[jmatero]

So, I finally got to spend a nice quality day driving my new ride. It wasn't much fun.....

I'll explain.. my first thought was "maybe the tire pressure is WAY to high?".... I'll check tomorrow... but what do YOU think...

When driving on the highway, or down any road.. the car just floats all over... it doesn't pull... it just kinda "floats". If you're driving down a straight road and take your hands off the wheel for a sec, the car doesn't track straight... the wheel doesn't even stay put... at the slightest imperfection in the road surface the steering wheel turns. So I KNOW this can't be normal for one of the world's best cars. Well tonight, I almost got killed. I was driving about 70 on the highway.. minding my own business... and I hit a small bump in the road that my old cars wouldn't flinch at. My new car, however, BOUNCED off it.. the tail went one way and the nose another a bit and for a second, I thought I lost control. Also, I've NEVER owned a car that when you took your hands off the wheel it didn't track straight and have NEVER saw a steering wheel dance.

SO... I was wondering if, perhaps, this sounds like the dealer didn't do their job prepping the car and the tire pressure is WAY too high? I can't think what else it could be. If you look away for even a second, you're drifting into another lane. It doesn't favor one side or another. What do you think?
:dunno:

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by jmatero

So, I finally got to spend a nice quality day driving my new ride. It wasn't much fun.....

I'll explain.. my first thought was "maybe the tire pressure is WAY to high?".... I'll check tomorrow... but what do YOU think...

When driving on the highway, or down any road.. the car just floats all over... it doesn't pull... it just kinda "floats". If you're driving down a straight road and take your hands off the wheel for a sec, the car doesn't track straight... the wheel doesn't even stay put... at the slightest imperfection in the road surface the steering wheel turns. So I KNOW this can't be normal for one of the world's best cars. Well tonight, I almost got killed. I was driving about 70 on the highway.. minding my own business... and I hit a small bump in the road that my old cars wouldn't flinch at. My new car, however, BOUNCED off it.. the tail went one way and the nose another a bit and for a second, I thought I lost control. Also, I've NEVER owned a car that when you took your hands off the wheel it didn't track straight and have NEVER saw a steering wheel dance.

SO... I was wondering if, perhaps, this sounds like the dealer didn't do their job prepping the car and the tire pressure is WAY too high? I can't think what else it could be. If you look away for even a second, you're drifting into another lane. It doesn't favor one side or another. What do you think?
:dunno:

How many miles...do you have sports package?
My car was exactly like that (except handling was still great) when it was brand new...now I have 2400 miles on it....is alot better.

[arcrox]

This is behavior is called tramlining...do a search, it's been discussed ad nauseum. Also, when I got my car, the tires were pumped to 37psi when they should have been 29/32 (325i ZSP).

[jmatero]

The car has 300 miles...no sport package, no active steering. It's terrible... there is no way this can be normal.. it's not just a subtle thing. I mean my brother's hyundai holds the road better.. this can't be right.

[e46Mtrizy]

Its very common for the Dealer to over infalte tires. From what I understand its so the tires dont get flat spots from sitting on the lot for a long time. Your best bet it to check the tires yourself ASAP. And otherwise head over to BMW

[Tiffz MiniS]

Originally Posted by jmatero

The car has 300 miles...no sport package, no active steering. It's terrible... there is no way this can be normal.. it's not just a subtle thing. I mean my brother's hyundai holds the road better.. this can't be right.

a hyundai will travle straighter because the tires are thinner. Sounds like you have some shitty roads in your area. If u are on a highway that has been driven by millions of cars for years. it creats groves in the road where the tires travel. The pavement is uneven and so are the trails in the road. Thats why your all over the place. The wider the tire the worse it is. I have ZSP and on 255's in the rear and 225s on front it can get pretty bad on a poor highway. Once I hit new pavement its like driving on the autobahn. My suggestion to you is. Find a new peice of highway stretch and see if you car does this. If you doesnt your car is normal. If it does. Well i dont see how according to what you mentioned. But if it does you have a serious problem. Good luck.


Edit: This is Artz 330 Typing on my Girls comp. forgot to log in

[jmatero]

Here's the thing.. I'm coming out of a Mazdaspeed MX-5 which had WIDE tires.. much lower profile than my 330i... I drove the same roads... the car tracked straight and true and held the road like glue. I seriously almost lost control of this car. I'll check the tire pressure tomorrow... if that doesn't help, I'll bring it back in. I remember reading on a number of forums that the tires are over-inflated at the factory for some reason.

