X3 M40i crabbing issue

[Webber3]

I took delivery of my X3 M40i last winter and from new it seemed to have a crabbing issue on very cold days. It was especially noticeable when driving over changing surfaces on full lock. eg. when my driveway changes from tarmac to block paving. Similar to the Mercedes GLC crabbing issue, but not quite that bad.

The problem went away when it got warmer, so I just put it down to the summer tyres (non RFT).

Now the tyres are older and we're back in winter the problem has gotten a lot worse. I also noticed that the front tyres are wearing away on the outer edges. I'm now wondering if it was delivered with bad wheel alignment. I need to change the front tyres but I'm reluctant to replace with PZero's in case they were the cause of the problem.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[gizlaroc]

Not heard of it on BMWs, but it does often happen on awd cars on full lock.

Also, make sure you change all tyres at once, you can cause serious damage on these when tyres have very different tread depths and some weird issues with different tread patterns too.

[Tea Pot One]

My 2019 M40i does this - I have the 21" wheels with RFT's. I think it is just the hard sidewalls and suspension set up.

I had the same thing far, far worse on my FL A45 AMG ... I hated it on that, always when cold.

I think it is one of those things we are going to have to put up with. I love the car and this is the only thing I find that 'annoys' me. Not that bad really.

[CSLchappie]

I have very similar issues with Pzero tyres fitted to my RS6 and its always the front drivers side that makes the noice. It will generally do it when conditions are cold / and or wet. Once tyres are up to temperature no longer a problem.

From what I've been able deduce, the Pirellis' are more prone to this than other brands (certainly in Audi circles)

[Webber3]

It's a bit of a thorny issue in our house. My other half really wanted the Merc GLC, but I said I'd never buy a car with that issue. I think I might have to just put up with this (and her comments), as apart from that I really can't fault the car.

Do you think it's worth getting the tracking done?

I had this same wear pattern on my Porsche Cayenne and it went in for tracking so many times, but made no difference. I got sick of arguing with tyre fitters about it. It was a complete waste of money.

[Ninja59]

Ackermann effect.. and the M40i does have xdrive. It will always be worse when cold as there is less flex in the tyres.

[Webber3]

Ninja59 said:

Ackermann effect.. and the M40i does have xdrive. It will always be worse when cold as there is less flex in the tyres.

Thanks, I didn't know there was a proper name for this.

[Wills2]

I have the X3M it doesn't crab under full lock, but it can chop badly at step off when you're pulling out of junctions and apply a little too much throttle with 1/2 a turn on steering lock on.

[AAD44H]

Completely normal!

[RichDS]

Completely normal mine does it too

[Olas]

tyre pressures first,
geometry second.

if they;re both ok put it on a jig.

[gizlaroc]

Olas said:

tyre pressures first,
geometry second.

if they;re both ok put it on a jig.

Hey!?

[Ninja59]

Olas said:

tyre pressures first,
geometry second.

if they;re both ok put it on a jig.

Eh?

If there was such an issue it would nearly do it all the time.

Unfortunately the trend for larger wheels,small profiles only increase the risk of this issue occurring.

The moment the OP said it was worse in the cold it is fairly obvious.

[Webber3]

Ninja59 said:

Eh?

If there was such an issue it would nearly do it all the time.

Unfortunately the trend for larger wheels,small profiles only increase the risk of this issue occurring.

The moment the OP said it was worse in the cold it is fairly obvious.

Yes, it only happens when cold, the problem completely goes away in the summer. Tyre pressures have always been good, thanks to being able to check the numbers on the screen and some manual checks.

What worries me is the wear around the tyre edges though. I had a Porsche Cayenne previously and it also wore at the edges, albeit not as bad as this (realignment did nothing to help), but it never had any issues on full lock. The tyres, although wide, were slightly larger in profile.

[Ninja59]

You will end up chewing the edge of the tyre up like it has, as the lock is applied, in essence the tyre "skips" across the surface as opposed to gripping it as the edge/sidewall is effectively becoming the gripping point combine that with gritty type surface will make it occur.

Whilst realignment might reduce the issue it wont ever resolve it entirely sadly.

The irony for me is that a car on my list for replacing the 640 in the coming years was potentially an x3 or x5 m40i...I might rethink that now.