Do you have the same tyres front and back? I had a Cooper D Convertible and when I had new tyres on the back they were different to the ones on the front and the handling changed for the worse. It turned out that the new tyres had more give in the sidewalls than the old ones.
Countryman ALL4 Cooper S - back end skitterish
Hi All,
I just wondered how 'planted' the back end on the car should be - since I bought it, it has been decidedly twitchy at the back - especially at high speed overtakes and high speed cornering (not overly fast, I might add). I wouldn't have thought this is normal, as its a car designed for relatively high speeds.... I will check the tyre pressures and see if the rears are over-inflated, but is the type known for rear wheel alignment issues?
As an aside, I had a very annoying squeak appear last week, particularly on bumpy roads and round corners. It was coming from the back end, and when I had it in for oil change, the mechanic narrowed it down to rear anti roll bar bushes (standard chassis version) - squeak totally disappeared, but the car is still twitchy at the back end.... no other suspension issues found.
I just wondered how 'planted' the back end on the car should be - since I bought it, it has been decidedly twitchy at the back - especially at high speed overtakes and high speed cornering (not overly fast, I might add). I wouldn't have thought this is normal, as its a car designed for relatively high speeds.... I will check the tyre pressures and see if the rears are over-inflated, but is the type known for rear wheel alignment issues?
As an aside, I had a very annoying squeak appear last week, particularly on bumpy roads and round corners. It was coming from the back end, and when I had it in for oil change, the mechanic narrowed it down to rear anti roll bar bushes (standard chassis version) - squeak totally disappeared, but the car is still twitchy at the back end.... no other suspension issues found.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Yep, brand new tyres fitted 1 month (400km) ago....
I have a 2012 Countryman ALL4 and the rear is very unstable over bumps. I saw another thread (I don't remember if it was this forum or not) about run flats and camber in the rear. I am in the process of getting non run flats and an adjustable camber kit for the rear. So we shall see what happens.
I keep meaning to get all 4 wheels alignment check, haven't got round to it yet....
as its a constant 4x4 tyre pressures make a lot of difference with no load ie full car running the lowest tyre pressures the same all 4 wheels is good way to get tyres to help damp out the bumps very hard pressure will make any car crashy and loose grip as well, also tyres not all tyre makers use same amount of plys and rubber compounds so harder on rear soft on front can cause center diff problems with age so car tyre pressures, also if have worn out tyres on the front and new one on the rear its not good will wind up drive line, the bmw x drive systems as known for it the stepper motor fails then the drive line knocks when turning corners or on other designs with a centre clutch wet pack ie bit like a motor bike clutch it induces wear a lot faster.. rule of thumb with 4x4 is everything must always be equal
Thanks Mike,
I've got new (2 months old) 225/45 R18 non-run flat tyres fitted (Barum Bravuris), and rarely anymore than one person in the car. Any suggestions as to what tyre pressures to consider, or how much to reduce tyre pressures by?
I've got new (2 months old) 225/45 R18 non-run flat tyres fitted (Barum Bravuris), and rarely anymore than one person in the car. Any suggestions as to what tyre pressures to consider, or how much to reduce tyre pressures by?
as its a constant 4x4 tyre pressures make a lot of difference with no load ie full car running the lowest tyre pressures the same all 4 wheels is good way to get tyres to help damp out the bumps very hard pressure will make any car crashy and loose grip as well, also tyres not all tyre makers use same amount of plys and rubber compounds so harder on rear soft on front can cause center diff problems with age so car tyre pressures, also if have worn out tyres on the front and new one on the rear its not good will wind up drive line, the bmw x drive systems as known for it the stepper motor fails then the drive line knocks when turning corners or on other designs with a centre clutch wet pack ie bit like a motor bike clutch it induces wear a lot faster.. rule of thumb with 4x4 is everything must always be equal
Update - all wheel alignment fixed the issue! 
its funny how a tiny bit of toe out will sort a twitchy car outUpdate - all wheel alignment fixed the issue!
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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