F10 M5 - Steering Vibration - HELP!!!

[13M5F10]

Since I picked up my car I have always had vibration/oscillation issues. I am curious if anyone else experiences this.

Depending on the road conditions, the vibration turns into the steering wheel wobble/oscillation like the tires are unbalanced. Again it all depends on road conditions but happens even on brand new roads. I am feeling the vibration at all highway speeds and at exactly 90 MPH its much more pronounced. Also, when merging lanes @ highway speeds, the oscillation is felt. Its almost like it exaggerates the road conditions more than it should.

I took it to service several times and these the outcomes.

1st Visit - They recommended new tires - I replaced all 4 tires and completed wheel alignment & balancing. Problem still existed.

2nd Visit - They said that my front wheels are slightly bent - I took all 4 for repair and had them repaired. This includes balancing. Issue still existed

3rd Visit - Road forced balance - This was done three times (BMW, Discount Tire & BMW since we thought it was done right). Issue still existed.

4th Visit - They said that my tires are not BMW approved & front wheels are still bent. This was somehow determined by looking at the road force numbers. My two front were slightly higher but per hunter within tolerance. BMW said that although within spec, they are not within spec for an M car. They were around .20 ...... Later that night, I hit something bad in the road front wheels/tires were blown and bent.

5th Visit - Installed brand new OEM Wheels / BMW Approved Tires - Issue still existing

6th Visit - I sent a complaint up the chain and they had me come in, they replaced my rotors and pads because of being warped. That fixed vibration while braking but did not fix my vibration at highway speeds. They then warranty replaced my front right tire under warranty because during road force they saw something they didn't like. They had me come in and test drive. It felt much better than before but after driving 1000 miles over the weekend, the issue is still there.

BMW at this point is telling me that after test driving another M5, this is normal. I am not sure I agree as I have driven two other M5s and an M6 and this is not a normal characteristic. Its hard for them to duplicate it because unless driven at high speeds, they are assuming its normal and its due to road conditions.

[Day Laborer]

I have a 2013 with a build date of April 13; I don't believe I get this steering wheel vibration that many earlier 2013 M5s suffer from.

If you test drive a 2014; you will find that they updated this issue.

-Good luck!

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by Day Laborer

I have a 2013 with a build date of April 13; I don't believe I get this steering wheel vibration that many earlier 2013 M5s suffer from.

If you test drive a 2014; you will find that they updated this issue.

-Good luck!

I own a 2013 with a late 2012 production date.

Do you know anything more on this issue? the cars I drove were 2014+ which did not have this issue. Haven't driven another 2013 to compare.

Thanks

[Mbdurham17]

Do you have lane departure warning?

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by Mbdurham17

Do you have lane departure warning?

I do not

[Day Laborer]

I believe there is a known issue that has been brought up many times throughout this forum of 2012-2013 M5s having this issue and that later builds of 2013 M5s may have eliminated this problem.

Just search "steering wheel vibration" and you will see many others having this issue with the early F10 M5s

[sdf10m5]

I have had this since I got mine.. It used to be prominent during high speed braking as well as 50 mph braking- however the new rotors/pads& calipers replaced under warranty solved it for the most part. I have also had a bent rim repaired and the wheels road forced balanced. I do believe these cars have very sensitive steering, especially with the 20's and depending on what mode you are in.. I sometimes still feel some vibration depending on the road/weather conditions as well, however I have gotten used to it. I also noticed FYI- the feedback from the steering wheel is significantly less when I run my Michelin PSS tires (on oem 343m's) at a lower psi.. I typically run about 32psi all around now- and when they warm up under aggressive driving they get to around 38 - just the right amount of feedback and grip IMO.

[13M5F10]

I have been reading that this is a common issue with early 13 production F10s but cannot find any resolution.

[Spinny02]

I get it on certain roads but I have gotten used to it now. It does not happen often but it does happen on the same roads/areas. Must be - specific vibration freq that transferred to the wheel. stealth.pilot may have a fix.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

I get it on certain roads but I have gotten used to it now. It does not happen often but it does happen on the same roads/areas. Must be - specific vibration freq that transferred to the wheel. stealth.pilot may have a fix.

