[25 V8 IS]

So my steering wheel is not quite centered when driving straight. I mean it is off ever so slightly that I may do nothing about it. The car tracks straight and I don't think it needs an alignment.

I'll try and take a picture of it while driving but that could be difficult to do. If I do decide to get it fixed, it will be under warranty, but should I? It's such a small issue that I don't want to have a BMW tech make it worse.

Any input is appreciated.

(and yes I did do a search on this but it only turned up one thread that was not very helpful)

[BigKutta]

That happened in an old honda of mine. But that was a different situation, I had to literally hold the steering wheel a few degrees off center to make the vehicle go straight. Would hurt my arm after a while...

I would still bring it up at the next service but you may want to research the issue thoroughly because the dealer will tell you have bad tires, need alignment, etc etc,

[DanG]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

So my steering wheel is not quite centered when driving straight. I mean it is off ever so slightly that I may do nothing about it. The car tracks straight and I don't think it needs an alignment.

I'll try and take a picture of it while driving but that could be difficult to do. If I do decide to get it fixed, it will be under warranty, but should I? It's such a small issue that I don't want to have a BMW tech make it worse.

Any input is appreciated.

(and yes I did do a search on this but it only turned up one thread that was not very helpful)

Usually means that you need an alignment.

[(K)]

How many miles on did you put on the front tires so far? It could just be worn rubber.

[Steelguin]

Think of it as an opportunity to get the M Performance Pro wheel and put that one on straight.

[Tag]

If the car still drives straight, but your steering wheel is off-center your alignment is off. Get an alignment and then test drive it before you leave the shop to make sure it's been resolved. Depending on where you go and who's doing the work, alignments can get tricky at times and may require several adjustments to get them right.

This may not be covered under warranty. You can try, but if they won't cover it you should also check online for service specials. It's common to find up to $50 off an alignment. Also, you can find a special from another dealership and ask the one you're taking it to if they would honor it. They do 99% of the time for any type of service.

[SEAT TIME RULES]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

So my steering wheel is not quite centered when driving straight. I mean it is off ever so slightly that I may do nothing about it. The car tracks straight and I don't think it needs an alignment.

I'll try and take a picture of it while driving but that could be difficult to do. If I do decide to get it fixed, it will be under warranty, but should I? It's such a small issue that I don't want to have a BMW tech make it worse.

Any input is appreciated.

(and yes I did do a search on this but it only turned up one thread that was not very helpful)

Either your wheel moved a tad while a tech was setting up your toe (last alignment), or you knocked your toe out of alignment a tad (pothole, etc.) Since it sounds like its been a while, or haven't had an alignment its probably moved which will cause increased tire wear...

[Betaone]

I would have the rear wheel alignment checked. Just a slight difference between the values convergence right wheel and left wheel that thrust axis is no longer at zero degrees and you have to correct with the steering to go straight.

[doughboy]

Rwd cars have to have 4 wheel alignments. Rear first then front.

OP - was it straight at first then suddenly changed after hitting a pothole or something?

Did you get the car brand new? From factory it is spot on.

[25 V8 IS]

So I've attached the picture, but I don't think it is very helpful and just shows how VERY slight it is offset to the right.

Car has less that 600 miles on it and it tracks straight when I don't hold the wheel. I can't imagine it needs an alignment already.

[25 V8 IS]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Rwd cars have to have 4 wheel alignments. Rear first then front.

OP - was it straight at first then suddenly changed after hitting a pothole or something?

Did you get the car brand new? From factory it is spot on.

I thought I'd point out that it has been offset since I took my first drive in it when it was brand new (the test drive). The car only had 17 miles on it at that point.

[MMMBRAP]

This happened to me last summer. Drove me NUTS.

Alignment corrected everything.

[25 V8 IS]

I think what I'll do to just put this thread to rest, is bring it up to the SA at my 1,200 mile break-in service. Seems to be the appropriate thing to do I guess....But I just can't imagine that a brand new car with only 17 miles on the ODO when I took the first test drive needed an alignment.

[Dave H in NC]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

I think what I'll do to just put this thread to rest, is bring it up to the SA at my 1,200 mile break-in service. Seems to be the appropriate thing to do I guess....But I just can't imagine that a brand new car with only 17 miles on the ODO when I took the first test drive needed an alignment.

Something may have happened during transport. I've heard of this happening to a 280ZX that my family had many years ago.

[silvercas]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

So I've attached the picture, but I don't think it is very helpful and just shows how VERY slight it is offset to the right.

Car has less that 600 miles on it and it tracks straight when I don't hold the wheel. I can't imagine it needs an alignment already.

Looks like a dct. Time to sell it

[Jeff01234567]

You live in SoCal right? I moved to SoCal from the Bay Area 2 months ago. It's strange, but I have also noticed this issue in my old 335i. In the Bay Area, I NEVER had an issue with the steering wheel facing center when driving straight, but ever since I moved to SoCal, I've noticed that the steering wheel is slightly off center when going straight. This only happens on local roads, I don't notice this on the freeway. I do see that SoCal roads have much more of a pronounced curve downward towards the curb compared to Bay Area roads, so that could be what's causing it.

Did you have this same issue in your old 340i?

[buckybadger]

It's just the roads, unbalanced wheels or tire pressure.
You probably don't need any alignment.

[25 V8 IS]

Originally Posted by silvercas

Looks like a dct. Time to sell it

Easy there!

[Bl4ckD0g]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

I think what I'll do to just put this thread to rest, is bring it up to the SA at my 1,200 mile break-in service. Seems to be the appropriate thing to do I guess....But I just can't imagine that a brand new car with only 17 miles on the ODO when I took the first test drive needed an alignment.

My first trip tends to be between a detailer and our local shop to get the wheel alignment and steering geometry checked. Too often it needs work. Make certain you use someone who properly understands it and not just one who reads the computer screens. I'm lucky as one of our countries leading experts who utilises Hunter Hawkeye, is nearby but is also spot on in setting up for any requirement.

Our M2C was out compared to the spec...For such a small amount for a check it would be silly not to do it in my opinion.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

I think what I'll do to just put this thread to rest, is bring it up to the SA at my 1,200 mile break-in service. Seems to be the appropriate thing to do I guess....But I just can't imagine that a brand new car with only 17 miles on the ODO when I took the first test drive needed an alignment.

Did you bring it up at the time of delivery? I hope so, because then its on them to fix. I honestly cant tell from your picture, so perhaps all our wheels are off a bit . Cars not pulling, neither are you having to hold the wheel off-center? You juts think its a bit off?

[Steelguin]

Originally Posted by silvercas

Looks like a dct. Time to sell it

I’ve heard of this happening with the manuals. When they can’t get it to go into first at a light. All the trying to jam it into second and back into first can move the steering wheel out of alignment.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by silvercas

Looks like a dct. Time to sell it