[Evil335i]

Originally Posted by jc031662

Sadly, they've been testing software fixes for this problem since the day after the first car rolled off the assembly line. While the right hand pull has been somewhat minimized, the vague, down crappy steering remains unchanged. I know what I speak of - I'm on my 2nd F10. While I otherwise love the car, I would have preferred to get my $$$ back and gotten something else.

Sorry to hear about that. But, im just trying to think positive...the f10 is still on its 1st year we should see better software coming from the 2nd year n 3rd (hopefully). Or anything time now BMW!!! The pulling the right doesnt really bug me that much anymore. Its better then the software they gave me with the vague steering going over 60mph on the highway.

[delvek]

Originally Posted by jc031662

Sadly, they've been testing software fixes for this problem since the day after the first car rolled off the assembly line. While the right hand pull has been somewhat minimized, the vague, down crappy steering remains unchanged. I know what I speak of - I'm on my 2nd F10. While I otherwise love the car, I would have preferred to get my $$$ back and gotten something else.

I am on my 2nd F10 as well, take delivery of the new one on Monday I hope. I love the steering itself, think its fantastic, just could stand the pulling issue which is a seperate characteristic. If this F10 has no pulling issue I will be in

[DuneMan]

Originally Posted by Evil335i

Honestly....I dont think it is alignment or front axle... Its all SOFTWARE! you took it in because of pulling to the right then they changed your software and u have this problem right? IMO just wait for a new software. Im pretty sure bmw is testing a bunch of softwares on the f10.

Pulling to the right was so slight that it was never a real issue for me. The vauge steering was the real issue with my steering.

I never had a software update till now. I only had a throttle adaptation reset at the dealer afew months ago to fix the throttle response. Not sure if it also screwed with my steering.

[caramanza]

I have a question, folks. I don't understand why this is such a nightmare. What is wrong with fixing pull or inadquate directional stability ??

I mean, measures to control those issues are well known, no ? A chassis is a chassis is a chassis, and chassis geometry shouldn't push the BMW service people off track, now should it ?

If a car pulls to the left or right, I adjust the toe-in/out angle. And if it doesn't stay on track, I adjust the castor angle, even possible on the rear axle. Sometimes, differences in camber might be the reason.

If that doesn't help, look at the tires - is the profile of one of them looking backwards ? I saw that recently on an SUV - the v-shaped profile was looking backward...

I had my car pulling to the right (F11) because of a runflat tire losing pressure. That may also be the reason.

But, all in all - the possible reasons are limited, aren't they ?

I had an issue with track angle on my Porsche 911 - it was very instable in curves at higher speeds, and tended to be a bit 'squishy'. I went to the dealer, and they adjusted the front and rear axle. And voila - everything was fine.

So, what's the frigging problem with BMW here ??????

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by caramanza

I have a question, folks. I don't understand why this is such a nightmare. What is wrong with fixing pull or inadquate directional stability ??

I mean, measures to control those issues are well known, no ? A chassis is a chassis is a chassis, and chassis geometry shouldn't push the BMW service people off track, now should it ?

If a car pulls to the left or right, I adjust the toe-in/out angle. And if it doesn't stay on track, I adjust the castor angle, even possible on the rear axle. Sometimes, differences in camber might be the reason.

If that doesn't help, look at the tires - is the profile of one of them looking backwards ? I saw that recently on an SUV - the v-shaped profile was looking backward...

I had my car pulling to the right (F11) because of a runflat tire losing pressure. That may also be the reason.

But, all in all - the possible reasons are limited, aren't they ?

I had an issue with track angle on my Porsche 911 - it was very instable in curves at higher speeds, and tended to be a bit 'squishy'. I went to the dealer, and they adjusted the front and rear axle. And voila - everything was fine.

So, what's the frigging problem with BMW here ??????

Calibration of the electric power steering is a potential bugaboo. Not just alignment.

[danTX28]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Calibration of the electric power steering is a potential bugaboo. Not just alignment.

+1

My brand new F10 has had the alignment fine tuned twice, had tires and wheels checked and rotated, had the software update, had an upper A arm replaced because they couldn't get it within spec, and it is still pulling and has very drifty and loose steering.

Clearly there is something else going on here...

[d-rive]

+1.

[jc031662]

Sigh...

[wannes]

I have a new appointment at the end of april ... Looking forward ;-)

[Needsdecaf]

My car is now in. The SA told me that the "WHIP" (anyone know what this is, he told me it was essentially a foreman) has been in contact with BMWNA to see what the software patches were that were previously done.

