3 cylinder engines

[jimmybob]

New to the forum so hello all.
My car is 2015 1.8i 3 cyl 1500 cc 1 series BMW automatic.

I think there is an issue that starts at 1800 revs, at that stage engine noise becomes noticeable heavy drone and slight vibration in steering wheel.
This is noticed more when engine is cruising and not under to much load, put a bit of gas on and it eases , drop the revs to below 1800 revs and symptoms disappear.

When PARKED and revs slowly built up, vibration comes in at 1800 revs again.
Best way I can explain it is it feels like it is in the wrong gear.
In contact with dealer and awaiting answers but they are a bit slow.
Have any of you had experience with 3 cylinder engines or have any ideas or views on my post. ?
Kind regards.
Jimmy.

[Mr Tidy]

Well firstly welcome to the forum!

I have minimal experience of 3 cylinder BMWs, having had an F56 Cooper as a courtesy car for one day and less than 10 miles!

But I must be honest and say that it sounded like a diesel, was totally unresponsive until you got it revving a bit (about 2,000 rpm IIRC) and after that it seemed to wake up, although it still didn't sound that great!

Given some revs it performed OK but by then the economy has disappeared, doubtlessly negating the benefit of all the newer technology - much prefer how my OH's R56 Cooper drives!

[jimmybob]

Hi,
Thank's for yours input, I love the car as long as it is below 1800 revs.
J

[Theoldman]

Sounds like they have not got the engine mounting setup tuned correctly.

3 cylinder engines with 120 degree cranks can develop a rocking vibration and your description sounds like that could be what you are experiencing.

Have you watched the engine while someone revs it for you?

AN after market head steady, fitted by an experienced tuner, might just cure it??

[jimmybob]

Thank's for the reply, I will look into your suggestions.
The car is only six months old so I expect the dealer to sort it.
Regards.
J.

[iSore]

These engines are starting to develop main bearing trouble - that results in a vibration/rumble.

[Trabi601]

The 1-series isn't the most refined thing at the best of times. All seem to get an element of vibration through the wheel, and there's an additional suspension related thrum that kicks in at 80mph. It wasn't just restricted to mine - and I've experienced the same in the closely related 3-series, too.

[healeyneil]

Interesting. My wife's 2 series active tourer petrol just got a new engine at 13000 miles, courtesy of BMW. Only obvious fault was a ticking noise when you pressed the clutch. Are these engines known to have faults then ?
Neil

[jimmybob]

HI all,
Sorry for delay in updating, things are still the same, the dealer says they are waiting for identical model to come through for them do a comparison check. It has been eight weeks now since I reported the matter.
I find it odd if they have not had one through in that time.

( theoldman) I tried your suggestion but nothing obvious.
Thanks to all for the input.
Regards.
J.

[Mr Tidy]

jimmybob said:

HI all,
Sorry for delay in updating, things are still the same, the dealer says they are waiting for identical model to come through for them do a comparison check. It has been eight weeks now since I reported the matter.
I find it odd if they have not had one through in that time.

( theoldman) I tried your suggestion but nothing obvious.
Thanks to all for the input.
Regards.
J.

Not sure why they need another for a comparison check - surely they should know what is acceptable and what is not?

In any case if it's a main agent they must have something with this engine on the demonstrator fleet I would have thought.

Hope it gets sorted!

[Semosemo]

Hi jimmybob
I have exactly the same issue 1500cc 3 cylinder between 1200 and 2000 rpm
Very slight vibrantion when speeding between 90 and 125 km/hour and then no issues speeding to 180 km/hour
It’s brand new car with 4000 km mileage so far
I went 5 times to the agency they did very complicated wheel balance and trim and all this stuff and at the end they told me it’s design issue and not fault
Do we have any one in the forum with the same issue
Sameh

[Semosemo]

Hi jimmybob
I have exactly the same issue 1500cc 3 cylinder between 1200 and 2000 rpm
Very slight vibrantion when speeding between 90 and 125 km/hour and then no issues speeding to 180 km/hour
It’s brand new car with 4000 km mileage so far

[Semosemo]

jimmybob said:

Thank's for the reply, I will look into your suggestions.
The car is only six months old so I expect the dealer to sort it.
Regards.
J.

Hi Jimmy I went through the same issue
Agent is waiting for similar car to test !!!
Is your problem solved or what is the progress so far ?

[Semosemo]

jimmybob said:

New to the forum so hello all.
My car is 2015 1.8i 3 cyl 1500 cc 1 series BMW automatic.

I think there is an issue that starts at 1800 revs, at that stage engine noise becomes noticeable heavy drone and slight vibration in steering wheel.
This is noticed more when engine is cruising and not under to much load, put a bit of gas on and it eases , drop the revs to below 1800 revs and symptoms disappear.

When PARKED and revs slowly built up, vibration comes in at 1800 revs again.
Best way I can explain it is it feels like it is in the wrong gear.
In contact with dealer and awaiting answers but they are a bit slow.
Have any of you had experience with 3 cylinder engines or have any ideas or views on my post. ?
Kind regards.
Jimmy.

Dear jimmy any update on your car vibration ???

[morgrp]

My 2017 doesnt vibrate but the exhaust sounds rattly at certain RPMs and depending on what driving mode its in - Eco Pro being the worst culprit - Personally I drive it in Sport mode most of the time as I prefer the throttle response but annoyingly no start-stop.`

[Mr Tidy]

morgrp said:

but annoyingly no start-stop.`

Be careful what you wish for!

My 123d had stop/start - maybe that is why it needed a new "AGM" battery that had to be coded to the car via OBD at 55K miles and less than 5 years of age (only cost just over £250 at an Indy).

Then it needed a new starter motor at 77K - but BMW only charged me £601.73 for that! WTF!

My Z4 Coupe with none of that nonsense needed a battery last year - at 11 years old it cost £114.38 fitted!

I'm glad I sold the 123d when I did - with those issues and the N47 cam-chain nonsense it was only ever going to be (more of) a liability!

[morgrp]

Mr Tidy said:

morgrp said:

but annoyingly no start-stop.`

Be careful what you wish for!

My 123d had stop/start - maybe that is why it needed a new "AGM" battery that had to be coded to the car via OBD at 55K miles and less than 5 years of age (only cost just over £250 at an Indy).

Then it needed a new starter motor at 77K - but BMW only charged me £601.73 for that! WTF!

My Z4 Coupe with none of that nonsense needed a battery last year - at 11 years old it cost £114.38 fitted!

I'm glad I sold the 123d when I did - with those issues and the N47 cam-chain nonsense it was only ever going to be (more of) a liability!

Thats interesting - thanks for the update! I'll consider not using mine now -

[Maracus]

morgrp said:

Thats interesting - thanks for the update! I'll consider not using mine now -

Just for balance, a work has recently sold his 123d with s/s. It had 130k miles on it and he had zero problems with it.

[Mr Whippy]

I’d just go to another dealer and test drive one.

It’s either a characteristic or it’s a fault.

Isn’t the I8 a 3 potter? They can clearly make a good 3 pot engine.
The issue is likely a 3 pot cheap engine. BMW don’t make nice cheap engines.

[smashy]

I had a 3 cylinder vauxhall corsa as a loaner..the only way to describe the engine was fizzy..it was like a real life scalextric car