Slight list on drivers side - possible causes?

5

52 CAL

Member
 Surrey
Hi

Bit of an odd question -

I have noticed a slight listing on the drivers side of my Z4 when it is parked on level ground. It's not a great deal to be honest, about 10 - 15mm. I've had it in the dealership, and I was told that the listing was 'within tolerance' and that they would take no action. (But they could give no reason for it) I can notice it visually, and the (highly reliable! :P) method of seeing how many fingers fit between the top of the tyre and arch on each side of the car had confirmed that there is a slight listing.

The car is an 07 reg, Sport model with 11k on the clock, so I would hope that it's not caused by wear and tear already(!) I have changed the springs to Eibach's to a) lower the car b) elliminate the possibility of weak springs - but the slight listing still remains...

Has anyone had the same problem? Or can anyone put forward a possible cause? (could suspension geometry play a part??)

Sorry for the essay ... any responses are much appreciated.
 
Suspension geometry shouldn't have anything to do with ride height. That only becomes an option once you've fitted coilovers. Have you checked for a broken spring? Usually it's the very top coil that goes and it can be hard to spot in situ. The only other option is wear unfortunately.
 
Sounds odd especially as you've already changed the springs, maybe one isn't seated correctly, is that an option?
 
Usually it's the very top coil that goes and it can be hard to spot in situ. The only other option is wear unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm a bit confused (not very good with the technical side of things :oops: - How could I check the 'top coil'? Is this something that they would have changed when my lowering springs were fitted?

Thanks again
 
Interesting ...

I read this then went out and checked my M. I have the same thing - drivers side (right side) lower than the passenger side by approx 10mm.

Now im having problems with my car pulling to the left - see link below. Geometry has been checked a few times and given the ok so i have been living with it since then as the dealer couldn't find a cause and started to tell me all cars do it (i agree but not to this extent - the wheel pulls left if you loosen your grip).

So after reading this and checking mine i thought it could be a cause? What do you think - would a higher left side (facing direction travelling) cause a drift left ?

Im going to double check the heights again in a different location just to make sure.


http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5647&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=pull+to+the+left
 
I'm sure I read somewhere (either on here or on an E46 forum I was a member of) that the 'list' is normal. The car was designed as left hand drive so the petrol tank is supposed to balance out the driver (being on opposite sides). Obviously, when the right hand drive model is made, you end up with the driver and petrol tank on the same side, weighing the car down to the right... I remember reading that BMW had confirmed that this was the case and that it would not affect the handling.

So, have you checked the angle with an empty tank? Or with a full tank and a chubby friend in the passenger seat? ;-)
 
:roll:

That is a good point about the tank ... although my low fuel light is on so surely it cant make that much difference!?
 
I can't see an empty tank weighing enough to affect the angle much... Maybe that's not the cause after all.
 
52 CAL said:
Usually it's the very top coil that goes and it can be hard to spot in situ. The only other option is wear unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm a bit confused (not very good with the technical side of things :oops: - How could I check the 'top coil'? Is this something that they would have changed when my lowering springs were fitted?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

The top coil I'm referring to is the very upper "loop" of the coil spring. You have replaced all your springs so you shouldn't have a problem but it's worth having a look. If you jack up the car and remove the wheels you should be able to inspect the springs properly. The pic below is what you don't want to find!

CoilSpringAlpina001.jpg
 
scottie1979 said:
...would a higher left side (facing direction travelling) cause a drift left ?
Click to expand...
I would actually have thought it would pull the opposite way, towards the lower side :idunno:
 
scottie1979 said:
Interesting ...

I read this then went out and checked my M. I have the same thing - drivers side (right side) lower than the passenger side by approx 10mm.

Now im having problems with my car pulling to the left - see link below. Geometry has been checked a few times and given the ok so i have been living with it since then as the dealer couldn't find a cause and started to tell me all cars do it (i agree but not to this extent - the wheel pulls left if you loosen your grip).

So after reading this and checking mine i thought it could be a cause? What do you think - would a higher left side (facing direction travelling) cause a drift left ?

Im going to double check the heights again in a different location just to make sure.


http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5647&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=pull+to+the+left
Click to expand...


My car sits at varied heights at each corner because I've adjusted my coilovers to cornerweight the car properly. This however has no effect on the steering. It might be worth checking for worn bushes etc if your geometry is ok. Are you getting even tyre wear?
 
Just a thought, i recently changed all my springs and one of the rears was indeed broken.When i replaced the rears the LHS rear spring was ok but had obviously snapped in the past because some idiot had left the broken lower coil in place ......then fitted a new spring on top!!! :x .This is why mine was 'tilted', hard to believe but true! It's now lowered 30mm all round and sits fine. I have heard about other BMWs tilting slightly, i think this was on an E36 forum i used to frequent.
 
Spandex said:
The car was designed as left hand drive so the petrol tank is supposed to balance out the driver (being on opposite sides). Obviously, when the right hand drive model is made, you end up with the driver and petrol tank on the same side, weighing the car down to the right...
Click to expand...
It may be due to fuel load, but not because it's designed to balance the driver.

The tank in a Z4 is a partial saddle design that sits over the transmission tunnel and siphons from one side to the other. However, I think that once the level dorps below the top of the tunnel (hence the siphon is active) it empties the non-filler side first, rather than maintaining the same level. This would result in greater load on the driver side.

So perhaps checking the levels when the tank is full might reveal if this is the case.
 
So perhaps checking the levels when the tank is full might reveal if this is the case.
Click to expand...

I full the tank up full today and can confirm that the list is similar.

If it wasn't for this bloody pulling to the left then i wouldn't be bothered. Im reluctant to go back to the dealers as they tried to charge me last time for their investigations (KDS alignments)!
I really shouldn't be such a jessy and just book it back in. It has got to the point where it is really starting to effect my enjoyment of the car! Why should i buy a premium brand and premium 'M' series and have to put up with it just because a dealers computer cat tell them what is wrong!?

:tumbleweed:

Rant over - been bottling that up - sorry.
 
Can't you book in into in independent specialist, maybe Simpson Motorsport where Curtis works, then at least it might be sorted once and for all. It might cost you, but cheaper than flogging the car for something else because you're fed up with it?
 
the thought has crossed my mind. Im living in Glasgow so any recommendation welcome.

I wouldnt sell the car - no way - couldnt take getting just £20k for it the way things are at the moment.
 
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