F31 xdrive - road noise?
Discussion
Hi all, longtime lurker here, looking for some advice or hopefully reassurance.
I’ve just bought an approved used F31 335d. 3 years old with 39k.
I’ve noticed a faint hum/drone while driving, kind of like a wheel bearing noise but maybe slightly higher pitched.
Doesn’t change when cornering so don’t think it’s a wheel bearing.
Seems to appear at slow speeds and doesn’t change much in terms of pitch or volume up to motorway speeds.
Changing gear while keeping a constant speed doesn’t seem to affect it so I think it’s road speed related rather than engine speed.
The car is on OEM Bridgestone runflats with 7mm all round.
Tyre pressures were all over the place but sorted them and haven’t noticed a difference.
Anyone noticed anything similar?
It’s my first 4wd so I’m unsure if a bit more drive train noise is normal?
Or if there’s maybe an issue with the transfer box?
If it is potentially something more serious then I’d rather know now while I’ve got plenty of BMW warranty left.
However I’m hoping you’re all going to tell me I’m being paranoid and it’s just the awful runflats......
I’ve just bought an approved used F31 335d. 3 years old with 39k.
I’ve noticed a faint hum/drone while driving, kind of like a wheel bearing noise but maybe slightly higher pitched.
Doesn’t change when cornering so don’t think it’s a wheel bearing.
Seems to appear at slow speeds and doesn’t change much in terms of pitch or volume up to motorway speeds.
Changing gear while keeping a constant speed doesn’t seem to affect it so I think it’s road speed related rather than engine speed.
The car is on OEM Bridgestone runflats with 7mm all round.
Tyre pressures were all over the place but sorted them and haven’t noticed a difference.
Anyone noticed anything similar?
It’s my first 4wd so I’m unsure if a bit more drive train noise is normal?
Or if there’s maybe an issue with the transfer box?
If it is potentially something more serious then I’d rather know now while I’ve got plenty of BMW warranty left.
However I’m hoping you’re all going to tell me I’m being paranoid and it’s just the awful runflats......
I’ve just bought a G31 530d X Drive and I thought it was a little loud to start with (3 years old and 38k). Had it about 6 weeks now and I’ve got used to it. Seems fine now. Mine has the 20” wheels which doesn’t help. Car before was a Mondeo estate with 16” wheels and big comfy tyres!
Mine has run flats all round which I’ll probably change to normal tyres when the time comes.
Main reason I’ve commented is to keep tabs on the replies :-)
Mine has run flats all round which I’ll probably change to normal tyres when the time comes.
Main reason I’ve commented is to keep tabs on the replies :-)
I had a F30 335d for 3 years. I wrote it off about 2 years ago. I can’t remember if I got rid of the RFs on that, I did on the E90s before it.
I put it down to not being used to the car for this new one. It seems fine now. It also took me a while to get used to the comfort seats. They drove me mad to start with.
I’m sure they’ll be plenty of good advice and opinions shortly.
I put it down to not being used to the car for this new one. It seems fine now. It also took me a while to get used to the comfort seats. They drove me mad to start with.
I’m sure they’ll be plenty of good advice and opinions shortly.
Stevoraith said:
Hi all, longtime lurker here, looking for some advice or hopefully reassurance.
I’ve just bought an approved used F31 335d. 3 years old with 39k.
I’ve noticed a faint hum/drone while driving, kind of like a wheel bearing noise but maybe slightly higher pitched.
Doesn’t change when cornering so don’t think it’s a wheel bearing.
Seems to appear at slow speeds and doesn’t change much in terms of pitch or volume up to motorway speeds.
Changing gear while keeping a constant speed doesn’t seem to affect it so I think it’s road speed related rather than engine speed.
The car is on OEM Bridgestone runflats with 7mm all round.
Tyre pressures were all over the place but sorted them and haven’t noticed a difference.
Anyone noticed anything similar?
It’s my first 4wd so I’m unsure if a bit more drive train noise is normal?
Or if there’s maybe an issue with the transfer box?
