[Ian M]

Hi,
I have recently purchsed a 2003 330d sport full service history which has done 55,000 miles. I love the car to bits however I have a two concerns that I hope someone can help with as I have been a BMW virgin untill recently.

The car can leave quite a cloud of smoke behind it more noticable on kickdown on motorway driving. There is no real signs of using either oil or water and it's reading 31mpg average, performance seems strong. Normal ?

Secondly the the steering seems to tram a little and there can be some pulling on the steering wheel when going on a less than even road surface. Tracking and balancing is spot on as I have had this checked and balancing corrected recently.

I would really appreciate a steer on this.

Kind regards.

Ian

 

[Joe9087]

Hi mate, welcome to the site.

You might get a better range of replies by posting this in the E46 section for your specific car - http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/

Maybe one of the mods will move it for you :thumbsup

 

[Ian M]

Thanks

Thanks for the tip buddy, I think I have managed to put a copy in the right place as you suggested.

Cheers

 

[DSK]

Hi,
Secondly the the steering seems to tram a little and there can be some pulling on the steering wheel when going on a less than even road surface. Tracking and balancing is spot on as I have had this checked and balancing corrected recently.

I would really appreciate a steer on this.

Kind regards.

Ian

Alignment even though you sya its been done, you need to have it done ona proper specialist 4 wheel laser/infra red system where they adjust both the front and the rear of the vehicle for toeing and cambers. (The usual £25 kwickfit type 4 wheel laser alignments are only 2 wheel basic alingments).

Tramiling can be caused by incorrect tyre pressures, firstly check and adjust all 4 tyres to ensure correct pressures.

Its common for BMWs to kill their suspension components within 40,000miles with ease, but due to them being so good people don't realise there's anything wrong until they get closer to 100,000miles. Have you suspension bushes (front control and anti-roll bar bushes, rear trailing and control arm bushes) checked for any signs of movement. Also note that when cars are jecked up in teh air, the movement may not be there, but when the cars on the road, with real loads and forces the movement will be there. These are the general components that make cars wonder/tramline when they are starying to wear out.

Tyres can also play a part in tramlining. Tyres have individual characteristics and can very in how they perform with different levels of wear and between different vehicles and models. Pirelli's, as a general rule of thumb are bad for this across the board, but others tyres are more dependant on what they are fitted to.

 

[xXNealXx]

Hi mate, welcome to the site.

You might get a better range of replies by posting this in the E46 section for your specific car - http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/

Maybe one of the mods will move it for you :thumbsup

Thanks for pointing it out Joe :thumbsup

 

[Bonse]

I get the same steering trouble doing low speeds on uneven surfaces, apparently it's because i have beefy 235's on the front. lol doesnt do it at high speeds and it's dependant on the road to which way it goes so it's not something like tracking i dont think, meh i dunno i can cope with it, nothing major in my eyes

 

[Ronnie]

Any performance issues? slow on initial take off?

A bad MAF(Mass Air Flow meter) can make the car smoke on hard acceleration and give poor initial pull away.

try unplugging the MAF and driving the car with it unplugged, if car goes much better then new MAF is required

 

[Ian M]

Hi Ronnie, Initial pick up from standing seems fine however I will give your plan a try.

Really appreciate the Help.

Ian

 

[olivercox1983]

my e46 320d was wandering all over the road when i got it, i have a full wheel setup done, it completely changed the car! i was dreading it being the bushes or something, but it drives like a dream now