[Tengocity]

Over the last couple of weeks I realised that in order to travel straight my steering wheel was turned slightly to the right, which it never had done before. Thoughts were it was altered when the suspension was changed, or there was a large pothole I hit.
Either way I took it to Wheels in Motion in Chesham last Friday to look at the alignment and it was out a little again (alignment had only been done a few weeks previously when the RS suspension was fitted), and after this it has reduced the amount to which it's out. It's only marginal now, but it seems to disproportionally irritate me

Anyone else have or had similar issues with their car, and if so what have you been able to do about it?

Anyone any ideas about what causes this?

teaston did you not have this with your 330d?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Mine was wrong from day one. The delay always said it was too difficult to fix and was best left alone. When they fitted the new rack it came back worse so I insisted it was fixed - it was. Perfect now.

[sensible]

It is fixable by adjusting the tracking. A decent garage will put the steering wheel I'm the straight position and lock it in place with a crook lock type device that fits over the steering wheel and brake pedal. The front wheel tracking is then done to that straight steering wheel position. Take it back to where you had the alignment done and ask them to do it properly.

[k44ENT]

Steering wheel can be out for a number of reasons but can be put right with a good four wheel alignment. The problem is finding someone who cares enough to do a decent job. Also remember the rear wheels can play a part in a steering wheel being out of line.
My last M135i was slightly out to the left, never had chance to get it altered. I'll be asking the dealer to check the new one before delivery so they can sort it before I collect it if its out.

[snipnoob86]

on my previous a6 had tracking issues for probably a year. couldnt be fixed! untill a decent garage got hold of it and found one of the rear springs had snapped at the bottom causing a very slight drop.

not that your springs have cracked that is!

just my experiance

[SDH]

This is just an idea and may be well off the mark (because it wasn't a BMW) but I have had a previous issue similar to yourself. After 3 attempts at wheel alignment by 3 different independent garages I finally gave in and took my car to the stealers, turns out my sub frame needed adjusting to sort the alignment properly.

Like I say different manufacturer but I thought it worth sharing

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by SDH

This is just an idea and may be well off the mark (because it wasn't a BMW) but I have had a previous issue similar to yourself. After 3 attempts at wheel alignment by three different independent garages I finally gave in and took my car to the stealers, turns out my sub frame needed adjusting to sort the alignment properly.

Like I say different manufacturer but I thought it worth sharing

Well that's not unreasonable given I've had the subframes dropped twice to change anti roll bars.

[SDH]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Well that's not unreasonable given I've had the subframes dropped twice to change anti roll bars.

Well bugger me backwards (actually don't do that!), that was exactly the work I had done which I suspect was the cause of my subframe misalignment. Turns out the stealers have a special alignment tool for the job that the independents didn't have or know about. I was told by the dealer that it was a matter of two or three millimetress but that seemed to make all the difference

[Daftasabrush]

For those who don't modify your car, it's worth noting that the manufacturer's warranty covers mis-alignment and wheel balancing for the first 12 months. I'm going to get mine checked soon because I'm not sure it's right since the diff was fitted.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Over the last couple of weeks I realised that in order to travel straight my steering wheel was turned slightly to the right, which it never had done before. Thoughts were it was altered when the suspension was changed, or there was a large pothole I hit.
Either way I took it to Wheels in Motion in Chesham last Friday to look at the alignment and it was out a little again (alignment had only been done a few weeks previously when the RS suspension was fitted), and after this it has reduced the amount to which it's out. It's only marginal now, but it seems to disproportionally irritate me

Anyone else have or had similar issues with their car, and if so what have you been able to do about it?

Anyone any ideas about what causes this?

teaston did you not have this with your 330d?

Yes, I adjusted it myself, it's pretty easy, even easier after Highland Pete pointed out that you don't even need to jack the car up to do it!

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1177440

[Tengocity]

Was it the front or rear subframe?

[Watsey]

Terry, given that Deutsche Tech installed your ARBs upside down it could be entirely likely that the sub-frames also weren't aligned properly. I think that's where I'd start.

That said, with two alignments by BlackBoots (which has a good rep) sub-frame issues would have been spotted by now ?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Terry, given that Deutsche Tech installed your ARBs upside down it could be entirely likely that the sub-frames also weren't aligned properly. I think that's where I'd start.

That said, with two alignments by BlackBoots (which has a good rep) sub-frame issues would have been spotted by now ?

There was never an issue till the last few weeks though.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

There was never an issue till the last few weeks though.

Yes, I did note that. Unless it was a huge one, I'd have thought it's unlikely to be from a pothole.

Have you checked tyre pressures ?

[RalphyBMW]

I've had a nightmare trying to get my steering wheel straight; local dealer who's service is generally excellent, really seem to struggle with it.
Very frustrating when you take the technician out in the car that is supposed to be done, and they quickly concede that no, it isn't right is it.
Ours wasn't right from new, got a free alignment after 2 months, told it was fine, couldn't be bothered with the aggravation then of taking it back.
Got the springs on it, which despite having to tweak a rear arm, made no difference, and had it aligned again; paying for it this time, and had to take the car back several times before it was close to being right.
Dropped the rear subframe for the ARB, and quickly identified that things were again not right. Explained what I'd done, dealer never mentioned anything about specific subframe alignment (I'd mentioned it assuming there may be some adjustment needed).
Car still wasn't right, dropped it back have marked on blue tape on the dash exactly where the marker band on the wheel should be, and it now seems about spot on.

The steering feel on these cars is terrible, and to my mine is inconsistent. I think it really lets the car down. Anyone know if the M3/4 is any better?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

...... Anyone know if the M3/4 is any better?

From what I've read it is better but ultimately still lacks a little feel of the older generation hydraulic steering cars - but it is much improved. And you can choose to have it in Comfort/Sport/Sport+ independently.
Thats the trouble with it being electric I suppose.

[RalphyBMW]

Originally Posted by dopper99

From what I've read it is better but ultimately still lacks a little feel of the older generation hydraulic steering cars - but it is much improved.
Thats the trouble with it being electric I suppose.

I'd been close to taking advantage of the current CP deal, but just can't quite convince my wife of the man maths yet. Large part of the rationale was the steering on the 330.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

I'd been close to taking advantage of the current CP deal, but just can't quite convince my wife of the man maths yet. Large part of the rationale was the steering on the 330.

You'd better be quick as I've read unconfirmed rumours on m3cutters the current allocation for the July orders has gone.
But there may be deals to had later in the year I guess. email Tony and see what he says.

If you watch Sutcliffe's Autocar video on the competition pack he mentions the steering is better again than the normal M3.

[RalphyBMW]

I saw that, the CP looks great, though I'd probably go white or grey, debadge and source the EU spec 18" wheels for ride quality and subtly.

I can't convince my wife that I need to spend another £250/m for a less versatile, less economical car that is a garage queen doing about 8k/yr. Maybe once we get to the VT point on the current car...

[t5pilot]

I'm very OCD when it comes to a straight steering wheel. When I had my springs fitted (by BMW Dealer) I did let them know this so they were super-careful doing the 4-wheel alignment afterwards. They were great & my wheel is dead-centre.
But it is crucial to remember that most of our roads aren't flat. The varying degree of road camber can give the illusion that the tracking hasn't been done correctly. I know mine's right, but on some roads when going straight, my wheel isn't exactly 'straight'.... This is just down to road camber...

[HiBee]

I thought i would have problems with the alignment after changing to MPSS.
Nothing so far thankfully.