[Apples12]

Hi all

I have annoying vibration which runs through the entire car between 70-80mph, it is so pronounced that you can see the front passenger seat physically moving.

It feels like it's coming from the rear of the car, it's currently on its winter tyres (225/55/17 pirellis sottozeros) but had the exact same vibration on my normal summer tyres (Goodyear excellence).

The tyres have been road force balanced by BMTR in Birmingham and the car is tracking true aswell.

Any ideas what this could be?

Car is a 2013 520d se LCI auto and has currently just ticked over 60,000 miles.

Thanks

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Apples12

Hi all

I have annoying vibration which runs through the entire car between 70-80mph, it is so pronounced that you can see the front passenger seat physically moving.

It feels like it's coming from the rear of the car, it's currently on its winter tyres (225/55/17 pirellis sottozeros) but had the exact same vibration on my normal summer tyres (Goodyear excellence).

The tyres have been road force balanced by BMTR in Birmingham and the car is tracking true aswell.

Any ideas what this could be?

A couple of questions....

Are the tyres on different rims?

When/how did the vibration start? Gradually, or a defined time?

Have you had any brake work?

If different wheel sets, it would appear to be some other factor. Reason for asking about brake work, wheel balance could be fine, but mounted to the car, could be some runout, this could cause vibration.

The speed where you feel the vibration does fit with a wheel related issue.

[Apples12]

Tyres are on a different set, these have been road force balanced also
Can't recall when the vibration started, has been there a long while and has been steady, no changes
Has had brake pads on the rear but vibration was present prior to this

Are we talking wheel bearing/brake disc issues?

[CraigUK]

It could be a number of things, the obvious being wheels and tyres. Are you using spacers? Does the vibration happen at the same speed in different gears? Could be the prop shaft donut (rubber coupling) although early miles for that sort of thing.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Sounds like bushes/suspension at the rear, the wheels have been changed as you say , rear bearings would be noisey but not real vibration.
Disk run-out on the rear would be rare IMO. Loose exhaust could be something to look at, rubber hangers come off!!.
Needs a pro to investigate .

[t_dawg1]

I had this and turned out to be a bucked alloy which was replaced under warranty and car now silky smooth at 100mph

[Fox530]

Did you guys who suffered this ever find it varied with road surface?

[t_dawg1]

Originally Posted by Fox530

Did you guys who suffered this ever find it varied with road surface?

Yes mine varied with road surface

[Apples12]

well I had it in at the local specialist motor racing suspension/tyre place who did the alignment and re-balanced all 4 tyres, apparently the balancing was massively out on the rear two tyres, as was the tracking - printouts from the hunter machine showed this too.

they checked all four tyres for roundness, all were ok

they did a thorough check on all the bushes on the rear including a 'weighted' test, reported back that all bushes, shocks, springs etc were all ok as was run out on the bearings

they were unable to adjust the camber on the rear drive side as the bolt had seized - new bolt on order and will go back in next week. - all in all this took just over 2 hours and i could see the car through the viewing window/wall

have a long run to oxford tomorrow so will see how it fares on the motorway tomorrow

it varies a tiny bit depending on surface but its usually quite obvious when its surface.

funny you should mention exhaust mounts as i had a 'hiss' around ~40k and it went into sytner who said they replaced an 'exhaust mounting' as it was not present? vibration has been there since before this happened however

time to read up on propshaft donuts!

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by t_dawg1

Yes mine varied with road surface

Interesting. I've a similar thing - had it since I got the car on 6k miles. Had wheels rebalanced to no avail. On some surfaces its almost not an issue, others it is. Very tricky as it's okish on the local dual carriageway so the dealer hasn't been able to replicate it. Felt mostly through the pedals/footrest.

[Jamese93]

I have this on my 2011 525d touring too, changes a bit between winter and summer wheels (different rims) and road surfaces. Has always been there too, my car's on 49k miles. Balancing has done no good, wheels are apparently straight.

I know it was reportedly an issue with earlier cars (and 5 series for years actually...) and I have come to accept it. The shaking manifests itself at just over 70 to 80, not above and not below. Again a light shaking not major, the sun visors shake for example.

Passengers don't notice nor does my other half so I think it's also a little bit my OCD. Had discs checked too no issues...

Any enlightenment gratefully appreciated!

James

[Apples12]

Originally Posted by Jamese93

I know it was reportedly an issue with earlier cars (and 5 series for years actually...) and I have come to accept it. The shaking manifests itself at just over 70 to 80, not above and not below. Again a light shaking not major, the sun visors shake for example.

Any enlightenment gratefully appreciated!

James

same on mine...between 70-80 its pronounced...makes it difficult to drive at the speed limit on the motorway although i dont feel this would stand in court...lol

i intend to get to the bottom of this because its ruining what would otherwise be a perfect car

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Jamese93

I have this on my 2011 525d touring too, changes a bit between winter and summer wheels (different rims) and road surfaces. Has always been there too, my car's on 49k miles. Balancing has done no good, wheels are apparently straight.

I know it was reportedly an issue with earlier cars (and 5 series for years actually...) and I have come to accept it. The shaking manifests itself at just over 70 to 80, not above and not below. Again a light shaking not major, the sun visors shake for example.

