[NKBMWX3]

Hello All

Recently, I felt a bit of vibration coming through the steering wheel and floorboard. Usually happens when I am travelling at speeds more than 80km/hr. My car is 2018 X3 30D.

I had a quick look at the front wheel weights and was surprised to find that the passenger side wheel has one long piece of weight in the outer rim and drivers side has two small ones (one outer and one inner rim). I am running 254/45/R20 run-flats. Is this normal? Because I assumed both wheels should have identical weights.

The car has done 22,000kms and I guess it is time for a rebalance. Do you recommend going back to BMW or somewhere like Bridgestone select or Beaurepairs?

[ANM8]

There's nothing strange about having different balancing weights on the same axle wheels, just because they're the same wheel doesn't make any difference when balancing. When a tyre is produced they put a yellow marking dot on the sidewall of the tyre that denotes its lightest point (it's almost impossible to produce a perfectly balanced tyre) this yellow dot is then lined up with the valve stem when fitting the tyre on the alloy (considered the wheel's heaviest point)
Your car does sound as though it needs to be rebalanced though.

https://www.toyotires.com.au/news/se...cing%20weights.

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by ANM8

There's nothing strange about having different balancing weights on the same axle wheels, just because they're the same wheel doesn't make any difference when balancing. When a tyre is produced they put a yellow marking dot on the sidewall of the tyre that denotes its lightest point (it's almost impossible to produce a perfectly balanced tyre) this yellow dot is then lined up with the valve stem when fitting the tyre on the alloy (considered the wheel's heaviest point)
Your car does sound as though it needs to be rebalanced though.

https://www.toyotires.com.au/news/se...cing%20weights.

Hi
Thank you for a detailed answer. In addition to my question above, what is interesting is that a local tyre shop recently took off my front wheel (tyre +rim) to try out an aftermarket rim and tyre. The original wheel was not touched and was only taken off and put to the side. I took a test drive with the new wheel and tyre before I bought it. I got the store to put the original wheel and tyre back on. What is strange is that I started noticing that slight vibration after that day. Is this a coincidence? I cannot see why taking off the wheel would cause it lose its balance.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by NKBMWX3

Hi
Thank you for a detailed answer. In addition to my question above, what is interesting is that a local tyre shop recently took off my front wheel (tyre +rim) to try out an aftermarket rim and tyre. The original wheel was not touched and was only taken off and put to the side. I took a test drive with the new wheel and tyre before I bought it. I got the store to put the original wheel and tyre back on. What is strange is that I started noticing that slight vibration after that day. Is this a coincidence? I cannot see why taking off the wheel would cause it lose its balance.

The same thing happened to me some time ago, the vibration got worse and I found out that two wheel nuts had not been properly tightened. I would get them checked, possibly all loosened and re-tightened.,

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by MJE60

The same thing happened to me some time ago, the vibration got worse and I found out that two wheel nuts had not been properly tightened. I would get them checked, possibly all loosened and re-tightened.,

Thanks for that. I hope it is just that. I just went for a drive and went up to 100km/hr and can definitely feel the vibration. It will be uncomfortable during long drives. I will check and see if my service advisor is nice enough to accommodate me tomorrow and will report back

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by NKBMWX3

Thanks for that. I hope it is just that. I just went for a drive and went up to 100km/hr and can definitely feel the vibration. It will be uncomfortable during long drives. I will check and see if my service advisor is nice enough to accommodate me tomorrow and will report back

You are welcome. Other possibility is that a balance weight got knocked off but this is much less likely.

[keithguido]

Every wheel/tire would require different amount of weights. Don't understand your statement-"Is this normal? Because I assumed both wheels should have identical weights"
Is this your first car?

[383vett]

Originally Posted by NKBMWX3

Hi
Thank you for a detailed answer. In addition to my question above, what is interesting is that a local tyre shop recently took off my front wheel (tyre +rim) to try out an aftermarket rim and tyre. The original wheel was not touched and was only taken off and put to the side. I took a test drive with the new wheel and tyre before I bought it. I got the store to put the original wheel and tyre back on. What is strange is that I started noticing that slight vibration after that day. Is this a coincidence? I cannot see why taking off the wheel would cause it lose its balance.

If this issue started after a tire was mounted and dismounted, as mentioned either a weight was knocked off or the tire was not indexed in the same position as it was originally. The weights balance the whole wheel/tire assembly and if the tire is rotated, the assembly needs to be rebalanced.

[keithguido]

Absolutely!

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by keithguido

Every wheel/tire would require different amount of weights. Don't understand your statement-"Is this normal? Because I assumed both wheels should have identical weights"
Is this your first car?

Hi Keith

Thank you for your reply. Not my first car but certainly the first time I have encountered this. Never really had to deal with an issue like this before. But your answer makes sense and I will get it checked out.

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by 383vett

If this issue started after a tire was mounted and dismounted, as mentioned either a weight was knocked off or the tire was not indexed in the same position as it was originally. The weights balance the whole wheel/tire assembly and if the tire is rotated, the assembly needs to be rebalanced.

Hi
Thank you for your reply.

The tyre and rim were just dismounted and mounted. It was not rotated and the tyre never came off the original rim. I am guessing a weight might have come off the rim, as you mentioned. I will get my dealer to have a look today, if possible.

Thank you very much for your guidance

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by NKBMWX3

Hi
Thank you for your reply.

