BWM newbie, used 2002 330i, Brake question/ issue/ problem?

RokleM

RokleM

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After a long decision process, I've finally got my first BMW. I picked it up from MAG in Columbus, OH (great place for anyone anywhere near this area). From the prices I've seen, I got a pretty decent deal. I'll give you a few details, then please see my actual issue below.

Certified Pre-Owned (100K warranty, got to love that)
2002, 330i, Jet Black
35k miles
Premium Package
Sport Package
Heated front seats
Xenon headlights


Overall, I've been VERRRRRRY happy with my purchase. It seems to be in real mint condition. The only concern I have is with the brakes/low speed, and I want to see if this is normal with the car... First, let me classify braking as 5 being stomping it, and 1 being a very gradual stop. I do not hear this issue when braking at about level 3 and up, nor do I hear it after about 20 MPH. It's hard to explain, but sounds like my brakes are gently applied (not by me) when I'm coasting or braking ever so slightly. It's like a slight drag/tremor throughout the vehicle, however I don't notice an actual drag (speed drop, or like the parking brake is on). I don't know any other way to explain it. Does this seem normal, or does your car coast very gently and silently at low speeds? Again, this isn't anything you can even really tell sitting in the passenger seat, just something I can kind of feel when driving.

The second issue is, sometimes when braking a little harder, the tires/wheel cuts to the left or right. Now granted, I've never had anything that feels so connected to the road as a BMW, and has such an aggressive and responsive steering... So it IS possible that I'm feeling the ruts at stoplights for the first time, but just wanted to mention that as well since it's a braking "issue".

Any thoughts? I've attached a picture after I got her all waxed and cleaned :)

 
N

northstar

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Congratulation on your purchase and welcome to the board. Your vehicle look very nice. I like those wheels on the sport package(Styling 68M), much easier to clean. I have the non-sport package wheels(Styling 73). I call them "too many spokes to clean" wheels.

From your desciption of the brakes and steering, everthing appears to be normal. Yes, the drive feeling you get is very connected to the road. That is why many people do not drive any other cars except BMWs(once bitten effect).

Enjoy your new ride !
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

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First of all I am wondering why you are calling that vehicle a 2002 MY? That is a 2004 (or 2005) model I think. BMW went to the turned-up front blinkers and triangular side marker in 2004, which that car has.

Congrats on the new car!!

The concern you are describing sounds like it could be your tires perhaps. My fronts are wearing down now (got new rears last month) and they make a kind of wump wump sound at low speed. Once I speed up you can't hear it anymore because other road noise takes over.
 
RokleM

RokleM

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I am going to bring it in for some other work (IPod, security, etc), so I wanted to get people's opinions before in case they needed to look at this as well. I may still have them inspect it anyway. The tires do have "decent" wear on them (assume originals), so I guess that could be it. It's just a weird feeling I'm not use to. The car just feels so smooth at all other points, the rough braking/low speed just feels out of place.

It is indeed a 2002 model (I purchased it from MAG as a pre-owned, turned in after a three year lease from the last owner). As for why it might look different, I can't honestly answer.
 
Kirby

Kirby

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Sounds like you hear a pad dragging slightly, doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem. A quick check is to jack it up (you or a mechanic) and spin each wheel by hand. If it moves easily, no worries!

Your occasional pull of the steering wheel is probably "tramlining", as you suggest, it is caused by ruts in the road. Take the car to a nice flat parking lot. At various speeds, come to a complete stop with no hands on the wheel. If it behaves, no worries!
 
Average Jae

Average Jae

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nice ride, congrats on the purchase and welcome aboard!

if there's one thing that looks different, its the fog lights. they are bigger than stock fogs. which looks much better than the regular fogs.

as for braking, i'm not sure, but the second part of it would be tire related. not so much the connectedness, but it could be bump steer type thing, since your tires are prolly much fatter than they used to be. hope you get your issues resolved.

and in seconding Eric, or BMWrocks' opinion, your car is due for new tires at that milage, esp if you have summer tires on there. i'd get that checked out. (since you are in OH, maybe you'll need to get a winter set too, so think about maybe upgrading your rims to 18s? [:D]
 
RokleM

RokleM

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Thanks for all the feedback. I'll try jacking it up and spinning them. I kind of figured it was about time for new tires as well. I'll do some research and see if I can find any recommendations. Yes, I'm in Columbus, OH, but I have a truck I kept for my winter driving. For now I'm sticking with my M rims, but might upgrade in the future.

-RokleM
 
M

Mr.Bond

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Parts for Brake pads/rotors and sensors

Hi Guys....

I am new to this forum...

I drive a Black 2002 BMW 325i with sport package and 40K miles on it.

My experience with my BMW has been very disappointing these days,especially because of the frequent break downs ( accessories-- window regulators broke twice, rain trim channel broke twice, boht driver side and passenger side) and now that my maintenance has experied ( got only 3yr or 36k miles warranty when I bought it new), every thing seems very expensive....

Got an Oil change at the dealer who charged me $150.00. Learnt from this forum that its a bad idea.

And now my brake pads light is ON.....

SO luckily, I found a local mechanic who works on eurpean cars...

I need to replace my brake pads,rotors and sensor for all the four tires... and the mechanic is charging me $150 for the labor and rest for parts (~$400).

The mechanic is going to order the parts some where from california and says they are genuine good quality BMW parts....

But, I am, kind of thinking to get the parts myself online and wondering if there is any relaible online place that I can get genuine BMW parts for good price.... [burnout]


--bond.
 
RokleM

RokleM

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BMWJO: About $27000 after discounts and such.

Bringing this one back from the dead. Yesterday I finally got some time to get it jacked up while cleaning the rims. I checked how free the spin was on the front tires while I was at it. The left side is free, and the right side just _barely_ drags (can hardly hear/feel it) about once a revolution. I doubt it's a big deal, but I just wanted to make sure. It's just enough that you can feel it while coasting at low speeds.

Thanks for the help guys.

-RokleM
 
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