Very unusual handling
 

Guys need your help to understand what's going on with my car. I'm now confident I purchased a dud.

Over the past few weeks I've been noticing the car isn't has silent inside as it used to be. When I drive very slowly, and I mean just let the car roll forward, it almost feels like I don't have tires. I feel a very light shake on the pedal and under my seat. It's very hard to explain. It's not rough like uncomfortable, but it's noticeable and annoying. I can feel it when I'm making right turns and left turns and when I accelerate. At high speeds it's still there but much better.

I've spoken to the dealer and I have an appointment this Saturday for them to take a look.

But I've been reading about it and it could be a few things (or maybe it's just me and the car is fine). Does anybody else who owns an 2009/10 A4 feel some of the road feedback in the steering/pedal?

1) Could be alignment - but when I let go of the wheel, the car drives perfectly straight
2) Could be my wheel nuts are not tightened properly - I haven't had time to check myself but could this cause it? Is it still safe to drive?
3) Someone on a BMW forum (Low speed vibration - need help to diagnose. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)) tried to explain a similar problem and they mentioned bushings and other garbage which I have no clue about.

Comments guys?

Thanks!

Re: Very unusual handling
 

That doesn't sound good... I've been thinking myself about alignment issues... Things have ESP in them so I would imagine if it's a hair off then it will compensate but a what cost? ..have you tried with esp off?

Re: Very unusual handling
 

Thanks sumnon,

Tried with ESP off yesterday and I don't know if it was just psychological, but I found it to be a LITTLE smoother.

I'm taking my car in on Thursday for them to take a look at.

Here's a silly questions, could it be something with the breaks? I'm no mechanic so I'm just throwing this out there. Something like warped breaks or stuck calipers?

Re: Very unusual handling
 

Did you notice any drifting off to one side with ESP off? Like a classic "one front wheel not quite pointed straight"? If the car is still straight then alignment is likely not the culpret..however one thing leads to another...

Re: Very unusual handling
 

I have vibration issues at highway speeds - but it doesn't sound related to what you're having. My issue is potentially related to deformed Pirelli's

Re: Very unusual handling
 

...anything from the visit...? ;)

Re: Very unusual handling
 

I have had issues like this with improperly torqued wheel bolts, I am interested to hear what the mechanic had to say

Re: Very unusual handling
 

just dropped the vehicle off today and will be leaving it there until sat. dealer gave me a 09 A3 as a loaner vehicle. was impressed also with how well it handled although wasn't too impressed with the ride quality/smoothness. after getting used to the pushbutton start it felt nice to actually turn a key to start the vehicle for once.

i left the dealer with a whole laundry list of things to check.

- the handling issue
- a little seat vibration right at the end of braking
- passenger reverse light out
- paint spots that i can't get out

also the minimum oil light came on again after just 28 days of topping it up with 1L castrol. their going to do an oil consumption test.

regarding sumnom's alignment question... i turn ESP off and left the car drive without touching the wheel, it stayed stayed swaying to either side.

maybe it's just me.. maybe i'm asking for perfection....i really hope it's nothing but i'll let you know when i find out.

Re: Very unusual handling
 

Got the car back from the dealer on Saturday.

- changed the reverse light
- the transmission jerk while upshifting they are ordering a transmission filter to replace
- the paint spots they are getting their detailer in who has a special compound to remove them
- vibration issue apparently it's being caused by my winter tires. i'll wait till summer when i get my summers on and will see if it changes. i've read articles about this being a known issue and that changing the control arm bushings fix it... (i have NO idea what a bushing is...)

Re: Very unusual handling
 

bushing is just a rubber /plastic mount that absorbs the vibration.

i've had my control arm replaced -- car actually handles better after it and eliminated a huge % of the vibration that occured.

they're now looking into the driveshaft as another source of the vibe (they've already replaced 4 tires)