Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Tramlining?
- step_change
- Member
- Posts: 737
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:21 pm
- Location: Planet Earth
- Contact:
Tramlining?
My Z4 does it too. It can be really bad sometimes and very twitchy on certain roads.
My 535D on Run flats also does it but nowhere near as bad.
My 535D on Run flats also does it but nowhere near as bad.
Gone : 2013 35is, Melbourne Red, DCT, Nav, Comfort pack
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1064
- Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:17 pm
- Location: By the M6 Toll Rd Staffordshire
Tramlining?
When you get into the lorry troughs as I call them its does not matter what tyres you have on. The wide wheels on the todays cars just follow the lines
My Cars
2021 X3 M Sport loaded with Tec
1974 Triumph TR6 in Mimosa Yellow
Gone but not forgotten
2008 Z4 3.0 SI Roadster
2021 X3 M Sport loaded with Tec
1974 Triumph TR6 in Mimosa Yellow
Gone but not forgotten
2008 Z4 3.0 SI Roadster
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Tramlining?
The article I posted earlier specifically mentions worn tyres being more prone to tramlining and it's been mentioned as a cause by several members beforePTR101 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:37 pm Okay, a week and a half and 1000 miles under my belt, i've come to notice something that's bugging me about my new Z4C.
At high speeds on motorways: no problems.
At lower speeds, on a or B roads: the car just wants to go wherever the road says, not where I want it to. It follows cambers in the road and feels like it's floating along.
Now, I've checked the tyres, I have Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's on the front (225/40/18). The tread depth is getting low and the inner side seems to be wearing a touch more than the outside. On the rear I have Vredestein Ultrac Vorti's (255/35/18) with plenty of tread and what appears to be consistent tread wear.
So the question is, is this a common thing? Is it due to low weight and low profiles, or is it that my alignment might be subtly out? Or do I want new tyres??
Many thanks.
Pete
"because tires become more responsive as their tread depth wears away (which is why tires are shaved for competition and track use), a tire will become more likely to tramline as it wears"
https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirera ... dvice.html
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23809
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Tramlining?
Hope you get it sorted OP.
From my previous BMW ownership I tended to find tyres wore more on the outer edges, so maybe tracking is out?
But I always noticed that worn tyres made tramlining worse, and when they were getting worn any slight drop in pressure made it worse still!
My first Z4 was pretty bad until I got the lollipops changed, but even after that it was still more prone to wandering than my current one although I don't know why.
Sounds like a thorough suspension check and refresh as required plus new tyres and a Hunter alignment may be a plan - or just stick to high speeds.
From my previous BMW ownership I tended to find tyres wore more on the outer edges, so maybe tracking is out?
But I always noticed that worn tyres made tramlining worse, and when they were getting worn any slight drop in pressure made it worse still!
My first Z4 was pretty bad until I got the lollipops changed, but even after that it was still more prone to wandering than my current one although I don't know why.
Sounds like a thorough suspension check and refresh as required plus new tyres and a Hunter alignment may be a plan - or just stick to high speeds.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14222
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Tramlining?
They aren't runflats - don't even bother to look!
Vredestein specified running pressures are normally higher than the vehicle manufacturers specs. Have a look on the Vredestein web page.
Vredestein specified running pressures are normally higher than the vehicle manufacturers specs. Have a look on the Vredestein web page.
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:26 am
- Location: Watford Herts
Tramlining?
got rid of my run flats best thing I ever did its actually driveable now
- kis
- Lifer
- Posts: 4542
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
- Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder
Tramlining?
I too was confused about the runflat comments, OP never stated them? Although whole heartedly agree they should be ditched ASAP if you're running them.
Tyre change looks in order as you said they're getting low anyway. Rubber age will also play a part in the overall performance. You can check when it was manufactured which will give you a rough indication of when fitted (+1 or 2 years). Guide here.
Hows the alignment? I'd have a full check up done when you sort out new tyres
Tyre change looks in order as you said they're getting low anyway. Rubber age will also play a part in the overall performance. You can check when it was manufactured which will give you a rough indication of when fitted (+1 or 2 years). Guide here.
