Newbie with cautionary tale - shaking steering wheel

[TorX69]

Hi,

Quick hello to you as this is my first post an all. Just acquired my first X5 even though I've been in the BMW family for some time. We all love it to bits and we've only had her a fortnight.

Anyways, upon collection of the X I was around 3 miles from home travelling a dual carriage way at 60 when I noticed 'speed wobble' in the steering wheel which gradually become worry some. As soon as it started it stopped! Then over a bump and up it started to settle once more in about 1/4 mile. This continued until I left carriageway and proceeded home on B road at 50mph, smooth as silk.
First stop, my regular mechanic who gave her the once over and said all looked good?
I perused the net and 'common' queries were plentiful with answers ranging from poor balancing, steering rack wear to worn front control arm bushings. 'Oh hell here we go'!!
Even though in good condition I noticed my wheels were in great shape for a 2002 vehicle and I became suspicious whether she was wearing after market boots or not. I checked BMW and sure enough there they were amongst the throng model 213. BUT! yes BUT they were listed for the E70 not the E53!
My X had recently before purchase had not only new tyres but new front discs and pads, what if I thought, the fitter/previous owner had left out the spigot rings enabling fitment of E70 wheels to E53 model X5's?? The fitment for later models is ever so slightly different and when I say ever so slightly its exactly 1.5mm or 0.059" if your an old git like me.
Upon removal of wheels not 1 or 2 but all 4 spigot rings missing,EUREKA!
My trusted allie, eBay, came to the rescue and £8 later and an afternoon of sweat the BM now runs like she's on a mill pond.
My word of caution is thus, if buying an older model or for that matter any model with unusual characteristics check what is OEM and what is not, then check compatibility of those bits before shelling out for unnecessary repairs.
Happy motoring   

[X5Sport]

Glad it was a simple fix.  It's all too easy to go for what in the face of it should be a simple upgrade and then miss a vital part out.