Two new M6's plus steering wobble concerns

[Palmnuts]

Hi all from a rare UK owner!

I've had my F13 M6 for a few weeks and am extremely impressed with it - indeed, having come out of an SLS AMG, I reckon the M6 is the better all round car, which surprised me somewhat.

In fact, I'm largely so impressed that I've just ordered a new Competition Pack version Yep, even though I've only had my current M6 for little over a month (which I bought as a 8-month old dealer demonstrator), BMW UK are giving some serious contributions against new M6's so I managed to get close to 20% off list plus 4 years 0% APR on a personal contract, all of which makes the new car barely more expensive than my current one And this is despite my new one being spec'd with £18k's worth of Competition Pack, Carbon Ceramics and B&O, none of which my current car has.

Anyway, one thing I don't like about my M6 is the seemingly incurable steering wheel wobble that happens from about 95mph upwards. It's typical of unbalanced wheels, yet I've had the car Hunter Roadforce balanced three times with little success. The dealers in the UK aren't overly helpful as they say the speeds are beyond what they should be testing the car at (which is true, if a little difficult to swallow given the type of car it is!). The wobble is slight, but still very noticeable and just shouldn't be present.

I'm less concerned about my current car as it goes in three weeks. Also, whilst there are maybe 2-3 threads regarding this on the M5 forum and Pistonheads (although none have any resolutions mentioned), the volume of complaints online just isn't enough to indicate it's a typical characteristic of the car (unlike if you search for the same problem on the F30 3-series, of which there are 40+ page threads on this subject!). Ultimately, I just can't believe other M5/6 owners would put up with such a thing without mentioning it!

In any case, even if it was characteristic of early-build cars (as my current one is), with my new Competition Pack version having revised suspension, bushes, steering rack and wheels, I'll be astonished if it demonstrates the same problem. I've even spec'd the competition pack wheels on the new car despite preferring the design of the current 343M's....just to make sure I eradicate as many possibilities of the cause of the vibration (actually, whilst they look average in pictures, I reckon the Competition Pack wheels will look just fine in real life and it'd probably be wrong specifying this option without the right wheels!).


As I'm confident the wheels are correctly balanced, I honestly think it's something else to do with the car so was wondering if anyone else experiences similar on their M5/6 and if so, have you found a resolution?

Heres a few pics of my current totally standard car, in San Marino Blue with Silverstone interior....

[m-ch]

Nice Order. I went for the same M6 comp pack, ceramic in Frozen white, delivery week 33. Just curious how long is your wait.

Concerning with your problem i think that Must have been related to your car specialy, as on my current m5 f10 and the test Drive M6 on highspeed 250kmh+ it doesnt happen to me at all.

[Hunter5179]

I have no idea what you are talking about. Meaning, I have not experienced anything like this and I've been above those speeds plenty of times. Was your current M6 in an accident? Maybe a bad pit hole or bent wheel somewhere?

[m-ch]

He wrote it was a 8 month Dealer Demonstration car, you never know how people treat it on test drives...

[SilberGrauE60]

As far as the wobble, have you had a four-wheel alignment done? I had some minor steering wheel wobble, and following new tires and four-wheel alignment, it's gone.

[AlphaAlpineM6]

damn that's such a sexy color!!! congratulations. by the way how did you get those headrests?

[noushy]

Have this too. Check the total road force I have had to replace two Michelin Supersports which made a big difference. Also about to install HRE wheels so will update when I have them.

Noushy

[AlphaAlpineM6]

Originally Posted by noushy

Have this too. Check the total road force I have had to replace two Michelin Supersports which made a big difference. Also about to install HRE wheels so will update when I have them.

Noushy

noushy - thanks for the audio track of your exhaust setup. sounds great! i'll have to keep an eye on your build. i'm looking into aftermarket seats for more comfort.

[Hunter5179]

Originally Posted by AlphaAlpineM6

damn that's such a sexy color!!! congratulations. by the way how did you get those headrests?

+1 on the Headrests, Those are definitely not how mine look.. Those are nice.

[Palmnuts]

Originally Posted by m-ch

Nice Order. I went for the same M6 comp pack, ceramic in Frozen white, delivery week 33. Just curious how long is your wait.

