Annoying Whistle Noise at Highway Speed (w/video)

BlatantMaple854 · 04-12-2018, 08:06 PM

Hey everyone,

My 2017 DCT f80 M3 is coming up on 7,000 miles now and ever since day one I’ve had this annoying high pitched whistle noise at highway speeds. I hear it only when on the accelerator. I can take my foot off the gas and maintain a constant speed and it stops. But, as soon as I get back on the accelerator the noise starts again.

Is this normal? If not, I’m planning a trip to the dealer soon. Is there anything I should have them check out? Take a look at the video below and let me know what y’all think?

fwrigley · 04-12-2018, 11:33 PM

Turbo bro

BlatantMaple854 · 04-13-2018, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fwrigley

Turbo bro

So, everyone’s car has a constant loud high pitched turbo whine on the highway?

corbs09 · 04-13-2018, 11:04 AM

Yes, everyone's car is equipped with turbos, and they all make a little noise. Don't switch out your intake, it will only get louder.

fackamato · 04-15-2018, 12:51 AM

I don't have that noise in my car.

coagulase · 04-15-2018, 11:49 AM

I think OP is referring to the low-frequency drone sound, not the turbo whistle. This was discussed here.
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ighlight=drone

fwrigley · 04-15-2018, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coagulase

I think OP is referring to the low-frequency drone sound, not the turbo whistle. This was discussed here.
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ighlight=drone

Not sure. He stated it only occurs when on the accelerator, which to me would be consistent with turbo spool sounds. That other thread is for a low frequency sound in a certain speed range. Also, whistle sounds aren't low frequency.

BlatantMaple854 · 04-15-2018, 01:08 PM

To be clear, I understand and know the turbo spoiling sound. Especially when heavy on the gas in sport/sport plus. This is very very light throttle application on the highway just feathering the throttle. Should there be a constant high pitched whistle under those circumstances?

YasMarinaBlue · 05-08-2020, 07:05 PM

I have this same problem. Did you ever get it fixed? The dealer said it is the rear differential but that it is a characteristic of the car....

Ropes · 05-09-2020, 08:41 PM

The light throttle application will cause the high pitched whistle sound at freeway speed. An intake will exacerbate the sound. Change your pace on the freeway and the noise will decrease.

YasMarinaBlue · 05-09-2020, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropes

The light throttle application will cause the high pitched whistle sound at freeway speed. An intake will exacerbate the sound. Change your pace on the freeway and the noise will decrease.

No highway pace does not matter. The sound starts after the engine passes 2000 rpms. You can hear it until about 4000rpms. At that point, the motor is clouding it out but it is still there. The problem is that I normally set my cruise at between 70 and 75. This is the worse range for the sound. The car is really not enjoyable to drive. I have to turn the music up really loud to cover up the noise because of its high pitch. Again, the dealer said it is the differential but said that it is normal. No way would BMW design the car to make this noise. It is maddening if you are just cruising on a long drive.

gunsmoker · 05-24-2020, 04:45 PM

Sounds like a transmission bearing to me.

White340 · 05-24-2020, 04:59 PM

SCH for sure

YasMarinaBlue · 06-09-2020, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White340

SCH for sure

What does SCH stand for?

YasMarinaBlue · 06-09-2020, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropes

The light throttle application will cause the high pitched whistle sound at freeway speed. An intake will exacerbate the sound. Change your pace on the freeway and the noise will decrease.

The pace doesn't really matter. As I go faster the engine noise eventually drowns out the whistle but it is still there. You can even hear it (although much less pronounced) when not on the throttle.

StannisBaratheon · 08-22-2020, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YasMarinaBlue

The pace doesn't really matter. As I go faster the engine noise eventually drowns out the whistle but it is still there. You can even hear it (although much less pronounced) when not on the throttle.

Did you ever figure this out? I’ve been experiencing the same issue on my 2016 340ix and it’s driving me crazy.

endar · 03-11-2022, 12:23 PM

I have same issue with my f30 2014 328d xdrive.
When i am in highway and keep my acceleration paddle constant from 90-99km/h i hear whistle (as wind) coming from right front part (at least i here from there). Any idea what it may be. I have been in many places to check but no one can say for sure what is.

Thegreatest20 · 03-13-2022, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corbs09

Yes, everyone's car is equipped with turbos, and they all make a little noise. Don't switch out your intake, it will only get louder.

