[Merkor]

I actually thought that my winter tires weren't balanced properly.

But now I have summer tires on it and I still have the problem that the steering wheel vibrates at around 80 kph. This is independent of accelerating and the road surface. Simply rolling (out) is enough. This effect takes effect at 75-90 kph. The vibration is strongest at around 82 kph. The vibration also literally “floats” with increasing and decreasing intensity. However, I haven't noticed the effect with speeds above 100 kph.

Please note: It's a harmonic vibration in the steering wheel only, not the whole car is shaking.

I have a workshop appointment in mid-April.

For comparison: My iX1 (30) was built at the beginning of December 2023 (M Sport package, 18" summer and winter tires).

[Merkor]

Originally Posted by KosticKen

https://u11.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2080636

Thanks for pointing me in this direction. Just checked: I don't have that no. 7 on my December 2023 iX1 (Part Number: 31108859733). However, I got the mounting holes.

It says it should dampen 150 Hz vibration.

Do you think this will make a difference regarding my problem?

[Merkor]

Update from my workshop appointment today:

Carried out two test drives, one with me, one without me. Problem acknowledged and found abnormal. They decided that they have no clue. An inquiry was made to BMW Munich to coordinate further action. Further instructions are expected from Munich at the end of the week, in the hope of finding out something “between the lines”.

Remarkable: The comparison vehicle from the yard was test driven (not by me). This one does not show this abnormality. However, the production date and equipment were not disclosed to me. So basically, the “state of the art” argument is not valid.

Experiences from other iX1 drivers appreciated...

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by Merkor

Update from my workshop appointment today:

Carried out two test drives, one with me, one without me. Problem acknowledged and found abnormal. They decided that they have no clue. An inquiry was made to BMW Munich to coordinate further action. Further instructions are expected from Munich at the end of the week, in the hope of finding out something “between the lines”.

Remarkable: The comparison vehicle from the yard was test driven (not by me). This one does not show this abnormality. However, the production date and equipment were not disclosed to me. So basically, the “state of the art” argument is not valid.

Experiences from other iX1 drivers appreciated...

I have an iX1 but never experienced this vibration. Hope that BMW Munich come back with some fix for you!

[Maisieruby]

I have it at exactly 103-105kmh. It's worse when lifting off the throttle.

Mine is felt more through the body of the car rather than the steering wheel.

Local dealer reported no issue (to be fair, local limits are 100kmh, so they would need to test it on 110kmh limit country highway to test it without speeding).

[Merkor]

Originally Posted by Maisieruby

I have it at exactly 103-105kmh. It's worse when lifting off the throttle.

Mine is felt more through the body of the car rather than the steering wheel.

That kind of shudder is a different one than mine. I am in contact with an Australian driver, who got her drive shafts (front and rear) and motors exchanged. That may have cured the 103-105 km/h shudder felt throughout the car. Her car was not part of the official drive shaft recall.

However, now she feels the steering wheel vibration at around 80 km/h, which I also experience. I don‘t have the whole car shuddering.

My dealer did not come up with a solution. The first thing BMW Munich requested was to update the software. I could image they lowered the power of the heat pump in order to fix one source of vibration. Now I haven‘t heard in a week after it obviously has fixed nothing.

I hope they know what to do next…

[Merkor]

Still no solution for the steering wheel vibration at around 80 km/h (50 mph).

They exchanged the rear motor and tested another set or wheels (19" with Pirelli) instead of my 18" with Continental. Nothing helped.

Tires now shall be exchanged to Hankook on my 18" rims. No high expectation since my 18" winter wheel set got the identical problem with vibration with the same kind and intensity.

I must be something else. Munich is involved but obviously has no clue. Dealer test drove a new car from the latest production, same vibrations.

Could someone solve the problem?

[Merkor]

My car has been with BMW for three months now. Most of this time, it spent in BMW Regensburg factory in Germany.

Basically, they changed my rear motor twice plus drive shafts. Additionally, the front motor has been exchanged, as well. BMW knows, there are motors which tend to vibrate and they can identify them by serial numbers. They don't know the reason for the vibration yet, but they are investigating.

My steering wheel vibration is gone now. I really recommend to contact the dealer to get this fixed. BMW must have an internal process for this, since a lot of people are suffering from the steering wheel vibration with the iX1.

Good luck and best wishes!

[gravelman]

Hello Merkor, I just got the same symptoms on the IX1 of my wife. Do you have more details regarding this problem of steering wheel vibration ?

[Merkor]

Well, basically I posted the solution right above your post. However, this will be a long journey with BMW. First, they will do everything they can to say „everything is normal“. After that, they will balance your set of tires. This will fix exactly NOTHING.

Most important thing is, they have to raise the case with BMW. In my case, I got the attention of a technical delegate from Munich, who escalated. You have to stand really tough in order to fight for your interest. That is my experience from being in contact with a lot of other drivers having the same problem.

End of story is, they will have to replace the rear drive unit, at least.

However, most people won‘t or don’t want to recognise the vibration. My dealer had a test drive car, which vibrated even more than mine. They sold them without receiving any claim.

Good luck!

[gravelman]

Thanks Merkor. Im y case the vibration came up after a strong acceleration out of a roundabout. But it's really a strong vibration that occurs since that from 80 to 120 km/h. Noboby could say that he doesn't feel it . The vehicle has 50.000 km

[Merkor]

I think this might be something else. Have you checked for open recalls on the BMW website?

There has been one because for some vehicles the drive shafts can break out of the motor and damage things. Sounds like this may have happened to you. However, get it checked by the workshop.