Passengers don't notice nor does my other half so I think it's also a little bit my OCD. Had discs checked too no issues...

Any enlightenment gratefully appreciated!

James

I have been thinking about this vibration issue today, while sat in the dealer waiting for my car to be fixed.

Interesting you have posted your comments, as I was going to mention the earlier models.

My mind went back to the fact some models have a vibration damper on the diff casing, something like a value of 75 - 145HZ, across the models.

This is long shot, but I wonder if that value is wrong for some specific build tolerances, assuming everything else is in good order. I'd be tempted to remove it and try a drive, or add some more mass to change the frequency.

You can check on RealOEM with your VIN and see what vibration damper you have fitted. You want the rear axle section/diagram and pick the diff detail, it's part number 5.

[Apples12]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I have been thinking about this vibration issue today, while sat in the dealer waiting for my car to be fixed.

Interesting you have posted your comments, as I was going to mention the earlier models.

My mind went back to the fact some models have a vibration damper on the diff casing, something like a value of 75 - 145HZ, across the models.

This is long shot, but I wonder if that value is wrong for some specific build tolerances, assuming everything else is in good order. I'd be tempted to remove it and try a drive, or add some more mass to change the frequency.

You can check on RealOEM with your VIN and see what vibration damper you have fitted. You want the rear axle section/diagram and pick the diff detail, it's part number 5.

I've been reading up on this for a while and came across the same thing, was just looking at the wrong diagrams this entire time!

i'll take a look on the weekend if its dry and if i can get to it i'll remove it, looks like its a nice simple single bolt jobby

on realoem it lists mine as 140hz

[t_dawg1]

Originally Posted by Jamese93

I have this on my 2011 525d touring too, changes a bit between winter and summer wheels (different rims) and road surfaces. Has always been there too, my car's on 49k miles. Balancing has done no good, wheels are apparently straight.

I know it was reportedly an issue with earlier cars (and 5 series for years actually...) and I have come to accept it. The shaking manifests itself at just over 70 to 80, not above and not below. Again a light shaking not major, the sun visors shake for example.

Passengers don't notice nor does my other half so I think it's also a little bit my OCD. Had discs checked too no issues...

Any enlightenment gratefully appreciated!

James

My car exactly as you described but a buckled front alloy wheel cured it

[Apples12]

Originally Posted by t_dawg1

My car exactly as you described but a buckled front alloy wheel cured it

this has me curious now too... my brother has a 64 plate 520d on 18's, his rides silky smooth. i may borrow his alloys...

[Fox530]

This is literally the worst issue to take to a dealer as well - they almost never manage to tune into the problem and you can hardly tell them to take it on a 300 mile drive..

'How can we replicate this sir?'

'Well it's really annoying if you have to drive the entire length of the M6...'

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by Apples12

this has me curious now too... my brother has a 64 plate 520d on 18's, his rides silky smooth. i may borrow his alloys...

I have 65 520d and just swapped the 19" summer tyres for 18" winter rubber and the difference is astounding. I had the vibration above 70, but again not on all roads, on the 18" wheels it has all but disappeared and is very comfortable. I'm giving serious consideration to buying 18" wheels for the summer and parking the 19" in the shed for the duration.

[silo24]

Same issue here on my 2015 535d.

I managed to pretty much eliminate it by switching the run flats.

originally car was on 19's with RFT tyres. I then got some 20" 6 Series OEM wheels and RF tyres: same problem.

Decided to ditch the run flats and the problem went away pretty much completely.

I suspect the stiffness of the sidewalls exacerbates whatever slight vibration there is in the drivetrain/road combination.

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by silo24

Same issue here on my 2015 535d.

I managed to pretty much eliminate it by switching the run flats.

Can you try and explain in detail what it felt like and when it changed in feel etc?

No wonder my dealer couldnt find anything wrong if every damn F10 is like this. By contrast F30's I've driven seem completely smooth at cruising speed on decent tarmac.

My issue with switching the RFT's out is that the second you show up with a set of non BMW Star Marked tyres complaining of a drivetrain issue the excuse of 'non standard tyres' is right there. If I wasn't for that I'd have ebay'd the nearly new PZero's it came on and immediately fitted Eagle F1 Assymetric 3's as a matter of course. But as soon as you do that you are on your own with drivetrain smoothness issues.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Fox530

Can you try and explain in detail what it felt like and when it changed in feel etc?

No wonder my dealer couldnt find anything wrong if every damn F10 is like this. By contrast F30's I've driven seem completely smooth at cruising speed on decent tarmac.

My issue with switching the RFT's out is that the second you show up with a set of non BMW Star Marked tyres complaining of a drivetrain issue the excuse of 'non standard tyres' is right there. If I wasn't for that I'd have ebay'd the nearly new PZero's it came on and immediately fitted Eagle F1 Assymetric 3's as a matter of course. But as soon as you do that you are on your own with drivetrain smoothness issues.

My 535D M Sport 2016, has Michelin Primacy run-flats smooth as silk to 100+ MPH (on a track of course )

[t_dawg1]

Originally Posted by JOHNBMWM5

My 535D M Sport 2016, has Michelin Primacy run-flats smooth as silk to 100+ MPH (on a track of course )

I have Michelin Primacy RFT's as well and car silky smooth at 100mph +