[Mauricio]

Previously there have been threads on how the E90 w/ sport package feels a little shifty and needs to be constantly corrected at highway speeds. It has gotten better in my car, but it's still not the stable ride I was used to in my old E46 325i.

After doing a lot of reading throughout this forum and others, it seems to be that the cause of the shiftiness is the larger/wider tires, and from what I've read it's a common problem associated with the sports tires even on other vehicles (porsches etc.).

But...

Last night I had the pleasure to spend time driving about 100 miles in an E46 M3 ('05) with the larger 19" wheel package. I drove it both on and off the highway with the majority doing about 80 mph (the same speed at which I cruise in my E90 everyday). Well this car had absolutely no shiftiness whatsoever. It felt very heavy and solid and I couldn't stop comparing it to how my car drives.

Now don't get me wrong...everywhere else I drive my car, I absolutely love it. I look forward to getting behind the wheel everyday. But I feel like I'm not completely satisfied with it's highway performance. It might sound ridiculous, but I feel like I can't lean over to quickly kiss my girlfriend because by simply leaning over a little, I'm in the next lane if I'm not careful and constantly correcting my direction! (Please keep the sarcastic answers to a minimum )

Is the wheel size really the problem or is it something else? I've had my car aligned by the dealer but it acts exactly the same. Let me know what you guys think.

[crex]

i think the run flats make it more noticeable.. or so i have heard.

[David328M-Sport]

Wow, so many posts describing how stable the car is at high speeds.
I have no shiftiness issues with my car. Very solid and stable with 225s in front and 255s in back.

[dme330i]

Originally Posted by Mauricio

Is the wheel size really the problem or is it something else? I've had my car aligned by the dealer but it acts exactly the same. Let me know what you guys think.

Not sure what the issue might be. I doubt it has anything to do with wheel size.

I moved up to 19's with wider tires and it drives almost similar to the stock 18's. That is, very stable at highway speeds.

[arcrox]

Not all highways are paved equally.

[RichReg]

You ain't kidding.

Mauricio, you should try driving the fabulous highways of New Jersey.
Then you'd know what shifty really means.

[shadye90]

Originally Posted by RichReg

You ain't kidding.

Mauricio, you should try driving the fabulous highways of New Jersey.
Then you'd know what shifty really means.

Oh yeah?..try driving thru the strrets and highways here in Queens and Brooklyn and on the BQE...

[gdcwatt]

I think what you're experiencing is called "tramlining", and wider tires are sometimes the culprit, but sometimes it's also go something to do with the width of your car, on the particular roads you're driving on; the ruts that you follow in, down the highway, which are made by all those heavy trucks, create the problem for you particular car. Ask your dealer if an alignment might help, because it won't go away otherwise, until they repave the offending highway.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by shadye90

Oh yeah?..try driving thru the strrets and highways here in Queens and Brooklyn and on the BQE...

Hell, no! On those streets you're in a constant state of "correction". You have to drive like you're on an obstacle course.

I think Mauricio is still trying to maintain SOME level of comfort while driving.

[Damage Inc]

I agree with the E90 not being as stable as other cars at highway speeds. I had a E46 M3 for 1 1\2 years before getting my E90 330i a couple weeks ago. My M3 front steering was much more stable and "heavier" at highway speeds than my E90. It was that way with the run flats, now I have my snows on (not run flat) and still the same "nervousness" at high speeds. I notice it when I'm if I'm pushing my car hard on the on ramp as well. Its nothing terrible or anything, but just not as good as it could be. I dont think others notice it because it depends on what type of car your used to driving. I first noticed it when driving on the autobahn, I didnt feel the car was "safe" once I hit about 120 or so. I figured it was just that I was used to the M3, but it seems like its the design.

I wouldnt be suprised if its something BMW addresses in later models (similar to the overboosted steering in 2001). The steering weight is awesome at lower speeds though.

[shadye90]

Originally Posted by RichReg

Hell, no! On those streets you're in a constant state of "correction". You have to drive like you're on an obstacle course.

