Twitchy handling at motorway speed?

[B19GRR]

Clearing my Touring is in need of having Nitrons fitted but moving back to reality I've noticed that it's fairly twitchy on the motorways, constantly needs steering input which is preventing me drifting off in to a nice daze

It's in for a ervice next week so I shall ask them what they think. I've heard ball joints are a known problem. Also I've just replaced the alloys with E46 7 spokes with 205/55R16 tyres which I had balanced at the time. I guess tracking is a possibility but it doesn't seem to pull noticeably to a particular side.

Any thoughts here before the service?

Cheers,
Rob

[liquidken]

Is it twitchy at any particular speed?

Do you get a "floating" sensation at all?

The bushes are a pretty common cause on these.

[B19GRR]

liquidken said:

Is it twitchy at any particular speed? Do you get a "floating" sensation at all? The bushes are a pretty common cause on these.

Generally 60-90 was where I noticed it most. Yes it can be a bit floaty as well. Any idea how much a dealer would stiff me for a re-bush job then? Probably makes more sense to get them to just confirm the problem and then get an indy to do the work.

Cheers,
Rob

[Donut]

B19GRR said:

Clearing my Touring is in need of having Nitrons fitted but moving back to reality I've noticed that it's fairly twitchy on the motorways, constantly needs steering input which is preventing me drifting off in to a nice daze It's in for a ervice next week so I shall ask them what they think. I've heard ball joints are a known problem. Also I've just replaced the alloys with E46 7 spokes with 205/55R16 tyres which I had balanced at the time. I guess tracking is a possibility but it doesn't seem to pull noticeably to a particular side. Any thoughts here before the service? Cheers, Rob

If it is a pre-facelift E46 of around early 2001 heritage then the feeling in the steering is normal, for a brief spell it seems BMW changed the steering rack...I had the same in a 320i touring and it is off putting but perfectly safe.

Best cure is to buy a newer model from me!

[B19GRR]

Donut said:

If it is a pre-facelift E46 of around early 2001 heritage then the feeling in the steering is normal, for a brief spell it seems BMW changed the steering rack...I had the same in a 320i touring and it is off putting but perfectly safe. Best cure is to buy a newer model from me!

Nope it's a December 96 E36, although I guess that does class it as a pre-facelift E46

Cheers,
Rob

[XM5ER]

B19GRR said:

Clearing my Touring is in need of having Nitrons fitted but moving back to reality I've noticed that it's fairly twitchy on the motorways, constantly needs steering input which is preventing me drifting off in to a nice daze It's in for a ervice next week so I shall ask them what they think. I've heard ball joints are a known problem. Also I've just replaced the alloys with E46 7 spokes with 205/55R16 tyres which I had balanced at the time. I guess tracking is a possibility but it doesn't seem to pull noticeably to a particular side. Any thoughts here before the service? Cheers, Rob

Shouldn't they be 225s on those wheels. Reason I say this is because mine has 205s on the front and 225s on the rear (it was like that when I bought it) and I have noticed that there isnt much self centreing effect. Gives lovely feedback though which I'm sure would be dulled by wider tyres.

You may need more toe in on the tracking as a result of the wheel change.

[eliot]

Running Avon Tyres?
I replaced my OEM with Avons on my 328ci, the only way i can describe the handling afterwards was like towing a small trailer or caravan. The backend swayed and felt nervous at high speed.
Took the car back to the Garage, they pumped the tyres up to around 46psi
I felt a bit better, but still twitchy at speed.

After a couple of months, i thought i had got used to it, then a couple of mates came out in it on a long run - they were looking very pale, i asked "whats wrong" - they said the car felt unsafe.
I took the car back to the garage, and paid the extra to have the tyres swapped for OEM (Mitchelin?, cant remember) - drove like a dream after that.

E.

[liquidken]

B19GRR said:

liquidken said: Is it twitchy at any particular speed? Do you get a "floating" sensation at all? The bushes are a pretty common cause on these. Generally 60-90 was where I noticed it most. Yes it can be a bit floaty as well. Any idea how much a dealer would stiff me for a re-bush job then? Probably makes more sense to get them to just confirm the problem and then get an indy to do the work. Cheers, Rob

If you have a good indy that you can trust, it should cost no more than £150 inc parts.

[cotty]

My E30 318 used to be a bit floaty at motorway speeds 70-80 mph but this was cured after I replaced and lowered the suspension. I put it down to air getting under the front of the car and by lowering it allowing less air under it. But im not an expert so dont quote me.