2012 M3 w/noise coming from back while performing short radius turns

[rochoventura]

Dear Readers:

I have a 2012 BMW M3 Coupe which about 2 months presented a persistent noise noticeable in the back while performing short radius turns - like a parking garage, the noise can be perceived best when the car is turned on cold and then by performing a right radius.

My car has only 5,500 kilometers (3,420 miles). At 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) it was taken for an oil change service, in order of my BMW dealer according to the break-in period.

I started to perceive the noise around about 4,900 kilometers (3,040 miles), so after take the car to my dealer the technical chef indicated that they had changed the differential oil, as this was very viscous and caused the noise.

I do not know much about technical things , then the technician said that the noise would go away by itself in about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), and that would lower the noise progressively cleaned the differential of the old oil with use.

To date I've been drive 500 kilometers (310 miles) and the noise is exactly the same, I have not noticed the noise reduction when performed short radius turns.

The thing is that the response and solution provided by my BMW dealer have me totally dissatisfied and worried, I bought my car brand new and very well maintained never been exposed to anything, I care as a gem.

I hope someone could guide me or help me understand this problem, maybe someone have had the same problem before.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

[bsiciliano]

I had the exact same issue. They changed my rear diff fluid and eventually it went away. Took about 500 miles. This has happened to a lot of people on here. If it does not go away, I strongly encourage you to bring it back to dealer.

[tibra1]

I guess you bought this car not knowing you have a clutch type LSD..they make noise especially when making short radius or figure 8 turns..more so when the car is still in the break in phase (under 1200 miles)

Make BMW change the diff oil and you should be ok

[M3SQRD]

Yep, it sounds like your diff is making noise. As others have already stated get BMW to change your diff fluid and then the noise should go away.

[M3PO]

It should be noted that this is "normal". Nothing is wrong. As others have said, there is a friction modifier that will quiet it down.

[UA]

Yup it's normal, mine does the same thing. There is a TSB for this issue and BMW is aware of it. If the noise bothers you or doesn't go away go to the dealer and change the differential fluid to the new fluid.

[rochoventura]

thank to each one of you guys for the kind feedback, it does relief me at all.

i will quietly wait for the noise to go away and will let you know; im currently passing around the 330 miles after the oil change.

thanks again

[rochoventura]

Unfortunately for me the differential oil change as not solved the differential turn noise, is still present after changing it for the third time… this noise was not present before the break-in oil change…

As per concessionary suggestion, I have already changed differential oil twice, they called 422520 CHG and they stated that is part number 83 22 2 282 583.. And they told me if the noise didn’t go away in the next 500 kms they will have to change my differential part….

For me that’s unacceptable choice… changing a part for a brand new car??? So my new car will be made in Chile instead of in Germany????? I had to drive the 2000 kms to end the break in period, then I had to add it 1000 kms to make the noise go away, then another 1000 kms to try make the noise go away and to know I have a good car… that’s just crazy….

Any suggestions? My concessionary seems to be a joke and it’s the biggest one in Chile ….

[Dave07997S]

Mine only does it when cold, then it goes away on its own.

As to the OP, it may never go away completely. Its just a nature of the beast with a clutch type LSD.

Dave

[kero]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Mine only does it when cold, then it goes away on its own.

As to the OP, it may never go away completely. Its just a nature of the beast with a clutch type LSD.

Dave

Mine does the same thing noisy the first turn out of the garage and then no noise after.

[ChrisK]

This is what you need:

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B33 01 02 dated February 2008.

SUBJECT
Grinding Noise from the Differential during Slow Cornering


MODEL
E46 M3 from start of production

E60 M5 from start of production

E63, E64 M6 from start of production

E90, E92 and E93 M3 from start of production


SITUATION
A grinding noise may be heard coming from the differential during slow cornering.

This noise is best heard during tight cornering situations.
For example : while parallel parking, driving in a tight circle, etc.

CAUSE
When the rear wheel speed differential varies during tight cornering, a slip stick effect is created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential locking clutch, causing the grinding noise.

This noise typically goes away as the locking clutch discs in the differential are broken in.

The break-in time varies depending on driving habits.
For example : tighter cornering (working the locking clutch) means that it takes less time to break in the locking clutch discs.

