Very Unstable 325i.

[stormbringer]

Calling all Honourable Sifu's / Guru's,pls give me some light on this symtom .My ride is a 2001 p/fl 325i.The problem I am facing is my steering has this tendency to wrench / pull side to side when there are slight or serious undulations on the road.Also , I notice that the car is not as stable at speeds above 130 km/h unlike the early years when I could push it to higher speeds and it wasn't as nerve wrecking.My ride is shod with PP2 235/45/17 and used to be at 32 psi but after some experimenting its at 30 psi now,it has some improvement but still not enough.My lower control arm bush was also change to the PU Type but all in vain the problem still persists.Even the steering rack was tightened,but even this did not help.My ride is still on its original absorbers,and could this be the problem???? Pls,OOHHH mighty Sifus' / Gurus' of the Forum,bless me with your Knowledge and Wisdom for me to rid my UDM of this problem.I missss the good old days of not having to lift off the throttle unless I wanted to and not because I HAD to.All inputs would be appreciated,THANKS IN ANTICIPATION.

 

[bmwcar]

Calling all Honourable Sifu's / Guru's,pls give me some light on this symtom .
My ride is a 2001 p/fl 325i.The problem I am facing is my steering has this tendency to wrench / pull side to side when there are slight or serious undulations on the road.Also , I notice that the car is not as stable at speeds above 130 km/h unlike the early years when I could push it to higher speeds and it wasn't as nerve wrecking.My ride is shod with PP2 235/45/17 and used to be at 32 psi but after some experimenting its at 30 psi now,it has some improvement but still not enough.My lower control arm bush was also change to the PU Type but all in vain the problem still persists.Even the steering rack was tightened,but even this did not help.My ride is still on its original absorbers,and could this be the problem???? Pls,OOHHH mighty Sifus' / Gurus' of the Forum,bless me with your Knowledge and Wisdom for me to rid my UDM of this problem.I missss the good old days of not having to lift off the throttle unless I wanted to and not because I HAD to.All inputs would be appreciated,THANKS IN ANTICIPATION.

whats your cars mileage - i would guess the following:-
1) control arms themselves - they normally wear out at about 80,000km....cost about RM1k per pair
2) absorbers - dependent on car useage - about 75000km to 110000km....
3) front steering tie rods (i think its called tie rods - these normally also wear out - about 120,000km..... - for 2 small pieces - its about RM1K also.....

my bet is on 1) or 3)....

 

[Daniel]

Ha,
the traits of the E46.

It's normal.

 

[stormbringer]

Thanks for the inputs bmwcar and Daniel.Appreciate the potential failure directions given,coz I get very different opinions from the different w/shops I had enquired.I would probably go with replacing the Control Arm since they have seen 3 changes of the Bushing as it is. Btw my mileage is 108k now,so I guess bro bmwcar has almost got his finger on the problem.Well thanks bros' will feedback findings after the repair works.

Regards and Thanks.

 

[leforte]

have a alignment specialist check out your car.

you alignment or rather your toe and camber might be out of spec. do make sure the shop knows how to align your car, with the proper weighing and bmw recommended specification in hand.

you may try the michellin tire shop behind the taman megah secret recipe if you are from PJ. good workmanship and very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

 

[Daniel]

well, the tramlining can be explained by the 235width tire that you're using.

 

[stormbringer]

Thanks bros' for all valued inputs.Now thats alot of areas to look at.Plus picked up a new one for my vocab " tramlining " thats like putting it literally.Kudos much.