M40i growling from front at speed

ga9213 · 06-27-2020, 02:49 PM

Hello, just picked up a certified M40i yesterday and loving the car.

I test drove a new(ish) M40i (7k miles on it) before I picked up mine which has 30k miles on it.

I didn't note any unusual noises with that vehicle but with mine there is a subtle growling that sounds like bearing noise at the front of the car, that is wheel speed dependent and not engine RPM dependent.

I can put the car in neutal and coast and the growling is present until I get around 10mph or so and then it becomes unnoticeable. No difference if driving straight, turning, etc.

The tires are relatively new and matching with no abnormal wear and the noise is only present in front so I don't suspect tires. Plus the noise is consistent over different asphalt surfaces.

Is this subtle growling something you all are familiar with, or is it characteristic? I could take it to the dealership for review but I'd hate to waste someone's time if it's characteristic.

Thank you in advance!

BMWZ4 · 06-27-2020, 03:03 PM

Sounds like a wheel bearing to me, but I'm not a technician. When my front bearing went, it sounded like I had big knobby snow tires on and the intensity of the sound was speed related

ga9213 · 06-27-2020, 05:12 PM

I'm starting to think the same. It's not consistent and a bit crunchy/metallic. Seems to get worse as it gets hotter.

I'll bring it by the dealer, thank you!

ga9213 · 06-28-2020, 03:16 PM

Took it on more road surfaces including very new smooth black asphalt and now I think it is the tires. Noise nearly went away on the new asphalt.

BMWZ4 · 06-28-2020, 04:18 PM

Hmm, possible if the mileage is 30k especially if they're runflats.

ga9213 · 06-28-2020, 08:43 PM

yeah they are the bridgestone 19" RFT. Last owner put new ones on about 7k miles ago. The one I test drove had the 21" wheels and tires so not a like for like and could be the explanation for the difference.

garz747 · 06-29-2020, 08:43 PM

I have the exact issue you are describing. Sounds like winter tires on the front end . I'm only at 9000kms but it is super noticeable between 20 -70 kms/ hr. 19 inch Bridgestones square setup...

ga9213 · 06-29-2020, 08:51 PM

I recall having RTFs on a ZHP that I also thought were bearings....making a whomp whomp whomp noise. Replaced bearings and it was still there and instead it was something in the tire that made the noise.

Fairly sure now after a couple days it's just the tires. Can hear all the road imperfections echoing in the tires. Noisy and wobbly junk tires.

06-27-2020, 02:49 PM	#1
ga9213 Lieutenant 365 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Olathe, KS iTrader: (0)	M40i growling from front at speed Hello, just picked up a certified M40i yesterday and loving the car. I test drove a new(ish) M40i (7k miles on it) before I picked up mine which has 30k miles on it. I didn't note any unusual noises with that vehicle but with mine there is a subtle growling that sounds like bearing noise at the front of the car, that is wheel speed dependent and not engine RPM dependent. I can put the car in neutal and coast and the growling is present until I get around 10mph or so and then it becomes unnoticeable. No difference if driving straight, turning, etc. The tires are relatively new and matching with no abnormal wear and the noise is only present in front so I don't suspect tires. Plus the noise is consistent over different asphalt surfaces. Is this subtle growling something you all are familiar with, or is it characteristic? I could take it to the dealership for review but I'd hate to waste someone's time if it's characteristic. Thank you in advance!
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06-27-2020, 03:03 PM	#2
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,105 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Sounds like a wheel bearing to me, but I'm not a technician. When my front bearing went, it sounded like I had big knobby snow tires on and the intensity of the sound was speed related __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-27-2020, 05:12 PM	#3
ga9213 Lieutenant 365 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Olathe, KS iTrader: (0)	I'm starting to think the same. It's not consistent and a bit crunchy/metallic. Seems to get worse as it gets hotter. I'll bring it by the dealer, thank you!
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06-28-2020, 03:16 PM	#4
ga9213 Lieutenant 365 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Olathe, KS iTrader: (0)	Took it on more road surfaces including very new smooth black asphalt and now I think it is the tires. Noise nearly went away on the new asphalt.
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06-28-2020, 04:18 PM	#5
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,105 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Hmm, possible if the mileage is 30k especially if they're runflats. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-28-2020, 08:43 PM	#6
ga9213 Lieutenant 365 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Olathe, KS iTrader: (0)	yeah they are the bridgestone 19" RFT. Last owner put new ones on about 7k miles ago. The one I test drove had the 21" wheels and tires so not a like for like and could be the explanation for the difference.
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06-29-2020, 08:43 PM	#7
garz747 Captain 286 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC 01 330i 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I have the exact issue you are describing. Sounds like winter tires on the front end . I'm only at 9000kms but it is super noticeable between 20 -70 kms/ hr. 19 inch Bridgestones square setup...
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06-29-2020, 08:51 PM	#8
ga9213 Lieutenant 365 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Olathe, KS iTrader: (0)	I recall having RTFs on a ZHP that I also thought were bearings....making a whomp whomp whomp noise. Replaced bearings and it was still there and instead it was something in the tire that made the noise. Fairly sure now after a couple days it's just the tires. Can hear all the road imperfections echoing in the tires. Noisy and wobbly junk tires.
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