[Bobo32]

Hello fellow bimmers.

Over the last few months I noticed a squeal after I start my 2015 F30 N55 (xdrive). The squeal only happens after I start driving and at low RPMs. Once I'm at higher RPMs it goes away.

It occurs after cold starts (but not after every cold start). I park in an underground heat parkade so it's not left out in the cold often.

I have 58,000 kms on the bimmer with extended warranty until 2022. The closest dealer is a 4 hour drive so I would like to see if anyone here can help me troubleshoot. I'm suspecting the serpentine belt and tensioner but I'm not sure.

Here is a link to the recording:

Thanks everyone for your help and if I could answer more questions, please let me know.

EDIT: This is the M Performance Edition of the car with M Performance Brembo Brakes (blue calliper).

[bimmer456]

Sounds like brakes. 4 hour drive, where do you live? They will give you a loaner.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Sounds like brakes. 4 hour drive, where do you live? They will give you a loaner.

Appreciate the input! I checked my brakes a few months ago and they still had meat on them. I'll have to do another check, maybe tonight.

And I live in a very northern region in Canada which is why it would take me 4 hours to drive to a dealership. Also if it's brakes, I can just do them myself.

[bimmer456]

Maybe it's brake dust.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Maybe it's brake dust.

This doesn't happen when I'm braking by the way, that's why I was thinking it's the belt.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Bobo32

This doesn't happen when I'm braking by the way, that's why I was thinking it's the belt.

Definitely sounds like brakes to me, most likely the parking brake. Have you tried gently using the handbrake (on and off) to see if it changes?

Probably corrosion in the drums.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Definitely sounds like brakes to me, most likely the parking brake. Have you tried gently using the handbrake (on and off) to see if it changes?

Probably corrosion in the drums.

Hmmm interesting. I use my parking brake every time I park. So it definitely doesn't sit stagnant.

[Wires]

That's not a belt sound, definitely brakes.

I'm betting they are packed in with brake dust and are dragging for the first bit. You can try going to the car wash and spraying out the calipers.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by Wires

That's not a belt sound, definitely brakes.

I'm betting they are packed in with brake dust and are dragging for the first bit. You can try going to the car wash and spraying out the calipers.

Thanks for that. Will definitely try to spray them down. I will edit the post to mention that it's an M Performance Edition with the M Performance Brembo brakes.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Bobo32

This doesn't happen when I'm braking by the way, that's why I was thinking it's the belt.

Sometimes it can make a sound even when you're not braking

[Wires]

Originally Posted by Bobo32

Thanks for that. Will definitely try to spray them down. I will edit the post to mention that it's an M Performance Edition with the M Performance Brembo brakes.

Mine squealed like a mo-fo right from new (1500km) with that brake setup. For me it was the rear pads would build up with brake dust, the calipers weren't lubed, so they drag when light braking.

I'd also try doing some highway speed to stop hard braking. It should loosen them up as well as wear off any rust that might be building on the rotors from the current weather. Sometimes it's just rust on the rotors scuffing the pads until you brake to wear it off.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Sometimes it can make a sound even when you're not braking

Thanks! Appreciate the input!

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by Wires

Mine squealed like a mo-fo right from new (1500km) with that brake setup. For me it was the rear pads would build up with brake dust, the calipers weren't lubed, so they drag when light braking.

I'd also try doing some highway speed to stop hard braking. It should loosen them up as well as wear off any rust that might be building on the rotors from the current weather. Sometimes it's just rust on the rotors scuffing the pads until you brake to wear it off.

Will do - thanks a lot for the input! Appreciate it.

[Wires]

Tip for you: If the cleaning and hard braking "fixes" it, and it comes back., you just need to do the copper lube on the contact areas of where the pads touch the calipers. I had replaced my OEM pads due to dust and squeal for EBC, and that was in the package. 40,000km later, no noise, nothing.

[Shred Sled]

I had a similar sound when I would release the parking brake. Sounded like it wasn't completely disengaging. Dealer cleaned the shoes, springs, hold downs and put brake pad paste on the contact points. That was about 5K miles ago. Haven't had the sound reoccur since.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by Wires

Tip for you: If the cleaning and hard braking "fixes" it, and it comes back., you just need to do the copper lube on the contact areas of where the pads touch the calipers. I had replaced my OEM pads due to dust and squeal for EBC, and that was in the package. 40,000km later, no noise, nothing.

Thanks! I'll definitely do that on my next brake pad change.

[Bobo32]

Originally Posted by Shred Sled

I had a similar sound when I would release the parking brake. Sounded like it wasn't completely disengaging. Dealer cleaned the shoes, springs, hold downs and put brake pad paste on the contact points. That was about 5K miles ago. Haven't had the sound reoccur since.

Awesome thanks for the response!