Fingers crossed.

[jc031662]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

My car is now in. The SA told me that the "WHIP" (anyone know what this is, he told me it was essentially a foreman) has been in contact with BMWNA to see what the software patches were that were previously done.

Fingers crossed.

Best of luck!

[dinnu]

I got my car back yesterday after it has been at the dealership for a week for two issues - wind noise over bluetooth microphone and pulling to the right.

I believe my pulling to the right is fixed about 99%... I say 99% because it still pulls very very slightly (or maybe it's just in my head) but is much much better than it was before. I can live with it and start enjoying the car ...

This is what was done to my car:

************************************************
D C/S VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT
CAUSE: LA*4/4
31 USE 3131515
90774 WC
3199000 FRONT AXEL
90774 WC
61 USE 6100730
90774 WC
FC 3200029700

8228 PERFORMED MECHANICAL PROCEDURE 2. REMOVED BOTH FRONT TIRES. REMOVED BOTH FRONT STRUTS. COMPRESSED SPRINGS AND CLOCKED LOWER STRUT ASSEMBLY SECTION 10 DEGREES PER PROCEDURE B INSTRUCTIONS. REASSEMBLED VEHICLE. REINSTALLED TIRES AND TORQUED TO SPEC. DEFECT CODE 32 00 02 97 00. AFTER THIS PROCEDURE VEHICLE STILL DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THIS LED TO PERFORMED CONVERSION PROGRAMMING FOR STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING. PERFORMED PROGRAMMING AND CODING OF COMPLETE VEHICLE, INCLUDING CAS AND STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING RETROFIT.

****************************************

BTW, they said my bluetooth issue is "Normal Operation" after concluding that "There is only wind noise on the LAN side of the call as speed is increased above 40 mph" . I just went off on my SA and he ordered the new microphones while I was waiting, they are supposed to come in next week and I will have to take my car back.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by dinnu

I got my car back yesterday after it has been at the dealership for a week for two issues - wind noise over bluetooth microphone and pulling to the right.

I believe my pulling to the right is fixed about 99%... I say 99% because it still pulls very very slightly (or maybe it's just in my head) but is much much better than it was before. I can live with it and start enjoying the car ...

This is what was done to my car:

************************************************
D C/S VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT
CAUSE: LA*4/4
31 USE 3131515
90774 WC
3199000 FRONT AXEL
90774 WC
61 USE 6100730
90774 WC
FC 3200029700

8228 PERFORMED MECHANICAL PROCEDURE 2. REMOVED BOTH FRONT TIRES. REMOVED BOTH FRONT STRUTS. COMPRESSED SPRINGS AND CLOCKED LOWER STRUT ASSEMBLY SECTION 10 DEGREES PER PROCEDURE B INSTRUCTIONS. REASSEMBLED VEHICLE. REINSTALLED TIRES AND TORQUED TO SPEC. DEFECT CODE 32 00 02 97 00. AFTER THIS PROCEDURE VEHICLE STILL DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THIS LED TO PERFORMED CONVERSION PROGRAMMING FOR STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING. PERFORMED PROGRAMMING AND CODING OF COMPLETE VEHICLE, INCLUDING CAS AND STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING RETROFIT.

****************************************

BTW, they said my bluetooth issue is "Normal Operation" after concluding that "There is only wind noise on the LAN side of the call as speed is increased above 40 mph" . I just went off on my SA and he ordered the new microphones while I was waiting, they are supposed to come in next week and I will have to take my car back.

Now, how does your car drive in a straight line on the highway? Does it take a bunch of corrections to keep it going straight?

I had wicked pulling to the right before I bought the car (CPO). I had the dealer perform a couple of fixes, and it all but fixed the pull to the right, but now it has zero straight ahead stability.

[ghueser]

Since new, my car (9/2010) production has had a slight pull to the right. I say slight because on a known level road that I drive, the car will stay pretty straight for a sort time, but nothing like my E39. For all other roads and various lanes, it does always tend to drift or pull right.

I did rotate my tires at 5,000 miles (Non sport suspension) and surprisingly enough, the pull went away, for about a 1,000 miles afterwards. Now at 7,500 it has come back. I know that BMW does not recommend rotation, but also know that having the same tires and wheels all around is perfectly fine and a smart thing to do if one wants to get the most mileage out of their tires.

