Acceleration swerve
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From: Queens NY/ Ft Lauderdale FL
W211 E63
Acceleration swerve
Hey I was just wondering if anyone can help diagnose this weird characteristic of my car.
I have a 2008 e550 4Matic, and under heavy acceleration, around the higher RPM areas, the cars front tends to sort of go left and right, kind of like a muscle car during a burn out. It's weird too, also under braking, while riding into a smooth dip in the road the wheel would pull to the right randomly. Does it sound like bearings? Your input is appreciated.
FiL
I have a 2008 e550 4Matic, and under heavy acceleration, around the higher RPM areas, the cars front tends to sort of go left and right, kind of like a muscle car during a burn out. It's weird too, also under braking, while riding into a smooth dip in the road the wheel would pull to the right randomly. Does it sound like bearings? Your input is appreciated.
FiL
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Fila since we have very similar E550 4Matics maybe I can offer something that would eventually lead you to diagnosis. In regards to the heavy acceleration, as you know, the front end tends to lift off because the engine IS so torque-rich but I have only experienced this type of "instability" on a rough road, but nothing too bad or noticeable. I would think it could be a suspension/control arm/bushings issue that is causing this lateral movement.
I HAVE experienced sort of what you described with braking in a smooth dip or uneven road condition where the car will pull to one side, but never on a flat surface. Is it normal? I assumed it was acceptable behavior for the road conditions but could be related to worn out breaks anyway (need to change mine but still have a few months of life left according to my service adviser). Another thing that you might have overlooked is tire pressure, not to insult your intelligence but I would check to make sure that they are even and within spec if you haven't already.
I HAVE experienced sort of what you described with braking in a smooth dip or uneven road condition where the car will pull to one side, but never on a flat surface. Is it normal? I assumed it was acceptable behavior for the road conditions but could be related to worn out breaks anyway (need to change mine but still have a few months of life left according to my service adviser). Another thing that you might have overlooked is tire pressure, not to insult your intelligence but I would check to make sure that they are even and within spec if you haven't already.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Aug 24, 2012 at 11:25 PM.
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Tesla Model S P100D
I think maybe part of what you are referring to might be very slight torque steer. With 4MATIC 40% of the power goes to the front wheels. This is a good thing usually but if you really nail it, you have about 150 HP going to the front wheels. The torque steer of my E550 4MATIC is nothing compared to that of my FWD Volvo but at times I notice it slightly. I have grown quite used to the car though.
My suggestion to you, and what I do myself, is if you have to nail it with all 382 ponies doing their thing. Hold the steering wheel firmly and actively take part in telling the car where you want to go. I doubt this is different in most other high performance cars.
If however you feel the "swerving" motion is too much, have the car checked and let us know what you find. FWIW I sometimes slightly feel what you are describing but it is really not a big issue at least for me.
My suggestion to you, and what I do myself, is if you have to nail it with all 382 ponies doing their thing. Hold the steering wheel firmly and actively take part in telling the car where you want to go. I doubt this is different in most other high performance cars.
If however you feel the "swerving" motion is too much, have the car checked and let us know what you find. FWIW I sometimes slightly feel what you are describing but it is really not a big issue at least for me.
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From: Queens NY/ Ft Lauderdale FL
W211 E63
Thanks a lot for the feedback guys, I took a roll with my mechanic today, and he said exactly what you guys were referring to, as it causes a bit of torque steering, but i also found my wheel alignment to be off by quite a lot too, so that may have exaggerated the problem.
I had this car for over a year, and never noticed it, I guess I've been pushing it a little harder as of recently.
thanks again
I had this car for over a year, and never noticed it, I guess I've been pushing it a little harder as of recently.
thanks again
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Tesla Model S P100D
Just hold the steering wheel firm when you nail it and expect to keep the car on track of the road has curves or any inclines and you will be just fine. It took me about an year for me to really get to know the car and the driving characteristics. I feel so comfortable driving it now in every day traffic and know what to expect if I nail it. Also the thing I learned is unlike other cars I've owned it is a bad idea to nail it and then steer and figure out where you want to go as the car will get ahead of you. If you nail it, always plan ahead in advance where you want the car to go and have a hold hold on the steering to take you there. It's part of the fun 
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Fila did you're mechanic help you resolve the issue? Also, to clear things up does 4Matic send 40% of power to the front (40/60) or 45% (45/55)? Not that it matters in day to day driving very much but I wonder how much it's balanced in this respect.
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From: Queens NY/ Ft Lauderdale FL
W211 E63
websrfr- hahaha nothing like switching it to 1st gear manual and shifting at 3.5k rpm and then running up 2nd gear to hear that sweet rumble.
AMG- I actually went to do a realignment today, they were off by a lotttt, my right side tires (inside) where very worn out, to the point where i ordered 4 new tires for tomorrow to install. While on the lift we found out the front bushings are moving a bit (which probably caused that slight wobble and rumble feel while driving over bumps). I also fixed my rear diffuser right side clip. It ended up snapping off (ny roads for u) and that may have also caused the wobble im referring too.
