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      02-15-2011, 10:49 AM   #1
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Steering column appears "off" ?

I have a Z4MC, and the steering wheel seems to be misaligned. I'm not talking about off center when tracking straight, but I mean the entire wheel and column look like they come out of the dash crooked? Does anyone else see this on their cars? It could be an optical illusion, the way the dash is shaped, or simply the way I am sitting, as the drives completely normal otherwise. It is not a significant amount, and I just noticed it the other day. A very crude illustration below (birds eye view): the black line would be a column that is oriented "straight" and the red is how mine appears to look. Any thoughts? Am I paranoid? Searched extensively and couldn't come up with anything...hope it's normal...

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      02-15-2011, 01:15 PM   #2
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Probably paranoid, it would take a lot to make it out of alignment like you are stating. To be sure though, can you snap several pics to post up, from different points of view? Might help.
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      02-15-2011, 01:21 PM   #3
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ask the dealer to check it out for ya
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      02-15-2011, 01:31 PM   #4
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I recall seeing this issue on other forums. This is how BMW designed the car from what Ive read. If you look from the hatch or from the back all owners should notice it is offset somewhat. Many theories including safety in the event of a crash.

Here is one explanation from a different forum...

"I have looked at many many Z4's and they are all this way. Very irritating that BMW would build a car with a crooked wheel... I would be curious if there was a fix. The new Z4's do not exhibit this.
Many cars (and the majority of small cars) don't have the steering wheel perpendicular to the centreline of the seat. It is all a function of packaging, the relationship between the wheel-well, transmission tunnel and components in the engine compartment determine the alignment of the steering column shaft. In a small (narrow) car it is generally impossible to find a position that allows the steering column to be perfectly aligned with the centreline of the seat, especially if wide front tyres dictate a large wheel well for the size of the car

I've not noticed this in any car that is mid-sized and above, but have noticed it in many cars that are smaller than mid-sized."
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Last edited by mousitch; 02-15-2011 at 01:37 PM..
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      02-15-2011, 01:39 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onebluemcm View Post
Probably paranoid, it would take a lot to make it out of alignment like you are stating. To be sure though, can you snap several pics to post up, from different points of view? Might help.
I will try and take some that show it, but doubt it will really come through in photos. I mean for it to be really "wrong" it seems either I would have to have broken suspension pieces (which I don't) or a botched repair (though the car is clean)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle View Post
ask the dealer to check it out for ya
Next time I'm in for sure...

Quote:
Originally Posted by mousitch View Post
I recall seeing this issue on other forums. This is how BMW designed the car from what Ive read. If you look from the hatch or from the back all owners should notice it is offset somewhat. Many theories including safety in the event of a crash.
This is reassuring...do you have any links to any discussion? I've searched as well as I can, and can't seem to come up with much. Probably the terminology I'm using...always come up with the "you need an alignment" threads
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      02-15-2011, 01:42 PM   #6
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Thank you for the edit...seems consistent with what I'm having. It really doesn't affect the driving at all...just that it's in the back of my mind. That it's normal makes more sense and I can concentrate on driving
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      02-15-2011, 01:43 PM   #7
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You mean canted. My M3 E46 was also like that and was brought up by other E46 M3 owners as well. I believe it had to do with ergonomics.
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      02-15-2011, 02:24 PM   #8
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I've noticed the same thing. At least our pedals are where they're supposed to be.

The old lamborghini's pedals didn't line up with where your feet would go when sitting in the seat.
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      02-15-2011, 03:57 PM   #9
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and in the Viper, you're sitting sideways. hahahaa
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      02-15-2011, 03:58 PM   #10
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I'd also look at your panel gaps by your steering wheel column. if they're symmetric, its most likely normal
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      02-15-2011, 06:24 PM   #11
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This is how BMW has designed their cars as long as I can remember, the logic being that in a collision the column will move to one side. My daughter's E30 is the same way.
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      02-15-2011, 06:43 PM   #12
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It's normal. Most car steering wheels are canted to some extent. Likely has to do with where the steering box/linkage is located relative to the driver seat.

In some trucks the cant is extreme.
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      02-15-2011, 06:46 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RBull View Post
It's normal. Most car steering wheels are canted to some extent. Likely has to do with where the steering box/linkage is located relative to the driver seat.

In some trucks the cant is extreme.
Huh I'll have to try and take notice...drive a variety of work trucks all the time and never noticed...nor in any other car for that matter...though this one is particularly special to me so maybe it's just

My panel gaps are symmetric...at least now I know my eyes aren't deceiving me...and my car hadn't suffered some botched repair
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      02-15-2011, 08:00 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle View Post
and in the Viper, you're sitting sideways. hahahaa
lol...I still want one
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      02-16-2011, 04:16 PM   #15
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The cant can often be noticed looking closely at the distance of both sides of the wheel relative to the driver.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BTM View Post
Huh I'll have to try and take notice...drive a variety of work trucks all the time and never noticed...nor in any other car for that matter...though this one is particularly special to me so maybe it's just

My panel gaps are symmetric...at least now I know my eyes aren't deceiving me...and my car hadn't suffered some botched repair
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      02-16-2011, 05:53 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BTM View Post
lol...I still want one
gen 2 vipers are priced the same as used z4Ms, go ahead!
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      02-16-2011, 06:29 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle View Post
gen 2 vipers are priced the same as used z4Ms, go ahead!
not at what I paid...and not in my insurance bracket lol (23 single male)
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      02-16-2011, 11:43 PM   #18
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OMG I'm not crazy. I noticed this on my car. It's not extreme but just enough to feel 'off'. If it's normal I wont worry about it.
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      12-02-2012, 11:02 PM   #19
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I just noticed this on my car.

Has anyone tried to "adjust" the column? is it possible?
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