Problems with my Z4 SDrive28i Roadster M Sport

[TitanTim]

Hi All,

I have a 2012 2.0 4550 miles, I purchased the car in march this year and have only just started to use it. I noticed this ticking/clicking noise and have actually booked it in for the 3rd of Dec at Knights Stafford for a test drive with a mechanic but looking at this thread and listening to the You Tube vid it is the same noise. Kicks in when you put your foot on the throttle then stops (after a few seconds) when you take foot off throttle. I will still take the car in for a check but I guess I will get the 'They all do that mate' response!

Hi Ozzie, let us know how you fare with Knights, bought my Zed from them, you might recognise the showroom below lol

Tim.

 

[Nanu]

Must disagree with the comment that they all do that. Had mine now for almost a year and 7K on the clock and never noticed any ticking noise.Just checked again since reading the post and definately sounds as you would expect

 

[TitanTim]

Must disagree with the comment that they all do that. Had mine now for almost a year and 7K on the clock and never noticed any ticking noise.Just checked again since reading the post and definately sounds as you would expect

Its more of whirring sound that eminates from the interior centre vents when you have your foot on the throttle and goes as soon as you take your foot off, its not really a loud ticking/tapping sound. Mines done it since new along with other E89s on here. Theres a thread on it somewhere.

Tim.

 

[Ozzie]

Must disagree with the comment that they all do that. Had mine now for almost a year and 7K on the clock and never noticed any ticking noise.Just checked again since reading the post and definately sounds as you would expect

Its more of whirring sound that eminates from the interior centre vents when you have your foot on the throttle and goes as soon as you take your foot off, its not really a loud ticking/tapping sound. Mines done it since new along with other E89s on here. Theres a thread on it somewhere.

Tim.

Hi Titan Tim, Yes I can see the showroom...those guy's must be making a few bob to build that facility!

Hi Nanu, like the Cat! I think the 'noise' will turn out to be normal and as you say 'as you would expect'. If you listen to the vid posted by MTF http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxnkrW_HZ9o&feature=youtu.be

it is exactly what I hear. I would say that by just having the radio on low I can't hear it..

 

[Maniac]

Have any of you stood outside the car and had someone increase the revs slowly to see if the same noise is outside because that sounds a lot like the piezo injectors in the engine to me.

 

[Ozzie]

Have any of you stood outside the car and had someone increase the revs slowly to see if the same noise is outside because that sounds a lot like the piezo injectors in the engine to me.

Hi Maniac,

Yes I have. I am sure it is the injectors and the Vid posted by MTF sound exactly the same as my engine. But given this engine is new to me (previous Z4 was an E85 Coupe with the 3.0 engine) I thought I would just get the view of the BMW Techie.. To be fair to BMW they are trying hard to deliver a lot of for little Fuel and Emission. What they might have done is work harder on the sound proofing :roll:

 

[Maniac]

Perhaps but then this is a noisy car on purpose. It's not a luxury barge, you're supposed to hear noise from the engine albeit some noises are less interesting than others.

 

[Ozzie]

Perhaps but then this is a noisy car on purpose. It's not a luxury barge, you're supposed to hear noise from the engine albeit some noises are less interesting than others.

I agree, but I want it to sound like the 3.0 coupe I had :x (I should have just used a can-opener on the roof).. I guess the engineers will tune out the noise that is not so pleasing and turn up the volume on the 'nice' noises Any way I am very happy with the car the exhaust note is super duper

 

[Nanu]

Must disagree with the comment that they all do that. Had mine now for almost a year and 7K on the clock and never noticed any ticking noise.Just checked again since reading the post and definately sounds as you would expect

Its more of whirring sound that eminates from the interior centre vents when you have your foot on the throttle and goes as soon as you take your foot off, its not really a loud ticking/tapping sound. Mines done it since new along with other E89s on here. Theres a thread on it somewhere.

Tim.

Can't say I have noticed but have listend to the video and will now see if there is anything that sounds similar. Early 5am start tomorrow so it will be cold so will see what it sounds like then. Must admit the answer is rev the hell out of it and the excellent exhaust noise drowns everything out. Not sure the neighbours will feel the same way that early

 

[Ozzie]

So went to BMW Stafford at 07:30 for my appointment that had been made in person and at the suggestion of BMW Stafford. No technician in, don't start until 08:00! Great :x .. Coffee and biscuits and 15 mins later technician arrives, really nice chap who, in my opinion at least, seems to know wot's wot Having described to him the 'noise' and given him an update of this thread we walk to my Z agreeing that their is a noise made by the injectors, it is a little irritating (my opinion not his) and it sounds like... Sewing machine, a fan catching on its casing, a lady with long nails typing (vey fast) But what ever anybody thinks it is its not going away :x . Apparently, mines a quiet one

 

[Maniac]

Thought that might be the case. I've driven a few N20 loaners now (3 series mostly) and its evident in every single one. I recall trying a 328i not too long ago, the interior was too cheap and I didn't really like it, but I recall getting out of the car to let the sales guy drive it round the back of the dealership and thinking bloody hell thats ticking loudly. Almost diesel like sound to it and that was warmed up too so its not just when cold on some cars. It wouldn't put me off a car, but it would bug me.

Having said that there is a quiet ticking noise from my N54, just one or two cyls I think, which is also the injectors, but it comes and goes and its hardly noticeable over the general noise of the engine. Price to be paid for efficiency I guess.

 

[MickJ]

This is something I found by accident looking up something else, it's about the latest petrol engines sounding like diesels on idle, may have some bearing on what you are hearing:


What BMW don't want you to know (or notice), petrol engines with all the finesse and refinement of an agricultural diesel engine.

Apart from the faults experienced with this 3 series (330i SE Coupe), there is another issue which BMW do not want people to notice and it exists with all their petrol engines since the N53. The lean-burn engine, first introduced in 2007, includes a fuel-injection system known as High Precision Injection. Unfortunately their new petrol engines sound a lot like diesel engines and under load you can actually hear diesel clatter and other similar noises from what should be a very quiet and refined petrol engine. Also, the BMW six cylinder engine - once famed for its smooth and almost undetectable operation while running at tickover or idle has lost all of its characteristic heritage and is now noisy and unrefined. It is a major step backwards all in the name of lower emissions.

This they describe as JOY. Any BMW with this recent injection system will sound more like a taxi or a delivery van. Not good for a prestige motor car which anyone might expect to sound like - a prestige motor car!

If you own a BMW with the earlier engine N52 engine, hang on to it.

 

[Maniac]

An interesting comment about the N52 and quietness... you might want to look up VANOS/Lifter issues and have a wander through the various N52 noise topics on here. N54 if you want quiet (such as yours and mine) but then those engines have other things to worry about like turbos, injectors, coil packs ...

Unfortunately while we'd all like a silky smooth perfect engine etc etc , the fact of the matter is, current engines are compromised in many different ways for many different reasons, performance, economy, emissions and so forth.

 

[MickJ]

Have to say on mine and I guess the same with yours Maniac, I can't hear anything on idle untoward either from cold or when hot.

 

[Nanu]

Have to say on mine and I guess the same with yours Maniac, I can't hear anything on idle untoward either from cold or when hot.

Likewise, I have listend for this sound when the engine is warm and cold and cannot hear anything

 

[Ozzie]

www.theengineer.co.uk/news/perfect-piezo/268707.article

Follow the above link for all you might want to know! For those of you that are interested this technology was developed by Seiko Epson... Yes, it comes from those Ink jet Printers!!