640d with any annoying vibration
Discussion
My F01 (new to me recently, 2011 model, 50k miles) has a slight vibration at 70mph which is a little inconvenient in this country.
I swapped the run flats for regular Contis which helped a great deal but I can still feel it. I'll investigate it further at some point but I'm usually going a bit quicker than that on the motorway so it's not a big deal.
I swapped the run flats for regular Contis which helped a great deal but I can still feel it. I'll investigate it further at some point but I'm usually going a bit quicker than that on the motorway so it's not a big deal.
Blue Oval84 said:
If you've got a buckle, no matter how slight, that's where I'd be looking.
I'm incredibly sensitive to wheel vibrations after having had an E39 which did it and even a relatively slight buckle is something I can feel.
Sorry if I missed this but what's the mileage on yours? The one repair that has previously made a massive difference to my previous cars was new track rod ends. Both times, it felt like driving a new car afterwards!
Are most wheels repairable if so? I'd imagine a new 20" wheel would be incredibly expensive I'm incredibly sensitive to wheel vibrations after having had an E39 which did it and even a relatively slight buckle is something I can feel.
Sorry if I missed this but what's the mileage on yours? The one repair that has previously made a massive difference to my previous cars was new track rod ends. Both times, it felt like driving a new car afterwards!
T16OLE said:
Are most wheels repairable if so? I'd imagine a new 20" wheel would be incredibly expensive
Yeah they can normally be fixed in my experience, or at least radically improved. Just make sure it's not somewhere that simply smashes the wheel back into shape with a hammer though!Given the age of the car I doubt it's the Guibo.
If I were a betting I'd say it's something bent or out of balance. Out of curiousity (seeing as you have got underneath the car) how much play is in your diff output shafts? Some BMWs do develop play here, which is said to "normal" by BMW ; the E46 M3 for example has this issue.
There is a place who can chase down vibrations for you and generally they have a very high sucess rate. Vibration Free are based in Bicester. I understand they are not the cheapest however.
http://vibrationfree.co.uk/
If I were a betting I'd say it's something bent or out of balance. Out of curiousity (seeing as you have got underneath the car) how much play is in your diff output shafts? Some BMWs do develop play here, which is said to "normal" by BMW ; the E46 M3 for example has this issue.
There is a place who can chase down vibrations for you and generally they have a very high sucess rate. Vibration Free are based in Bicester. I understand they are not the cheapest however.
http://vibrationfree.co.uk/
SebringMan said:
Given the age of the car I doubt it's the Guibo.
If I were a betting I'd say it's something bent or out of balance. Out of curiousity (seeing as you have got underneath the car) how much play is in your diff output shafts? Some BMWs do develop play here, which is said to "normal" by BMW ; the E46 M3 for example has this issue.
There is a place who can chase down vibrations for you and generally they have a very high sucess rate. Vibration Free are based in Bicester. I understand they are not the cheapest however.
http://vibrationfree.co.uk/
Thank you so much, I spoke to Henrick to get it booked in, he seemed very knowledgeable and suggest balancing the prop & wheels in-situ. If I were a betting I'd say it's something bent or out of balance. Out of curiousity (seeing as you have got underneath the car) how much play is in your diff output shafts? Some BMWs do develop play here, which is said to "normal" by BMW ; the E46 M3 for example has this issue.
There is a place who can chase down vibrations for you and generally they have a very high sucess rate. Vibration Free are based in Bicester. I understand they are not the cheapest however.
http://vibrationfree.co.uk/
Thanks again.
SebringMan said:
Very useful in terms of potential future use, thanks for the link.T16OLE said:
Yes.
Though isn't the prop related to road speed only?
I'm not sure if it is related to road speed. I believe the propshaft comes out of the transmission and drives the rear differential and the driveshafts from the differential go to the rear wheels which in turn is what causes the wheels to move. AFAIK the driveshafts are always moving and the propshaft moves when the engine is turning and the transmission is in gear. Try doing 60 to 80mph it in 6th or 5th gear or even just do it in DS mode. Though isn't the prop related to road speed only?
