640d with any annoying vibration
Discussion
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
To provide an update.
I made the 250 mile return trip to Vibration Free today. They said that they thought it was a wheel issue as it disapppears with speed, so no point in looking at the drivetrain.
(Wish I knew that before hand)
They balanced the front pair on the hub, couldn't do the rears because the traction control kept kicking in.
It unfortunately made no difference whatsoever.
It didn't even get to go on the ramp, as friendly as they were I couldn't recommend it
Feeling very frustrated, I then took it to Cardiff to check that all wheels were straight (well round). They were all okay apart from one rear, it was slightly out and they did a wheel repair.
I'm sad to say the vibration is still present and I'm now £300 down with a totally wasted day.
Starting to think of going back to Audi, perhaps A7 Bi Turbo.
I made the 250 mile return trip to Vibration Free today. They said that they thought it was a wheel issue as it disapppears with speed, so no point in looking at the drivetrain.
(Wish I knew that before hand)
They balanced the front pair on the hub, couldn't do the rears because the traction control kept kicking in.
It unfortunately made no difference whatsoever.
It didn't even get to go on the ramp, as friendly as they were I couldn't recommend it
Feeling very frustrated, I then took it to Cardiff to check that all wheels were straight (well round). They were all okay apart from one rear, it was slightly out and they did a wheel repair.
I'm sad to say the vibration is still present and I'm now £300 down with a totally wasted day.
Starting to think of going back to Audi, perhaps A7 Bi Turbo.
Edited by T16OLE on Monday 24th April 22:39
I asked the supplying dealer for a P/X funnily enough they're offering less than WBAC.
I'm a bit miffed by this because its still under warranty, has a full BMW history and doesn't have a single scratch or dent. They wouldn't give anymore because its not a retail car because its done 62k.
Oddly they list many cars with more mileage than 62k.
I paid £25k last April, they offered £15,350
I'm a bit miffed by this because its still under warranty, has a full BMW history and doesn't have a single scratch or dent. They wouldn't give anymore because its not a retail car because its done 62k.
Oddly they list many cars with more mileage than 62k.
I paid £25k last April, they offered £15,350
Had the wheels rebalanced after going to Vibration Free.
The wheels were balanced in three difference places on opposite sides of the wheel.
Waste of time & money unfortunately.
Decided to ask my local dealer if they'd swap the wheel & tyres with a stock vehicle. They agreed, but said they didn't have any in stock, went there today...there's a few on the forecourt & a total of 3 in stock online.
Its like banging my head against the wall.
I'm happy to pay to sort it, but don't want to throw good money after bad if I can avoid it.
Surely better than taking a £10k hit in 12 months
The wheels were balanced in three difference places on opposite sides of the wheel.
Waste of time & money unfortunately.
Decided to ask my local dealer if they'd swap the wheel & tyres with a stock vehicle. They agreed, but said they didn't have any in stock, went there today...there's a few on the forecourt & a total of 3 in stock online.
Its like banging my head against the wall.
I'm happy to pay to sort it, but don't want to throw good money after bad if I can avoid it.
Surely better than taking a £10k hit in 12 months
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