Ask the Car People.SM


2011 BMW 5 Series - Alignment Problems (pulling to right)

75 messages,  Last post on Oct 09, 2011 at 9:23 AM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Performance Mods, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 8

#46 of 75 Can't get car to pull to right or left! by el168

Oct 09, 2010 (8:52 pm)

My car does NOT seem to have any problems! I ordered mine from Germany so maybe the issue has been resolved?
It drives perfectly, nice and straight!
 
BEST 5 SERIES ever!!!

#47 of 75 Re: 2011 535i BMW defects [flame2] by el168

Oct 11, 2010 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: flame2 (Oct 01, 2010 7:33 pm)
Too bad you had to buy a Jaguar! This car is fun to drive, especially in the DS mode. Maybe you can give the new 5 another chance?

#48 of 75 2011 BMW 535i Pulling Right by johnbomb

Oct 27, 2010 (3:34 pm)

I took delivery of my new 535i in early August. I brought it back to the dealer in the first week to check the alignment (attempt #1). It checked out fine. The pulling right is subtle, but there. Just had the fuel pick up sensor replaced (10/27/2010), per the recall and had the technician drive the car (now at 3000 miles). He agreed it is pulling and thought BMW had a service bulletin on the issue. I am now supposed to bring the car back in week to have the struts replaced, per BMW's recommendation (attempt #2). He said if that did not fix the issue there were a series of other possible fixes. That does not make me feel very confident in BMW's fix. It's a shame, I really like the car. I won't tolerate half fixes. I will pursue the lemon law after fix attempt #4 and get my money back.

#49 of 75 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right by zess1

Oct 27, 2010 (5:30 pm)

Purchase my 2011 BMW 535i in late July 2010. After driving the car for a few days, I noticed the car drifting to the right. Called Fort Lauderdale BMW and shared the issued. They responded that BMW was aware of the issue and were working on a Solution. A week later I receive a phone call advising that a software fix was not going to be available until Mid September. 1 month and 1 week later the car was taken in for the supposed software update that would take care of issue. Car was at service for 4 days with no success. 1 week later car back at service for strut replacement and tire rotation. (2nd attempt). At the completion of the 2nd repair attempt the car is still drifting to the right. The service representative advised me that they have done everything they could as per BMW's instructions and I should address the issue with BMW Customer Relations. This is where the fun begun. Out of 11 phone calls I have only received 1 phone call back. They then coordinated with the dealership an test drive with the field engineer. The Drive was 15 miles long and engineer is correcting to the left the whole time. He then suggests to go back to the dealership and re-run the software update. 45 min later update completed with no positive results. Dealership will not tale car in for service on the same issue. Case was escalated to BMW executive offices. Today I was advised that no buy back or trade over was going to be made and if I would like to pursue it further I should seek legal advise. Not the kind of answer you want to hear from BMW... Stay tuned...

#50 of 75 Re: 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right [zess1] by johnbomb

Oct 28, 2010 (10:24 am)

Replying to: zess1 (Oct 27, 2010 5:30 pm)
Wow. Check the lemon laws in Florida. North Carolina law states 4 attempts to fix the same problem with no resolution. There are far too many complaints on this issue in the BMW forums. I am not confident the strut replacement or software update will fix the problem. I have not seen any postings in the forums stating either/or both the fixes solved the problem. Keep us posted on. Good luck.

#51 of 75 Re: 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right [zess1] by el168

Oct 29, 2010 (9:16 am)

Replying to: zess1 (Oct 27, 2010 5:30 pm)
I have the 528i (delivered in early October). This is the same car as yours except I don't have the dynamic handling option or upgraded tires. Maybe Active steering problem/ dynamic handling????
 
I drove about 300 highway miles and it runs fine. I also slowed down and took my hands off the steering wheel for a few seconds, no alignment problems with my 528.
I'm quite happy with this car, are there any other people here without problems?

#52 of 75 Re: 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right [el168] by sambo49

Nov 03, 2010 (3:23 am)

Replying to: el168 (Oct 29, 2010 9:16 am)
Test drove the 535xi 2 days ago...dealer says that BMW fixed the software problem at the factory for all cars built after august, which includes the x drive models. Judging by the message posted about the pulling to the right issues, this seems to be accurate.

#53 of 75 Re: 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right [sambo49] by flame2

Nov 03, 2010 (7:45 am)

Replying to: sambo49 (Nov 03, 2010 3:23 am)
I am cynical re what the dealer says....all three dealers either downplayed, professed ignorance of the problem, or said BMW was "working" on the problem, for over 2 months, in my case. Also BMW has yet to acknowledge they had ANY problem with allignment of 5 series, in fact they have ignored problem via their customer relations people. I'm glad I am in a Jaguar now, even though I initially loved the 535i. To prove my point...when I enacted my state's Lemon Law with BMW North America, I gave them a choice....Replace the car in a reasonable time-4-5 weeks, OR refund my money. THEY chose Not to replace the car. That says to me that they rather not take a chance on another 5 series with factory defects, then keep me as a customer...they knew that i wouldnt stand for the same shoddy quality and piss poor customer service again...even though I still have another BMW...a 335i coupe, and was a loyal BMW customer, until my situation evolved. They were that unsure of the quality level of the new 5 series. Keep in mind that my new 535 Also had a ruptured fuel line about i week after i got the car, which took them almost 3 weeks to replace???. BE CAUTIOUS. Drive your specific vehicle before you actually commit to the purchase. There was a recent news article that mentioned that BMW wants to increase sales by 50%, and they are obviously willing to let quality control and customer service slide to achieve their sales goal.
I had occasion to replace my front headlight(for the THIRD time) on my 335i the other day...my regular service person at the dealer looked so depressed. Its obvious that quality control that BMW was noted for is no longer the case. Just look at recent Consumer Reports Reliability study...BMW, as well as audi and mercedes finished at the BOTTOM of the study. I hope they take notice and improve.

#54 of 75 Re: 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right [flame2] by mfarrell65

Nov 03, 2010 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: flame2 (Nov 03, 2010 7:45 am)
I got an interesting message from my dealer today. I have a 535i x drive on order and it arrived in the port a week and a half ago. When I questioned why it had not been received yet, I was told all 5 series in the port are going through a service campaign. The service campaign requires that all 4 tires be replaced.
 
I wonder if this has to due with the pulling issue or if it's a new reason altogether. Any similar experiences?

#55 of 75 Re: 2011 BMW 535i Pulling to the right [mfarrell65] by james27

Nov 03, 2010 (4:41 pm)

Replying to: mfarrell65 (Nov 03, 2010 4:07 pm)
Tires, especially on an all-wheel drive vehicle, can have dramatic impacts on tracking, handling, and comfort. It would be interesting to review and correlate problems with a specific brand/model of tire. The last two cars I've bought came with Goodyear tires...I never really liked them. My guess is that the vehicles sold in Europe probably don't come with Goodyears.

Messages Page 6 of 8

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement