Anyone noticed...

[1SerieStud]

...how noisy our cars can be? And I don't mean exhaust or engine noise...I typically drive with the window down, but recently during a drive with the windows up, I noticed how while in gear, if I let off the gas I hear and feel a thump coming from underneath me. Also, while still in gear, if I press the gas again, I hear and feel another thump right before the car starts to accelerate forward. This is regardless of the gear or speed, but I noticed it is most obvious while cruising between 60-80 mph in 6th gear.

After much reading, it appears that all this is normal and even specified in the owner's manual, but these cars are so rare that it's difficult to find another to compare.

Some say the "thumping" has to do with the dual-mass flywheel, the LSD, or a combination of both, and that the noise is caused by torque reversal.

There is also the common flywheel chatter that occurs while pressing the clutch in at low rpms/speeds.

Just out of curiosity, is every owner experiencing all these? I was able to meet with another 1M owner local to me, and we verified that both of our cars behave very similarly.

[rapter]

All is normal and beautiful

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by rapter

All is normal and beautiful

Certainly...I made it a task to compare to another 1M and an e92 m3. Surprisingly even though they both use the same LSD, the thumping is more pronounced on the 1M...the m3 seems much more tamed in terms of mechanical noises...maybe more insulation, different dual mass flywheel, or maybe less torque is exerted right away and therefore less abrupt?

[Fundahl]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

Certainly...I made it a task to compare to another 1M and an e92 m3. Surprisingly even though they both use the same LSD, the thumping is more pronounced on the 1M...the m3 seems much more tamed in terms of mechanical noises...maybe more insulation, different dual mass flywheel, or maybe less torque is exerted right away and therefore less abrupt?

Less torque, more sound insulation and more weight are probably the main differences causing the change.

I get the thump in my 1M too.

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by Fundahl

Less torque, more sound insulation and more weight are probably the main differences causing the change.

I get the thump in my 1M too.

Do you experience it both ways also? IE: when you let off the gas and let it coast (still in gear) and then when you step on the gas again?

[Chill]

Coming from 6 yrs in a STi, this 1M is tight, quiet and rattle free. I do get some thumps and drivetrain sounds that are unique to a real sports car but compared to my STi its a whole other level. That car makes some crazy noises!!

[Amnizu]

Originally Posted by Chill

Coming from 6 yrs in a STi, this 1M is tight, quiet and rattle free. I do get some thumps and drivetrain sounds that are unique to a real sports car but compared to my STi its a whole other level. That car makes some crazy noises!!

I was going to post something similar to this. The drive train / transmission whine and differential clunk in my WRX is horrible, not to mention the road noise.

[M3Sweet]

Just had the 1M on the racetrack... 1M is significantly quieter and smoother than my E46 M3 !!!

[Fundahl]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

Do you experience it both ways also? IE: when you let off the gas and let it coast (still in gear) and then when you step on the gas again?

Yep, I believe it is from the LSD and tight drive-train. I'm at about 9,000 miles right now.

Most noticeable in 5th around 70mph with light inputs.

[Ky1M]

Yes to the clunks ,plus I have a passenger door panel rattle driving me to large amounts of radio UP!

[b33g33]

The only thing that really bothers me is the occasional 'ticking' noise coming from the Nav cowling when the radio is off.

[nachob]

If you read the manual, the noise is normal probably due to the "high performance V8. : )

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by nachob

If you read the manual, the noise is normal probably due to the "high performance V8. : )

The funny thing is that the car with the actual v8 is quieter than the one with the i6 when it comes to the mechanical sounds

[///M1]

Coming from a 135i, I did find the 1M a lot more 'noisy'. Certainly due to less packaging and soundproof material (for example my 135i, though not all apparently, had padding under the hood). I believe it was officially mentioned to save weight BMW reduced the soundproofing material. Of course the stock exhaust drone didn't help either...

The 'thump' was a big surprise for me as I didn't have that sensation in the 135i. Considering I did ED, I was left scratching my head if indeed all this is normal, and having gone through 5 countries and dealers that had yet to see this car, I couldn't get reassurance all is as it should be. I am used to it now (as well as the clutch chatter under low RPMs, though that improved slightly with the CDV, and changing the tranny fluid).

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Coming from a 135i, I did find the 1M a lot more 'noisy'. Certainly due to less packaging and soundproof material (for example my 135i, though not all apparently, had padding under the hood). I believe it was officially mentioned to save weight BMW reduced the soundproofing material. Of course the stock exhaust drone didn't help either...

The 'thump' was a big surprise for me as I didn't have that sensation in the 135i. Considering I did ED, I was left scratching my head if indeed all this is normal, and having gone through 5 countries and dealers that had yet to see this car, I couldn't get reassurance all is as it should be. I am used to it now (as well as the clutch chatter under low RPMs, though that improved slightly with the CDV, and changing the tranny fluid).

Precisely my point and reason for this thread ... It's just very difficult to find examples of this car to compare.

But the fact that it performs so well eliminates all possible doubts...however, reassurance helps get over the "what if" feeling

[flzrider]

Same clunks and noises here. The drivetrain clunk is especially pronounced during the 1st couple shifts when the car is cold/just started.

Anyone know what driveline component is actually responsible for the noises? Manual is pretty vague.

[rogbmw]

I too notice the sounds. I think the "clunk" seems to be coming from the rear diff - mainly when I do not quite match revs with car speed when shifting. But, when ever I shift correctly and smoothly the clunk goes away!

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by rogbmw

I too notice the sounds. I think the "clunk" seems to be coming from the rear diff - mainly when I do not quite match revs with car speed when shifting. But, when ever I shift correctly and smoothly the clunk goes away!

I've heard those too...the ones I described are mainly while in gear - no shifting involved. In terms of shifting, I noticed that unless clutch release is very slow or no spirited driving is taking place, it will almost always clunk. It all has to do with momentum and positioning of mechanical parts at the time of engagement/disengagement...which we have no control over