I have an '04 R53 and just recently today I have developed a massive wobble that gets especially overwhelming around 50mph. It has been the first snow storm of the year and my first time in my mini in snow. I hear noise coming from the front left of the dash when at 50mph and I'm not certain if its just from snow buildup in the wells or what not. Maybe I shroomed the tower from bring a little too aggressive over snow? I also noticed that there is a minor difference in space between tire and its well wall, could that be a sign of my problem?

 

Check the upper strut mounts , are the cracked really bad on that one side, causing it to be lower? Also check your suspension. I cant tell how low you are from the pics. Also make sure you knock off all the snow and ice. I guess you can have thrown off a wheel weight. Sometimes the stick on wheel weights can come off if they are hit or not installed on a clean wheel.

Thanks

 

I have not lowered the vehicle and its pretty much bone stock. I did knock off snow. I don't know how to get to the inside of the wheel though. Just my hand and a rag maybe? But what about the break sensors.

 

Small stick or sometimes the handle of an ice scraper. Your hands would be best for the wheels with a glove. The brake sensor is on the driver side near the pad and goes back to the strut (with the ABS sensor) then under the wheel well. Be careful and you will be ok. On the other side ( passenger ) the ABS sensor is right behind the rotor at the top and then near the strut and under the wheel well. Just be careful of those.

ABS sensor general location. #2

 

I checked my struts and they seem to be okay. Is there anything else that could be a problem?

 

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^^^ This is your answer!

Looking at those wheels they are hugely out of balance due to snow & ice build up. Park in a warm place to melt the ice, problem gone.

 

Alright. I'll give the heat gun a quick use. Thanks guys. I'll report back.

 

Your best bet is to bring it in somewhere warm.. so you can let everything melt off the car.. a heat gun idk how much that's going to do... the wobble im sure is from snow built up around the inside of the rim..this has happen to me several times..good lucK!

 

Knock all the snow and ice off the wheels and tires. The weight of the snow and ice is no different than adding wheel weights, only the snow and ice throws your wheels out of balance. I used to plow snow and when I got of snow and ice packed in the wheels, it would wobble badly.

 

@ashchuckton That was the problem. I cleared off all the snow and it drives like a dream once again. Thanks much. I shall panic no more.

 

When's the last time you rotated the tires? ECS's comment about wheel weights would be the first thing to check. Maybe there could be some unusual wear on the treads causing the issue? Looks like you are going to a tire shop?

 

The problem is fixed now. Thanks for input though.

 

I'm glad that worked out for you. The first time one experiences this condition it is a real oh no moment.

 

Exact same problem for me this morning

I got stuck in a drift in the driveway (GP is like a snow plow)
Next morning got in the highway, felt almost like I had a flat tire

Parked at the gym, an hour later car drove fine
Kinda freaked me out

 

It's very hard when you enjoy drifting in the snow and then start bumping around at highway speeds.