Exhaust Drone

M

Mundee

Member
Your thoughts please!

I am noticing on my 2011 30i that I get a fairly loud drone from the rear, especially when I sit at around 50 - 65 mph. It is there at other speeds but pretty quiet. Having searched the forum there are comments linked to a drone with the golf tee mod and/or aftermarket exhausts, but is this normal with a stock set up? Or any other reason I might be getting it (may not be exhaust)? The car drives totally fine otherwise and I have changed to MP4S from run flats.

Thanks in advance!
 
Does the 3.0i have an exhaust flap?
If your exhaust flap is stuck open, you can check that easily enough, start the car and look down the drivers side tailpipe with a torch and you should see it..
 
I believe it does, but just has the dual tailpipe on the passenger side.

Thanks, I’ll check it tomorrow. How far down the exhaust is the flap? Assuming it’s fairly obvious?
 
Mundee said:
I believe it does, but just has the dual tailpipe on the passenger side.

Thanks, I’ll check it tomorrow. How far down the exhaust is the flap? Assuming it’s fairly obvious?
Click to expand...

I don’t think the 30i has an exhaust flap.
Rob
 
Are you sure it’s not always been the same, but is now audible since ditching the runflats?

After I changed my tyres I heard a noise and for a few seconds didn’t know what it was until I realised it was the exhaust, so the old tyres must’ve made enough road noise to drown it out.
 
I’ve only had the car two weeks and only on the new tyres a week. First decent journey was today so noticed the drone.

It may just be the exhaust but seems very specifically around 50 - 60 mph/ 2750 rpm in 6th so wondered if it was common or a sign of something else. It doesn’t feel like anything sinister but someone on here usually knows what’s what!
 
Mundee said:
I’ve only had the car two weeks and only on the new tyres a week. First decent journey was today so noticed the drone.

It may just be the exhaust but seems very specifically around 50 - 60 mph/ 2750 rpm in 6th so wondered if it was common or a sign of something else. It doesn’t feel like anything sinister but someone on here usually knows what’s what!
Click to expand...

My previous 30i didn’t drone to any noticeable extent.
Rob
 
Usually 50/60 is when tyres show up as out of balance, might only be out by a little bit (not enough to feel any vibration) - tyres sometimes need to bed in a bit.

I got rid of those run flats and noticed that thd exhaust was noisier (in a good way)
 
Mundee said:
Your thoughts please!

I am noticing on my 2011 30i that I get a fairly loud drone from the rear, especially when I sit at around 50 - 65 mph. It is there at other speeds but pretty quiet. Having searched the forum there are comments linked to a drone with the golf tee mod and/or aftermarket exhausts, but is this normal with a stock set up? Or any other reason I might be getting it (may not be exhaust)? The car drives totally fine otherwise and I have changed to MP4S from run flats.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Did you notice it before the switch of tyres ? When i bought your 35is with PS4S on the minute i hit 55/60mph on my drive home the noise was noticeable to the point i had to put the roof up , this helped but only changing the tyres cured the problem .
Wasn't just me either , on first outing with Mrs W as we headed down slip road onto Mway ( roof up) she said to me " is it supposed to sound like that " :P
 
mr wilks said:
Mundee said:
Your thoughts please!

I am noticing on my 2011 30i that I get a fairly loud drone from the rear, especially when I sit at around 50 - 65 mph. It is there at other speeds but pretty quiet. Having searched the forum there are comments linked to a drone with the golf tee mod and/or aftermarket exhausts, but is this normal with a stock set up? Or any other reason I might be getting it (may not be exhaust)? The car drives totally fine otherwise and I have changed to MP4S from run flats.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Did you notice it before the switch of tyres ? When i bought your 35is with PS4S on the minute i hit 55/60mph on my drive home the noise was noticeable to the point i had to put the roof up , this helped but only changing the tyres cured the problem .
Wasn't just me either , on first outing with Mrs W as we headed down slip road onto Mway ( roof up) she said to me " is it supposed to sound like that " :P
Click to expand...

Misread that at first and thought you hadn’t realised it was my 35is!

That would make sense though as it sounds like exactly the same thing. I didn’t notice it on the 35is but didn’t do a lot of motorway driving which is pretty much the only place I heard it today.

It’s not bad enough that I’d need to change it, just satisfying myself that’s it’s not an issue!

Anyone else noticed this with PS4S?
 
Jasonn said:
Usually 50/60 is when tyres show up as out of balance, might only be out by a little bit (not enough to feel any vibration) - tyres sometimes need to bed in a bit.

I got rid of those run flats and noticed that thd exhaust was noisier (in a good way)
Click to expand...

Yeah could be as the tyres are brand new, may subside after a few miles. Starting to think it’s tyre related based on comments. It also seems speed rather than RPM related which would support the tyre theory.

The only thing is it gets quieter once you pass 65 which I wouldn’t necessarily expect if it was the tyres.

Andy...... did the noise on the 35is peak around 60mph or continue to drone beyond that?
 
I'm even more inclined to think tyres now as it stops after 65 - I had a capri years ago when the wheel balance was very slightly off off I had exactly the same noise and minor vibration at 55/60 which went at 65/70. I'd leave it a couple of hundred miles and if its still there go somewhere else for a balance.

I also had a really bad shudder on a fast A road immediately after having two new tyres fitted to my old jag - fitter had only tightened the nuts finger tight!
 
Problem with tyres we read recommendation then year later the manufacturer changes the tyre spec.
Look at Goodyears, gone up to Asymmetric 5 now, why.
I'm finding the half worn 3's on my car seem a bit noisy now, the 2's were great.
I can see wear rate has improved so must be harder rubber and they have slipped a few times on acceleration which 2's never did.

I wonder if the MPS going same route, harder, more fuel efficient but noisy.
And of course the surface driven over makes a difference.
No reviewers ever compare new and part worns.
 
Mundee said:
passenger
Click to expand...
No flap in the 3.0.
I’m researching exhaust upgrades / cutouts etc as I want to hear more of the engine sound. The stock exhaust is not likely the cause if it’s speed / rpm related.
 
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