Road noise - tyres or diff?

[n1nja-frog]

I'm just asking as i'm fairly certain this isn't the issue. Though it doesn't seem that main rear diffs 'fail' after doing a search.

The car was involved in a rear end shunt not long ago, but was fine after collecting it, this issue seems to be unrelated.

Hopefully as you say tyres will resolve it but i'm not confident.

 

[Bish]

I was amazed at how much noise the cheap tyres fitted to my Zed actually made. It had 4 brand spanking Sunny tyres on (I guess the seller thought go cheap as it's going up for sale) but it was so bloody noisy I binned them within days. I remember my trepidation as I drove out of the tyre centre hundreds of pounds lighter wondering if the noise would still be there! Thankfully it wasn't.

+1 on this. I had a 325ti which the previous owner had slapped sunnys on for the MOT prior to sale. I simply could not believe the amount of noise they made. Removed within in a week, and after the first bit of rain which exposed (in my view) a potentially dangerous tyre. ZERO wet grip. I find it hard it to believe they can be sold in this country. Mine were virtually new, but now rotting in the shed, dont think i could even sell them on ebay with a clear conscience

 

[n1nja-frog]

Thing is this isn't on cheap tyres, it's on Bridgestone RE050 runflats

 

[Z4M-2006]

Why not borrow a pair of wheels and try them on your car?

 

[n1nja-frog]

I have winter wheels and tyres going on this Sunday. The troubling thing is I can differentiate between the tyres and this rumble - exactly like the R26 of old, I wonder if it's just me......

 

[GreyZed]

I was amazed at how much noise the cheap tyres fitted to my Zed actually made. It had 4 brand spanking Sunny tyres on (I guess the seller thought go cheap as it's going up for sale) but it was so bloody noisy I binned them within days. I remember my trepidation as I drove out of the tyre centre hundreds of pounds lighter wondering if the noise would still be there! Thankfully it wasn't.

+1 on this. I had a 325ti which the previous owner had slapped sunnys on for the MOT prior to sale. I simply could not believe the amount of noise they made. Removed within in a week, and after the first bit of rain which exposed (in my view) a potentially dangerous tyre. ZERO wet grip. I find it hard it to believe they can be sold in this country. Mine were virtually new, but now rotting in the shed, dont think i could even sell them on ebay with a clear conscience

Haha! I just left mine at the tyre centre, the young kid couldn't believe I didn't want them as they were all brand new but as you say such awful noise and a bit of moisture on the road and you're in Tokyo drift land! Terrible product imo.

 

[andysat]

Just had the stealers ring me about my e93 running continental runflats-i am getting a 'drone/whine' type noise that only happens at 42-44mph-they have checked all underneath and come up with the conclusion after road testing that its the runflats-strange how it only happens at that speed tho?

 

[n1nja-frog]

I've noticed the noise on mine comes and goes, probably every half second or sooner - still tyres?

On smooth roads it's barely noticeable. On rough roads though - f*ck me it's embarrassing.

 

[andysat]

Tbh I cannot understand why the noise happens at that speed only?-not accelerating just resting at 42-44mph.

 

[A320_phill]

Hi I had a very similar problem. The noise went away on its own eventually but was so damn hard to find. as it wasn't related to speed/road surface/braking/not braking etc.

I started leaving my handbrake off and having the car in gear when parked instead and touch wood the noise has gone! I think it might have been the handbrake pads rubbing slightly on the inside of the rear discs as they are seperate pads to the main ones. I'm guessing my handbrake wasn't fully releasing. Worth a try.

Or could be tyres as everyone else has mentioned!

 

[n1nja-frog]

That's interesting and noted.

So tyres are here but the car isn't right now, so can't confirm if they will sort it.

How's everyone elses Z4s for road noise? I swear mine wasn't this noisy when I first got it.

Another video at circa 40mph - normal? :


https://flic.kr/p/pJh4qY

 

[n1nja-frog]

Also it suffered a rear end shunt in July, assured by the guys (qualified BMW techs that mechanically it's spot on) - Checked underneath for any signs of leaking fluid or stress bending / fractures but nothing. Maybe i'm just being paranoid?