If it is potentially something more serious then I’d rather know now while I’ve got plenty of BMW warranty left.
However I’m hoping you’re all going to tell me I’m being paranoid and it’s just the awful runflats......
This will be in no way reassuring but I had something similar on my F31 335d and the problem was diagnosed eventually as the front differential (which was replaced under extended warranty). The dealer initially thought it was a wheel bearing but I wasn't convinced because, like yours, the noise didn't change when cornering; anyway, they replaced what they thought was the faulty wheel bearing but, sure enough, the problem remained! I’ve just bought an approved used F31 335d. 3 years old with 39k.
I’ve noticed a faint hum/drone while driving, kind of like a wheel bearing noise but maybe slightly higher pitched.
Doesn’t change when cornering so don’t think it’s a wheel bearing.
Seems to appear at slow speeds and doesn’t change much in terms of pitch or volume up to motorway speeds.
Changing gear while keeping a constant speed doesn’t seem to affect it so I think it’s road speed related rather than engine speed.
The car is on OEM Bridgestone runflats with 7mm all round.
Tyre pressures were all over the place but sorted them and haven’t noticed a difference.
Anyone noticed anything similar?
It’s my first 4wd so I’m unsure if a bit more drive train noise is normal?
Or if there’s maybe an issue with the transfer box?
If it is potentially something more serious then I’d rather know now while I’ve got plenty of BMW warranty left.
However I’m hoping you’re all going to tell me I’m being paranoid and it’s just the awful runflats......
I'd had my car from new and therefore knew the noise wasn't normal. The F31 does suffer from a relatively high level of road noise - especially on Bridgestone run-flats - but what I had was a distinct whine that certainly hadn't been present for most of the time I'd had the car. On mine the problem first presented itself at around 60k miles and it disappeared once the front differential had been replaced; what had caused the problem I don't know but it would have been quite an expensive fix if I hadn't had the extended warranty.
None of this means your car's got the same fault but it sounds like it might be worth getting a dealer to investigate if the problem persists?
That doesn’t sound good.
I’d say a whine is probably a more accurate way to describe the noise as well.
Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order.
Problem being the supplying dealer is 400miles away- it’s a BMW warranty so no worries on that front but wouldn’t be surprised if my local dealer wants to charge me for diagnosis which is a couple of hours labour.
I’ll give them a phone and see what they say.
I’d say a whine is probably a more accurate way to describe the noise as well.
Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order.
Problem being the supplying dealer is 400miles away- it’s a BMW warranty so no worries on that front but wouldn’t be surprised if my local dealer wants to charge me for diagnosis which is a couple of hours labour.
I’ll give them a phone and see what they say.
Stevoraith said:
That doesn’t sound good.
I’d say a whine is probably a more accurate way to describe the noise as well.
Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order.
Problem being the supplying dealer is 400miles away- it’s a BMW warranty so no worries on that front but wouldn’t be surprised if my local dealer wants to charge me for diagnosis which is a couple of hours labour.
I’ll give them a phone and see what they say.
As an Approved Used Car it should have a warranty that allows you to take it to any BMW dealer; therefore, I don't really think a local dealer could charge for either diagnosing the problem or for doing any work that's found to be required?I’d say a whine is probably a more accurate way to describe the noise as well.
Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order.
Problem being the supplying dealer is 400miles away- it’s a BMW warranty so no worries on that front but wouldn’t be surprised if my local dealer wants to charge me for diagnosis which is a couple of hours labour.
I’ll give them a phone and see what they say.
When replacing the wheel bearing didn't solve the problem on mine I took it out with the Service Manager so I could demonstrate the noise I was worried about; having agreed it wasn't normal it was then over to them to find out what it was and put it right. Probably not so easy to do in these times of social distancing but as an approach it certainly worked - it would be frustrating to take your car to a dealer only to collect it and have them fob you off with "we couldn't hear anything unusual, no fault found".
I’ve phoned up and booked it in.
As suspected I’ve to pay a £160 diagnostic fee in the event that no fault is found or whatever fault is found is not covered under warranty.