CORRECTION
If a complaint is verified as described above on the E46 M3; E60 M5; E63 and E64 M6; or on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 vehicles, the differential oil should be replaced with a specially formulated differential oil, BMW part number 83 22 2 282 583.

Road test the vehicle. (the part I hate the most and every other technician.perhaps most of them skip this part.I would rather give you the option to perform this or at least inform you of this procedure.)

With the vehicle at operating temperature
Drive in tight circles (20 circles in each direction), allowing the special oil to coat the locking clutch discs.

The grinding noise will decrease when the locking clutch discs are sufficiently coated. Some slight noises may still be heard after driving in tight circles. Its necessary to drive the vehicle up to 600 miles before all noises are eliminated as stated by the manufacturer.

Note: Vehicles that have had the differential oil converted to this special oil should continue to use this oil whenever a service requiring the differential oil replacement is indicated.

[Port Canaveral M3 driver]

Sorry, but this sounds like bad engineering to me and these cars never should have left the factory in this state.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by A1AhasAlotOFsaltIntheAIR

Sorry, but this sounds like bad engineering to me and these cars never should have left the factory in this state.

Uhh, okay, good first post.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by A1AhasAlotOFsaltIntheAIR

Sorry, but this sounds like bad engineering to me and these cars never should have left the factory in this state.

Well, you'd be an idiot then.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Uhh, okay, good first post.

he must be serious engineer, kind of like serious driver...

[rochoventura]

they changed to this oil three times, after every time i have ad to give the car extra 1,000 kms ; noise still there so i changed car for an X6 instead...

Originally Posted by ChrisK

This is what you need:

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B33 01 02 dated February 2008.

SUBJECT
Grinding Noise from the Differential during Slow Cornering


MODEL
E46 M3 from start of production

E60 M5 from start of production

E63, E64 M6 from start of production

E90, E92 and E93 M3 from start of production


SITUATION
A grinding noise may be heard coming from the differential during slow cornering.

This noise is best heard during tight cornering situations.
For example : while parallel parking, driving in a tight circle, etc.

CAUSE
When the rear wheel speed differential varies during tight cornering, a slip stick effect is created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential locking clutch, causing the grinding noise.

This noise typically goes away as the locking clutch discs in the differential are broken in.

The break-in time varies depending on driving habits.
For example : tighter cornering (working the locking clutch) means that it takes less time to break in the locking clutch discs.

CORRECTION
If a complaint is verified as described above on the E46 M3; E60 M5; E63 and E64 M6; or on the E90, E92 and E93 M3 vehicles, the differential oil should be replaced with a specially formulated differential oil, BMW part number 83 22 2 282 583.

Road test the vehicle. (the part I hate the most and every other technician.perhaps most of them skip this part.I would rather give you the option to perform this or at least inform you of this procedure.)

With the vehicle at operating temperature
Drive in tight circles (20 circles in each direction), allowing the special oil to coat the locking clutch discs.

The grinding noise will decrease when the locking clutch discs are sufficiently coated. Some slight noises may still be heard after driving in tight circles. Its necessary to drive the vehicle up to 600 miles before all noises are eliminated as stated by the manufacturer.

Note: Vehicles that have had the differential oil converted to this special oil should continue to use this oil whenever a service requiring the differential oil replacement is indicated.

[///Mperative]

Originally Posted by tibra1

I guess you bought this car not knowing you have a clutch type LSD..they make noise especially when making short radius or figure 8 turns..more so when the car is still in the break in phase (under 1200 miles)

Make BMW change the diff oil and you should be ok

What he said. I still hear the noise from my diff after 2 years and 16k miles (I know, I should drive more). My SA told me it's normal for the diff to make some noise.

Originally Posted by rochoventura

they changed to this oil three times, after every time i have ad to give the car extra 1,000 kms ; noise still there so i changed car for an X6 instead...

You realize there's nothing wrong with the car, right? You need to adjust your expectations. The car is a high performance machine. It makes funny noises sometimes. You need to appreciate the car for what it is and not worry about a little rubbing noise coming from the LSD. You're better off in an X6 anyway; you obviously don't get it.