[nikneo]

I've noticed this a few times. It doesn't always happen but when it does, its within the first 5 minutes after starting the car and disappears after. Its this really high pitched (not loud, its just really high pitched and audible) sound/whine that appears to be coming from... behind the dashboard is my best guess. And in the 5 minutes that it lasts, its not continuous. Its comes and goes in bursts lasting about 10 seconds or so... Has anyone else experienced this? Its starting to annoy me. Oh and it doesn't matter if the car is moving or at a stop... tell me I'm not going crazy

Edit: meant to say high pitched sound in the title.. but cant edit it anymore

[Tooyoung00]

I think I have similar issue. For me, it usually happens when I press the gas semi-hard after starting the car for few minutes. Mine is pretty quiet. Sometimes I get confused thinking its a police siren.

[rallybull]

I have the same issue. But it happens about 1 in 10 times I drive the car. Very irritating. I wish there was a recall for this.

[claykin]

Had it happen one time so far. Same scenario. Moving or not moving. Turned off car and restarted and didn't recur. Hopefully never again.

[live4wknds]

What I hear are intermittent short and long beep tones instead of a continuous tone. Very high pitch. It's annoying for sure. Thankfully, they cease after a few minutes of driving. I've chalked it up to driving a computer system on 4 wheels, and for whatever reason, BMW was unable to silence the beeps. Just one of several 'quirks' I've come to accept. Still love my car!

[Fille]

I have noticed that when your engine is off, and the ignition/electronics are on. The AC unit can make noise that are a bit weird. Dunno why it does it but there's nothing wrong with it.

[nikneo]

well its a relief to know its not just me. All your symptoms line up with what I see as well. I'd take it in but the problem is not easily reproducible given it happens so sporadically. Maybe those of us who noticed it just have really sensitive hearing...

[itwasepic]

For the folks that have experienced this issue, what is your build date?

[nikneo]

early November 2012 for me

[claykin]

11/2012. BMWNA releasing new software for F30 cars early next week.

[The Economist]

Originally Posted by Tooyoung00

I think I have similar issue. For me, it usually happens when I press the gas semi-hard after starting the car for few minutes. Mine is pretty quiet. Sometimes I get confused thinking its a police siren.

Perfect description - I always think it's a police siren somewhere in the background. I've had another high compression forced induction petrol engine on another car (GTI) and there was a similar issue. I get this pretty much all the time. I think it has something to do with the turbo, but not sure exactly what... perhaps someone more technically minded can chime in?

I don't think it's an issue; just is what it is as far as I'm concerned.

[nikneo]

not sure if i'd relate the sound to a police siren - its much more high pitched and does not modulate the way a siren does. the rate at which the pitch increases is slow and steady (akin to those scenes in some movies where the villain turns on a device that causes people to clutch their ears in agony while glass shatters around them lol). I really doubt its the turbo.. turbo should be kicking in only at higher rpms - doesn't explain the increasing pitch... but that's just my thought

[SwnSng]

I was going to make a post of it the other day. This has happened abotu 2-3 times for me. Shutting off the engine never made it stop. It's more annoying than peircing.

January 2013 Build here.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by SwnSng

I was going to make a post of it the other day. This has happened abotu 2-3 times for me. Shutting off the engine never made it stop. It's more annoying than peircing.

January 2013 Build here.

You've got a manual trans so we can eliminate the transmission as the source. I've got the Sports Auto.

I say get your car updated after next week and see if they magically addressed something in software.

[kaujong]

I had my first high pitch 2 days ago - it started once I drove and stopped after 5 minutes. I read at the above comment that there's a software fix. Did the software fix it (for those who applied it)? Mine is June 2012 build.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by GR8DAY

I had my first high pitch 2 days ago - it started once I drove and stopped after 5 minutes. I read at the above comment that there's a software fix. Did the software fix it (for those who applied it)? Mine is June 2012 build.

Software update available mid next week at BMWNA dealers. No idea if it will fix this issue. I say worth a try.

[ft1338]

A ghost in the shell?

[AlexzZZ]

I have the same high pitch noise issue for a while, March 2012 build. Was thinking it only happen when engine start cold, but recently it starts to happen even in hot days...
Sports Auto here

[DrivenByE30]

I've been thinking about making the exact same thread, because i have been noticing the same "issue" on my 2012 335i Lux: .... usually during the first 5 mins drive after initial warm-up...

and i noticed that on the 2013 328i M-Sport loaner too !

[claykin]

BMW calls these "issues" no charge options.

[okjohnho]

Nov 2012 build here also...actually bringing my car in Tuesday for the issue. I hope the software update is available then?

[SwnSng]

Heard it again tonight. It was brief, about 3-4 secs this time. Longest was off and on for about 1 minute.