Heavy vibration in steering wheel

[BSloss13]

I don't remember where it started, but the car has around 175k on it, and from 30-80 it vibrates and especially violent at ~50 mph and every time I brake the steering wheel shakes, would you guys bet on a warped rotor? Or a bad wheel bearing? Not sure if the bearings were ever changed, but the rotors and pads were replaced march 2010, still have lots of life but I do drive very hard occassionally, also the rotors are brembo OEM blanks.... Any ideas or 100% sure way to find the problem without replacing stuff? Not the wheels because I changed wheels and they balanced out 100% and the problem remains

[flyfishvt]

Start from the outside and work your way in. make sure your wheels are straight and balanced. Jack up each side of the car and spin the wheels to see if the rotors grab at the pads. This will eliminate any question about warped rotors.

check your tires for even wear and pressure. The e36 suspension is very sensitive and responsive. correct time pressure and good tread are essential.

Check the wheel bearings by grabbing the tire at 12 and 6 then push pull hard. If you feel or hear any slop or noise you probably have a bearing going out. I doubt thats your problem because wheel bearings normally give you lots of notice and symptoms as they go out. Noise is the biggest clue.

How old are the struts and control arms and tie rods. Any of these can cause shaking at just about any speed and while breaking too.

[Pik Masta]

I don't remember where it started, but the car has around 175k on it, and from 30-80 it vibrates and especially violent at ~50 mph and every time I brake the steering wheel shakes, would you guys bet on a warped rotor? Or a bad wheel bearing? Not sure if the bearings were ever changed, but the rotors and pads were replaced march 2010, still have lots of life but I do drive very hard occassionally, also the rotors are brembo OEM blanks.... Any ideas or 100% sure way to find the problem without replacing stuff? Not the wheels because I changed wheels and they balanced out 100% and the problem remains

sounds like the wheel bearings need to be replaced, my friends camry had that same problem with vibration on freeway speeds and thought it was the balance but it ended up being the bearings. Also I have a vibration when I brake only cause the front rotors are warped so, I need to replace those soon, lol.