Handling issues

[jeff@autocouture]

Heres my handling issue- the car feels loose, not as planted as it should be, it has 69k on it and of course i know it won't feel like new, but to make sure I drove another with 10k on it to compare and wow it felt
So much better, so here's my handling question, is it the shocks and springs, or bushings? Maybe both or more? Any ideas of what needs to be looked at when I bring it in, I'm open to all suggestions,
I want this car to handle brand new again so let's here some opinions, thanks

[Richbot]

First places I'd look would be bushings, especially the front control arms. If BMW's history is any indication, those bushings are designed to fail after a while

[jeff@autocouture]

Would they cause any types of vibration on the steering wheel. ? I've ha my wheels balanced 3 time and still have it

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Studntloan

Heres my handling issue- the car feels loose, not as planted as it should be, it has 69k on it and of course i know it won't feel like new, but to make sure I drove another with 10k on it to compare and wow it felt
So much better, so here's my handling question, is it the shocks and springs, or bushings? Maybe both or more? Any ideas of what needs to be looked at when I bring it in, I'm open to all suggestions,
I want this car to handle brand new again so let's here some opinions, thanks

How are your tires? Alignment is correct? Tire pressures? Have a look at the above before going after the bushings. The M3 bushings will last a long time, we put our Redline Time Attack 335i through hell plus street duty for about 50K miles, riding on all M3 bits, no signs of wear. Those M3 bits are now on the 135i with 10K on the clock! The Koni DA's had to be rebuild, however.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by Richbot

First places I'd look would be bushings, especially the front control arms. If BMW's history is any indication, those bushings are designed to fail after a while

They're not cheap, but Dinan sells a spherical bearing replacement for the tension arm bushing in the front lower control arm. The Dinan site lists them as for the rear control arms by mistake. I had them on my first e90 and am getting them to fix vibration and "feel" issues I'm having with my current e90. I won't guarantee they'll cure your issue, based upon an internet diagnosis, but I'm doing it for my car.

[jeff@autocouture]

Wheels and tires are brand new and I've had then balanced 3 times already!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Studntloan

Wheels and tires are brand new and I've had then balanced 3 times already!

Tire balance is not going to cause the handling issues in your original post.

[jeff@autocouture]

Well I ment the vibrations

[MrHarris]

I had vibrations as well and got them balanced 3 times with no luck. Besides the vibration, if you're handling feels off definitely check alignment.

[jeff@autocouture]

It's more of the planted feel that isn't right, I'm 99% sure it's just wear parts ex: shocks and vushings