3.0 si Coupe Tramlining...

T

Tomfurley

Member
Hi All

I'm now a proud owner of a beautiful 3.0 si Coupe and loving every second, however, I get a lot of tramlining on some rural / uneven roads... after doing a bit of research this seem to be quite common. Although I love my cars I don't have a great deal of knowledge on the nuts and bolts etc.

Can anyone pass on some advice as to how I can minimise tramlining and improve the ride quality?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
First and foremost check the condition of the tyres, make sure they are wearing evenly and have the correct pressures. Crap/budget tyres will also play a huge part here too.

If all is good with tyres then its a matter of starting to replace worn components. I would probably look at anything with a ball joint first, so front control arms and inner/outer track rod ends. Also whilst doing the front control arm replace the rear bush that fits on the end.
 
Usual culprit is run flat tyres. I recently changed mine from run flats to normal and the difference is night and day!
 
A320_phill said:
Usual culprit is run flat tyres. I recently changed mine from run flats to normal and the difference is night and day!
Click to expand...

This. I changed mine yesterday, it's amazing how different the car is now!
 
Tomfurley said:
Hi All

Can anyone pass on some advice as to how I can minimise tramlining and improve the ride quality?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

Tom, Zeds were sold with runflat tyres fitted as standard - these have stiff sidewalls and make the ride very harsh and the steering prone to follow undulations in the road.

Most owners replace their runflat tyres for normal non-runflats and this transforms the ride and improves the steering. Buy decent sports rubber as your Zed has excellent performance.

You can do a search and find out what tyres people use - Good Year Eagle Assymetric F2s are popular and affordable, as are Falken 453s then there are more expensive premium tyres.

This will be the most straightforward (and common) modification you can make to your Zed to improve the problems you mention. (The ///M version of the Zed was not sold with runflat tyres - it came with normal tyres - enough said. . . . )

You will need to have a couple of cans of puncture repair sealant in the boot and an air pump - we all carry these and the ///M (and many other BMWs) come with an 'inflation kit'

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
paulgs1000 said:
Tomfurley said:
Hi All

Can anyone pass on some advice as to how I can minimise tramlining and improve the ride quality?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

Tom, Zeds were sold with runflat tyres fitted as standard - these have stiff sidewalls and make the ride very harsh and the steering prone to follow undulations in the road.

Most owners replace their runflat tyres for normal non-runflats and this transforms the ride and improves the steering. Buy decent sports rubber as your Zed has excellent performance.

You can do a search and find out what tyres people use - Good Year Eagle Assymetric F2s are popular and affordable, as are Falken 453s then there are more expensive premium tyres.

This will be the most straightforward (and common) modification you can make to your Zed to improve the problems you mention. (The ///M version of the Zed was not sold with runflat tyres - it came with normal tyres - enough said. . . . )

You will need to have a couple of cans of puncture repair sealant in the boot and an air pump - we all carry these and the ///M (and many other BMWs) come with an 'inflation kit'

:driving: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

What he said :thumbsup:

Ditching the Bridgstone RFT's cures most tram-lining problems
 
Sounds like you have Bridgestone run flats :D had the same problem when I 1st got my old e86. Felt it was unsafe at times. Replace with good qaulity non run flats & you'll transform your car. If not run flats check your wishbone bushes :thumbsup:
 
I had same problem. I replaced runflats which helped but did not resolve. I then had bushes replaced, front lollipops. This improved it further nearly year later and tramlining is still there a little. I wish i had replaced bushes before tyres .tyres £500 bushes £120! :driving:
 
Harpal said:
I had same problem. I replaced runflats which helped but did not resolve. I then had bushes replaced, front lollipops. This improved it further nearly year later and tramlining is still there a little. I wish i had replaced bushes before tyres .tyres £500 bushes £120! :driving:
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Which tyres ? After switching to non runflat on my Sport spec Coupe it was only when over 70/80 that i felt a slight unease or twitch which i found unnerving :?
No sign whatsoever on my current Se at whatever speed or surface :driving: Went for "M" profile tyres with Michelin Ps3 fronts / Conti Winter Contact rears :o a marriage made in heaven it would seem :oops:
 
Harpal said:
I put on the falken 453's.
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Hhhmmm , some like them some don't :? not a fan myself & only by trying different sizes & brands can you get a grip on just how sensitive the Z4 is to tyre choice,pressure,size & suspension :cry: it's a bugger though when there's just that slight feeling of something not right even if barely noticeable , as the driver you can just feel it :cry:
If you have access to other BMW alloys from a friend or family don't be afraid to spend some time just dabbling :thumbsup:
 
Tom, the Zed is also very sensitive to tyre pressures so you will need to experiment with these as well. I am presently on Good Year Eagle Assymetric F2s and run them at 32 front and back BUT lots of owners have their own preferred settings. . . . .34 at the rear for example.

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
Thanks Mr Wilks. Zeds seem very sensitive it took me some time to accept and get used to it. I nearly gave up! What tyre size are you running on? I got the impression it was down to big wheels on a small car. Yes your right a small niggle can drive you nuts.
:headbang:
 
Harpal said:
Thanks Mr Wilks. Zeds seem very sensitive it took me some time to accept and get used to it. I nearly gave up! What tyre size are you running on? I got the impression it was down to big wheels on a small car. Yes your right a small niggle can drive you nuts.
:headbang:
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I'm on 8j + 9j 18inch alloys with standard Se suspension / the offsets are 30/34 which helps fill the arches out especially with the larger tyres which are 265 40 rear & 215 45 fronts :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

I have Bridgestone run flats on... will do my research and replace with non run flats and hopefully see some improvement. :thumbsup:
 
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