M3 DCT whining noise

[andypbee]

Considering a 2011 E92 M3 DCT but during the test drive I was aware of a whining noise at low speeds coming from what I assumed was the transmission. I have driven older DCTs and havn't noticed the noise before. The dealer is suggesting that this noise is normal on the newer cars (seemingly not on earlier versions) but cannot tell me why they make the noise. Anybody out there have a relatively new DCT with this whining noise?
Please no jokes about not taking the wife out in the car!

[ecain63]

Where in the car is the noise coming from? Under what conditions is the noise appearing?

Eddie

[andypbee]

I only noticed it when driving slowly in traffic and to be honest there was so much going on I couldn't really pinpoint it but I would say around the gearbox. As soon as you accelerate it either disappears or is drowned by the engine note. The dealer is suuesting that I drive any of their new cars and says they all have this same whine?

[ecain63]

Most M cars do whine at motorway speed when coasting but that's the diff working away. If its the box is say that's abnormal regardless of what the salesman says. Hes a salesman, not a tech remember.

[ant man]

No whine on E9X M3 at all. There is a resonance sound from the exhaust at 2K rpm in 5th, 6th & 7th gears at detailed in the manual.

Diff can grate under full steering lock before the oil is forced through all the clutch plates.

I'd say the salesman is incorrect.

[andypbee]

Thanks for the replies. Been talking to the dealer again this afternoon and they have also noticed it on other new cars but spookily only Competition Pack models, cannot work out why that would make a difference. They seem to be suggesting though that the whining noise is now 'standard' but as yet they haven't come back to me and told me where the noise is coming from. If it cannot be fixed it's incredible that BMW would develop the M3 so a whining noise comes as standard, at least it should be on the options list!!
Anyway, their technicians are looking at the car tomorrow but they don't hold out much hope!

[c2mike]

I've just bought a Dec 2011 Comp pack M3. No whining noise, but I'll listen more carefully now!

[nav p]

In the Handbook it states that noises from the transmission system is very normal.

[andypbee]

Ended up buying the car (March 2011 M3 Competition Pack) as the benefits far outweighed the strange whining noise. However, I am taking it back to my local dealer next week to see what they think. If you hold in low gears at low revs there is a distinct whine maybe like a mini supercharger? It also whines when coming off the throttle as Pioneer commented.
So, not sure if this is normal or not, is it gearbox or engine? Have done numerous searches and it only seems to have been discussed in the US where the general opinion is that it's normal.

[danjp]

IMO its normal. I've had two, a 2008, and now a march 11, non comp pack. Has done it on both, maybe a little more on the newer model, just accepted it as normal transmission whine. Quite like it actually. It is an m car, and although it looks like a normal 3 series, it's much more of a nervy thoroughbred in feel..

[Plainview23]

Don't say you like it too much or BMW will stick it on an MP3 and start piping it through the radio

[gubsta]

My '08 M3 DCT had the whine - I assumed it was the gearbox - all part of the character and never bothered me one bit.
Enjoy the car!