No answers to offer...just wanted to pass this along.

[BimmerGuyFL]

I believe it is the way BMW builds their cars. I have a 2010 BMW E90 328i. In general the car tracks fine. However, it does tend to favor more of a drift to the right side of the road. My 2010 X5 doesn't do this as I believe it's because it is AWD and has 55 profile tires and higher off the ground. The newer BMW's come with RFT which follow the roads more(Tramlining), have lower profile tires on base model 535i with 18" and 45 Profile. My 328i has the sports suspension and 45 front and 40 rear profile tires and it follows the road very well. Usually hate getting an alignment cause it always feels like the car tracks more to the right but it is within spec and in General I have learned to live with knowing that it's normal.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

I believe it is the way BMW builds their cars. I have a 2010 BMW E90 328i. In general the car tracks fine. However, it does tend to favor more of a drift to the right side of the road. My 2010 X5 doesn't do this as I believe it's because it is AWD and has 55 profile tires and higher off the ground. The newer BMW's come with RFT which follow the roads more(Tramlining), have lower profile tires on base model 535i with 18" and 45 Profile. My 328i has the sports suspension and 45 front and 40 rear profile tires and it follows the road very well. Usually hate getting an alignment cause it always feels like the car tracks more to the right but it is within spec and in General I have learned to live with knowing that it's normal.

It's not a general BMW thing. It's specific to some F10's built before September 2010. RWD only. It's an issue with the electronic power steering.

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

It's not a general BMW thing. It's specific to some F10's built before September 2010. RWD only. It's an issue with the electronic power steering.

It applies also to other BMW's. For some reason it has been over talked about on the F10 5-series. Over on the 7-series Forums there is also talk about the F01/02 having the same problem. Also there have been reports that F10's built after September and current are still having the pulling problem. I have a few friends with 3-series, E92, E90, and E46. They also complain that their BMW's have a tendancy to drift or pull to the right more so than the left. Now it seems that it is MORE pronounced with the F10's but in general this applies to most BMW's. It's due to the way the tires wear down over time from the roads being build for draining purposes.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

. It's due to the way the tires wear down over time from the roads being build for draining purposes.

Then why would it happen on a car with brand new tires? Sorry, not buying it at all.

I do agree, BMW's do not have as much on center pull as is typical. The 328 loaner I am driving is still somewhat nervous. 11k miles. But my 535 is so different.

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Then why would it happen on a car with brand new tires? Sorry, not buying it at all.

I do agree, BMW's do not have as much on center pull as is typical. The 328 loaner I am driving is still somewhat nervous. 11k miles. But my 535 is so different.

LOL Trust me. I feel your pain. I just got in from driving our 2010 X5 and that thing tracks perfectly straight. But AGAIN, the X5 sits a lot higher off the ground. It does not have sports suspension, the tires are 55 profile (lower profile tires follow the road more and tramlines a lot more) and the X5 has AWD which all tires are pushing while most BMW's are RWD and are more sensitive to camber changes.

[danTX28]

Had my 4th service visit this week and I was fortunate to have the case escalated to include a BMW engineer. He seemed to agree that the car is more drifty than normal and he said the new X3 has the same vague steering components but that my car is technically within BMW specs so there's nothing more they can do.

Conclusion: I just traded the F10 for an '09 911. Bye bye, BMW. Sad to see you go but vague drifty steering and the jerky low-speed acceleration were not for me.

[540.M5.550]

Just took my car into the dealer this morning for the "pulling to the right" issue. In 5 seconds, it covers two lanes on the freeway. Dealer had to call BMWUSA to find out what to do. They need to keep the car for another day. They said they may have to replace some steering parts (rods) once they hear back from BMWUSA. The foreman could not figure out how to fix the problem....more to come tomorrow.

Just sold my e39 Dinan 540, which drove perfectly straight.....maybe I should have kept it.....

[jc031662]

Originally Posted by danTX28

Had my 4th service visit this week and I was fortunate to have the case escalated to include a BMW engineer. He seemed to agree that the car is more drifty than normal and he said the new X3 has the same vague steering components but that my car is technically within BMW specs so there's nothing more they can do.

Conclusion: I just traded the F10 for an '09 911. Bye bye, BMW. Sad to see you go but vague drifty steering and the jerky low-speed acceleration were not for me.

Ouch - trading.in a car that's less than a year old must have had a painful financial bite -