Z4M - Pulling to the left.

[Jason_W]

I've posted this a couple of times on Z4um and would be interested in any opinions as to how I can rectify this issue, or progress it with BMW.

Having bought the vehicle in September 2006, the car has always had a tendency to pull to the left in a similar fashion to FWD vehicle but more severe. It has been back to the dealer several times to have KDS resets and last time they even swapped the tyres over, which showed some improvement but the pulling is still there.

The dealer have now washed their hands of the issues, stating that 'they all do that' and that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the vehicle. Having contacted BMW customer services, their first comment was whether I'd taken the issue up with another dealer to which I pointed out that I would be incurring additional costs. When pushed after I suggested getting a factory rep involved, they agreed that this would be arranged with the dealer.

Questions:

1. Has anyone else suffered with this issue?

2. Where do I stand if they come back, continuing to insist that there is no problem with the car?

Its nothing to do with road camber and as soon as you let go of the steering wheel - over it goes to the extent that my right arm is significantly 'more tired' than my other after a few hundred miles of motorway driving.

Any offers?

[blackspider]

On a quite straight and flat 'A' road go over to the other side of the road-do'es it pull to the right?
Then drive in the centre of the road-stradle the white lines-does it pull then?

Obviously obey the law of the road and do this carefully

[Jason_W]

As I said, it's nothing to do with the road camber as it still pulls to the left.

[blackspider]

I said that because most BM's and MINI's drift to the left.Yours must be quite a pull.
The best thing to do if you have a problem is to speak to the service manager and get him/her to book a test drive with the area manager to get an opinion from them.If the dealer you use wont help then go to the next nearest-you should be able to get an appointment
We havent seen any which are suffering with severe pulling.

Edited by blackspider on Thursday 1st February 15:34

[blackspider]

Or ask to drive another one back to back with yours...this is the first thing I would do if had come to our dealer,that way everyone can agree theres a fault or not

[Driftaholic]

I know you'd like to solve this issue using your dealer but why not take it to an independant laser alignment specialist? If you're near Silverstone you could come over one night to my friends workshop and we could check the alignment. Pulling like that is usually a toe or caster issue

[Jason_W]

Drift, I may take you up on that especially as my previous experience with Imprezas showed how beneficial a decently set up geometry can be.

I have driven another Z4M and it didn't pull to the left like this one. I'm surprised by the comment that all Minis and BMWs pull to the left as, granted, our MCS does pull a little but my old Z4 certainly didn't and actually drove as straight and true as the Scoob.

[blackspider]

We find most drift because of the roads in our area have a high camber.

I have had recently a 3 series with a slight binde to the front caliper-Jacked up it wasnt really noticable when the wheel was spun.But at speed there was a very faint squeal which was the inner pad making contact,just enough to pull the car.
A possibilty maybe.What have they checked other than the KDS?

[Driftaholic]

No problem. Just give us a few nights notice!

[Jason_W]

blackspider said:

We find most drift because of the roads in our area have a high camber.

I have had recently a 3 series with a slight binde to the front caliper-Jacked up it wasnt really noticable when the wheel was spun.But at speed there was a very faint squeal which was the inner pad making contact,just enough to pull the car.
A possibilty maybe.What have they checked other than the KDS?

They have made a visual inspection of the suspension and swapped the front wheels over. That's an interesting point you made about the front caliper binding, which I'll ask them to check but it could be one of the following:

Tyres - these Contis are useless and I don't really want to have to change them at this stage with only 6k on the clock but if need be, I will.

Geometry - needs checking properly.

Slippy diff - could this have any effect it it's 'overwound'?

[turbosei]

Worth checking the tyre pressures, one of my previous cars came back from the shop with a strong pull to one side and it turned out to be one tyre over inflated. Most likely not your problem, but it's easy and free to check.