330d sport steering?

[andysv]

my(new to me) 330/04 sport has real twitchy steering, i'm constantly correcting whilst driving, i don't mean lane changing but it doesn't feel right. my dealer has got it in for checking but he thinks it's me not the car. ive got cars with wider tyres than this so i'm not gona be fobbed off. but is this the norm on a sport? surely not.

[Darth Dave]

Probably down to the larger tyres. A similar thing happens on my 328ci and there's no problem at all in the steering/tracking/suspension/tyre pressures or wear. Just down to the bigger tyres over some surfaces.

[B17NNS]

is there any way you can get a drive in another 330 sport?

does the dealer have a used one you can try?

[slippydiff]

Ditch the 18 inch wheels and replace them with 17's, ride vastly improved, tramlining gone and if you fit the 7 spoke BMW wheel (8J X 17) they're a lot easier to clean than the MV's !
Or if you want something 8 1/2J X 17 use these Type 3 Schnitzers www.dub-shack.com/wheels/ac%20schnitzer/index.aspx
What tyres are you using ?

>> Edited by slippydiff on Monday 20th February 15:59

[dannylt]

What tyres? Our 2002 on RE040 is generally fine except in worn motorway left lanes.

[andysv]

it's on bridgestone potenzas all round, plenty of tread left. dealer had it today but wants it in for a full steering check next week, i was expecting a fob off, but i should be sorted next week. i did drive a 330d coupe and that felt better, mine must have a geo problem.

[NickXX]

The same happens on 330d Sport. I think it's just tramlining - came as a real shock when I moved from a Mk5 Golf with 15" Wheels and chunky tires! I've become used to it now, but is a bit of a pain on potholed roads.

[Ruxpin]

Our 330d sport was the same - felt very twitchy on motorways at first. Tramlined etc..

You just get used to it.... one of the few faults of the car.

Alternatively as said, ditch the 18" wheels and enjoy a better ride, steering that doesn't stick at full lock etc.. when we spoke to BMW we weren't the first to complain about the sport being too sport for UK roads

[B17NNS]

Ruxpin said:

when we spoke to BMW we weren't the first to complain about the sport being too sport for UK roads

it does look rather good though doesnt it.

[dannylt]

Occasional tramlining on motorways is a small sacrifice for the difference it makes on twisty A road driving! I was impressed with the sport setup - I didn't expect it to be quite so much firmer for a mainstream manufacturer.

[andysv]

this is fidgety everywere, not just mways. worst on A and B roads. i hope the full check rectifies.

[The_Doc]

My 330d is the SE, not Sport, and rides on 17" P6000s. No twitchyness and slightly softer suspension makes for a better ride.

Vast difference from my last car which was an Audi TT and had hard enough ride to shake your fillings loose (but great cornering)

Suggest: get full tracking check +/- geometry and if this is ok then switch to 17"-ers


>> Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 21st February 10:02

[andysv]

i noticed it on a particular long A road near to me, my diablo and 340r track dead straight down this, that's what rang the alarm bells. when dealer said "it's you or the road my friend" he was unaware of my other transport, and thought the bmw had the sportiest set up i'd ever driven! silly billy.

[dannylt]

As you say - best is just to drive another one to compare, and you did. Let us know what the problem is! I suspect all new cars have rather random geo setup.

[slippydiff]

andysv said:

when dealer said "it's you or the road my friend" he was unaware of my other transport, and thought the bmw had the sportiest set up i'd ever driven! silly billy

Typical BMW dealer, painfully patronising !
I had a similar response when I requested the steering wheel be correctly aligned in it's central position on my 330ci.
After receiving the car back and finding it no better I complained to the service advisor that the problem had not been adressed.
The "advisor" then asked if was off to the right or off to the left..............here we go I thought.
It's the left I told him.
He replied all BMW's do that sir.
Really I replied, my previous E46 328 didn't, nor my E36 M3, nor the E39 525 you've just lent me.
Perhaps if you were to carry out a full KDS geometry check you'd be able to establish whether the tracking is out or if the steering wheel is incorrectly mounted on its splines. Cue shocked look from said individual. His face said it all (how the f**K does a punter know about KDS ?)
Yes of course sir, I'll make a note on the jobsheet. Arrogant wkers the vast proportion of them.

[andysv]

KDS, just wait til i get back to the dealer next week, that's my bullshit stopper. thanks for all the info guys.

[MattOz]

Andy,

I've had a similar issue in the past with a 3 series. Got the thing KDS'd and even though they sheet I was given showed what I thought was little change, the alignment worked a treat and the car then tracked straight and was far nicer to drive. That was on Bridgestone 040's too.

Get it KDS'd and hopefully that'll sort it.

All the best
Matt