[KANdaddy]

This is not an issue about the squeaking. I know full well that is normal for this car, even loud freight train sounds at times are normal. My CS did this too esp on hot days.

But recently I have noticed what I can only describe as a shaking or shuddering when I apply the brakes with med to light pressure and just as the car comes to a complete stop. My front passengers clearly feel it too. When braking hard, there is no vibration though. There is also a very slight but noticeable vibration coming from the steering wheel when on the freeway. I have an appointment to check it out but wanted to see if any others have experience this. I may also try washing the front wheels today and apply an iron remover to see if that might help as some have said brake dust build up might be the culprit. I did bed the brakes pretty hard this week to elevate the normal squeaking we experience. Anyway, thank for sharing any thoughts.

UPDATE: So the dealer has had my car for a week now. They say that 100% the problem is not with the braking system. The regional BMW tech asked them to reset the transmission "adaptions" and that did nothing. Now they had them unhook the transfer case thinking it might be a problem with the AWD system (which I told them when I brought the car in that the problem occurs both in AWD and 4WD Sport modes). Anyway, they disconnected the transfer case and the problem still exists. Now they are waiting for the regional tech to tell them what to do next and since it is a holiday weekend, I am probably looking at least another week with no M3. All they have been able to determine for sure so far is that a) its not a brake system problem and b) the problem is more noticeable when it is hot out (which I already told them when I brought the car in). At least they gave me a new X5 loaner that uses 2x as much gas for the same amount of driving as my M3 does

UPDATE 2: Apparently they have determined they need to replace both my engine mounts. Parts won’t be here until Friday. Based on how quickly this service department usually works, I’m mentally preparing to have no M3 until at least next Monday.

UPDATE 3 on last page. The mystery continues.

UPDATE 4: Now they say it is the power steering??!

UPDATE 5: SA confirmed they are moving ahead with replacing the entire steering rack. Parts are on back order so no ETA.

UPDATE 6: dealer is asking me to take my car back until the new steering rack arrives from Germany. ETA 2 + weeks. They say the car is safe to drive in the meantime.

[Vic55]

hmmmmm sounds like maybe some warping of the rotor?

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by Vic55

hmmmmm sounds like maybe some warping of the rotor?

kinda what I was thinking but obviously hoping not. I don’t know what would have caused this tho. I haven’t had the chance to drive the car particularly hard. It has been consistently 100+ degrees for the past 2 weeks and the squeaking is loudest on those hot days. Yesterday and today, when I first noticed the shuttering were over 100 as well.

[Rono63]

Originally Posted by Vic55

hmmmmm sounds like maybe some warping of the rotor?

I agree. Don't know how many miles you have on it, but sounds like the rotors have gotten warped some how.

[blackops23]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

kinda what I was thinking but obviously hoping not. I don’t know what would have caused this tho. I haven’t had the chance to drive the car particularly hard. It has been consistently 100+ degrees for the past 2 weeks and the squeaking it loudest on those hot days. Yesterday and today, when I first noticed the shuttering were over 100 as well.

Not sure how closely you follow the forum but FYI take the wheel spacers off before dealer visit if you have them. Another member had issues getting a brake issue covered due to them being installed.

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by Rono63

I agree. Don't know how many miles you have on it, but sounds like the rotors have gotten warped some how.

2800 miles. Would warped rotors be covered under warranty?

Originally Posted by blackops23

Not sure how closely you follow the forum but FYI take the wheel spacers off before dealer visit if you have them. Another member had issues getting a brake issue covered due to them being installed.

ya, I read that. I’m not running spacers tho. I’m completely stock ATM.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

2800 miles. Would warped rotors be covered under warranty?

ya, I read that. I’m not running spacers tho. I’m completely stock ATM.

So BMW's 3/36 maintenance doesnt cover it but the miles associated with the issue (lower than what one should deem wear and tear) should get you coverage.

Crevier is your friend here sir, see Mike Lopez.

I think you are OC.

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by Vic55

So BMW's 3/36 maintenance doesnt cover it but the miles associated with the issue (lower than what one should deem wear and tear) should get you coverage.

