Why does my 318i Touring E46 47k miles 2005 handle so poorly(twitchy)? I have to correct the steering for every little bump on normal roads making driving tiring. On the motorway things only improve on the new 'smooth' surface. This has always been the case, not just started happening. I must say I haven't tried a heavy loading. Also I find it underpowered in low revs (below 2500rpm) compared with my Astra 1.6 16v estate 2001 127kmiles.
All comments appreciated
WBD
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 27/11/2008 at 18:43
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Have you had your tracking checked ? If alignment is ok it could be down to sport suspension and 18" wheels.
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If the tracking is OK I would agree with tyres being the most likely problem - or tyre pressures to high. If you want high torque at low revs you need the diesel.
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Have you checked the front wishbone rear mounts for wear, when they get really bad they knock but do check the rubber bushes, and the rest of the front suspension at the same time.
If you get hold of the front wheel without jacking the car up and attempt to roll the wheel forwards and backwards (not side to side as if checking a track rod end) you will soon see if there is excessive movement, similar to sierra's some years ago.
Agree about getting tracking done after checking the above.
As above could be a tyre related problem too.
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My 06 318Ci does this really badly on 17'' wheels and M-Sport suspension. I think its just how they are.
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Not sure if this will help, but when I had an E46 I found that the stability control could get confused if the tyre tread depth was very different between front and rear. This could make the car feel twitchy, particularly when cornering reasonably (but not scarily) fast in the wet.
It took me a very long time and the reading of various forums to figure out that this was the cause. Try turning off the stability control and see if you still have the problem. (but go carefully, obviously).
gabble
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Thank you all for these remarks it certainly gives food for thought....alignment, tyre pressures, tread wear and ESC. I'll have a go and report.
regards
WBD
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My 2003 320d behaves like this too. Coming from decades of front wheel drive cars, I thought that it was a characteristic of the "ultimate driving machine", you know plenty of feedback from the steering, unlike bland and lifeless Japanese handling. Your comments have given me food for thought. I must admit I'm used to the idiosyncrasy now. Like cooper driver, I assumed BMWs were just like that !
PS. Mine runs on Pirellis on 17" alloys.
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My limited experience with the previous-gen 320d suggests the same thing. I drove a former colleague's car for an hour or so in 2005. (I think the car dated from 2004, and had, I think, 18" wheels and 45% tyres.) Yes, the steering seemed 'sharp' and 'responsive', but compared with my S60 (2002, 16", 55%) it would have been exhausting on a long journey. I also thought the engine lacked overtaking punch compared with my D5.
My former colleague (who now gets the simpler label of 'friend') no longer has that car. I wonder how many people put up with this incessant jiggliness because the likes of Top Gear have convinced them that this is how a car should be. Go-kart handling is fine for go-karts; for every day - when I drive because I have to, not because I want to - I'd much prefer something more grown up.
}:---)
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I've owned two examples of the E46 320dES - and think it has a lot to do with the wheel size, going on my current cars perormance.
I bought a 2003 (E46) 320dES in Oct '03 with just 8000 miles and upgraded the standard 16" ES alloys to the 17" Star 5 Spoke wheels. Being 8 months old the car was in excellent health and was bought BMW approved, hence all the checks. And it tramlined (didn't know what was wrong at first, then read it seemed to be worse with the 18" wheels on the Sport).
... This August I bought a 2005 (E46) 320dES from the same dealer (graduation present to myself having given up the last to go back to Uni for 4yrs). This time, I kept the standard 16" alloys. Same again, BMW approved so all checks, 28000 miles only with FBMWSH and remainder of 5yrs/60,000 free servicing. 4 brand new Dunlop sports fitted on delivery as part of the BMW Approved scheme.
Situation has improved with 16"! Both cars have the sports suspension configuration and to my mind are the same (both were the later ones with the 6-speed manual). I'd like a Sport next, but might just stick with an SE with a possible return to 17" (am I choosing style over form? This one looks good as it is...) :)
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