Z4 ride quality and tramlining

Paradroid said:
It's only done 23k, previous owner only did about 15k in 3 years.

The windscreen doesn't shake as such, I just think my eyes pick up a slight movement if I hit a bump and am looking at the road ahead. I'm a bit of a perfectionist though, and my eyes have always been very sharp.

There are a few rattles from the interior - around the dash and the passenger seat moves slightly on rough roads. All this is in relation to a normal hard-top car though. I think it's got to be the very harsh ride causing these issues. On smooth roads it's a great drive.

For alignment can I take a Z4 anywhere or is it better going to a specialist?
Click to expand...

I think we all had assumed you had already checked the tyre pressures before posting as this is part of regular user procedures before driving a car. Sorry for not pointing that out :)

On rough roads, you will get some creaks and groans. I don't think this is really avoidable. I will say that he Z4 handles this better than another open top car I had that did suffer from scuttle shake badly.

Take it to a place that has a good alignment system like a Hunter or KDS (I think). This website can point you to some places but not all.

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/default.aspx
 
Gargybloke said:
I think we all had assumed you had already checked the tyre pressures before posting as this is part of regular user procedures before driving a car. Sorry for not pointing that out :)
Click to expand...

Not at all mate that's my fault! Should have checked something obvious like that but only got it yesterday so just got round to it today.

Cheers for the link I will definitely look into getting alignment done next.
 
Just trying to find out what my Z was supplied with I have used the BMW link mentioned earlier but can't find the log on area . I know I am probably being really stupid but can anyone help.
 
beatle boy said:
Just trying to find out what my Z was supplied with I have used the BMW link mentioned earlier but can't find the log on area . I know I am probably being really stupid but can anyone help.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem. Click the link in the middle white area of the screen. You also need to add popup blocker exclusion rules for *.bmw.co.uk and *.bmwgroup.com, otherwise the login page won't load! When you get logged in I couldn't really understand the info on the main page, but there is a link in the header "options", click that and it's quite useful.
 
I had the same problem with 18" wheels (non rfts). I had the aligment done at ATS. It made a little difference, not much.

Everybody tells me it`s down to the larger wheels/tyres i.e. 255/35 on the rear and 235/40 at the front. They are right!

I recently purchased some 16" alloys. The car was transformed! Not one bit of tramlining!!

However; I missed my 18"s on the car, and have reverted back to them, just putting up with the tramlining now :)

Incidentally I am selling the 16" if anybody is interested?
 
When I got my E85 the tramlining was woeful, I tried to justify that I had read that it would do it and that it was expected but I always suspected that it was much worse than it should be, I was fighting with the steering wheel most of the time.

When I checked the tyres after a couple of months (I know, I know) they were severely worn on the inside, a quick alignment check and adjustment and 2 new tyres and the handling was completely transformed.

Well worth getting it looked at just in case as it made the driving a much more enjoyable experience. :driving:
 
Just registered as I was wanting to check out whether tram-lining was a feature of the car. I have only had the car bought second hand for a couple of months and noted that the steering needs much less input than most cars but that on rough or country roads and at speed it required more concentration than any car I have driven before. I am still on Bridgestone RFTs bit will review these and the tracking. Currently though on good roads and motorways the ride / handling is spot on. Do these characteristics :driving: ring true with other Z4 owners?
 
Another thing to check before alignment (as that will tell you the true toe and cambers) and ditching runflats (makes such a difference) is the wishbone bushes as mine were shot and initially as I heard Z4's were prone to a bit of tramlining, I thought it was normal but the drive now is like night and day. I say this as the road I drive to and from the station everyday used to demand that I held the wheel tight and I thought it was due to the potholed/bumpy/cracked roads and the cars tramlining characteristics (however when I drove around France on smooth roads or UK motorways, the steering was true) but now the drive is a lot smoother and firmer and the wheel doesn't want to move from left to right over every imperfection or camber in the road.

To check bushes put a wheel nut breaker bar on the wheel and pull right to tighten or from facing the front of car, push your foot against the wheel. If the wheel rocks back and forth even a little, your bushes are worn and at speed, the little wobble amplifys. It's is an easy DIY job you if you have access to a ramp.

If the bushes seem firm, then check alignment with a Hunter centre to give you the true readings to see your settings are correct and go from there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom