640d with any annoying vibration

640d with any annoying vibration

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T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
I've had my 640d for 12 months now

I was an approved used car bought from BMW.

The dealership has been very good throughout.

However, pretty much since day 1 it's had an annoying vibration from about 60mph to 80mph, its settles down after that

I've had the wheels balanced numerous times, changed all tyres (there is a slight buckle but its within tolerance and not enough to make a vibration.

Trouble is, BMW don't agree that there's a problem and say it's a "characteristic of the car". They let me drive another one and whilst there's a very slight virbation (mainly due to the stupid 20" wheels) I don't think its as bad as mine.

The problem is about 6 months ago, I said that I'll just leave it.

However, its due to go back for its MoT and some warranty work and I really want them
To find out what's causing the problem and want to slap a list in front of them or potential areas to check off, whilst this may be condescending to their mechanic I think it's my only option.

To make matters worse, the last tyre they fitted (approx 2 months ago) the locking nut was fitted
Too tight and both of my local dealers can't get it off.

Anyway, I'm thinking asking them to check, any comments welcome

Discs (they also vibrate slightly under light braking and were replaced due to warping under warranty
Wheel bearings
Wishbone bushes
Bent wheels
Propshaft balance

phib

4,464 posts

258 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
Your not going to want to hear this but I handed back my 640d to Bmw after 24 hours for exactly the same reason, after a little fight I got my money back.

Mine was a combination of buckled alloys and bad disks / pads.

Good luck but I am afraid it sounds quite expensive, I also had the buckled wheel issue on a 730d and 740d. After many new alloys and 000's of pounds I now drive and Audi !!

Just on the complete off chance it's not a black 640d m sport convertible is it ? ( I know there must be loads of those about !!)

Feel your pain

Phib

CubanPete

3,630 posts

187 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
Steering arm bushes, seem to be a consumable on the 3series

Also wheel alignment could be worth checking

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
Its a blue coupe!

Bugger not really what I wanted to hear, although not totally unexpected


phib

4,464 posts

258 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
T16OLE said:
Its a blue coupe!

Bugger not really what I wanted to hear, although not totally unexpected
Well one positive is it's not my old car as in the end the wheel vibration was the leat of the problems !!

Phib

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
CubanPete said:
Steering arm bushes, seem to be a consumable on the 3series

Also wheel alignment could be worth checking
I'll as it to the list, I had it properly aligned, it has the adaptive drive, so believe it has the rear steering ability and thought I'd get the dealer to make sure it was correct, tyre wear is all even though

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
phib said:
Well one positive is it's not my old car as in the end the wheel vibration was the leat of the problems !!

Phib
Ha! Phew! Its under warranty thank god!

eltax91

9,842 posts

205 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
Close mate of mine has an M135i from new until tomorrow, 3 and 1/2 years old. For the last 2 and 1/2 years it's had this exact problem. Paid over £30k for the car.

BMW said he had damaged a wheel at first. He spent £1800 on a new set of quality aftermarket wheels - didn't fix it.

BMW swapped a few parts over from a 'spare' M135i in the workshop. But eventually sacked him off with the same charactertic of the car bullst they've given you. He's sold it on to another group at a significant loss and committed to a new Japanese car hoping they are not made from chocolate and their dealers are not s.

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
I'd happily pay (although not if I don't have to) for it to be sorted, but don't want to go on a crazy swapping random parts open
wallet surgery.

Is there such thing as a rolling road for suspension / drive train issues? Or have I got my
Head in the clouds?

The warranty covers wear & tear inc bushes etc too which is a bonus

Edited by T16OLE on Wednesday 29th March 21:43

parabolica

6,703 posts

183 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
My 640i hasn't had this issue (touch wood) however I did have a 645 prior and it had a wobble at 60-70; new pads sorted it out. However unless it's a vibration under braking only, sounds like it might be something else. Good luck with it!

robm3

4,927 posts

226 months

Wednesday 29th March 2017
quotequote all
I ran the earlier model e64 with no issues over nearly 200K miles inc Nurburgring and Silverstone track days BUT I took a new version (F12?) demonstrator for a drive and it too had the vibration issue. My feeling was one of the wheels were buckled.

I just brought a 428i convertible in the end and it's smooth all the way to about 90mph (haven't been faster). Brand new though.

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
It's driving me insane.

I feel like anything tricky that's not got an obvious solution just get some left and excuses made.

I had the previous model too, that was fine and made a nice noise.

rdj001

183 posts

97 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
Hi,

friend has this exact problem on his 640d and it became a bit of a saga. Had all the obvious bits checked (balanced wheels, changed alloys, brakes replaced etc). Turns out it was something called the 'guibo' on his prop shaft.

cheers
Rod

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
rdj001 said:
Hi,

friend has this exact problem on his 640d and it became a bit of a saga. Had all the obvious bits checked (balanced wheels, changed alloys, brakes replaced etc). Turns out it was something called the 'guibo' on his prop shaft.

cheers
Rod
This is why I love PH.

Thanks

T16OLE

Original Poster:

2,944 posts

190 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
Its got to be a starting point like you say.

My fear is denial of the issue

M-SportMatt

1,923 posts

137 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
I was chasing a vibration on my 320d for a good few months and after discounting the wheels my local BMW main dealer inspected it and found nothing, citing some wear ( but within spec ) on some of the rear arm bushes as a cause.

I was unhappy with this diagnosis and had it inspected at a respected indy i use and they immediately called me to tell me the bolts holding on the diff were not all in one piece! two of the 6 had snapped......

Once that was sorted it now drives as tight as a drum and is a joy to drive again



My suspicion was the guibo ( rubber donut connecting the two piece prop ) but it wasnt that in the end although fairly common

sealtt

3,091 posts

157 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
I had a brand new, well pre Reg same thing, M6 cabriolet from BMW m and the fuse in the drivers seat kept on going. I took it back to them maybe 3 times total and they never sorted it. It would keep on blowing every now and again when the seat was between positions - I.e. Moving it forward / back for someone to get in or out, and so id be stuck with the seat in a terrible position!!

Also they never got the brakes to stop squeaking.

Last time I'll ever buy a BMW even though I'd still love a V10 M6 though with an aftermarket exhaust!

Edited by sealtt on Thursday 30th March 21:09

mwstewart

7,553 posts

187 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
Have you tried a 640i?

John145

2,447 posts

155 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
Does the vibration reduce over a 20 minute drive? Could be flat spotting. (not the "I've got no ABS!" flat spotting, it's the "I've got hot tyres and a heavy car" and when left over night deform)

turbobloke

103,737 posts

259 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
T16OLE said:
rdj001 said:
Hi,

friend has this exact problem on his 640d and it became a bit of a saga. Had all the obvious bits checked (balanced wheels, changed alloys, brakes replaced etc). Turns out it was something called the 'guibo' on his prop shaft.

cheers
Rod
This is why I love PH.

Thanks
Just about to suggest the same thing, the guibo joint is also called the donut iirc.