@Spinny02 what production year is yours.

Yeah I think certain road conditions lessen/worsen it. On brand-new roads I feel it the worst. That's when you really feel like it's out of balance and steering wheel is wobbling. Happens exactly at 90MPH

[Lerxst M4]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

I own a 2013 with a late 2012 production date.

Do you know anything more on this issue? the cars I drove were 2014+ which did not have this issue. Haven't driven another 2013 to compare.

Thanks

I don't think I have the issue but next time you're here let me know and I'll let you take mine for a spin to see if you can feel it.

I'm similar build date as you. I do have lane departure but that's a vibration when moving out of the lane (like running down a rumble strip) and sounds completely different than what you're describing.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by Lerxst M5

I don't think I have the issue but next time you're here let me know and I'll let you take mine for a spin to see if you can feel it.

I'm similar build date as you. I do have lane departure but that's a vibration when moving out of the lane (like running down a rumble strip) and sounds completely different than what you're describing.

Thanks! I do not have lane departure on mine. When merging it goes from vibration to feeling like my tires are unbalanced.

The dealership is trying to tell me its normal but they cannot drive at the higher speeds to verify so to me its BS.

[Thunder43]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

Thanks! I do not have lane departure on mine. When merging it goes from vibration to feeling like my tires are unbalanced.

The dealership is trying to tell me its normal but they cannot drive at the higher speeds to verify so to me its BS.

I had it. 8/12build.
Seems much better after KW springs and Dinan sways. But I also had toe adjusted at same time. Not sure if causation or correlation.

[greentrbo95gst]

i have a 2013 with April production date and very sensitive to any vibration. I have none. Very smooth and it's not not normal if they tell you that. It could be bushings or shocks. How many miles?

[ChrisNich117]

This is an old issue that plagued most pre LCI cars. It's the swervotronic system or whatever it's called. My 13 had crazy vibration after 60mph. There is no fix for it and a few of my friends had the same exact problem. BMW didn't do anything to correct it except replace a few suspension parts which did absolutely nothing. It's a software issue.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by greentrbo95gst

i have a 2013 with April production date and very sensitive to any vibration. I have none. Very smooth and it's not not normal if they tell you that. It could be bushings or shocks. How many miles?

26k on it now but was happening when I picked it up around 15k.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

This is an old issue that plagued most pre LCI cars. It's the swervotronic system or whatever it's called. My 13 had crazy vibration after 60mph. There is no fix for it and a few of my friends had the same exact problem. BMW didn't do anything to correct it except replace a few suspension parts which did absolutely nothing. It's a software issue.

I am assuming that the issue goes away in LCI models since they have electric steering? Its odd however that not all 13 models have the issue. There must be some solution out there.

[ChrisNich117]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

I am assuming that the issue goes away in LCI models since they have electric steering? Its odd however that not all 13 models have the issue. There must be some solution out there.

No they do not have electric steering, they just fixed the problem lol.

[13M5F10]

After reading a ton of old threads about this issue, I tested out driving in default (MDM Off, and Comfort everything) and the vibration although still present was no longer that bad. Turned MDM on and issue came back. I did this while driving at the speed I feel it most. Switched between both modes and it was night and day. I wonder though if it's hardware and when modes changed, it becomes more sensitive or if the issue is all software as mentioned. I say that only since it's felt in both but a lot more when in MDM.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by Thunder43

I had it. 8/12build.
Seems much better after KW springs and Dinan sways. But I also had toe adjusted at same time. Not sure if causation or correlation.

I've heard the same thing from others once they did a suspension upgrade.

[greentrbo95gst]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

26k on it now but was happening when I picked it up around 15k.

I have about 25k miles on mine. Bushings or shock issue.
Have them check control arm bushings, end link bushings, shock mount bushings and maybe test of shocks have an issue.

[CSCobb]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

I've heard the same thing from others once they did a suspension upgrade.

I picked up my 13 about 2 months ago and this is driving me crazy! Is the suspension upgrade the solution??