But as for the acceleration swerve, as u guys said its nothing to be worried about, I actually gave it another shot after the alignment and i didn't notice it.
as for the split im not too sure to be honest.
AMG- I actually went to do a realignment today, they were off by a lotttt, my right side tires (inside) where very worn out, to the point where i ordered 4 new tires for tomorrow to install. While on the lift we found out the front bushings are moving a bit (which probably caused that slight wobble and rumble feel while driving over bumps). I also fixed my rear diffuser right side clip. It ended up snapping off (ny roads for u) and that may have also caused the wobble im referring too.
But as for the acceleration swerve, as u guys said its nothing to be worried about, I actually gave it another shot after the alignment and i didn't notice it.
as for the split im not too sure to be honest.
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Good to hear man glad that worked out for you. I might have alignment checked/done as well for a preventative measure... my tires are fairly new but I can't say with confidence that they are wearing evenly just from visual inspection so if it saves me $1200 in the long run it's worth it.
Also, are you running 245/40 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4s as well? Or a different tire because of the AMG Sport package? I'm curious because I might want to configure a staggered width setup in the future and not sure about sizing....
Also, are you running 245/40 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4s as well? Or a different tire because of the AMG Sport package? I'm curious because I might want to configure a staggered width setup in the future and not sure about sizing....
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From: Queens NY/ Ft Lauderdale FL
W211 E63
I was running 245/40/18 but they were continental tires. Didn't do so well in the little snow that we had. I picked up Hankook VS4 all season for 660 installed and balanced. For now they seem great, but i kno from previous buys only problem is hankooks weak tire wall. But then again these aren't the 20's i had on my old car.
As for staggered, from what little i remmber u prob already know, but you have to be carefull with the measurements on awd cars. My friend did it on his 328xi coupe. He was told it can be done under a certain percentage. But either way good luck with that, and i'd be happy to hear an update if you pull thru with it
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Tesla Model S P100D
Thanks man,
I was running 245/40/18 but they were continental tires. Didn't do so well in the little snow that we had. I picked up Hankook VS4 all season for 660 installed and balanced. For now they seem great, but i kno from previous buys only problem is hankooks weak tire wall. But then again these aren't the 20's i had on my old car.
As for staggered, from what little i remmber u prob already know, but you have to be carefull with the measurements on awd cars. My friend did it on his 328xi coupe. He was told it can be done under a certain percentage. But either way good luck with that, and i'd be happy to hear an update if you pull thru with it
I was running 245/40/18 but they were continental tires. Didn't do so well in the little snow that we had. I picked up Hankook VS4 all season for 660 installed and balanced. For now they seem great, but i kno from previous buys only problem is hankooks weak tire wall. But then again these aren't the 20's i had on my old car.
As for staggered, from what little i remmber u prob already know, but you have to be carefull with the measurements on awd cars. My friend did it on his 328xi coupe. He was told it can be done under a certain percentage. But either way good luck with that, and i'd be happy to hear an update if you pull thru with it
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2014 BMW M235i
Thanks Fila, for sure I will keep you updated on it. It isn't top on my list of things to do but is definitely something I want to try. But WEBSRFR, are you saying that the tire size and width are standard on the 2012+ E550 4Matic or the Continental tire brand? I think it really depends on the tire how well it does it the snow - not to say that such a wide tire will EVER be great in the snow but brand and tread definitely makes a difference...
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I agree but I have 17" Contis (245/45/17) and they handle wonderfully in snow with no issues whatsoever. So if going to 240/20/18 results in bad handling on the same tire that is a very bad things as the only thing that changes is the tire size.
I don't have Conti DWS but when/if I replace y tires that's what I plan to get. I hope Mercedes did not hurt the winter driving capabilities of the E550 4MATIC as the safety factor in bad weather is why I would have opted for one to begin with.
I don't have Conti DWS but when/if I replace y tires that's what I plan to get. I hope Mercedes did not hurt the winter driving capabilities of the E550 4MATIC as the safety factor in bad weather is why I would have opted for one to begin with.
Thanks Fila, for sure I will keep you updated on it. It isn't top on my list of things to do but is definitely something I want to try. But WEBSRFR, are you saying that the tire size and width are standard on the 2012+ E550 4Matic or the Continental tire brand? I think it really depends on the tire how well it does it the snow - not to say that such a wide tire will EVER be great in the snow but brand and tread definitely makes a difference...
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Exactly, Colorado is a BAD winter weather state, as is New York and up north, especially for rear-wheel drive cars... I got the measurements and I really want to get staggered width tires/wheels with 275s on the rear but that might make winter driving pretty bad D=
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Sep 6, 2012 at 11:13 PM.
