Steering issues, maybe its me.

[rhinoman]

Had our 2006 X5 exclusive on 20's for a few months, its done 123k and I'm struggling with it. I've moaned a couple of times in other posts/threads that I find the steering a bit vague. I have now poly-bushed the front anti-roll bar and thrust arms and rear thrust arm ball joints, replaced the. upper and lower wishbones and droplinks. The garage tell me the rack is fine and its been four wheel aligned. Rear tyres are new, fronts are 5mm.

A mate drove it and tells me I'm paronoid. Anybody in Kent (ish) that wouldn't mind meeting up and having a drive and comparing to there own E53.

If it needs other parts then so be it, but I haven't anything to compare it too. How well does a good one drive?

[pvr]

Never found mine vague, but did not have 20s though.

[rhinoman]

The standard 20's on the exclusive model.

[Johnny-p]

Not sure it's going to help much but......

I had a mercedes e320 estate before buying the X..

Now bear in mind this was running on 18 inch sport wheels with upgraded suspension so drove like a saloon..

The X felt very vague and soft in comparison but it's a damn site higher and about 400kg heavier,I've got used to it..

Now,I sold the merc to my dad and had to drive it last week.

Oh how I miss the seamless gear changes of the merc compared to the X BUT the steering seemed all over the place,not how I remembered it!!

In fact the X seems a bit more sure footed now!!

I don't know what you had before or how long you've had the X..

I'm running on 19's at the mo and have read about the harsh ride and tram lining you can get with 20's so maybe that's the issue???

Hope this helps

John..

[rhinoman]

[quote="Johnny-p"]
Not sure it's going to help much but......

I had a mercedes e320 estate before buying the X..

Now bear in mind this was running on 18 inch sport wheels with upgraded suspension so drove like a saloon..

The X felt very vague and soft in comparison but it's a damn site higher and about 400kg heavier,I've got used to it..

Now,I sold the merc to my dad and had to drive it last week.

Oh how I miss the seamless gear changes of the merc compared to the X BUT the steering seemed all over the place,not how I remembered it!!

In fact the X seems a bit more sure footed now!!

I don't know what you had before or how long you've had the X..

I'm running on 19's at the mo and have read about the harsh ride and tram lining you can get with 20's so maybe that's the issue???

Hope this helps

John..
[/quote]

All comments welcome!

Had the X5 sine May. Currently also have a Audi A4 B7 3.0tdi Sline Quattro on 18's, same gearbox (not that it feels like it!). A roller skate in comparison. Also use an oldish Renault Traffic for work everyday and the steering on that is probably better.
Used to have a Rav4 2006, which we had from new, not a bad drive but nowhere near as heavy as the X5 nor as big wheels. Also had a new Honda CRV in 2003.

I'm used to a little wallowing in bends, kinda expect it with a 4*4. The Rav was a step forward from the CRV, much much better. I was expecting the X5 to be better still. I did drive one last year after getting out of the Rav and prefered it hence buying one this year but am a bit disappointed.

I'd really like to drive a newish one but that won't be a fair comparison, preferably a lower mileage E53 also on 20's. If I need to spend some money to get ours better that's fine. I just don't want to chase an unrealistic end result.

I have a insurance policy that allows any driver over 25 so I'd love someone to come compare. Stationary with the engine running will tell me if my rack is shot or just typical.

[pvr]

I am off to Kent in the next few weeks (Maidstone) as I have to get the Abarth serviced there so if you are anywhere near there.

[JohnnyRob]

Could it be the tyres?

Mine's running standard 19s with good tyres and the steering is spot on for a big 4x4.

[Horizon]

[quote="rhinoman"]
Had our 2006 X5 exclusive on 20's for a few months, its done 123k and I'm struggling with it. I've moaned a couple of times in other posts/threads that I find the steering a bit vague. I have now poly-bushed the front anti-roll bar and thrust arms and rear thrust arm ball joints, replaced the. upper and lower wishbones and droplinks. The garage tell me the rack is fine and its been four wheel aligned. Rear tyres are new, fronts are 5mm.

A mate drove it and tells me I'm paronoid. Anybody in Kent (ish) that wouldn't mind meeting up and having a drive and comparing to there own E53.

If it needs other parts then so be it, but I haven't anything to compare it too. How well does a good one drive?
[/quote]
Mine was on 19's and felt fine on the steering, I've heard reports of people complaining about the 20's tram lining and wandering about when on uneven surfaces, some get used to it but others don't. It's not confidence inspiring when the car seems to have a mind of its own.

[rhinoman]

[quote="pvr"]
I am off to Kent in the next few weeks (Maidstone) as I have to get the Abarth serviced there so if you are anywhere near there.
[/quote]

I'm in Herne Bay, so not too far, kinda depends when as I'm keen to get this sorted.

[rhinoman]

[quote="JohnnyRob"]
Could it be the tyres?

Mine's running standard 19s with good tyres and the steering is spot on for a big 4x4.
[/quote]

The rears are brand new Toyo's, the fronts are Pirelli's with about 5mm tread. One garage I spoke to suggested directionals would be better.

I'm sure the 20's don't help but on a smooth motorway or dual carriage way it shouldn't need constant micro corrections should it? It's very fatiguing, especially in a cross wind.

[rhinoman]

[/quote]
It's not confidence inspiring when the car seems to have a mind of its own.
[/quote]

That's my thoughts, can't believe mine has nothing wrong with it.

[X5Sport]

They do need correcting in a cross wind......side aspect like a barn. 

If the pressures are OK, then I can't think of anything else.  I have only ever had directional tyres on mine so can't say if this made a difference.

Richard

[rhinoman]

[quote="X5Sport"]
They do need correcting in a cross wind......side aspect like a barn. 

If the pressures are OK, then I can't think of anything else.  I have only ever had directional tyres on mine so can't say if this made a difference.

Richard
[/quote]

It's been on a hunter 4wheel alignment unit. Having watched it done a few times now I'm not sure of its ability to deal with the deeply dished wheels and provide consistent results.

[Smeeagain]

Usually when you get four wheel alignment (or even two wheel) - they can give you a print out of the amount on +/- that you have on the alignment. Get the print out and then go somewhere else that has different kit (avoiding any bumps and kerbs on the way!0 and get the same test and print out to check the validity of either piece of testing kit. Usually if the alignment is within spec then they dont charge to test (or at least my local tyre dealership doesn't)

If tyre pressures are ok have you checked wheel balance. Are front and rears staggered could you swap over left and rights tyres or front and rears just to see if anything changes?

Ideally find another X5 owner and swap their wheels/tyres with yours and go for a test drive.I had a tyre with a kink in the steel banding once upon a time

Smee

[rhinoman]

Ideally find another X5 owner and swap their wheels/tyres with yours and go for a test drive.I had a tyre with a kink in the steel banding once upon a time

That would be a good option.