Order went in last week and the dealer got me their one and only July build slot (I'm probably the only person in the UK to have ordered a brand new M6...everyone over here goes for the M5). I should have the car for 1st Sept My car hasn't got as far to travel from the factory as some of your cars

Originally Posted by Hunter5179

Was your current M6 in an accident? Maybe a bad pit hole or bent wheel somewhere?

I doubt it but you never know I just hope my new one doesn't do it!

Originally Posted by SilberGrauE60

As far as the wobble, have you had a four-wheel alignment done? I had some minor steering wheel wobble, and following new tires and four-wheel alignment, it's gone.

No alignment has been done - if I was keeping the car, I'd be doing this and replacing the front tyres next!

Originally Posted by noushy

Have this too. Check the total road force I have had to replace two Michelin Supersports which made a big difference.

Noushy, did the new tyres totally eradicate the problem for you then?

Originally Posted by AlphaAlpineM6

damn that's such a sexy color!!! congratulations. by the way how did you get those headrests?

Originally Posted by Hunter5179

+1 on the Headrests, Those are definitely not how mine look.. Those are nice.

My seats are the standard 'sports' seats here in the UK. I take it you guys from the US don't have these? (there's probably something about them that doesn't comply with one of your laws!)

We have two seat options in Europe....the ones I've got in the pictures and the upgrade seats that BMW UK call 'M Multifunction' seats. These are a cost option but they look more ordinary and have a fully separate headrest.

The main differences being that my current seats have manual thigh support, manual headrest height and no width adjustment for the backrest side bolsters - they are quire basic compared to normal M seats. The usual back, forward, up down and tilt functions are all still electric though!

The M Mutifunction seats have a much larger range of adjustment with fully electric thigh support and headrest height, backrest width adjustment and the ability to tilt the top of the backrest independently of the backrest angle for more shoulder support. I'm in no out that these optional seats would be more supportive than mine.

However, I've found my standard sports seats to be perfectly comfortable and, whilst I'd prefer more lateral side support, I decided not to spec the optional seats again as I think the standard sports seats look way better! So, I guess it could be said that I went for form over function!

I guess BMW USA give you the M Multifunction sets as standard then?

[noushy]

No the new wheels and tires have the same issue. I think it is the bushings or some other suspension part.

[bjayfan]

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

Order went in last week and the dealer got me their one and only July build slot (I'm probably the only person in the UK to have ordered a brand new M6...everyone over here goes for the M5). I should have the car for 1st Sept My car hasn't got as far to travel from the factory as some of your cars

Just getting my first reply in so I can post, and say hi.

My M6 coupe went into production Tuesday, scheduled to be completed on the 9th, should have late August to early September. I too fell into and available allotment, just placed the order Monday.

[UCFJWH]

No wonder it wobbles! It's on the wrong side

[Palmnuts]

Originally Posted by noushy

No the new wheels and tires have the same issue. I think it is the bushings or some other suspension part.

Agreed, I'm pretty sure it's not wheel / tyre related. I just hope my new one is improved!

Originally Posted by bjayfan

Just getting my first reply in so I can post, and say hi.

My M6 coupe went into production Tuesday, scheduled to be completed on the 9th, should have late August to early September. I too fell into and available allotment, just placed the order Monday.

I also had confirmation today that mine will be ready for collection on 1st September.

Originally Posted by UCFJWH

No wonder it wobbles! It's on the wrong side

This....is actually very funny But you're mistaken, mine is definitely on the 'right' side

[richard in NC]

I had issues with a Mitsubishi 3000GT that turned out to be slightly warped rims. The balance was OK but the rims caused an inconsistent balance/wobble issue.

I think I have that in my new X3 but it comes and goes.

[ColdList]

"Palm nuts"?-lol! There's a good joke there somewhere

[noushy]

Michelin Super Sports are notorious for road force had to have 3 exchanged. And ///M6s seem very sensitive to this issue. Replacing the bad tires have cured most of the wobble FYI. May also explain why Alpina runs Pilot Sport 3s on their car.

Noushy