If there is a fault which is covered by the warranty then I won’t have to pay the diagnostic fee.
Not unexpected but means that if I get the “we can’t find anything wrong” fob off then I’m also lumped with a £160 bill for nothing.
It’s certainly taking the edge off the excitement of having a new car.
As suspected I’ve to pay a £160 diagnostic fee in the event that no fault is found or whatever fault is found is not covered under warranty.
If there is a fault which is covered by the warranty then I won’t have to pay the diagnostic fee.
Not unexpected but means that if I get the “we can’t find anything wrong” fob off then I’m also lumped with a £160 bill for nothing.
It’s certainly taking the edge off the excitement of having a new car.
I would put around 2.8bar in all the tyres first and see what happens. This will mean you are sitting on the middle section of the tyre and if the noise goes you know it is tyres.
I'm not sure it is the diff if it does it whether under load or not?
Have you got matching tyres front and rear and similar amount of wear front and rear? A few guys on the X3 forum have had transfer cases whining/humming when they have not put on star marked tyres all round.
Be careful of that going into BMW as well, if it is the transfer case and you have none approved tyres on they will void the warranty if it is the transfer case.
if the previous owner drove round with pressures more than a few psi out it may have damaged the transfer case too.
Good luck and report back.
I'm not sure it is the diff if it does it whether under load or not?
Have you got matching tyres front and rear and similar amount of wear front and rear? A few guys on the X3 forum have had transfer cases whining/humming when they have not put on star marked tyres all round.
Be careful of that going into BMW as well, if it is the transfer case and you have none approved tyres on they will void the warranty if it is the transfer case.
if the previous owner drove round with pressures more than a few psi out it may have damaged the transfer case too.
Good luck and report back.
Thanks for the advice.
The tyres are matching star marked (have to be since it was a BMW approved used car) and they all have 7mm.
When I got the car the front pressures were 1.7 & 1.9 and the rears were 2.4.
I’ve set them to recommended pressures now (2.4 front & 2.6 rear).
Of course I have no idea how long the pressures have been wrong.... tyres have a DOT code for the middle of 2019 so potentially a year.
I hadn’t thought about pumping the tyres right up, I’ll give that a go.
I’m half tempted to stick on the winter tyres from my 1 series to see if the noise goes but they’re not quite the right tyre sizes so don’t really want to risk it.
The tyres are matching star marked (have to be since it was a BMW approved used car) and they all have 7mm.
When I got the car the front pressures were 1.7 & 1.9 and the rears were 2.4.
I’ve set them to recommended pressures now (2.4 front & 2.6 rear).
Of course I have no idea how long the pressures have been wrong.... tyres have a DOT code for the middle of 2019 so potentially a year.
I hadn’t thought about pumping the tyres right up, I’ll give that a go.
I’m half tempted to stick on the winter tyres from my 1 series to see if the noise goes but they’re not quite the right tyre sizes so don’t really want to risk it.
Stevoraith said:
Thanks for the advice.
The tyres are matching star marked (have to be since it was a BMW approved used car) and they all have 7mm.
When I got the car the front pressures were 1.7 & 1.9 and the rears were 2.4.
I’ve set them to recommended pressures now (2.4 front & 2.6 rear).
Of course I have no idea how long the pressures have been wrong.... tyres have a DOT code for the middle of 2019 so potentially a year.
I hadn’t thought about pumping the tyres right up, I’ll give that a go.
I’m half tempted to stick on the winter tyres from my 1 series to see if the noise goes but they’re not quite the right tyre sizes so don’t really want to risk it.
If the original pressures were as you say, then someone must have reset the TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), otherwise the car would recognise and warn of a dropped pressure.The tyres are matching star marked (have to be since it was a BMW approved used car) and they all have 7mm.
When I got the car the front pressures were 1.7 & 1.9 and the rears were 2.4.
I’ve set them to recommended pressures now (2.4 front & 2.6 rear).
Of course I have no idea how long the pressures have been wrong.... tyres have a DOT code for the middle of 2019 so potentially a year.
