2001 330 Brake Problem

[scm2001bmw]

We have a 2001 330 ci (convertible) with the 5 speed manual transmission and sports suspension. We just put new tires on the rear and had the suspension aligned (not at BMW). Since then, the dsc engages when we are cornering at moderate speeds (between 50 and 60 MPH or less - the tighter the turn radius the lower the speed when it engages) Our local shop says everything checks out on the computer and he even got a friend of his who works at BMW to go on a test drive with him. The BMW guy claims the dsc is operating properly. We don't understand why it just started and, quite frankly, this performance is totaly unacceptable. It is definitely not the 'Ultimate Driving Experience'. Any ideas what might be causing this problem?

Thanks.

[Nick_318is]

What did you change? The tires and the alignment. Chances are one or the other is causing it, what type of tires are you using? If you went with a not great tire or have bad alignment specs causing the car to loose traction and cause the DSC to kick in earlier. Your other option is to just turn it off, I know i would.

[darkhorse737]

i don't think so.

DSC = DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL

Here's how it works: DSC constantly compares vehicle speed, wheel speed, steering angle, and yaw rate with a benchmark of plausible and optimum driving conditions' data. In a fraction of a second, DSC recognizes a threatening instability and a danger of skidding.

*NOTE THE PHRASE: "optimum driving condition's"...

Because DSC causes braking action in resolve doesn't mean that the brakes are at fault.

To address your issue: by changing tires(maybe aligning) to that different from specs, you have effectively altered the geometry of the suspension and steering to a point where the ECU no longer recognizes the parameters that it is programmed for. Thus, your DSC light kicks ON.

Your remedy: follow nick 318's advise, turn it OFF; have your tires re-aligned and hope that it will fall into the parameters that ur ECU can read as valid; OR, have your ECU re-mapped.

OR, go back to spec tires &/or alignment ;-)

[pepsicola]

Did you use BMW spec'ed tyres. IE, same size as your previous ones. If not, that's causing the problem as they're running at different speed as the front ones.

Also as the other 2 fellow member mentioned, out of range alignment may have affected the way the DSC's detection of the behaviour of the car.

[Bimmer M.D.]

Wrong section. Head over to the E46 section.