2011 328xi - wind whistle on driver side mirror

I have had my 2011 328xi for about three weeks now. The car is great to drive, but when traveling between 50 and 60 mph with my driver window down, there is an annoying whistling noice coming from the driver side mirror. Wondering if there is some sort of aerodynamic design flaw causing the whistle. Anyone else experiencing this?

+1

35 - 60 mph

JUst got a 2011 328i two months ago. Have been experiencing the same road noise problem once it gets over 70 or 80 mph. Really annoying. My old Camry doesn't even do that.

Originally Posted by Devon

I have had my 2011 328xi for about three weeks now. The car is great to drive, but when traveling between 50 and 60 mph with my driver window down, there is an annoying whistling noice coming from the driver side mirror. Wondering if there is some sort of aerodynamic design flaw causing the whistle. Anyone else experiencing this?

I get the same whistling sound with the window down, but only on driver's side. Most pronounced at 40-50mph, but audible at 70+ if window is open. Stops when I place my hand or fingers on the inner edge of the sideview mirror. Seems like a flaw in the design. Taking it to dealer tomorrow...weather is too nice in the south at this time of year to be forced to keep the windows closed!

Why are you posting this in the F30 section? Where are the mods?

Originally Posted by vpgain0

I get the same whistling sound with the window down, but only on driver's side. Taking it to dealer tomorrow...!

What was the outcome ? ? ?

There are several threads about this issue. If you put your finger tip on the top inside corner of the mirror between the housing and the plastic trim on the back of the mirror it will stop. My dealer told me it had to do with the US Spec'd side view mirrors.

Please post back esp if your dealer is able to remedy this.

me too I have the same noise really annoying!
I would love to find a fix for it!

Someone stated before in a forum that the mirrors we have are not the Euro mirrors wind tested. I have the 11 328 with the same problem. I am going to the dealer and will show them this forum and prove that there are similar problems. $40k for this stupid mistake is a joke. You probably have a squeak by the rear deck.... if not, you probably will get it.

Originally Posted by bjondo71

Someone stated before in a forum that the mirrors we have are not the Euro mirrors wind tested. I have the 11 328 with the same problem. I am going to the dealer and will show them this forum and prove that there are similar problems. $40k for this stupid mistake is a joke. You probably have a squeak by the rear deck.... if not, you probably will get it.

I fixed it a few months into ownership and I have not heard any noise from it since! It really was not bad you just need to be patient and be good with your hands!

Originally Posted by Hasek9339

I fixed it a few months into ownership and I have not heard any noise from it since! It really was not bad you just need to be patient and be good with your hands!

How did you fix it?

All I can say is WTF. I am about to buy a 328 and I already have this to look forward to?

Well I figured I would resurrect this thread since I could not find anything on a fix for this, because my new car drivers side window whistles as well. I find it hard to believe that BMW has not found a fix for this issue. I guess the windows are closed during the wind tunnel test.

Just discovered this issue when driving back from the PCD with my 2011 328i. For me, I hear it at the 40-50mph mark. I'll probably take it to my local dealership once I break the engine in to see what they can do. Any insight on how to resolve the problem would be appreciated!

I was told from my dealer, that the US Spec'd cars have different mirrors for US Standards and that we are 'stuck' with the whistle. I have a hunch if i covered the gap on the corner with electrical tape, to bridge between the panted frame of the mirror and the plastic edge facing back the whistle would go away... because if your put your finger on this spot it disturbs the air enough to make it stop.

Originally Posted by 3284me

Well I figured I would resurrect this thread since I could not find anything on a fix for this, because my new car drivers side window whistles as well. I find it hard to believe that BMW has not found a fix for this issue. I guess the windows are closed during the wind tunnel test.

In fact if you read the manual BMW advises us to drive with the windows up too

Originally Posted by dtc100

How did you fix it?

I was referring to the rear deck squeak!!!

I still have the whistling noise!

Ahhhh, I also am plagued with the same problem! It isn't the end of the world (which is right around the corner apparently) but it certainly is a nuisance.

this got me thinking... i will try the electrical tape at the corner inside of the mirror... if it works, you could use a piece of 'clearbra', like XPEL, over the same area would do the trick and would be invisible... im off from work today, i'll give this a try and report back...

Originally Posted by Devon

I have had my 2011 328xi for about three weeks now. The car is great to drive, but when traveling between 50 and 60 mph with my driver window down, there is an annoying whistling noice coming from the driver side mirror. Wondering if there is some sort of aerodynamic design flaw causing the whistle. Anyone else experiencing this?

Sounds - Har! - like an issue inherent in the EU required mirror redesign. New models have larger outside rearviews.

Well im back from my experiments... the whistle is clearly pronounced on my car, starts around 40ish then its most prominent till around 60, with or without windows open.

I experimented with both size and position of electrical tape covering the gap between the rear facing plastic frame and the painted 'body' of the mirror housing. and it is definitely that gap that is causing the whistle.

if the tape was too small, or positioned too far out it would whistle. but with the tape about 3 inches long, and moved far enough in, the whistle totally disappears, at all speeds.

I have an extra sheet of clearbra (XPEL) that i will use to do this for now. but im sure the gap will eventually collect dirt and get dirty. A more interim solution would be to find a product or material that could fill the gap between the mirror housing and that trim, something that will stay put, withstand elements and washings, yet not harm the car or be permanently affixed.
just a filler of sorts... call me completely crazy but black outdoor caulk is coming to mind. it can fill that section in neatly, and wont really adhere to anything permanently.





ps. i know the fact that were talking about electrical tape, and caulk on our cars is really troubling lol!

Thank you so much for doing and posting the results of the exact same research and testing I've been procrastinating.

I would love to know what the difference is between Euro mirror housings and USA mirror housings

I just looked on Ebay.co.uk and there are some!

I have this on my 2010. Just discovered it yesterday (i've had it for about 3 weeks). Very annoying. I'm going to try a large, black rubber band of some sort, will let y'all know how it works.

I'm thinking about cutting electrical tape to into a small width build up the gap with multiple pieces to make it flush.

If that doesn't work I might try the clear bra mentioned above. I don't have the bra material but I do have extra of the Zagg Invisible Shield for my iphone screen that may be similiar. I think it will wear out a lot though and I'll have to keep replacing it.