The tyre and rim were just dismounted and mounted. It was not rotated and the tyre never came off the original rim. I am guessing a weight might have come off the rim, as you mentioned. I will get my dealer to have a look today, if possible.

Thank you very much for your guidance

May have lacked a bit of care and never checked/cleaned the mounting faces.

Balance should not have changed simply on a wheel being taken off and put on again.

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

May have lacked a bit of care and never checked/cleaned the mounting faces.

Balance should not have changed simply on a wheel being taken off and put on again.

Thanks Pete. I am booked in for next week at BMW dealer. Have another issue that I would like the dealer to look at. But on my way back from work, I stopped by at a local tyre shop and they checked the torque on the wheel nuts and had to tighten two with 140Nm torque wrench. Lets see how this pans out over the week.

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by NKBMWX3

Thanks Pete. I am booked in for next week at BMW dealer. Have another issue that I would like the dealer to look at. But on my way back from work, I stopped by at a local tyre shop and they checked the torque on the wheel nuts and had to tighten two with 140Nm torque wrench. Lets see how this pans out over the week.

Quick update: Called my BMW dealer and service agent advised that it definitely sounds like a wheel balancing issue and suggested that I might as well go to a local tyre shop vs waiting for more than a week to get an appointment at BMW.

Got my only my front tyres balanced at Tyrepower and was told that front passenger side was way off balance. Strangely, this was not the tyre+wheel that was taken off when I was getting a spare wheel+ tyre. Anyway, the car drives much better but there still a bit of vibration above 80km/hr. I am thinking about taking it back and ask them to balance them again. This time, I might ask them to do the rear tyres as well. Do you think that is necessary given that the vibration is felt through steering wheel and floorboard?

[titomi]

I would have checked all tyres in the case of a vibration like you have. Especially when one of them was already way off.

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by titomi

I would have checked all tyres in the case of a vibration like you have. Especially when one of them was already way off.

Cheers thank you. I will try and get it done today

[satz]

Originally Posted by NKBMWX3

Quick update: Called my BMW dealer and service agent advised that it definitely sounds like a wheel balancing issue and suggested that I might as well go to a local tyre shop vs waiting for more than a week to get an appointment at BMW.

Got my only my front tyres balanced at Tyrepower and was told that front passenger side was way off balance. Strangely, this was not the tyre+wheel that was taken off when I was getting a spare wheel+ tyre. Anyway, the car drives much better but there still a bit of vibration above 80km/hr. I am thinking about taking it back and ask them to balance them again. This time, I might ask them to do the rear tyres as well. Do you think that is necessary given that the vibration is felt through steering wheel and floorboard?

Definitely get all four wheels re-balanced. IIRC issues with wheel balance usually occur at a particular speed range. Does your vibration smooth out say at 100kmh? Or does it keep going?
If it keeps going it might be another problem, but anyway get all the wheels balanced first.

Are any of your wheels slightly dented (even on the inner part of the rim)?

Good luck!

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by satz

Definitely get all four wheels re-balanced. IIRC issues with wheel balance usually occur at a particular speed range. Does your vibration smooth out say at 100kmh? Or does it keep going?
If it keeps going it might be another problem, but anyway get all the wheels balanced first.

Are any of your wheels slightly dented (even on the inner part of the rim)?

Good luck!

Hi all

Thank you for your replies.

Got all my wheels balanced and both rear ones were out of balance as well. Unfortunately, again the drive is a bit better but beyond 80km/hr, there is a slight vibration. It is annoying enough to get my attention. I have an appointment on Monday at Auto Classics to do a test drive with the SA.

The vibration does not smooth out with increasing speed. Under 80km/hr, there are no issues, but beyond that I can definitely feel it. No damage to the rims that i know of. Tyrepower also did not report any any issues with either rim or tyre.

I am at loss. Looking at other threads, this seems like a major issue with 2018 G01 X3s.

[383vett]

I didn't see that you had a 2018. Here's your problem. BMW bought my 2018 back last year because of the problem. Some earlier 2018s were plagued by this issue.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...heel+vibration

[NKBMWX3]

Originally Posted by 383vett

I didn't see that you had a 2018. Here's your problem. BMW bought my 2018 back last year because of the problem. Some earlier 2018s were plagued by this issue.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...heel+vibration

Yeah I am afraid I might one of those cars with issues. I will take it to the dealer on Monday and see what they say. My first BMW and might be my last. Don't expect issues like this for a car that cost almost $100k here!

[NKBMWX3]

Hi
Another update. Took my car to the dealer and went for a test drive with the foreman on Monday. He agreed that vibration is definitely there. Went and dropped my car off on Wednesday and SA was confident that they will have me sorted by end of the day. Went to pick up the car in the evening and was told they rebalanced all four wheels again because they were out. I was assured that the issue has now been resolved. But funny enough, they did not charge me because they wanted me to drive the car first for a while and make sure I was happy. Just went for an hour drive at different speeds from 80km/hr to 110 km/hr and the issue is still there (no surprise there!).

I have now emailed the SA and hopefully get this sorted. Am I overreacting by thinking about just selling the car and be done with it?

[383vett]

If it's still under warranty, let them try to fix it. Changing the axles did help with my problem although it didn't completely solve the problem. Then think about selling it. If you read the thread, a number of cars that had the axles replaced had the problem recur after a few thousand miles.