Edited by T16OLE on Friday 31st March 08:20
rayyan171 said:
I'm not sure if it is related to road speed. I believe the propshaft comes out of the transmission and drives the rear differential and the driveshafts from the differential go to the rear wheels which in turn is what causes the wheels to move. AFAIK the driveshafts are always moving and the propshaft moves when the engine is turning and the transmission is in gear. Try doing 60 to 80mph it in 6th or 5th gear or even just do it in DS mode.
The issue doesn't seem relate to revs or Gear selected. I though that the propshaft was related to road speed only.
Edited by T16OLE on Monday 3rd April 21:41
To provide an update. The car's been at BMW this week in attempt to solve the vibration.
Whilst they put their best endeavours to solving the issue they believe it's because I fitted 4 x Falken non OEM tyres (all brand new).
They informed me that they swapped the wheels and tyres with another 6, they believe there's no vibration, however, all wheels are fine, as are the tyres and all are balanced to their spec's.
The upshot is I've booked it in with Vibration Free so a specialist can have a look (at my cost) as they unfortunately don't have the kit.
The problem from their point of view is that whilst they agree that there's definitely a vibration they cannot necessary find anything mechanically wrong.
They did however state that if Vibration Free find any parts they have failed they will take a view on relpacing under warranty.
Whilst they put their best endeavours to solving the issue they believe it's because I fitted 4 x Falken non OEM tyres (all brand new).
They informed me that they swapped the wheels and tyres with another 6, they believe there's no vibration, however, all wheels are fine, as are the tyres and all are balanced to their spec's.
The upshot is I've booked it in with Vibration Free so a specialist can have a look (at my cost) as they unfortunately don't have the kit.
The problem from their point of view is that whilst they agree that there's definitely a vibration they cannot necessary find anything mechanically wrong.
They did however state that if Vibration Free find any parts they have failed they will take a view on relpacing under warranty.
OMG, I had to check the OPs name wasn't mine, I have exactly the same issue on mine.
It's a 2014 640d GC with 20" wheels.
Bought it June last year with 20k miles on the clock, on the test drive there was a slight vibration, before delivery they changed all discs and pads and put new rear tyres on it (the fronts looked brand new anyway). I was chuffed that I wouldn't be facing any immediate consumables.
During November I bumped into a pot hole that felt like I drove over a bomb crater, I had the car's 4 wheel alignment checked and corrected, whilst there they did a free safety check on tyres and reported all was ok.
A couple of days later at the 30k service I asked them to try and trace and fix the obvious vibration between 60 & 80 mph, They sent me a video of a nasty split down the inside of the tyre, the tread was literally split off the side wall, the tyre was changed and car better but not cured.
I got it back and just drove it further just living with it and had 4 wheel alignment done again, it was better but not perfect.
Fast forward towards end of March (approaching 40k miles, and the vibration is now very noticeable and quite wearing so I booked it in. In fact I wrote to the dealer principal about how worried I was that I had got a pup and the service manager was soon on the phone asking me to take him on a test drive and explain.
This was just about 3 weeks ago just before the 3 warranty expired (still under the 1 year approved used car scheme until June though). He asked what I thought it could be I suggested an imbalance in the prop maybe, car was booked in for testing and I took a swanky 730 away. On dropping it off they noted I had a similar split between tread and side wall on the near side front, grrr.
Story so far.
They swapped my wheels and tyres for an identical set from another car that had come in as a trade in, and said no significant improvement.
Upon checking my wheels they said there was a slight buckle on both near side wheels but shouldn't be enough to cause the vibration.
They recommended the split tyre front near side was changed and the nearly worn out off side rear be changed, I agreed.
As it wasn't solved i pushed them a bit to do something and they said they would start conversations with BMW over the drive shafts and prop shaft, within a few days they convinced themselves it was buckled wheels.
They now have had a brand new 640 with the same wheels delivered and have tried those and it is now allegedly unnoticeable so I have been invited back Wednesday to try it out.
I asked if the wheels can be repaired but that's a no and they are circa £400 each.
I was resigned to this plus the two new tyres on top, plus the damaged one I bought in December as the likely solution until reading the original posters story that seemed so familiar.