[ska///235i]

RFT sucks.....hope this answers everything

[Asiann]

You need to make sure that the road is level. Some roads are worn and grooves set in and can make it difficult to track straight. Try it on a long bridge.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by ska

RFT sucks.....hope this answers everything

LOL.

I agree 100%. And I have the same issue as the original poster, though not QUITE as pronounced. Sounds like his tires are probably over-inflated, but the car just doesn't track well, at least not with the crummy RFT's. I hope these turds wear out fast so that I can swap in a nice set of Pilot Sport PS2's.

[Artz 330]

i just replaced my tires to NON RFT and they are the same. Depends on what road you are on and how worn the road is. All cars do it. I owned planty of cars in 3.5 years, three of which were BMW Built, all did the same because of the wide threads. Even my Mini when i replaced the thiner 205 to 215's there was a huge difference in road feel and how bad the car tracked.

[billgti]

sport tires + RFT = tramlining

[gos]

there are also some sort of blocks in the suspension for shipping, perhaps those were left on the vehicle? They'd cause the car to bounce around some instead of holding the road...

[Geneb2450]

I have the sports suspension and posted earlier about my wife and I bouncing out of the sports seats and into the headliner/sunroof when we hit 'humps' (not bumps but raised sections in the road). The behavior you feel is most likely normal for the 325 suspension setup.

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by Geneb2450

I have the sports suspension and posted earlier about my wife and I bouncing out of the sports seats and into the headliner/sunroof when we hit 'humps' (not bumps but raised sections in the road). The behavior you feel is most likely normal for the 325 suspension setup.

I guess since this is my 3rd BMW with sport package I am used to it. I can't imagine hitting a bump and going through the sunroof.

[RichP]

Originally Posted by gos

there are also some sort of blocks in the suspension for shipping, perhaps those were left on the vehicle? They'd cause the car to bounce around some instead of holding the road...

It would be VERY rare for this ever to happen, but it sounds like it could be the case. You would see these "blocks" around the shocks in the front and rear.

I assume there are no odd noises or clunks?

Bring it to the dealer ASAP. This sounds way beyond typical runflat or tramlining complaints.

[ToddPhilly]

I forget does the 325 have staggered tires? I have an e46 330ci that exhibits what I would call 'standard' tramlining for a BMW. I will note that when my summer tire setup is on(staggered), the tramlining is noticeable. When my winter setup is on (non-staggered) there really isn't any feel of tramlining at all.

[kobechrome]

325 stock set up does not have staggered tires. I tramline all the time and got used to it. I was very bad the first 700-800 miles - it's gotten better at 1600 miles now.

[Bob T]

Check the tire pressure first. It amazes me how many people on this and other BMW sites buy "the ultimate driving machine" and don't maintain their own tire pressure. More concerned about clear corners, what flavor wax to use or some other stuff but haven't a clue how much air they have in their tires.

If I ever do get my new 330i (after they put Humpty back together again), I will verify tire pressure before I even leave the dealer. With tire pressure being that important for both safety and handling, it is up to the driver to check. Same as a pilot doing a pre flight check.

That being said, I do think the tramlining is worse on the e90's then many cars. Just part of being a shorter, more nimble vehicle. Everything in life is a trade off. If you want a straight tracking, smooth ride, buy a Crown Vic.

[jmatero]

HOLY @#$%!

All 4 tires had 47psi........ YIKES!!

I changed it to what the sticker on the door says which is 29-FRONT/36-REAR.

.... and now, the test drive..... stay tuned......

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by jmatero

HOLY @#$%!

All 4 tires had 47psi........ YIKES!!

I changed it to what the sticker on the door says which is 29-FRONT/36-REAR.

.... and now, the test drive..... stay tuned......

[Bob T]

Originally Posted by jmatero

HOLY @#$%!

All 4 tires had 47psi........ YIKES!!

I changed it to what the sticker on the door says which is 29-FRONT/36-REAR.

.... and now, the test drive..... stay tuned......

Wow, they did a fine job with the dealer prep. Please let us know the difference but I would bet it will be night and day.