Wheel Hop in a 325i

It was tempting, and I finally attempted my first burnout yesterday. The problem is, I experienced TERRIBLE wheel-hop. It felt like I was destroying the car (in a way, all burnouts do) - the gear shifter was bouncing violently, and it was like no other car I've driven before

What could the cause of this be? Unbalanced wheels? I have some exterior weights on them which may cause some issues perhaps

Could be something as simple as wrong tire pressure. However, I would check out the subframe for cracks, rear trailing arm bushings, & rear carrier bushings. Did you try it on dry or wet pavement? Chas

Originally Posted by ChasCan

Could be something as simple as wrong tire pressure. However, I would check out the subframe for cracks, rear trailing arm bushings, & rear carrier bushings. Did you try it on dry or wet pavement? Chas

Dry pavement, just popped the clutch in 1st. She goes, and it probably hurt me more.

Originally Posted by ac_2007

It was tempting, and I finally attempted my first burnout yesterday. The problem is, I experienced TERRIBLE wheel-hop. It felt like I was destroying the car (in a way, all burnouts do) - the gear shifter was bouncing violently, and it was like no other car I've driven before

What could the cause of this be? Unbalanced wheels? I have some exterior weights on them which may cause some issues perhaps

Man goes to a doctor and said, "Doctor, every time I do this, it hurts." Doctor says, "stop doing that."

Look for leaks on shocks...flat spots on inside of wheel (I don't quite understand how this works, but I know that flat spots can be balanced with weights, but you still feel them). Also, I wonder if an entire wheel can be bent to the point where the inside center is offcenter from center of outside wheel...but that'd certainly bounce your car.

Anyway, if this is your car and your only car and not a dedicated race car, then I've got to say that you can do some damage to your car, or, if not damage, certainly reduce the life of some components by goofing around with it. Look really carefully with good flashlight and check the things Chas mentioned. He knows more than I do, I know, and he's prolly too polite to say anything like, "it's a bmw not a dragster."

Nothing personal...just looking out for your car!

Doug

Thanks, we all know the consequences of life. However people continue to eat fast-food, drink alcohol, consume drugs, and in my case, occasionally "test out" the car

I never did check the tire pressure, and I'm running Michelen Energy MXV4's (DOT date 2000, meaning they're almost 10 years old). The tires look like they are new, with approx 80% tread still on them.

Maybe your rear sub-frame has already torn. If not, just keep doing those burnouts and eventually you may just be able to get it to fail.

is the power 325hP

Have the shocks and bushings ever been replaced in the car?

Originally Posted by 330I6SPD

Have the shocks and bushings ever been replaced in the car?

I dont think so, it only has 75,000km (around 40k miles)

How should I check if anything needs replacing? Diagnostics are pretty expensive around here. I just acquired this car, where could I start looking for frame damage/cracks?

If anyone has pics, I would greatly appreciate it.

Did you turn off the DSC??

Did you pop the clutch at a high enough rpm? Break the tires loose all the way or don't do it at all. Half assing it will break stuff.

lol, I don't think it was half-assed and yea the DSC was off (ASC)

Try it from 3500 rpm and see what happens.

Originally Posted by ac_2007

I dont think so, it only has 75,000km (around 40k miles)

How should I check if anything needs replacing? Diagnostics are pretty expensive around here. I just acquired this car, where could I start looking for frame damage/cracks?

If anyone has pics, I would greatly appreciate it.

If your car has seen bad roads, hard use (cargo/aggressive driving) or winter use the problem could be as simple as worn shocks/bushings.

Originally Posted by Len013091

Try it from 3500 rpm and see what happens.

Thanks, however I'll leave that test up to you. Stalling is embarrasing