Bmw 2004 330ci Whistling/whinning Noise

[sanai79]

Hi. I have a 2004 330Ci AT. I bought it in Feb. 2004 and have about 12,000 miles on it. About 2-3 month, I noticed a whistling/whinning sound coming what I think was rear from the car when driving at 75-85 mph. It occurs when the throttle is slight press (to maintain speed) at the level. The pitch gets higher as with increase speed. I have taken to the dealer about 6 times in total. I went through a test drive with the technician 3 times from 2 different dealers and they were also able to hear it (this was necessary becase the problem occured over the speed limit). However, they found no fault in the vehicle. I was supposed to meet with the BMW factory technician, but he bailed out on me 3 TIMES! and this was without warning(I was already at the dealer, when the service consultant gave me the news). Now, the dealer is unsure when he'll be able to come in. They seem to be avoiding me. I did some research on the web, and found posts with similiar problem. They have it as TSB 330200 "Real Axle Differential Whine Noise." It said it applies only to older models, but there were posts saying it solved the problem for later models. The service manager was willing to do this, but they found out it's already installed or something.

Sorry for the long story but I was hoping for ANY suggestion. Do I have to live with problem. It's extremely annoying when cruising on the highway. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sygreasemonkey]

that dealer sounds like they don't know what's going on. i would take it elsewhere and let the other dealer know of the problem you were have at the first dealer.

[bad man working]

I work for a dealer and come across this sort of thing all time, it comes down to process of elimination the easiest is the tyres borrow or get the dealer to lend you another set of wheels and tyres tyre noise is a hard thing to pin-point more so as the tyre wear. Next the parking brake shoes these are mounted inside the rear discs and if over adjusted can whine when they get hot, Drive the car until you hear the noise then lift the parking brake level slowly if the noise changes it could be them. Next are the wheel bearings and diff rear wheel bearing are quite common on E46 to check them get the dealer to run the car in the air i.e. on a lift so no worries about speed limits any half good tech should be able to here the bearings or the diff then.
Hope this helps

[sanai79]

Originally posted by bad man working@Nov 3 2004, 10:41 AM
I work for a dealer and come across this sort of thing all time, it comes down to process of elimination the easiest is the tyres borrow or get the dealer to lend you another set of wheels and tyres tyre noise is a hard thing to pin-point more so as the tyre wear. Next the parking brake shoes these are mounted inside the rear discs and if over adjusted can whine when they get hot, Drive the car until you hear the noise then lift the parking brake level slowly if the noise changes it could be them. Next are the wheel bearings and diff rear wheel bearing are quite common on E46 to check them get the dealer to run the car in the air i.e. on a lift so no worries about speed limits any half good tech should be able to here the bearings or the diff then.
Hope this helps

[snapback]223630[/snapback]

Thank you for your suggestions. However, I don't think it has anything to do with the parking brakes because the noise is not reflected by how long the car has been running. I'm getting another shot with the factory service enginner and I'm trying to setup an appointment at a different dealer. Any suggestions/solutions I can tell the service advisor would be greatful. Thanks.

[EcianIce]

heheheeee.

i know this noise, and you /should/ hear it all the time. it's the gears / differential whine, and i've got it also.

people are allllways asking if my car has a super under the hood. alas, i don't. but i love the sound anyways.

someone once compared it to a jet engine.

in any case it's perfectly normal, and i rather like the sound or it.