I think Mauricio is still trying to maintain SOME level of comfort while driving.

yeah you're right about that..In between all the idiots running across the street in traffic, all the assholes who cant drive, and the freakin potholes its like playing a game of Frogger..

[Speedy E90]

Well I drove my e90 at 150 mph on the Autobahn and have to say that my car is by non means shifty. I dunno what u guys are talking about.

[GoBonesGo]

I'd vote for there being something off on your particular vehicle, although any evidence I can present is purely anecdotal.

My 330i feels extremely stable at speeds up to 105 MPH (it hasn't been higher, yet). I've experienced that sort of high-speed twitchiness in other vehicles, but my E90 practically begs me to keep accelerating. It feels very comfortable and confidence inspiring at highway speeds.

[fredtoo]

Have the front end alignment checked out. It may be toed out or not have enough trail.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

I agree with the E90 not being as stable as other cars at highway speeds. I had a E46 M3 for 1 1\2 years before getting my E90 330i a couple weeks ago. My M3 front steering was much more stable and "heavier" at highway speeds than my E90. It was that way with the run flats, now I have my snows on (not run flat) and still the same "nervousness" at high speeds. I notice it when I'm if I'm pushing my car hard on the on ramp as well. Its nothing terrible or anything, but just not as good as it could be. I dont think others notice it because it depends on what type of car your used to driving. I first noticed it when driving on the autobahn, I didnt feel the car was "safe" once I hit about 120 or so. I figured it was just that I was used to the M3, but it seems like its the design.

I wouldnt be suprised if its something BMW addresses in later models (similar to the overboosted steering in 2001). The steering weight is awesome at lower speeds though.

I think this hits it right on. The ZSP wider tires, plus what I also find is a very sensitive steering at highway speeds, makes for exagerated movements of the car at the slightest steering imput - which is made worse by uneven or rutted roads. The steering is definately very sensitive at highway speeds. However, it is still better than the steering I was used to in my old A4.

[850CSi]

My E90 325i (no SPackage) is great on the highway, especially compared to my old A4 (Sport Package, worn tires, light steering: pain on the highway).

[Arby 330]

Originally Posted by Mauricio

Now don't get me wrong...everywhere else I drive my car, I absolutely love it. I look forward to getting behind the wheel everyday. But I feel like I'm not completely satisfied with it's highway performance. It might sound ridiculous, but I feel like I can't lean over to quickly kiss my girlfriend because by simply leaning over a little, I'm in the next lane if I'm not careful and constantly correcting my direction! (Please keep the sarcastic answers to a minimum )

hmmm... well you could have her lean over towards your general area. Make sure u concentrate on the road tho, cuz then u can really start drifting other lanes. And make sure u get ur windows tinted, the honks from the truck drivers can get annoying.

[Sho]

It could be the road; I know what you are talking about. My 325i does it sometimes on certain highway, and on others I have no issues to bring the car upto 130MPH +.

[Damage Inc]

I think an alignement is a good option to consider, however would this be covered by the dealer since its a new car?

[F32Fleet]

Wonder if a new aero sports kit providing more downforce would remedy some of this.

[obLu]

Mine's squirrely at 65-75 or so, after that it hunkers down and tracks straight as an arrow. Tread pattern, inflation, road surface, they all have a lot to do with it.

You can take it to a shop that specializes in track alignments, tell them how you want it to drive and they'll adjust the toe accordingly. If you take it to the dealer, or to a tire shop they're just going to set it back to factory spec and that won't help the problem unless your alignment was just way out of wack.

Speaking of which, I've never had a car come from the factory with a correct alignment. First thing I usually do is take the car back for an alignment, which they'll do under warranty for the first 1200 miles. Audi was generous, they would do mine all the way up to 12000 (probably because a poor alignment on an AWD car will chew through front tires and they got tired of replacing tires that wore out early), but my last BMW they wouldn't budge past 1200.

Looks like I'll just have to suck up the $100 this time.

[epiphone3]

I have driven both E90 325i sport and 323i sport and they both feel more planted than my dad's E46 330i. The 323i that I purchased also feels very solid.