M3 Noises (What's Normal/Not Normal)

[ash4390]

So here is a new one for me. Recently (within the past month or two) I've noticed that my steering makes a loud clunk when I'm going from left full lock to right full lock. Sometimes it'll be a successive clunk clunk, doesn't matter if I'm moving forward or backwards, or if I'm stationary.

Anybody experience something similar to this? I'll try get videos today.

[STC]

Awesome thread. As a new M3 owner, I was going to call the dealer about all the interior rattling. Now I know its normal.

[becausephilchow]

Anybody ever heard a whistling upon very light throttle?

[ash4390]

Originally Posted by ash4390

So here is a new one for me. Recently (within the past month or two) I've noticed that my steering makes a loud clunk when I'm going from left full lock to right full lock. Sometimes it'll be a successive clunk clunk, doesn't matter if I'm moving forward or backwards, or if I'm stationary.

Anybody experience something similar to this? I'll try get videos today.

Here's the sound.. happens cold or warm.

[houston]

Originally Posted by ash4390

Here's the sound.. happens cold or warm.

Interesting... it sounds like an old pick up truck

[ash4390]

Yeah it's definitely odd, anybody had anything similar?

[OMEGATB]

I've recently developed a ticking noise from my car it's audible only from the passenger side. It sounds similar to an exhaust leak right at the manifold. It also happens more consistently at normal operating temps(170~210). Has anyone had this noise before?

Video

[duk]

I am getting some light popping noises in the front driver's area, likely suspension.

Occurs generally over rough pavement, driveways, speed bumps and low speed turns.

Sounds just like a light pop or bubble popping.

[modkrazy]

Rattles. Rattles are normal.

[E92friendly]

Thank god for this thread ive been doing lots of research because after having the m3 for a bit of time now I came to realize there is that (exhaust leak sound) at cold starts. then once warmed up it vanishes. i hear a small bit on first take off just barely but thats it. Knowing its just the valves for to heat the cats is a good feeling its been driving me nuts!
Ive put the car on the lift and let it cool and tried to search the leak for 30 minutes before (while running) haha. I even checked my headers to heads and saw no signs of leaking. my friend was talking crap saying its the valves in the heads, they are ruined, but i wouldnt listen to him since he doesnt specialize in these motors lol.

[bmwm3s65]

Originally Posted by OMEGATB

I've recently developed a ticking noise from my car it's audible only from the passenger side. It sounds similar to an exhaust leak right at the manifold. It also happens more consistently at normal operating temps(170~210). Has anyone had this noise before?

Video

Hi OMEGATB,

I got the same exact ticking sound from my e90 2009 m3 seems to have started a month after i purchased it. It scared when i first noticed and thought it was rod bearings. had them done as preventive maintenance and noise is still present. I think it my be a slight exhaust leak where the headers mate to the block. i was going to try tightening the hearder bolts if i could reach them, however i have not gotten around to it yet.

[lve2xlr8]

Originally Posted by glacket

Hi OMEGATB,

I got the same exact ticking sound from my e90 2009 m3 seems to have started a month after i purchased it. It scared when i first noticed and thought it was rod bearings. had them done as preventive maintenance and noise is still present. I think it my be a slight exhaust leak where the headers mate to the block. i was going to try tightening the hearder bolts if i could reach them, however i have not gotten around to it yet.

It's normal.

[m3jala]

I have a missing tooth whistle at about 30mph in the folding mirror gap on the driver side mirror. I bet most of you have it just don't notice. Lol.

[SoCalRPM]

Good thread to help alleviate all the scary stuff

[bmwm3s65]

Originally Posted by OMEGATB

I've recently developed a ticking noise from my car it's audible only from the passenger side. It sounds similar to an exhaust leak right at the manifold. It also happens more consistently at normal operating temps(170~210). Has anyone had this noise before?

Video

im wondering if this from a possible leaking egr valve on the passenger side? earlier in this thread someone was talking about an exhaust leak sound which was separate from the normal exhaust leak that is "normal for a high revving v8 engine". they did not have any videos, so i dont know how similar the sound was, however they said replacing the egr resolved it 100%. I have the exact same sound on my 2009 e90 m3 as well. Does your sound like more metallic higher up in the rpm band, around 2k-4K? I hear the normal cam gear whine but i also hear this ticking at low rev which i think is the same sound as higher revs but more metallic. dont know if that makes sense. the cam whine is not totally smooth whine it has some kind of metallic fluttering intertwined with the whine thats hard to explain. i was hoping they were linked somehow and maybe the egr leak is the culprit.

[Siajoon]

Im having a problem with my m3... I can't manage to redline this car without excessively illegal speeding.. anyone else have this problem?

[m3jala]

Originally Posted by Siajoon

Im having a problem with my m3... I can't manage to redline this car without excessively illegal speeding.. anyone else have this problem?

That's a bad sign. You're going to need to gut the car and install a 2 stroke to slow yourself down!

[bmwm3s65]

I drove a 200 mile road trip and had no issues. my second road trip so far. was running about 90 for 40 minutes straight and topped out about 120 couple times and could tell the engine wanted more. it burned a little more oil than i liked, however i was running it pretty hard so i guess thats not unexpected anyway if the sounds were any indication of something critical i think i would have had issues by now especially after a running it like that. the induction/exhaust still sounds amazing after 9 months of owning it.

[BigAl2]

Not sure what all the rattles/noises everyone is complaining about. Had an ‘08, now a ‘13, the only annoying things I’ve experienced are the clink/clang noises at low speed when ya have stones in the rear brakes.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by BigAl2

Not sure what all the rattles/noises everyone is complaining about. Had an ‘08, now a ‘13, the only annoying things I’ve experienced are the clink/clang noises at low speed when ya have stones in the rear brakes.

Ok