Bouncing, Swaying, & Shaking: Uncovering BMW Suspension Problems

Owning a BMW is a matter of pride… Being the perfect blend of craftsmanship, fine detail, luxury, power, and comfort- a BMW car is much more than just a means of transportation. The experience you will get riding a BMW car is something that can't be expressed by mere words. But it is not without its flaws; being a complex machine your BMW is susceptible to problems.

Today's blog post discusses one of the commonly reported problems in BMW cars- suspension glitches.

BMW Suspension System in a Nutshell…

Discussing each and every type of suspension system BMW ever made use of will take more than just a blog post… writing a book would probably do the job. To save you time and keep things as simple as possible, we opted for a brief and generalized discussion of the BMW suspension system.

The suspension system your BMW is equipped with has many similarities with the suspension of an ordinary vehicle. Springs, shock absorbers, air springs (or air bellows in case of air suspension system), tie rods, control arms, sway bar link, subframe, strut mount, ball joint, and bushing are some of the key elements of a BMW suspension system.

If it is to be put in a nutshell, the suspension system of your BMW is a very complex system- comprised of many different parts of different shapes and sizes. A glitch in one of these components may render the entire suspension system useless; thereby impacting the vehicle's driving quality and handling.

BMW Suspension System Issues: Contributing Factors

Factor #1- Damage caused by rusting

The location of your vehicle's suspension system components makes them vulnerable to corrosion. Most of these parts are found in the undercarriage of the vehicle; easy targets for rust-causing elements such as mud, dust, road salt, debris, etc… By impacting the molecular structure of the component, rust makes it weak; weak enough to break down with the slightest of force.

Factor #2- Bad driving habits

How good a driver you are- says a lot about how long your BMW's suspension system will function without a major glitch. If you are someone who likes to hit bumps without having thoughts of slowing down, the suspension system of your BMW not gonna last long. Riding over bumps and potholes at high speed can take a toll on your vehicle's suspension system and may significantly reduce its competence in absorbing impacts from road imperfections.

Factor #3- Skipping scheduled maintenance

When was the last time you had your BMW serviced? Has it been a while? Not performing routine maintenance can make your vehicle prone to all sorts of drivability problems including suspension system issues. So if you don’t want to end up with expensive suspension repairs down the road, you should look after your vehicle’s suspension system and ensure its upkeep.

Discussing Signs of Suspension Issues in BMW Cars…

#1- Bumpy & rough ride

Of late, have you been feeling every imperfection on the road surface? If so, there is a pretty good chance that the suspension system of your vehicle has gotten weak. Check each and every component of the suspension system where you think might the fault lie. If you fail to trace the issue to its root, reach out to the nearest service center to have the suspension system checked by a professional.

#2- Car tilted to one side

This is yet another common occurrence in a vehicle with a defective suspension system. Among other things, the suspension system supports the weight of your vehicle. If there is something off with such a crucial system, it might cause the vehicle to tilt to one side as if that particular side has suddenly got heavier. And, yes… as you drive you will feel as if something is pulling your car to one side.

#3- Strange noise

Lately, has your BMW been giving off a strange noise every time it hits a bump or pothole? It could be due to the fact that the suspension system has gotten weak and lost its ability to perform the task it has been entrusted with. The intensity of the noise will only increase over time.

In Conclusion…

- In addition to supporting the weight of your vehicle, the suspension system provides you with a smooth and comfy ride.

- A glitch in this system may make your ride unusually bumpy and unsafe.

- It is therefore important that you ensure the upkeep of your BMW’s suspension system and should you ever encounter one or more of the above signs, have it checked by a professional.