In the intervening 2.5 weeks I have decided I really like the brand new 7 series, it's so comforting to cruise round in, but frankly I don't want to spend another significant chunk on top of the value of the 6 series. I planned to keep the 6 years so the depreciation levels off to an acceptable level so selling so quickly is going to be a substantial loss plus the uplift to the 7 is not what I planned for or frankly am resigned too.
Let's compare the stories we are told and see what comes next.
Although it's a great looking car with lots of toys and good turn of speed I wish I hadn't bought the thing and gone for a near del miles 530d instead.
Cheers
Ed
It's a 2014 640d GC with 20" wheels.
Bought it June last year with 20k miles on the clock, on the test drive there was a slight vibration, before delivery they changed all discs and pads and put new rear tyres on it (the fronts looked brand new anyway). I was chuffed that I wouldn't be facing any immediate consumables.
During November I bumped into a pot hole that felt like I drove over a bomb crater, I had the car's 4 wheel alignment checked and corrected, whilst there they did a free safety check on tyres and reported all was ok.
A couple of days later at the 30k service I asked them to try and trace and fix the obvious vibration between 60 & 80 mph, They sent me a video of a nasty split down the inside of the tyre, the tread was literally split off the side wall, the tyre was changed and car better but not cured.
I got it back and just drove it further just living with it and had 4 wheel alignment done again, it was better but not perfect.
Fast forward towards end of March (approaching 40k miles, and the vibration is now very noticeable and quite wearing so I booked it in. In fact I wrote to the dealer principal about how worried I was that I had got a pup and the service manager was soon on the phone asking me to take him on a test drive and explain.
This was just about 3 weeks ago just before the 3 warranty expired (still under the 1 year approved used car scheme until June though). He asked what I thought it could be I suggested an imbalance in the prop maybe, car was booked in for testing and I took a swanky 730 away. On dropping it off they noted I had a similar split between tread and side wall on the near side front, grrr.
Story so far.
They swapped my wheels and tyres for an identical set from another car that had come in as a trade in, and said no significant improvement.
Upon checking my wheels they said there was a slight buckle on both near side wheels but shouldn't be enough to cause the vibration.
They recommended the split tyre front near side was changed and the nearly worn out off side rear be changed, I agreed.
As it wasn't solved i pushed them a bit to do something and they said they would start conversations with BMW over the drive shafts and prop shaft, within a few days they convinced themselves it was buckled wheels.
They now have had a brand new 640 with the same wheels delivered and have tried those and it is now allegedly unnoticeable so I have been invited back Wednesday to try it out.
I asked if the wheels can be repaired but that's a no and they are circa £400 each.
I was resigned to this plus the two new tyres on top, plus the damaged one I bought in December as the likely solution until reading the original posters story that seemed so familiar.
In the intervening 2.5 weeks I have decided I really like the brand new 7 series, it's so comforting to cruise round in, but frankly I don't want to spend another significant chunk on top of the value of the 6 series. I planned to keep the 6 years so the depreciation levels off to an acceptable level so selling so quickly is going to be a substantial loss plus the uplift to the 7 is not what I planned for or frankly am resigned too.
Let's compare the stories we are told and see what comes next.
Although it's a great looking car with lots of toys and good turn of speed I wish I hadn't bought the thing and gone for a near del miles 530d instead.
Cheers
Ed
I have to say I find it staggering that a professional could look at two bent wheels and say "well they're bent but that couldn't possibly be what's causing the vibration". FFS. It's the first place I would start now (and indeed as soon as I found out one of my S60's rims was out of shape I had them all refurbished/repaired and the vibration disappeared)
Frrair said:
OMG, I had to check the OPs name wasn't mine, I have exactly the same issue on mine.
It's a 2014 640d GC with 20" wheels.
Bought it June last year with 20k miles on the clock, on the test drive there was a slight vibration, before delivery they changed all discs and pads and put new rear tyres on it (the fronts looked brand new anyway). I was chuffed that I wouldn't be facing any immediate consumables.
