Odd whine on acceleration N51

Run Silent · 12-04-2017, 08:43 AM

So I'm new to BMW, bear with me please. Searched the forums but didn't see anything similar.

During acceleration, particularly under light acceleration, there is a noticeable whine that increases with engine speed. Will also occur with vehicle stationary and in neutral. It sounds a lot like a bad transmission whine or the whine power steering makes if going bad. The catch is that this is a manual transmission car, so it can't be the tranny, plus it happens in neutral too.

I took it to the dealer, and they said that it is normal and nothing to be worried about. But it still doesn't seem normal to me. One of the reasons I got this car was the amazing sound that straight six makes, but I'm having a hard time enjoying it due to the whine.

Anyone have any ideas? Not sure what I should do.

For reference, the car is a 2013 E93 328i N51 SULEV manual transmission with 36k miles.

N54_e90 · 12-04-2017, 10:38 AM

100% normal. That is just the gearbox. I have an auto and it was the first thing I noticed when I bought the car. Also sketched about it and took into to my indy and said it is normal.

Nothing to worry about, you'll get used to the noise

rjahl · 12-04-2017, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazythedon

100% normal. That is just the gearbox. I have an auto and it was the first thing I noticed when I bought the car. Also sketched about it and took into to my indy and said it is normal.

Nothing to worry about, you'll get used to the noise

Look at the overrun clutch on the alternator and the serpentine belt. At one time I saved some money and bought a belt from a "box" store and it sounded like I had a supercharger under the hood. Belt tensioner pulleys can make noise as well.

You can pull the belt and start the car, see if the noise goes away. Water pump is electric and depending on your car, the power steering might be as well. I could drive to the store and back without a belt. Just don't think the tiny battery in the trunk would last that long. LOL

3002 tii · 12-04-2017, 12:38 PM

Could be worn out belts. I did mine at around 65k, 36000 seems early so probably something else.

atmosphericM · 12-04-2017, 03:37 PM

My 2013 N51 MT does this as well. I wouldn't worry about it.

atmosphericM · 12-05-2017, 10:30 AM

Honestly you will get used to it and not notice any more. It's weird, my engine seemed quieter at first and all I really heard was the whine. Now I notice my engine more and notice the whine less. If it really bothers you, the BMW Performance Exhaust masks it nicely.

N54_e90 · 12-06-2017, 12:41 PM

Do you have a video of the noise? Maybe yours is different and a bit louder?

I have a res + muffler delete so I barely hear anything except that beautiful inline 6 rumble

atmosphericM · 12-06-2017, 11:11 PM

Honestly, you'll hear the engine in stock form as long as you get on it a bit. Mine whines pretty loudly, but only when I'm puttering around (did I just make up a word?), shifting at 2500 RPM or so and using light throttle (how I normally drive lol).

12-04-2017, 08:43 AM	#1
Run Silent Run Deep 15127 Rep 4,123 Posts Drives: Back and Forth To Work Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: The Mountains iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Alfa Romeo Giu ... [0.00] 2022 Ford Bronco 2d ... [0.00] 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C [8.50] 2019 BMW i8 Roadster [0.00]	Odd whine on acceleration N51 So I'm new to BMW, bear with me please. Searched the forums but didn't see anything similar. During acceleration, particularly under light acceleration, there is a noticeable whine that increases with engine speed. Will also occur with vehicle stationary and in neutral. It sounds a lot like a bad transmission whine or the whine power steering makes if going bad. The catch is that this is a manual transmission car, so it can't be the tranny, plus it happens in neutral too. I took it to the dealer, and they said that it is normal and nothing to be worried about. But it still doesn't seem normal to me. One of the reasons I got this car was the amazing sound that straight six makes, but I'm having a hard time enjoying it due to the whine. Anyone have any ideas? Not sure what I should do. For reference, the car is a 2013 E93 328i N51 SULEV manual transmission with 36k miles. __________________ *Don't sweat petty things....or pet sweaty things.*
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12-04-2017, 10:38 AM	#2
N54_e90 Don 46 Rep 299 Posts Drives: '09 E90 335xi Family Sedan Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Your Mother's House iTrader: (0)	100% normal. That is just the gearbox. I have an auto and it was the first thing I noticed when I bought the car. Also sketched about it and took into to my indy and said it is normal. Nothing to worry about, you'll get used to the noise
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12-04-2017, 12:38 PM	#4
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Could be worn out belts. I did mine at around 65k, 36000 seems early so probably something else.
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12-04-2017, 03:37 PM	#5
atmosphericM Basic Bimmer 518 Rep 935 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT ///M Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: B'ham iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i Coupé ... [10.00]	My 2013 N51 MT does this as well. I wouldn't worry about it.
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12-05-2017, 10:30 AM	#6
atmosphericM Basic Bimmer 518 Rep 935 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT ///M Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: B'ham iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i Coupé ... [10.00]	Honestly you will get used to it and not notice any more. It's weird, my engine seemed quieter at first and all I really heard was the whine. Now I notice my engine more and notice the whine less. If it really bothers you, the BMW Performance Exhaust masks it nicely.
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12-06-2017, 12:41 PM	#7
N54_e90 Don 46 Rep 299 Posts Drives: '09 E90 335xi Family Sedan Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Your Mother's House iTrader: (0)	Do you have a video of the noise? Maybe yours is different and a bit louder? I have a res + muffler delete so I barely hear anything except that beautiful inline 6 rumble
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12-06-2017, 11:11 PM	#8
atmosphericM Basic Bimmer 518 Rep 935 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT ///M Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: B'ham iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i Coupé ... [10.00]	Honestly, you'll hear the engine in stock form as long as you get on it a bit. Mine whines pretty loudly, but only when I'm puttering around (did I just make up a word?), shifting at 2500 RPM or so and using light throttle (how I normally drive lol).
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