Crevier is your friend here sir, see Mike Lopez.

I think you are OC.

I’m not in SoCal. Bay Area but my SA and I have a good relationship and he’s also a fellow enthusiast. Hopefully he’ll take care of me.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

I’m not in SoCal. Bay Area but my SA and I have a good relationship and he’s also a fellow enthusiast. Hopefully he’ll take care of me.

Should be a minor issue where the factory rep doesnt need to come out --- get some new discs and enjoy your new found braking experience.

[Ghozthunter]

I had warped rotors on my g20 with about 4k miles in it. Not sure how it happened but they resurfaced the rotor and problem went away. Covered under warranty.

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by Ghozthunter

I had warped rotors on my g20 with about 4k miles in it. Not sure how it happened but they resurfaced the rotor and problem went away. Covered under warranty.

What were your symptoms?

[Ghozthunter]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

What were your symptoms?

The same as you.

[IDKBRO]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

2800 miles. Would warped rotors be covered under warranty?

ya, I read that. I’m not running spacers tho. I’m completely stock ATM.

Damn 2800 miles ? Shit you are enjoying the car properly
I'm still barely at 500 :

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by IDKBRO

Damn 2800 miles ? Shit you are enjoying the car properly
I'm still barely at 500 :

I bought it to drive it

[IDKBRO]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

I bought it to drive it

I know I did too just don't have the time

Been using the tesla a lot too.

Have you considered an exhaust yet ?

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by IDKBRO

I know I did too just don't have the time

Been using the tesla a lot too.

Have you considered an exhaust yet ?

I will get one eventually. Prob not this year tho. How about you?

[IDKBRO]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

I will get one eventually. Prob not this year tho. How about you?

Yea I had the R44 titanium purchased before the car arrived

It sounds amazing on WOT & Idle rev's but the aggressive default valve flap settings kinda ruin it from 1k to 4K RPM range.

I purchased a dinan valve controller to have them open at all times , still waiting for that to be delivered.

Looking for a used catted DP to pair it one day hopefully.

[IDKBRO]

Pics

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by IDKBRO

Pics

Looks sick! I want the Akrapovič.

[IDKBRO]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

Looks sick! I want the Akrapovič.

I would listen to it in person , I think it's a flop for the money.
Look into IPE , R44, Valve , and AWE.

[KANdaddy]

Originally Posted by IDKBRO

I would listen to it in person , I think it's a flop for the money.
Look into IPE , R44, Valve , and AWE.

im also partial to Active Autowerke. Had one on my e90 and it was sick.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

But recently I have noticed what I can only describe as a shaking or shuddering when I apply the brakes with med to light pressure and just as the car comes to a complete stop. My front passengers clearly feel it too. When braking hard, there is no vibration though. There is also a very slight but noticeable vibration coming from the steering wheel when on the freeway.

These rotors will not warp unless you're actively trying to warp them. Even then, it'll be pretty difficult to warp them.

What you are noticing is called "brake judder" which happens when terrible rotors are out of round (manufacturing defect) or uneven pad transfer. Brake pads transfer their material to the rotor and sometimes, you get buildup on one part of the rotor than another. For example, when the brake pads get hot and stay on one part of the rotor for some time, such after a canyon drive and then stopping at a red light, that part of the rotor will end up with a small hill of pad material on it. That's what is causing the shaking.

A more rare possibility on this type of brake caliper is brake pad tapered wear, when one end of the brake pad is worn significantly more than the other. You can test this by accelerating from 40-50 MPH on the most aggressive engine mode and lifting off the gas pedal. If you notice the steering wheel shake when you lift off, it's likely pad taper. A worse case scenario is that the rotor itself isn't seated properly on the wheel hub, but that's unlikely if the rotors haven't been taken off and reinstalled for some reason.

Generally, the dealer won't resurface the rotors and they'll want to replace both the rotors and pads. That should be covered under warranty if you don't track your car, your pads aren't very worn (indicating tracking), and you don't have mods installed that would affect this. If they do resurface the rotors, that's perfectly fine as well.