Grip Issue

C

cheapshots

Member
Hey guys,

I need your expert opinions! Recently did some work to my 2004 2.5 BMW Z4 and ever since then it just doesn't feel the same in terms of grip.

I can't do more than 75MPH on the motorway (dry) without feeling uncomfortable and at times the traction control has to kick in. Something is definitely not right.

I had the following done to the car:

Inspection II
Front brake pad set
PAD wear sensor
Rear coil spring
Propshaft coupling
Rocker cover gasket
255/35X18 Dunlop SP 9000 tyres (x2 rear only)

Although I'm no expert I have inspected the front tyres and as far as I can tell the tread seems fine....So I decided it must be the alignment! Unfortunately, after the 4 wheel laser alignment (hunter machine) it still felt the same.

I really just want my old grippy car back :-(

Any thoughts?

Cheapshots
 
First thing you must check is tyre pressures all round.

Then that the wheels are on properly and the wheel nuts tightened up.

Are the tyres on the right way round?

Failing anything there, take it back.
 
Thanks Lance,

Tyre pressure's are all okay. Haven't had the time to go back to the garage, will try to sometime this week.

Cheapshots
 
I cannot see how traction control can be cutting in at 75 on a dry motorway? Is that what you mean? When is TC cutting in?

Seems 2 different things here:
Straight line stability say at 75+ on a motorway where it may be tramlining, wandering, twitchy, etc.
Low speed where it isn't turning in or gripping as you recall it used to?

Which or both?

Have you got mixed tyres front to back? Make, tread depth, RFT's/Non RFT's, etc.

as you say abbove though go to the gaage, but have an accurate diagnosis of exactly when and what happens.
 
Hi cj10jeeper,

Yes, when driving on the motorway at a reasonable speeds, if there's a slight bend the car sometimes twitches. Feels like front end cannot grip and the TC cuts in to stabilise the car. As a result I'm generally I'm very uncomfortable driving on motorways ESPECIALLY if it's wet.

At low speeds the car is not the same, twitchy round the bends and wandering too.

I do not have mixed tyres, all four are Dunlop SP 9000 (non-run flats), rear tyres have recently been replaced (6 months ago). Front tyres still have decent thread on them...
 
I'd be worried that something was not connected back up properly when the spring/propshaft coupling was replaced. I know it's a simple job in theory, but sillier mistakes have been known to happen to professional & amateurs alike.
 
Something seriously adrift as mmm-five says. I've never heard of a Zed on normal motorways even wet being able to cause TC to activate (unles intentionally by something pretty harsh)

Get it back to the garage pronto for end to end checks from bent rims, loose suspension parts, etc.
 
Looking at the list, the only thing that stands out is that only one rear spring was replaced. Is it not recommended that both springs should be renewed at the same time? After all, in a 2004 car one spring now could be more than six years old if it hasn't had to be replaced before. They are bound to get "tired" with use.

Robin
 
ocala said:
Looking at the list, the only thing that stands out is that only one rear spring was replaced. Is it not recommended that both springs should be renewed at the same time? After all, in a 2004 car one spring now could be more than six years old if it hasn't had to be replaced before. They are bound to get "tired" with use.

Robin
Click to expand...

BMW do not recommend changing both, nor would they if one failed. That said I believe common practice is still to switch them if they have done more than 30k.

It's also highly unlikely that a 2004 car will have it's original rears as they rarely last that long.
 
cj10jeeper said:
ocala said:
Looking at the list, the only thing that stands out is that only one rear spring was replaced. Is it not recommended that both springs should be renewed at the same time? After all, in a 2004 car one spring now could be more than six years old if it hasn't had to be replaced before. They are bound to get "tired" with use.

Robin
Click to expand...

BMW do not recommend changing both, nor would they if one failed. That said I believe common practice is still to switch them if they have done more than 30k.

It's also highly unlikely that a 2004 car will have it's original rears as they rarely last that long.
Click to expand...

CJ I have to say that BMW changed both of mine under warranty even though only one failed.
 
I'm sure in many instances they indeed do change both however the point I was making is they don't feel that they have to be switched as a paired set that in general we'd think was necessary in the same way as we switch disks, pads, tyres, etc. to be in balance.

For this reason I don't think a single switched spring would impact the handling. In fact most of the time people drive on broken springs and never know unti MOT time.
 
When I had a problem with one of the front EDC shocks on the M5, BMW insisted they were replaced in pairs, right up to moment they realised it was a warranty repair when they decided that replacing one was good enough (unless I wanted to pay for the 2nd one myself of course) :headbang:
 
It might be coincidental but when I ran my roadster it had Dunlop SP9000 tyres on it throughout the 5 years and 80k miles I did in it. When I had the rears replaced on one occasion I was having similar issues, very twitchy, traction control coming on in places it never normally would do etc etc. In the end after about 500-1000 miles it wore off and i and the dealer put it down to wearing in those tyres. I too had all of the suspension etc checked by Sytner. It was the only time it happened but don't ask me how much tread was on the fronts etc because it was a long time ago ! :oops:

How many miles have you done on the tyres now ?
 
original guvnor said:
How many miles have you done on the tyres now ?
Click to expand...

I have done about 1000 miles since I had the rears replaced.

Thanks for the comments guys. I took the car to indy bmw specialist and he checked the previous work done to the car.

He says everything is in shape. He also checked the alignment. The front two tyres are 'okay' but will need replacing soon - I asked him to replace them now.

Best part is I have a buckled rim, rear passenger side. Cost of new rim = £400! :-(

Damn potholes.
 
cheapshots said:
5 SPOKE 18x8.5J.

Found some second hand ones on eBay but I just do not have the time :"(
Click to expand...

Was £400 for all 4 or just one?

When i got all 4 of my 108's replaced by BMW due to corrosion i am sure the total came up to £1300... which is less then £400 per wheel!
 
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