Whining sound from new BMW

I just got my new 328xi and noticed a whining sound coming from the dash when car is started from cold, accelerates, or runs downhill. This has nothing to do with AC (it is there when AC is off). I did not hear this from my old 2006 325i. I talked to the salesman and was told that is normal. I tested another 328xi at the dealer, it also has the whining noise. It is really annoying and can be noticed even when the radio or music is playing at medium volume. I know there are several posts in this forum reporting similar issue. This is going to drive me crazy if not fixed. Does anyone have the same problem and have it fixed under warranty?

Thanks.

Might be the infamous transmission whine - mine does the same, and it's considered normal. Sounds a bit wheezy, for lack of a better term. I just keep convincing myself it's part of the BMW-ness of the car.

Originally Posted by adityab

Might be the infamous transmission whine - mine does the same, and it's considered normal. Sounds a bit wheezy, for lack of a better term. I just keep convincing myself it's part of the BMW-ness of the car.

The transmission whines when the car isn't moving? Ugh, that sucks. Is it a torque converter thing? Because I've never noticed it on any of the MT cars.

I didn't realize your car whines at standstill. Mine only does so when moving, but it might be an unfair comparison given that it's an 09 with RWD. Might be worth getting a second opinion from another dealership.

Thats a bad steering pump i had the same problem replace and baumm sound is no more

Originally Posted by Alien2012

Thats a bad steering pump i had the same problem replace and baumm sound is no more

That's the most common cause of what the OP is hearing.
OP, try turning your steering wheel hard left and hard right. Does the sound vary? It's the pump.
If the sound stays the same then we don't have any idea what the heck we are talking about.

Originally Posted by adityab

Might be the infamous transmission whine - mine does the same, and it's considered normal. Sounds a bit wheezy, for lack of a better term. I just keep convincing myself it's part of the BMW-ness of the car.

What does this sound like? I realize it is hard to describe sounds...

but notice a "whinning" sound from my car too, but i thought it was either the summer tires or sometihng or that nature but coul dnot reproduce the sound - it makes the sound almost randomly ... it won't happen at low low speeds (less than 20 mph) but when I get going a little I notice it...

its a really faint sound, almost as though someone was holding a credit card against a tire ...

does this sound familiar to anyone? ...is this my trans or steering pump? ... or something completely different?


EDIT: I have a '08 328, RWD, Manual transmission.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

That's the most common cause of what the OP is hearing.
OP, try turning your steering wheel hard left and hard right. Does the sound vary? It's the pump.
If the sound stays the same then we don't have any idea what the heck we are talking about.

Thank you all for your reply.

DSXMachina, you are absolutely right -- When the car is parked and the wheel is turned hard left or right, the noise become louder.

As Alien2012 has said, I am going to have the steering pump replaced.

Originally Posted by baoma

Thank you all for your reply.

DSXMachina, you are absolutely right -- When the car is parked and the wheel is turned hard left or right, the noise become louder.

As Alien2012 has said, I am going to have the steering pump replaced.

Does it sound like this?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=599939

Originally Posted by baoma

Thank you all for your reply.

DSXMachina, you are absolutely right -- When the car is parked and the wheel is turned hard left or right, the noise become louder.

As Alien2012 has said, I am going to have the steering pump replaced.

Whoa, you like throwing money away? It might just be that your pump has gotten some air in it. That's the number one cause of whining. Remove the reservoir cap and ensure it is full (be absolutely sure to use the right fluid!). Leave the cap on but loose.
Turn the wheel left and right 10 times slowly. Each time make sure that you have turned the wheel to the limit and hold it there for a second. Check the fluid level. Still good? You're done. If it dropped too low you'll have to top it off and start over. When done be sure to tighten the cap.
If it's your lucky day you've got a quiet system and you owe me one.

Originally Posted by dirtybird_434

Does it sound like this?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=599939

It is not the same noise as in the link. The noise can be best heard in the dash not under the hood. It is like wind blowing through a narrow pipe.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

Whoa, you like throwing money away? It might just be that your pump has gotten some air in it. That's the number one cause of whining. Remove the reservoir cap and ensure it is full (be absolutely sure to use the right fluid!). Leave the cap on but loose.
Turn the wheel left and right 10 times slowly. Each time make sure that you have turned the wheel to the limit and hold it there for a second. Check the fluid level. Still good? You're done. If it dropped too low you'll have to top it off and start over. When done be sure to tighten the cap.
If it's your lucky day you've got a quiet system and you owe me one.

Thank you. I will definitely try that. If it works, I will treat you for dinner

Hi DSXMachina, I tried your method. It seemed to have not solved the problem. You said the reservior should be full, how full is it?

Originally Posted by baoma

Hi DSXMachina, I tried your method. It seemed to have not solved the problem. You said the reservior should be full, how full is it?

There will be either a mark on the outside of the reservoir which indicates "full", or a dipstick under the cap which is marked like an oil dipstick.

Yes, I see the dipstick on the lid.

I guess I will have to have the pump replaced to solve the problem.

I took my car to a dealership and showed the service person the video. He watched it and said it is horrible. Then another guy from the shop test drove my car and also noticed the noise. In the end of day, dealer called me saying the noise is normal.

This the video I shot some time ago and now the noise is going louder

I will be checking upon this thread regularly for updates. My 08 328xi sounds IDENTICAL. The whining is obnoxious. The transmission fluid has been changed and the PS fluid topped off with the appropriate fluid (CHF 11S)

The whine has not subsided with my vehicle. The noise level began progressing at the age of 5K or so. I now have 60K and have lived with the noise.

Is it just me the video has no sound?

Never mind, PC issue.

What sound? Is it the high pitched scratching sound like runing a sand paper? If so no, I don't have it.

Originally Posted by dtc100

What sound? Is it the high pitched scratching sound like runing a sand paper? If so no, I don't have it.

Yes, the high pitch sound which most obvious between 8 -16" in the video.

Originally Posted by baoma

Yes, the high pitch sound which most obvious between 8 -16" in the video.

I hear it now, I do have similar whine, but not as pronounced as yours. I actually like it, but I understand we have different tolerance levels.

Just bought a used 80k miles, 2006 325i, sports sedan. low profile tires..drove it to San Antonio from Austin yesterday.. It sounds like a windup toy. The whinning, freaked me out. Driving straight, and coming to a stop. just keeps on whinning at a lower idle?? "Goldie", still has extended BMW warranty for another 20K miles left. I think this whine is annoying and worries me. What the he.. is that really,, bad lube..throwout bearings on an automatic trans ??? Any other issues with the sport 325i sport.. Please advise, PS,, anyone have some ideas as to how I could take advantage of the 20K warranty remaining.. things I should complain about now.. someone mentioned "steering pump" problems.. maybe I could need One?
Thanks to all, Pamejame

I've had 4 BMW's. Never had the whining sound. BMW continues to make its cars more complex. Perhaps the whining sound is the result of one of these unwanted, unnecessary technological improvements.

Oh well. At least you will get a free pen.

Thanks, going to get it checked out..

I have a 2011 328xi (but with auto)...I can hear a whining sound when I first start off in the morning, but then it slowly goes away. I figured it was the oil in the hydraulic coupling used in the X drive. I did watch and listen to your video...never did hear excessive whining.

Angie

Thanks for the replies..Tomorrow BMW San Antonio ..check up.. The original whine started after 65 miles on highway at 65 to 80 mp speeds...once I slowed on access road and with the stopping and going, it was really noticeable and annoying...
Today..just did a little normal town driving lower speeds.. no noise!
I'll give a report after my apt at BMW tomorrow.. I hope they fix what they find..and not try to BS me..pj