e46 vibration over 70mph when warm

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:08 pm

hi all, bought a bmw e46 318i se other day on a 2002 plate. lovely car on standard 16" alloys. problem is once car has been driven for a good while and is warm, anything over 70mph the wholecar feels like its vibrating. If i take the car out for cold run, ie take it to over 70mph when cold, car runs smooth and trouble free!! only when warm i get this vibration???? tyres??? tyres are not in best condition etc, any ideas as to why its doing it when warm?? thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

x555 · Post by **x555** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:34 pm

You and your warmed up cars ehh!! first guesses would be wheel balancing,tracking,tyres a bit vague i know but an answer all the same

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:54 am

i know!! typical!! im on the verge of buying brand new mv3's today but really dont want to spend Â£500 to find out its not the wheels and tyres!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:50 am

Cheaper to find someone else with a set of 16's & swap to test/compare, ( either off another car or ideally a spare set - maybe prior taken off when upgrading rim size).

Try bmwland or bimmerforums, (ideally for best result introduce yourself & make a couple of othjer posts if not prior registered), & maybe tell folk where you are...........It may help to offer some beer/tobacco/oil tokens or other decent incentive in return. Make sure you have sufficent axle stands, jacks & lock wheel keys etc as a little hassle involved if swapping a set car to car.

You dont need identical rims any that fit your car will do to eliminate or identify fault with your set up so long as offset is correct.

I have Z3 here & running Style 55 rims shod with 225/50/16 think they are compatable with E46 but you would need to check offsets, (not my knowledge strongpoint), anyway here's a link

phiggystardust · Post by **phiggystardust** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:13 pm

hi jon
my vw had the same a simular problem and i swapped front and backs and solved it so knew needed tyres worth a go

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:13 pm

turned out ro be wheel tyre issue, now sorted with brand new set of 18" MV3 m sport alloys (replicas). they look really fresh on the car!! and vibration gone!! feels far more composed at high speed and cornering also!!! what do you guys think? :

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:16 pm

ps still got the X!! this is now the family run around!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 7:02 pm

Yes, that looks good. Very similar to the 135 style wheels.

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:34 pm

yes, very similar to that style wheel, my supervisor in work has a 123d m sport and looking at the wheels this evening they are very close in style.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:38 pm

Different look - nice!

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:19 pm

cheers sanj!! finally some people posting some positive comments about my rims!! haa!! still prefer the black 22's on the X tho!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

x555 · Post by **x555** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:30 am

I think they look sh@t and you should have got oem rims

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:46 pm

well the modding bug in me has started again!! lol, just ordered a set of angel eyes to clip into the headlights!! should look smart! and reasonable @ 27 pounds delivered!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BL02WAS · Post by **BL02WAS** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:48 pm

x555!! just saw your comment for the first time, the world will be such a better place when you get over this size envy problem you have!! lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 5:36 pm

I have an E46 also but a '99 version.
I replaced the standard 16"s with 18" MV2's With 225/45/18's and they too make all the difference to the look and handling of the car.
In addition I had the door handles colour matched, fitted CFL angel eyes and clear chrome front indicators.
When the back box holed, I did go a bit boy racer and fitted a Magnex oval stainless box only because it was Â£60 and cheaper than an original ( my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

XSeries-forum

XSeries-forum