. Jumping across forums is just as useless. Especially since the same folks tend to frequent multiple sites and, worse yet, folks with a gripe have a tendency to be very vocal about it.

If you're not getting satisfaction, find another dealer to work with.

[1bad335]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

I think you need to stick to end of cycle models as opposed to fresh redesigns. There are always teething problems. Always. Regardless of brand, build location or cost. It's a fact of life. My 11/12 335i is flawless. No issues of ANY sort. Not a single trip back to the dealer. Not a single buzz, creak, whistle or vibration. Over 7k miles and counting...

Internet forums are the WORST place to attempt to ascertain even a remotely accurate assessment of failure rates. Worst. The worst. Horrible. Useless. Jumping across forums is just as useless. Especially since the same folks tend to frequent multiple sites and, worse yet, folks with a gripe have a tendency to be very vocal about it.

If you're not getting satisfaction, find another dealer to work with.

Absolutely dead accurate statements. People tend to take what they read on these sites as gospel. I really think that some are so easily influenced by what they read, that they convince themselves that they too have the same issues. There can be growing pains with a new MY for sure but IMHO, I don't worry about the issues until they happen and even then I am more concerned about how the manufacture addresses those issues. I can deal with the problems that arise as long as BMW stands by their product and fixes and/or makes things right. From what I have seen and experienced BMW has met those requirements for me.

[mjy2000]

Originally Posted by 1bad335

Absolutely dead accurate statements. People tend to take what they read on these sites as gospel. I really think that some are so easily influenced by what they read, that they convince themselves that they too have the same issues. There can be growing pains with a new MY for sure but IMHO, I don't worry about the issues until they happen and even then I am more concerned about how the manufacture addresses those issues. I can deal with the problems that arise as long as BMW stands by their product and fixes and/or makes things right. From what I have seen and experienced BMW has met those requirements for me.

It is easy for you to say that because you are not having this problem.good for you.Me too have had Bmw's before had e36 e46m sport e90 m sport and now this f30 sport and x1 mport,non of my previous cars had this vibration issue.. and I didnt come to this forum and read ,then find the fault with my car.I came to this forum trying to find answers or if there are any issues so as to help me point it out to the dealership.

[1bad335]

Originally Posted by mjy2000

It is easy for you to say that because you are not having this problem.good for you.Me too have had Bmw's before had e36 e46m sport e90 m sport and now this f30 sport and x1 mport,non of my previous cars had this vibration issue.. and I didnt come to this forum and read ,then find the fault with my car.I came to this forum trying to find answers or if there are any issues so as to help me point it out to the dealership.

Since the comments were not directed at anyone in particular but instead a statement on what I have seen on many forums over the years not just here. People will tend to come to forums for answers which is a good thing and can be helpful. I have also seen the same situation cause a mass outcry for recalls and heads on a platter. FYI, I have had issues with previous BMW's I have owned but my experience, as I stated, is that BMW (my dealership) has gone out of their way to fix my car and make it right. If an issue comes up with my f30, I will hold BMW's feet to the fire and they will fix it or replace it. If you do the research BMW has replaced at least 1 car I know of for steering vibration. In fact check Ebay (USA) there is an f30 on there now for sale which states in their description of the car that BMW bought the car back for steering vibration and it is now fixed from what the seller states. My point is simply, instead of looking for answers here bring the car back to BMW, keep documentation of all returns for fixes and successes or failures. If they do not fix it put the pressure on for a buy back. So, is it easy for me to say that? YES. because that is exactly what I would do with a car that I spent a large sum of money on. Good Luck and make them work for you.