When I bought my 118D back in 2008 one of the cars I tested did exactly this. Dealer said it had probably been knocked since it was a service loan car. The other 2 cars I test drove plus the one I bought never did it.

how does one check that this might have happened with the previous owner/driver ?

Ask them?

What happened in the past is in many ways immaterial. You need to find out what is wrong with it and the garage need to fix it. However. if the car has been crashed and badly or not repaired (people do sell cars rather than fix them) you may have a reason to reject it for a refund.

Hope you get to the root of this, as a rule i find running one of the wheels on the continuous lines tends to show the tracking up if its out, invariably if its not right the car will pull towards the side that offers the better grip, dropping on and off such surface changes will give the sensation of swerving slightly.

Keep us updated won't you, intriguing.

Edited by gordonbennet on 11/11/2013 at 18:43

More info: as a passenger today witnessed the symptoms being complained about. Finding the right words to describe the event is difficult as it is quite subtle. Here goes - at speeds below 40 mph there is what I can only describe as a "mini-slide", as if on the start of a front-end skid, lasting seconds, both to the right and left and needing corrective reaction. Sitting in the passenger seat it took me a while to recognise what was happening but once felt each ensuing movement could be easily detected. So I can understand the difficulty anyone would have on a test run. It is also apparent that steering to the right takes much more effort than turning to the left even allowing for the effect of road camber and persists also driving on a flat parking plot.

The car's previous owner who had the car on lease-hire told me he had not been aware of any problems and had had a completely "trouble-free" 3 years' motoring. Car's going in to BMW dealer in 10 days (the earliest slot !) for further tests.

Thanks for prompting me about the timing. (!) I must admit feeling a bit miffed about the very neutral response from the dealer's personnel about something that might ot might not have serious consequences. The appointment was made before my trip today so tomorrow now that I've got more knowledge and your post a call will be made to get an earlier booking.

Sounds like its down to us then.

OK what tyres is it on and whats the wear pattern like?

Have you got a good indy garage near you who would check the wheel alignment for you?

Edited by gordonbennet on 23/11/2013 at 14:17

Sounds like either major maladjusted wheel alignment or possibly something bent or badly worn on the steering/suspension.

I'd be inclined to demand the dealer rectifies this ASAP, as by the sounds of it, it's dangerous to drive. Making you wait 10 days for an appointment for something as serious as this is ludicrous, they should take the car in immediately and give you a courtesy car until it's sorted.

There has been a recent development proving precisely your thoughts. The car was taken into Main Dealers for a full day 21st Nov. 2013. Report came back that nothing untoward found, road tested and complimentary valet. No details other than tyre pressures adjusted, which is odd seeing that she'd only had the car for a matter of 3 weeks and I had checked them two days earlier.

Two weeks ago, 15th Feb. daughter parked on the drive with left lock on and what did I see ? The outside edge of NSF tyre almost bald and OSF also showing signs of undue wear on the outer edge. This after some 3,500 miles. So we arranged with MERITYRE, Marlow, to have an alignment check and guess what ? Every setting was significantly out, NSF tyre illegal and OSF less than 3mm. Two new tyres needed. The car now drives like a dream and a claim is being prepared to submit to BMW dealership.

Each time my daughter complained about the steering she was more or less fobbed off and frequently told, "perhaps you're not used to RWD" ! I have twice written on her behalf asking for details of the tests. So far not even a response let alone any information. Apart from the monies involved there are other issues that arise which until funds are received will be on the backburner.

(Duplicate post)

Edited by Avant on 02/03/2014 at 23:27

I've posted latest sitrep which won't surprise you !

Where?

''So we arranged with MERITYRE, Marlow, to have an alignment check and guess what ? Every setting was significantly out, NSF tyre illegal and OSF less than 3mm. Two new tyres needed. The car now drives like a dream and a claim is being prepared to submit to BMW dealership.''

So much for main dealer care and expertise, why am i not in the least surprised.

Best of luck with pursuing the claim.

The conclusion to this post is a cheque from BMW dealership in full payment of the claim, for two new tyres, cost of wheel alignment plus consequential costs. Needed a bit of negotiation after submitting claim but young lady handled it very well. So thanks to everyone for their useful input.

Well done - you got what you deserve here and whilst BMW should have not allowed this to happen in the first place you did at least get them to recognise this evenutally and get them to compensate you.

Now that monies are safely banked I am resisting the temptation to continue the matter by listing the issues relating to the role of the dealership. But a cynical chum at the outset, like some fellow posters, rated our chances of even getting a sympathetic hearing let alone, actual compensation was in the snowball category. Needless to say he is amazed at the outcome and in his cynical way has raised the question: " Why did BMW pay up so readily, a most unusual occurrence, could it be they know there is something inherently wrong with the car and hope the problem might go away ?" Oh dear !