M3 Noises (What's Normal/Not Normal)

[duk]

my passenger keeps moaning when i drive fast, any idea?

[nasa60]

I guess I got lucky, 4 years and no rattles. I Love the startup sound of the engine as it warms up.

[m3an]

Originally Posted by nasa60

I guess I got lucky, 4 years and no rattles. I Love the startup sound of the engine as it warms up.

does sound mean as hell, almost sounds like an exhaust leak at the headers when its really cold.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Normal .... The great exhaust sound during rev matching when I am I'm M mode and use my shifters ... Most of the time now

Not Normal .... Have not found anything so far

[ndj]

Originally Posted by mamadub

I have a weird sound coming from what seems to be the drivers side dash when parked. Sounds like there's a squirrel running around in the dash. Best way I could think to describe it. Anyone else have this sound?

Yeah, what is that? I have it too, even with the ignition off (but having opened a door).

[mamadub]

Originally Posted by ndj

Yeah, what is that? I have it too, even with the ignition off (but having opened a door).

Exactly! It used to freak me out, now I've just come to expect it. Still have no idea what it is. If you find out, please let me know!

[huyner328]

I have an 2010 with 30k... the plastic on the seats are starting to rattle (maybe not the best adjective but more so the noise that comes when you bend cheap plastic... hahah) as the car moves. So annoying... any solutions or is this one of those deal with it things?

[W///]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Whirring at low rpm/idle from the accessories and front cover (just like every BMW ever)
Valvetrain noise at idle (32 valves springs lifters cam lobes, 4 vanos actuators, half a dozen chains whizzing around)
Clutch throwout bearing/flywheel noise
Gear whine
2000rpm drone in 5th gear
Hissing after running the AC and parking the car
Clinking from brakes after parking the car with hot brakes
Loud as hell on startup
Chuffle at wide throttle openings at lower rpm from the intake
Rear tire squealing
Police sirens

Originally Posted by mamadub

Exactly! It used to freak me out, now I've just come to expect it. Still have no idea what it is. If you find out, please let me know!

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong noise. But after the car shuts off, there's a flap that closes behind all the vents. My E46 had that too. Supposedly to help keep dust and other things out of the car. Is that what you are talking about?

My car is making 2 really annoying rattles.
-RHS Jeeves (disabled by taking out fuse) is rattling. Gotta take that panel apart and see what's going on.
- My instrument cluster is rattling BAD now that the colder weather is here. The noise goes away when I put pressure on that reset button. It's driving me insane, and I can hear it with the windows up, even with a loud exhaust mod.

[Coldintake]

Not sure if this has been covered... but there is a "whoorling" sound when I put it in Reverse (DCT)... Normal or should be checked out?

[Coldintake]

Originally Posted by Coldintake

Not sure if this has been covered... but there is a "whoorling" sound when I put it in Reverse (DCT)... Normal or should be checked out?

Anyone?

[Ironbutt17]

My 2012 DCT is just going in for its 1.2K service this week. I have the M-Performance exhaust which was installed before delivery and sounds great. BUT, when the car is warm and I am accelerating from a stop (with the windows down) something makes a ticking/clicking sound. Don't know if it's exhaust related or ??, but it sounds "cheap" and like something is loose and rattling. Drives me nuts.

Of course, this goes away with windows up or more speed, but as soon as I roll back into town on narrow streets with the windows back down, I notice it again. Ugh.

I'm fortunate to live in Germany only 1-click from miles of unrestricted autobahn so I can't wait to drive the red beast for real!

[Peahi]

I would say the cowbell is a normal (yet abnormal) sound, lol. It comes and goes on my car on occasion with no rhyme or reason.

Someone please send the link for the "it needs more cowbell" video on YouTube.

[gahbouch]

Originally Posted by Ironbutt17

My 2012 DCT is just going in for its 1.2K service this week. I have the M-Performance exhaust which was installed before delivery and sounds great. BUT, when the car is warm and I am accelerating from a stop (with the windows down) something makes a ticking/clicking sound. Don't know if it's exhaust related or ??, but it sounds "cheap" and like something is loose and rattling. Drives me nuts.

Of course, this goes away with windows up or more speed, but as soon as I roll back into town on narrow streets with the windows back down, I notice it again. Ugh.

I'm fortunate to live in Germany only 1-click from miles of unrestricted autobahn so I can't wait to drive the red beast for real!

