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      04-12-2018, 09:50 AM   #1
doug_999
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Got an X2 as a loaner this morning. I'm trying to figure out if it has an alignment issue (car has only 150 miles on it) or if "they all do that".

Let me try to explain...
I'll be driving on a straight road and all the sudden it feels like the car points left for a brief instant. I correct and everything is fine. Then it might do it to the right.

Very weird and feels like maybe the rack (which I'm guessing they don't have of course) has a bunch of play in it.

Pressures are a bit off with 38 on one front wheel and 35 on the other, but I wouldn't expect to see this type of behavior.

Normal or not?
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      04-12-2018, 10:09 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
Got an X2 as a loaner this morning. I'm trying to figure out if it has an alignment issue (car has only 150 miles on it) or if "they all do that".

Let me try to explain...
I'll be driving on a straight road and all the sudden it feels like the car points left for a brief instant. I correct and everything is fine. Then it might do it to the right.

Very weird and feels like maybe the rack (which I'm guessing they don't have of course) has a bunch of play in it.

Pressures are a bit off with 38 on one front wheel and 35 on the other, but I wouldn't expect to see this type of behavior.

Normal or not?
Normally low pressure will cause a pull in the direction of the low tire. I would be very surprised if there was play in the steering rack in an almost new vehicle. With a worn steering rack, you will feel the steering wheel shuddering slightly back and forth during hard braking. It's likely what you experienced is just the tires following discontinuities in the pavement. This is normal with high-pressure low-profile tires. If you want responsive steering, you will get feedback along with it. This is a feature, not a problem.

My E36 328is had low-profile 35 and 40 series tires and you had to keep a firm hand on the wheel in case the tires followed something in the pavement. My E46 M3 has 30 and 35 series tires along with a bunch of other mods and is strictly firm hand(s) on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times or it will bite you in the a**. Again, I consider this a feature, not a problem.
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      04-13-2018, 12:12 AM   #3
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After limited drive in a DEMO - incl. wet tarmac and ice/snow: no, it`s not normal.
Wintertires.
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      04-26-2018, 08:11 AM   #4
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Do you recall what tire/wheel combination the car had ?
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      04-26-2018, 10:23 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blawicki1 View Post
Do you recall what tire/wheel combination the car had ?
Just the stock non-sport package wheels. I suspect I just wasn't used to those?
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      05-11-2018, 04:13 PM   #6
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I've not had that happen however the way roads are designed here there is a slight pull to the right (We have yearly floods and the roads are designed to quickly move the water out.) The only way to notice it really here is to let go of the steering wheel and you will very slowly creep over. I'm not sure what caused your experience, have you asked to drive another X2?
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      05-11-2018, 04:16 PM   #7
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No
Was a loaner - got a lot of looks and a few compliments - loved the blue.

I really suspect it was the narrow wheels causing the steering issues (and brand new tires).
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      06-18-2018, 09:55 PM   #8
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This is probably related to grooved road. When you have a lot of trucks driving on a highway, the wheel path get grooved and then the tires will follow that path and make the car go side ways
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      06-19-2018, 09:15 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
No
Was a loaner - got a lot of looks and a few compliments - loved the blue.

I really suspect it was the narrow wheels causing the steering issues (and brand new tires).
You're imagining a problem where there isn't one. The standard wheels on the North American X2 are 19x8. These are not "narrow" wheels for a vehicle of this size and the tires are an appropriate width considering the wheel width. Also, "brand new" tires do not cause steering issues. This is a case of the tires doing exactly what they are designed to do, which is to grip the road. They grip so well that as the contour of the road changes, the vehicle changes direction. As I and others have said, it's a common effect with low profile tires, especially tires with relatively high inflation pressure. Both of my BMW 3 series exhibit this. My son's GTI exhibits this. My ML 320 doesn't. It's heavy vehicle with higher profile tires.
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      06-19-2018, 09:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerdriver2 View Post
You're imagining a problem where there isn't one. The standard wheels on the North American X2 are 19x8. These are not "narrow" wheels for a vehicle of this size and the tires are an appropriate width considering the wheel width. Also, "brand new" tires do not cause steering issues. This is a case of the tires doing exactly what they are designed to do, which is to grip the road. They grip so well that as the contour of the road changes, the vehicle changes direction. As I and others have said, it's a common effect with low profile tires, especially tires with relatively high inflation pressure. Both of my BMW 3 series exhibit this. My son's GTI exhibits this. My ML 320 doesn't. It's heavy vehicle with higher profile tires.
Pretty sure that the wheels are 18" x 7.5. I could take a look when I'm out at the dealer again on Thursday - but I would be very surprised if they were 19s...
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-mo...fications.html

and I drive this section of road a lot - in BMW loaners, in my M3, in my wife's Clubman and her MDX and yes, occasionally in my 1M. This felt weird - like the steering was kicking out every now and then, but the steering wheel was not moving. It wasn't the tramming that can happen with ruts in the road, it was just weird.

Maybe an early build car? Maybe like I said, narrow taller tires might be to blame and yes, of course, it could be just me.
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      06-19-2018, 10:17 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
Pretty sure that the wheels are 18" x 7.5. I could take a look when I'm out at the dealer again on Thursday - but I would be very surprised if they were 19s...
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-mo...fications.html

and I drive this section of road a lot - in BMW loaners, in my M3, in my wife's Clubman and her MDX and yes, occasionally in my 1M. This felt weird - like the steering was kicking out every now and then, but the steering wheel was not moving. It wasn't the tramming that can happen with ruts in the road, it was just weird.

Maybe an early build car? Maybe like I said, narrow taller tires might be to blame and yes, of course, it could be just me.
If it was a regular model, not M Sport X, then you are correct, the wheels are 18x7.5. Still, while it's not as wide as the M Sport X wheel, it's not a particularly narrow wheel. Anyway, I think everyone has stated their views by now...
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      11-13-2023, 03:39 AM   #12
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doug_999 Up for this thread:
I have the same problem with an F48 X1 Sdrive. I have tried different tyre sizes and also different alloys and it stills happen.

Have you solved this problem?
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      11-13-2023, 05:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by euka_92 View Post
doug_999 Up for this thread:
I have the same problem with an F48 X1 Sdrive. I have tried different tyre sizes and also different alloys and it stills happen.

Have you solved this problem?
Fortunately it was not my car. I only had it while they were servicing my M3. At least that’s what I think I had at the time.

Sorry I can’t be of more help.
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      11-13-2023, 05:51 AM   #14
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I solved this by upgrading to Harder/firmer bushings on the control arms.
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