I swapped my stocks for AFE momentum. Big increase in power but the whistle is loud but at lower speed very raspy (sounds like flem in your throat). Will a catback help with this?

NaptownBimmer · 05-31-2023, 12:07 PM

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. OP did you ever figure out the noise?

RFxGh0st · 05-31-2023, 01:55 PM

had a very similar noise on my f82 m4 it ended up being the top trim piece where the top of door meets the roof had come unclipped just enoguh it was hard to see but enough i got a bad whistle sound at higher speeds i pushed it and clipped it back in and no issues ever since.

04-12-2018, 08:06 PM	#1
BlatantMaple854 Private 28 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2017 f80 M3 ZCP DCT Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Annoying Whistle Noise at Highway Speed (w/video) Hey everyone, My 2017 DCT f80 M3 is coming up on 7,000 miles now and ever since day one I’ve had this annoying high pitched whistle noise at highway speeds. I hear it only when on the accelerator. I can take my foot off the gas and maintain a constant speed and it stops. But, as soon as I get back on the accelerator the noise starts again. Is this normal? If not, I’m planning a trip to the dealer soon. Is there anything I should have them check out? Take a look at the video below and let me know what y’all think?
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04-12-2018, 11:33 PM	#2
fwrigley Private 7 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3cs Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Turbo bro
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04-13-2018, 11:04 AM	#4
corbs09 Lieutenant 354 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 09 335i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Dallas iTrader: (1)	Yes, everyone's car is equipped with turbos, and they all make a little noise. Don't switch out your intake, it will only get louder.
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04-15-2018, 12:51 AM	#5
fackamato Second Lieutenant 67 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Comp Join Date: May 2014 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [0.00]	I don't have that noise in my car.
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04-15-2018, 11:49 AM	#6
coagulase Enlisted Member 11 Rep 30 Posts Drives: F80 AY MY17 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I think OP is referring to the low-frequency drone sound, not the turbo whistle. This was discussed here. http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ighlight=drone
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04-15-2018, 01:08 PM	#8
BlatantMaple854 Private 28 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2017 f80 M3 ZCP DCT Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	To be clear, I understand and know the turbo spoiling sound. Especially when heavy on the gas in sport/sport plus. This is very very light throttle application on the highway just feathering the throttle. Should there be a constant high pitched whistle under those circumstances?
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05-08-2020, 07:05 PM	#9
YasMarinaBlue New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2017 bmw m4 Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Birmingham, al iTrader: (0)	Same Whine Noise I have this same problem. Did you ever get it fixed? The dealer said it is the rear differential but that it is a characteristic of the car....
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05-09-2020, 08:41 PM	#10
Ropes First Lieutenant 222 Rep 319 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 CS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	The light throttle application will cause the high pitched whistle sound at freeway speed. An intake will exacerbate the sound. Change your pace on the freeway and the noise will decrease.
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05-24-2020, 04:45 PM	#12
gunsmoker Second Lieutenant 282 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Mansfield, MA iTrader: (1)	Sounds like a transmission bearing to me.
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05-24-2020, 04:59 PM	#13
White340 Lieutenant Colonel 1392 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Comp / 2022 X5 45e Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	SCH for sure __________________ 2022 X5 45e : AW/Tartufo 2018 M3 Competition : AW/SO 2016 340i xDrive : AW/CR (sold)
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03-11-2022, 12:23 PM	#17
endar Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: f30 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Albania iTrader: (0)	Whistle sound I have same issue with my f30 2014 328d xdrive. When i am in highway and keep my acceleration paddle constant from 90-99km/h i hear whistle (as wind) coming from right front part (at least i here from there). Any idea what it may be. I have been in many places to check but no one can say for sure what is.
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05-31-2023, 12:07 PM	#19
NaptownBimmer New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: May 2023 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Sorry to resurrect an old thread. OP did you ever figure out the noise?
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05-31-2023, 01:55 PM	#20
RFxGh0st New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2017 F82 M4 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Abbotsford BC iTrader: (0)	had a very similar noise on my f82 m4 it ended up being the top trim piece where the top of door meets the roof had come unclipped just enoguh it was hard to see but enough i got a bad whistle sound at higher speeds i pushed it and clipped it back in and no issues ever since.
	Appreciate 0 Quote