M3 Noises (What's Normal/Not Normal)

[gahbouch]

Originally Posted by MMMMM3

I just noticed this same clattering sound on part throttle between 1,600 and 2,100 revs or so. Did your sound get diagnosed or is it normal? I used to only notice it with the windows down driving past walls, but can now hear it sometimes with the windows up and radio off.

I'm pretty sure everyone with an M3 has that noise. I've been trying to figure out what it is for a while now. Found on the forum a document that BMW released explaining that its normal, and that its due to the structural rigidity of the power train or some bullshit like that. I personally thought it was from the differential. Wish someone could figure out what is it and let us know

[lve2xlr8]

Originally Posted by MMMMM3

I just noticed this same clattering sound on part throttle between 1,600 and 2,100 revs or so. Did your sound get diagnosed or is it normal? I used to only notice it with the windows down driving past walls, but can now hear it sometimes with the windows up and radio off.

I have had this ever since I bought the car. I believe it comes from the motor and thought a header gasket was leaking. It's especially apparent when there's load on the motor (uphill) or when it's hot outside. I think it's just a characteristic of the high revving motor.

[chich]

I have an 08 DCT with 40k on it and i've been experiencing what seems to be an abnormal whine from time to time. It only happens under 1500rpm when the car is coming to a stop. The whine won't be there all the time, but I've noticed it happens all the time when I'm driving the car hard. Is this something other people have experienced or should I get it checked out?

[yoelev]

have we discussed the rattling intake sound in lower rpms? if you're in too high a gear it is more pronounced. and the thing i have noticed is that sometimes it doesn't show up, but when it does, it's an annoying rattle. thought it was the (real) intake nostril on the hood. but that's not it.

[GabeS]

Everytime I get on the gas hard and accelerate through the gears I hear this weird, race car like scream from my exhaust.....any thoughts?

[M3Pedal]

Then there is that annoying click just a few milliseconds before every gear change with the DCT in manual mode.

[Law]

Originally Posted by M3Pedal

Then there is that annoying click just a few milliseconds before every gear change with the DCT in manual mode.

lol

[duk]

Since the weather has gotten colder (below 45 degrees), I have notice a slight but noticeable noise when clutch is depressed (not engaged). Happens only at a stop/rest, clutch is not pressed, there is a slight noise and no vibrations. I popped the hood and listened for anything that may sound out of place, nothing.

When the clutch is pressed in, noise goes away. Driving, there is no noise.

Normal?

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by yoelev

have we discussed the rattling intake sound in lower rpms? if you're in too high a gear it is more pronounced. and the thing i have noticed is that sometimes it doesn't show up, but when it does, it's an annoying rattle. thought it was the (real) intake nostril on the hood. but that's not it.

Could be detonation from poor fuel...sounds like marbles in a tin and lasts a second or so?

[yoelev]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Could be detonation from poor fuel...sounds like marbles in a tin and lasts a second or so?

yes sounds just like that, although maybe would describe it as a little less tenor than marbles in a tin. but thats the idea. always in the low rpms

feels like it comes and goes and i am pretty consistent around the gas stations i get 93 gas from (well traveled, high turn over, etc)

[SenorFunkyPants]

93 ought to be OK....might be worth checking with your dealer to see if they can pull any error codes. It does sound like pinging, could be a fault in a coil pack or something else...in any case it shouldn't make that noise.

[GabeS]

Originally Posted by duk

Since the weather has gotten colder (below 45 degrees), I have notice a slight but noticeable noise when clutch is depressed (not engaged). Happens only at a stop/rest, clutch is not pressed, there is a slight noise and no vibrations. I popped the hood and listened for anything that may sound out of place, nothing.

When the clutch is pressed in, noise goes away. Driving, there is no noise.

Normal?

Twin plate clutches are known to make rattly sounds...it's acutally kknown to a a sexy sound if you are a real gear head..nastly clutch sound=bad ass setup....

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Could be detonation from poor fuel...sounds like marbles in a tin and lasts a second or so?