During November I bumped into a pot hole that felt like I drove over a bomb crater, I had the car's 4 wheel alignment checked and corrected, whilst there they did a free safety check on tyres and reported all was ok.
A couple of days later at the 30k service I asked them to try and trace and fix the obvious vibration between 60 & 80 mph, They sent me a video of a nasty split down the inside of the tyre, the tread was literally split off the side wall, the tyre was changed and car better but not cured.
I got it back and just drove it further just living with it and had 4 wheel alignment done again, it was better but not perfect.
Fast forward towards end of March (approaching 40k miles, and the vibration is now very noticeable and quite wearing so I booked it in. In fact I wrote to the dealer principal about how worried I was that I had got a pup and the service manager was soon on the phone asking me to take him on a test drive and explain.
This was just about 3 weeks ago just before the 3 warranty expired (still under the 1 year approved used car scheme until June though). He asked what I thought it could be I suggested an imbalance in the prop maybe, car was booked in for testing and I took a swanky 730 away. On dropping it off they noted I had a similar split between tread and side wall on the near side front, grrr.
Story so far.
They swapped my wheels and tyres for an identical set from another car that had come in as a trade in, and said no significant improvement.
Upon checking my wheels they said there was a slight buckle on both near side wheels but shouldn't be enough to cause the vibration.
They recommended the split tyre front near side was changed and the nearly worn out off side rear be changed, I agreed.
As it wasn't solved i pushed them a bit to do something and they said they would start conversations with BMW over the drive shafts and prop shaft, within a few days they convinced themselves it was buckled wheels.
They now have had a brand new 640 with the same wheels delivered and have tried those and it is now allegedly unnoticeable so I have been invited back Wednesday to try it out.
I asked if the wheels can be repaired but that's a no and they are circa £400 each.
I was resigned to this plus the two new tyres on top, plus the damaged one I bought in December as the likely solution until reading the original posters story that seemed so familiar.
In the intervening 2.5 weeks I have decided I really like the brand new 7 series, it's so comforting to cruise round in, but frankly I don't want to spend another significant chunk on top of the value of the 6 series. I planned to keep the 6 years so the depreciation levels off to an acceptable level so selling so quickly is going to be a substantial loss plus the uplift to the 7 is not what I planned for or frankly am resigned too.
Let's compare the stories we are told and see what comes next.
Although it's a great looking car with lots of toys and good turn of speed I wish I hadn't bought the thing and gone for a near del miles 530d instead.
Cheers
Ed
I personally believe that if they knew what the problem was they would fix it, but they just can't identify the issue and don't know what to do. It's a 2014 640d GC with 20" wheels.
Bought it June last year with 20k miles on the clock, on the test drive there was a slight vibration, before delivery they changed all discs and pads and put new rear tyres on it (the fronts looked brand new anyway). I was chuffed that I wouldn't be facing any immediate consumables.
During November I bumped into a pot hole that felt like I drove over a bomb crater, I had the car's 4 wheel alignment checked and corrected, whilst there they did a free safety check on tyres and reported all was ok.
A couple of days later at the 30k service I asked them to try and trace and fix the obvious vibration between 60 & 80 mph, They sent me a video of a nasty split down the inside of the tyre, the tread was literally split off the side wall, the tyre was changed and car better but not cured.
I got it back and just drove it further just living with it and had 4 wheel alignment done again, it was better but not perfect.
Fast forward towards end of March (approaching 40k miles, and the vibration is now very noticeable and quite wearing so I booked it in. In fact I wrote to the dealer principal about how worried I was that I had got a pup and the service manager was soon on the phone asking me to take him on a test drive and explain.
This was just about 3 weeks ago just before the 3 warranty expired (still under the 1 year approved used car scheme until June though). He asked what I thought it could be I suggested an imbalance in the prop maybe, car was booked in for testing and I took a swanky 730 away. On dropping it off they noted I had a similar split between tread and side wall on the near side front, grrr.
Story so far.
They swapped my wheels and tyres for an identical set from another car that had come in as a trade in, and said no significant improvement.
Upon checking my wheels they said there was a slight buckle on both near side wheels but shouldn't be enough to cause the vibration.
