BMW E85 Auto, 2004 Humming noise while driving

Keyper

Keyper

Member
 Dumfries, Scotland
HI Guys

I've had an issue with my Zed for some time now, relating to a humming noise that is constant at speed, its been in the garage twice with no joy.

The sound is like a worn wheel bearing that is constant even if you are doing 60mph and pop the auto gear box in to "N" the noise does not change, also moving the steering wheel to rotate pressue on the wheel bearings does nothing to the noise.

anyone know of any such issues that could point me in the right direction, just now the garage suggests to keep going until its gets to a point we can find the problem, but its so annoying :headbang:
 
Funny enough, I have mini countryman and it does the same, sounds like a rear wheel bearing, been checked under warranty and BMW found nothing, also a friend of mine has a 2013 3 series and his is the same and he has had it checked with the same result, I know this doesn't help but it seems to be a common problem.
 
I had this problem with my coupe and also thought it was a wheel bearing. Got it changed but it didn't help.
My humming sound used to come on at about 50 and was quite resonatant and annoying.
Believe it or not it turned out to be the front wheel alignment. The front wheels were "toe in" and the inside of the front tyres had been lunched.
Maybe check the inside of your front tyres to see if they are wearing evenly and if you find they are not maybe a front wheel alignment may help.
After getting new front tyres and having a wheel alignment the humming sound completely went away.
Hope that might be of some help.
 
Zeld4, interesting info thanks; I'm getting a similar wheel-bearing like noise also at about 50mph (it's not loud so hasn't really bothered me) . I was going to have the alignment checked anyway as I noticed the n/s strut top bolts are not in the usual place, but I'll do it sooner now :thumbsup:
 
It's definitely worth checking first as it's easy and relatively cheap to do. From what you say the sound you have is very similar to mine and a wheel baring would rumble or squeal and not cause a resonant hum.
 
Keyper said:
...doing 60mph and pop the auto gear box in to "N"
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Sorry for going off topic, but I would strongly advise against putting your car into N while driving along.
 
Stratts said:
Keyper said:
...doing 60mph and pop the auto gear box in to "N"
Click to expand...

Sorry for going off topic, but I would strongly advise against putting your car into N while driving along.
Click to expand...


that is a very good point and to be honest and maybe does need a discussion on, but with in drive mode and popping into "N' and then back into "D" mode (coasting down a hill for fuel saving lol) causes no problems for me that i know of, smooth changes.
 
you know guys that rings a bell with me on my wifes car, it was not the aligment though it was the tyres, once i replaced the tyres the noise went away

I wonder if that is the problem?
 
I think the earlier poster Zeld4 meant that the alignment had caused uneven tyre wear which was the source of the noise. So yes coudl well be, and easy/cheap to check. If the tyres are lunched then a perfect opportunity for a wheel /tyre package upgrade... :D

Could also be the diff.
 
A1GSS said:
I think the earlier poster Zeld4 meant that the alignment had caused uneven tyre wear which was the source of the noise. So yes coudl well be, and easy/cheap to check. If the tyres are lunched then a perfect opportunity for a wheel /tyre package upgrade... :D

Could also be the diff.
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A Diff? i hope not :thumbsdown: but that was my first thought also, i don't know much about the Diff is it easily stripped down and easy to aqquire parts for them

I bet its a bearing in the Diff, if thats the case how long before it gives up the ghost?
 
Well I'd check the alignment and tyres first (and wheel bearings all round if not already done).

Diff check (play, noise, leaks, seals, ancient oil) should be quick to do on a 4 post ramp for a local indie. No idea about complexity or cost of change, sorry
 
My E46 had a noisy diff, and it didn't sound like this, the diff noise was a much lower pitch and audible at all speeds, this is just around the 50mph mark and higher pitched (& quieter). That said, a change of the diff oil in the E46 cured it and it wasn't expensive at my local indie... so it would be worth a check I guess :)
 
I was surprised by the noise of a wheel bearing on my previous Zed - sounded a bit like a hum rather than the usual noise . . . . .

Wheel bearing replaced and all was well - I took mine to a specialist independent and he diagnosed the noise immediately.

(I hadn't had the Zed long and I was worried it might be the diff - but no. :thumbsup:

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
Cheap tyres can cause a droning noise after about 1000 miles from new. As others have said, get the tracking tested.
Hope you get it sorted otherwise it ruins your enjoyment!
 
dhobbs said:
Cheap tyres can cause a droning noise after about 1000 miles from new. As others have said, get the tracking tested.
Hope you get it sorted otherwise it ruins your enjoyment!
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Cheers for the comments :thumbsup: your right though its a pain.
 
Well she does look good in the workshop getting the wheel alignment checked, however she was straight as a line and no adjustment needed, after some good research online, i so have a bad feeling its the Diff

 
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