Ticking noise from lifters on NEW M3

Purchased the M3 Convertible on saturday. After driving 100 miles, a LOUD ticking was coming from the engine. Sounds like the lifters making the noise.

I took it back to the dealer and the master mechanic said it is normal for the M3 to make this chatter for the first 1000 miles or so. He said by the time I get its first service at the 1200 mile mark, it should go away.

I browsed/searched this forum on this topic and only found posts related to M3's that are NOT new.

Just wanted to get other folk's opinion on this. This happen to anyone else so i dont feel like i got a lemon.

Thanks and this is my first post.
I absolutely love this car. Since i test drove the M3 last year for fun while buying my fiancee's 330i, I have wanted one. Last saturday i brought the baby home!!

Your opinions are appreciated.

These cars have a good bit of valvetrain noise inherent in the engine design.

no one else has a comment?

did you check the oil level? during break-in, some M3s were known to consume up to 2 quarts of oil. could be the situation with yours.

Yes it was about a 1/2 quart low. i added the 1/2 quart and still makes the noise.

Was hoping some of you folks would confirm what the master tech said. Basicly that it will go away after break in.

agree?

Originally Posted by spud

Was hoping some of you folks would confirm what the master tech said. Basicly that it will go away after break in.
agree?

I doubt it will go away...I had a 2003 SMG M3, and I brought it to the dealer on several occasions, from about 10k to 24k miles. It sounded, to me, same as you describe, like a sewing machine on steroids, especially at ~2-3k RPM, windows open, next to something that would reflect the sound, like a wall, or in the garage. They said the same thing as your tech, this engine is clackety loud. The thing ran fine, no problems up till I sold it at 26.5k. I wouldn't worry, it's just a loud engine. I have a 2005 stick now and it sounds the same...I'm at 4.5k miles on it.

Good to know. ive never listened to another M3 to know for reference.

Thanks!

Here's another rubber stamp...it's loud.

The design of the engine is such that it cannot compare to a 330 for noise and smoothness.

My M3 was the same way, you could hear ticking when the engine ran. At the 1200 miles service I asked the tech and they said it was 100% normal. My 330i made almost the same noise but it wasn't as noticeable. Don't worry about it.

Thanks fellas!

M3's still use solid valve lifters that need periodic adjustment (I think every inspection #1), they are more suited to high rpm motors, but the downside is the valve noise. I'd say the noise is normal, but having the valve clearances checked may help....(at least at the first Insp. #1, when they are supposed to be done) Enjoy the new car!

Normal. All M straight 6's make that noise. And they all have 'clutch rattle'. Dunno why.

I didn't notice the ticking till just recently.... 58k miles, just as it was about to go in for the inspection II? Anyway, the tech did do something (not sure what) but the ticking seemed to have quieted.

Its perfectly normal... Enjoy the car!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ThatOneGuy

Normal. All M straight 6's make that noise. And they all have 'clutch rattle'. Dunno why.

I haven't noticed the ticking, but I have the clutch rattle

The e46 M3 engine has solid lifters. They will make some noise.