They recommended the split tyre front near side was changed and the nearly worn out off side rear be changed, I agreed.
As it wasn't solved i pushed them a bit to do something and they said they would start conversations with BMW over the drive shafts and prop shaft, within a few days they convinced themselves it was buckled wheels.
They now have had a brand new 640 with the same wheels delivered and have tried those and it is now allegedly unnoticeable so I have been invited back Wednesday to try it out.
I asked if the wheels can be repaired but that's a no and they are circa £400 each.
I was resigned to this plus the two new tyres on top, plus the damaged one I bought in December as the likely solution until reading the original posters story that seemed so familiar.
In the intervening 2.5 weeks I have decided I really like the brand new 7 series, it's so comforting to cruise round in, but frankly I don't want to spend another significant chunk on top of the value of the 6 series. I planned to keep the 6 years so the depreciation levels off to an acceptable level so selling so quickly is going to be a substantial loss plus the uplift to the 7 is not what I planned for or frankly am resigned too.
Let's compare the stories we are told and see what comes next.
Although it's a great looking car with lots of toys and good turn of speed I wish I hadn't bought the thing and gone for a near del miles 530d instead.
Cheers
Ed
I wouldn't be surprised if its a mix of warped discs, wheels, bushes & prop / shaft balancing.
I'm intrigued to see what Vibration Free find
That said, I also find them quite quick to & very conveniently blame items not covered under any warranty such as discs, pads, wheels & tyres. In addition to being told the 6 doesn't ride very well in general and its a characteristic of the model.
All in all, the rest of the service they provide is above and beyond what I'd expect and they're very accommodating & helpful in general.
Its Interesting to see that I'm not alone in experiencing the issue
I'm having a part exchange value tomorrow for mine, living with it "as is" is that bad, the 318d SE I've had on loan has been a pleasure in comparison
Edited by T16OLE on Thursday 13th April 23:20
Wheels was the BMW blame point on my mates 135i that I mentioned in an earlier post. They are made from chocolate it seems?
He tried a set of oz wheels at significant cost as he refused to buy more poor quality oem wheels. Didn't solve the problem, even with new tyres. BMW then blamed those wheels as they didn't have run flats on ffs.
He gave up in the end. Traded it in for a nice healthy loss. BMW came out to look at it, called up its service records and had the cheek to reduce their valuation on account it had a vibration that needed fixing. They gave him £14.5k for it. It's now up for £19.5k as AUC. If anyone is looking at a white m135 with red leather PM me and we will see if it's the same one.
He tried a set of oz wheels at significant cost as he refused to buy more poor quality oem wheels. Didn't solve the problem, even with new tyres. BMW then blamed those wheels as they didn't have run flats on ffs.
He gave up in the end. Traded it in for a nice healthy loss. BMW came out to look at it, called up its service records and had the cheek to reduce their valuation on account it had a vibration that needed fixing. They gave him £14.5k for it. It's now up for £19.5k as AUC. If anyone is looking at a white m135 with red leather PM me and we will see if it's the same one.
rayyan171 said:
I'm not sure if it is related to road speed. I believe the propshaft comes out of the transmission and drives the rear differential and the driveshafts from the differential go to the rear wheels which in turn is what causes the wheels to move. AFAIK the driveshafts are always moving and the propshaft moves when the engine is turning and the transmission is in gear. Try doing 60 to 80mph it in 6th or 5th gear or even just do it in DS mode.
The propshaft and driveshafts all move together. You can't have driveshafts moving and a stationary propshaft unless your differential is very broken.Frrair said:
It sounds like we are on parallel roads.
I have also been considering swapping mine, I am really enjoying the 7 series courtesy car and the dealer who I bought the 6 from and it trying to fix has one very similar for sale.
Umm what to do?
The thing is that you could go and get balls deep into the next 7 series and run over a pothole or have a bump or whatever.I have also been considering swapping mine, I am really enjoying the 7 series courtesy car and the dealer who I bought the 6 from and it trying to fix has one very similar for sale.
Umm what to do?
Unless you really want to change car then dumping this one and paying more for another seems to be an expensive way to solve a problem,
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