I have the same thing, its as if 1st gear has 2 different settings and it clicks every time it goes between them. in an underground parking with windows down, if stopped press on gas it'll click and then release and it'll click again. It's so annoying!

[Ironbutt17]

Originally Posted by gahbouch

I have the same thing, its as if 1st gear has 2 different settings and it clicks every time it goes between them. in an underground parking with windows down, if stopped press on gas it'll click and then release and it'll click again. It's so annoying!

Yeah. Mine doesn't just click once, it clicks (plural) when under a load condition and slowly accelerating. Now I'm thinking it's something within the DCT, which really upsets me. What the heck is this?

[car_fan]

"Houston we have Ignition"

I can't get enough of the mechanical symphony at startup - all the right old school sounds. I have noticed that after the car is warm the engine will start in a much quieter fashion. However, If I shut the car off and back on I'll get the cold start music again.

I love this car. One comes to expect certain nuances with BMW's (e.g. occasional uneven idle and DI chatter with the N63 and N55). This isn't an inline 6 - 325/330/328 with a steptronic transmission. It's mission in life is different albeit with some of the drivability and comfort of the aforementioned models. This is BMW number 12 for me - and honestly this appears to be the most solid at this point - no rattles, etc... knocking on wood, fingers crossed

That being said, I am pretty sure much of the evil noises exhibited by the E9X/S65 ///M will be exorcised in the next generation

[mamadub]

Originally Posted by robbiedawg

it is a squirrel.

seriously,it could be your cooling fan still running,which should be normal if the car's still hot.it's often hard to pinpoint where noises come from.

Originally Posted by W///

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong noise. But after the car shuts off, there's a flap that closes behind all the vents. My E46 had that too. Supposedly to help keep dust and other things out of the car. Is that what you are talking about?

My car is making 2 really annoying rattles.
-RHS Jeeves (disabled by taking out fuse) is rattling. Gotta take that panel apart and see what's going on.
- My instrument cluster is rattling BAD now that the colder weather is here. The noise goes away when I put pressure on that reset button. It's driving me insane, and I can hear it with the windows up, even with a loud exhaust mod.

Thanks for the ideas guys, but this is before I even start the car. So weird, but I've become used to it!

[lve2xlr8]

Originally Posted by Ironbutt17

Yeah. Mine doesn't just click once, it clicks (plural) when under a load condition and slowly accelerating. Now I'm thinking it's something within the DCT, which really upsets me. What the heck is this?

Mine does this as well. Under any type of load under 2k especially going up hill. I thought I might have an exhaust manifold leak, but people have assured me it's normal for a high compression high revving motor to sound like this at low rpm. Let me know if you hear something different.

[Ironbutt17]

So clicking, ticking, clattering is "normal." if so, what is it exactly that's making the noise? What aggravated me yesterday was the dealership telling me they didn't hear anything? Really, you put 60 km on my car and don't hear anything? You'd have to be completely deaf or driving with the windows up/stereo on.

I drove up the ramps at my parking garage at work today (slowly, under light load) and it was clicking away. Ugh...sounds like crap. I'm going back to the dealer this weekend to drive the demo to have a listen.

[W///]

Originally Posted by mamadub

Thanks for the ideas guys, but this is before I even start the car. So weird, but I've become used to it!

I think I've figured it out! Took out the cluster out of the car to try to get rid of a rattle coming from there. Upon putting the key in, I heard the squirrel noise, and saw the needles move a little bit. So I'm pretty sure the instrument cluster is what's making the noise

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by Smokescreen

You guys are all wanking for no reason... what do you expect when you buy a car setup for spirited driving and light track use? Get a loud exhaust, turn up your stereo, or go buy a 550 for daily driving, problem solved!

Please learn the definition of this word and how to use it correctly. TIP: Your example is not correct use.

[mamadub]

Originally Posted by W///

I think I've figured it out! Took out the cluster out of the car to try to get rid of a rattle coming from there. Upon putting the key in, I heard the squirrel noise, and saw the needles move a little bit. So I'm pretty sure the instrument cluster is what's making the noise

Haha, what a detective you are! Thanks for solving my mystery...I'll go cancel the exterminator now!

[dmk08]

I've noticed some Nav area rattle when @ WOT above 5,000rpm. Anyone fix Nav rattle before or is this just some new 'character' for my car

I also have the whining noise around 45-55mph. Took it into the dealer a few times but I guess it's normal.