I am pretty sure only a very trained ear can notice detonation sounds... I know some mechanics who tell me it's very hard for them to hear.. I myself couldnt hear it...even though my old mechanic took me for a drive and was trying to poiint out the sound..in my old car.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by GabeS

I am pretty sure only a very trained ear can notice detonation sounds... I know some mechanics who tell me it's very hard for them to hear.. I myself couldnt hear it...even though my old mechanic took me for a drive and was trying to poiint out the sound..in my old car.

You don't get to hear it very often these days with modern antiknock systems...but it is a very distinct noise, but hard to describe. You shouldn't get it at all with the M3 but if you do (for whatever reason) you will notice it easiest at lowish revs, high gear with a quick throttle press to wide open.
If you refueled and went from using 93 fuel to 91 there is a small time window in which you could make the engine "ping" as the ECU takes a short time to adapt to the lower octane fuel.

[lve2xlr8]

Originally Posted by GabeS

Twin plate clutches are known to make rattly sounds...it's acutally kknown to a a sexy sound if you are a real gear head..nastly clutch sound=bad ass setup....

I am pretty sure only a very trained ear can notice detonation sounds... I know some mechanics who tell me it's very hard for them to hear.. I myself couldnt hear it...even though my old mechanic took me for a drive and was trying to poiint out the sound..in my old car.

This, it's completely normal. Might go away when you replace your clutch

[GabeS]

Originally Posted by lve2xlr8

This, it's completely normal. Might go away when you replace your clutch

WHaaa.. are you serious with that response?
it's normal... but if you replace it it'll go away?

If it's normal it should continue with replacement..because it's normal...

All twin/triple plate clutches make a rattle sound.. aftermarket twin disk/triple disk clutches make even louder rattle sounds.. my blitz twin plate in my S14 would make a nasty grind/rattle sound when off the clutch...could be heard 50 ft away. some triple plate clutches sound like theres pieces of glass being spun on the bottom of a aluminum can

[Maypo]

Originally Posted by duk

... I have notice a slight but noticeable noise when clutch is depressed (not engaged). Happens only at a stop/rest, clutch is not pressed, there is a slight noise and no vibrations.

When the clutch is pressed in, noise goes away. Driving, there is no noise.

Mine has had this since I bought it (39k miles at the time). 66k now, and no change in the sound level. In my experience, it is the transmission input shaft bearing, and can be harmless. Keep an 'ear' on it, in case it worsens.

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by Better With Age

2011 E92 DCT / 2100 miles

• When you rock the car back and forth - especially with parking brake engaged - the entire rig groans and creaks just like my grandma's old iron bed

I realize I am going way back here, but I am highly disturbed by this. I don't want to know why you know the creaking sounds of your GRANDMA's old iron bed. Sounds like someone's granny knows how to party!

(PS: Great thread. Love the car's sounds. I (fortunately) have no rattles yet. Early 2011, 22.5K miles.)

[M3junkE]

I just got my new baby last Saturday (e90 M3 DCT). Prior to having it inspected, I didn't hear anything, but maybe that is just because it is new to me. Now I hear an electric whine if I am going really slow in parking lots. The sound increases and decreases with the rpm, and almost sounds like some kid of interference. I have searched the forums high and low but none of the sounds seem to match this.

I also noticed some kind of plug in trickle charger installed. Could this be related?

Or maybe the diff?

SOS!

[tacoman]

x

[DavidZ]

My car has started making a consistent noise this winter that no one seems to have described here. On the first sharp turn of each day (right or left) a noise will come from the front end. It sounds like a piece of plastic is flapping around in the front wheel area for a couple of seconds (for a while I thought I was running over something on the road). It only happens for the first turn sharp turn of each day and doesn't happen again until the next day. It is not the ABS pump buzz or the LSD groan. Anyone have any idea what's up with that?

[marksae]

Is your car lowered and are you running wheel spacers?

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by marksae

Is your car lowered and are you running wheel spacers?

Stock suspension, no spacers but I am running 255/35-19 F, 275/35-19 R Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 on ZCP Style 359 knock-offs for the winter.