I hadn’t thought about pumping the tyres right up, I’ll give that a go.
I’m half tempted to stick on the winter tyres from my 1 series to see if the noise goes but they’re not quite the right tyre sizes so don’t really want to risk it.
Stevoraith said:
Also, you make an interesting point about it being the same noise whether under load or not.
So if it was diff/transfer case related would you expect the noise to be worse under load?
It didn't seem to make any difference on my car whether it was under load or not. The noise wasn't immediately apparent when pulling away from rest but the whine started once it was up to about 20 mph and remained regardless of road surface, whether you were going round a corner, etc.So if it was diff/transfer case related would you expect the noise to be worse under load?
I doubt varying tyre pressures would account for the problem you're experiencing either but great if changing those rectifies things. However, if it doesn't I think you're right to get it checked out - hopefully any problem found will be a warranty issue and you'll get your £160 back!
Put the tyre pressures up to 2.9 all round.
Car felt like it was on ice and the noise was still there.
Of course it could be a completely different noise, it’s hard to describe a noise on the internet that my wife can’t even hear when she’s in the car 😂
It’s booked into my local dealer on Friday, I’ll report back then.
Car felt like it was on ice and the noise was still there.
JNW1 said:
It didn't seem to make any difference on my car whether it was under load or not. The noise wasn't immediately apparent when pulling away from rest but the whine started once it was up to about 20 mph and remained regardless of road surface, whether you were going round a corner, etc.
I doubt varying tyre pressures would account for the problem you're experiencing either but great if changing those rectifies things. However, if it doesn't I think you're right to get it checked out - hopefully any problem found will be a warranty issue and you'll get your £160 back!
I must say, your description does sound very similar. With mine it starts at around 20mph too and remains pretty constant. I doubt varying tyre pressures would account for the problem you're experiencing either but great if changing those rectifies things. However, if it doesn't I think you're right to get it checked out - hopefully any problem found will be a warranty issue and you'll get your £160 back!
Of course it could be a completely different noise, it’s hard to describe a noise on the internet that my wife can’t even hear when she’s in the car 😂
It’s booked into my local dealer on Friday, I’ll report back then.
Stevoraith said:
Put the tyre pressures up to 2.9 all round.
Car felt like it was on ice and the noise was still there.
Of course it could be a completely different noise, it’s hard to describe a noise on the internet that my wife can’t even hear when she’s in the car ??
It’s booked into my local dealer on Friday, I’ll report back then.
I tend to have a sensitive ear for noises and rattles and I was convinced I could hear something on mine even though initially my other half was adamant she couldn't hear a thing. However, the problem became worse quite quickly and within a couple of thousand miles she was agreeing there was a problem, especially if we'd been on a longer journey when the noise became more pronounced (presumably because oil was getting thinner as it warmed-up which made the whine worse?).Car felt like it was on ice and the noise was still there.
JNW1 said:
It didn't seem to make any difference on my car whether it was under load or not. The noise wasn't immediately apparent when pulling away from rest but the whine started once it was up to about 20 mph and remained regardless of road surface, whether you were going round a corner, etc.
I doubt varying tyre pressures would account for the problem you're experiencing either but great if changing those rectifies things. However, if it doesn't I think you're right to get it checked out - hopefully any problem found will be a warranty issue and you'll get your £160 back!
I must say, your description does sound very similar. With mine it starts at around 20mph too and remains pretty constant. I doubt varying tyre pressures would account for the problem you're experiencing either but great if changing those rectifies things. However, if it doesn't I think you're right to get it checked out - hopefully any problem found will be a warranty issue and you'll get your £160 back!
Of course it could be a completely different noise, it’s hard to describe a noise on the internet that my wife can’t even hear when she’s in the car ??
It’s booked into my local dealer on Friday, I’ll report back then.
For that reason I did a few miles to warm everything through before I went out with the Service Manager from the dealer - I wanted to make sure the noise was obvious and avoid any debate over whether or not there was actually a problem!
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