Hows the alignment? I'd have a full check up done when you sort out new tyres
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
- step_change
- Member
- Posts: 737
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:21 pm
- Location: Planet Earth
- Contact:
Tramlining?
As I said in my earlier contribution, I sometimes get the tramlining on certain roads. Steering goes very light and jittery, almost liek driving on ice.
I had my car MoTd'd today, which it passed..... However, I have an advisory:
"Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush nearside front (rear) 2.4.G.2"
Coudl that be contriburting to it maybe?
I had my car MoTd'd today, which it passed..... However, I have an advisory:
"Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush nearside front (rear) 2.4.G.2"
Coudl that be contriburting to it maybe?
Gone : 2013 35is, Melbourne Red, DCT, Nav, Comfort pack
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
- kis
- Lifer
- Posts: 4542
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
- Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder
Tramlining?
Front bushes, common on most BM's. So yeah I'd say so. Many people replace with powerflex as they last longer...
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
- step_change
- Member
- Posts: 737
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:21 pm
- Location: Planet Earth
- Contact:
Tramlining?
Are the front bushes the "lollipops" that people refer to on here?
Gone : 2013 35is, Melbourne Red, DCT, Nav, Comfort pack
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
- hopz121
- Lifer
- Posts: 3711
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 4:33 pm
- Location: Guildford Surrey
Tramlining?
Yepstep_change wrote: ↑Wed May 03, 2017 1:43 pm Are the front bushes the "lollipops" that people refer to on here?
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone
-
- Member
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 7:24 pm
- Location: Swansea
Tramlining?
I ditched the run flats and what a transformation!!!
Speaking to my brother who is in the tyre industry, he suspects the car had been run with too low pressure which wears the outsides and 'cups' the tyres, so when inflated properly less than normal rubber is in contact with the road across the width, in reality it's not much anyway but if worn on the outsides. As per previous posts, doesn't matter whether it's runflats or not, if they've been under pressure they'll tramlines at some point in their life
George
Speaking to my brother who is in the tyre industry, he suspects the car had been run with too low pressure which wears the outsides and 'cups' the tyres, so when inflated properly less than normal rubber is in contact with the road across the width, in reality it's not much anyway but if worn on the outsides. As per previous posts, doesn't matter whether it's runflats or not, if they've been under pressure they'll tramlines at some point in their life
George
X5 30i
530 GT
420 M Sport Plus Grand Coupe-hardon karmon,19" alloys, pro nav, sun roof
Z4 2.5 Roadster, cruise, xenons, sports suspension, red leather, heated seats, heated folding mirrors, aux fitted, 107s, roof motor in boot.
530 GT
420 M Sport Plus Grand Coupe-hardon karmon,19" alloys, pro nav, sun roof
Z4 2.5 Roadster, cruise, xenons, sports suspension, red leather, heated seats, heated folding mirrors, aux fitted, 107s, roof motor in boot.
- Boris
- Member
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2017 10:23 am
- Location: Durham
Tramlining?
I have just bought a Z4 (non runflats) as I always do, I checked the tyre pressures when I got then car.
They weren't overly inflated but were to manufacturers max load capacity, I reduced them to the minimum load setting and it has transformed the car, much more feel to the steering and more settled on the road.
Worth giving it a go.
Cheers
Nev
-
- Member
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2017 7:57 am
Tramlining?
Probably too obvious to mention. But I have had my Z4 for a few months now. It was nightmarish to drive. Just thought it was the run flats.
I have had the wheels refurbed and was told that 2 wheels were slightly buckled. They fixed the wheels and what a difference. Just a different car now.
I have had the wheels refurbed and was told that 2 wheels were slightly buckled. They fixed the wheels and what a difference. Just a different car now.
2007 3.0 Si
Montego Blue
Manual
Montego Blue
Manual
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2016 6:30 pm
Tramlining?
Mine stoppedd Tramling after I put about 5,000 miles on new tires.