[CalCarNut]

Currently have a BMW loaner 2017 X3 x35i..and yes, it whistles too. Only has 400miles on it..........but since its a loaner, I don't care much..lol

[Bluelondon]

Well, to my disappointment, BMW came back with "it's normal".

I'm just in a frustrated place right now. Sure I can just ignore it, turn the radio up and go about my drive. But why should I have to? This is not some 2nd hand banger I've bought off Craigslist. It's a BMW for crying out loud. Why should this car, "the ultimate driving machine" be making an annoying whistle sound whenever my foot is on the gas, a noise that no Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mercedes, Jeep, or any other model BMW I've driven ever make, and on top of that the specialists at BMW who should be the ones who know their cars in and out come back and say we can hear the noise, but we don't know what's causing it so therefore it's "normal".

It's just unacceptable. For someone who is OCD about annoying little noises coming from my car, by home, my computer, and always try to find a fix for, this is a very disappointing experience with BMW.

I've talked to my CA over at Pacific BMW and told him I wish to cancel my lease and the noises the car makes are not only annoying, they are distracting me from focusing on the road ahead. As a driver my attention should be on the road and enjoying the drive, now wondering where strange noises are coming from the engine.

I've requested them to cancel the lease ASAP as I can't drive a car that makes distracting sounds, for the next 3 years. I'm waiting to hear from BMWNA.

If anyone has any advice from experience in dealing with cancelling a lease, kindly advise.

Sad thing is I'm in love with every other part of the car, it drives well, it's comfortable, has enough room, but the annoying sounds just ruin the drive for me. I should have to turn the music up in a brand new BMW to cloud out whistle sounds from the engine.

If I'm coming across a little pissed off, it's because I had to put up with a similar issue for the last 3 years with a 2014 428i lease where there was a high pitch whining sound coming from the front dash area. But this sound was always there, not only when I pressed the gas. BMW dealerships in my area also detected the sound but as usual, could not find the cause nor a fix. It bugged the hell out of me for the first month and then I just gave up and learned to live with it. So to go through another NEW car with BMW with similar sound issues is just not on.

Edit*

In addition to the whistling noise, the car is now making a constant cracking/snapping sound coming from the inside rear left ceiling area every few seconds while driving, and there is a weird rumbling noise coming from the front left dash area above and in front of the steering wheel whenever I accelerate and step off the gas. The rumbling can be heard, albeit it's not that loud, but it can also be felt through the steering wheel. It's a small vibration/rumbling and happens right AFTER I accelerate on the gas pedal.

All of these 3 strange noises together combined makes for a very frustrating driving experience.

[CalCarNut]

Let us know how Pacific handles this. I bought mine from them, always had good experiences with them...(vs West Century who provide lots of lip service and little help otherwise.)

As I mentioned, my loaner 2017 X3 x35i whistled. I was guessing it was the turbo, but not sure. My wife says she liked her 2012 (non turbo N52) better than the brand spanking new one. Go figure

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

I had something similar with mine, but it was only happening during the cold starts. They tracked it back to some loose things under the steering column inside the car, surprisingly, and added some felt in various places they told me. It hasn't completely gone away, but it's much better.

Unfortunately the sound is back in my case. Here's what it's like. Happens on cold starts only, and only for the first five minutes of driving, then it goes away.

It is most noticeable when going up a hill when there is a load on the engine, and generally between 3000 and 4000 RPM.
.
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[FSociety]

thank god i dont have none of those noise

[Tjalle]

Lotus, it is a longshot, but it might be heater blower.

Bluelondon, the "normal" thing to do is request a new vehicle. In Sweden, and I believe also EU, that's what you would be entitled to.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

Lotus, it is a longshot, but it might be heater blower.

I've had that in a previous car, but it would be chirping non-stop while the fan was running. I don't see how it could be In my case though? It is clearly tied to the use of the accelerator pedal. I let off the gas, it goes away. I press the gas, it chirps.

[nyalpine90]

turbo time!
its normal, mine whistles when i floor it!

[amit_ismd]

Originally Posted by exon

if it only happens on acceleration, then it might be the turbo waste gate? Mine occasionally gives a prolonged whistle sound (as if there is too much boost for the acceleration and it needs to release some?), instead of the typical one-time release when lifting of the pedal. It might have happened more often after I install JB3, but i am not 100% certain...

My 35i also came with whistling sound around side mirrors, some black tapes fixed that.

My 35i also has some kind of a whistling noise around the driver side mirror. I took it to the dealership and they said there was no fix. Can you please tell me exactly where I need to put the tape to fix this? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

[///Mposter]

Sound like the boost solenoid. It would make sense that it happens when you press the accelerator because it takes input to the solenoid and allows vacuum past it. When they go bad it vibrates. In my case mine would vibrate at idle loudly like a buzzing sound . I wonder if I still have it on video. They replaced it under warranty but I had to show a video of working normal and one where it was buzzing.

[///Mposter]

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by ///Mposter

Sound like the boost solenoid. It would make sense that it happens when you press the accelerator because it takes input to the solenoid and allows vacuum past it. When they go bad it vibrates. In my case mine would vibrate at idle loudly like a buzzing sound . I wonder if I still have it on video. They replaced it under warranty but I had to show a video of working normal and one where it was buzzing.

Hi, Who are you addressing? If it's my noise, I wouldn't think so, because the noise is not there during idle, or at all RPM's even, only within a certain range of RPM and when the engine is cold. After 5 minutes, the sound completely goes away, and if it was a boost solenoid, why would it go away when the engine is warmed up?

This is my issue:

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Unfortunately the sound is back in my case. Here's what it's like. Happens on cold starts only, and only for the first five minutes of driving, then it goes away.

It is most noticeable when going up a hill when there is a load on the engine, and generally between 3000 and 4000 RPM.
.
.

[///Mposter]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Hi, Who are you addressing? If it's my noise, I wouldn't think so, because the noise is not there during idle, or at all RPM's even, only within a certain range of RPM and when the engine is cold. After 5 minutes, the sound completely goes away, and if it was a boost solenoid, why would it go away when the engine is warmed up?

This is my issue:

Hi , I'm addressing you. I have had different sounding noise on my 335i than the X3 . Both were boost solenoid a. On my 335i it sounded like it was coming from the radio or behind the dash and was intermittent. With the X3 it was at idle and would go away as the pedal is pressed. I couldn't say that there is a specific reason why yours is different but maybe if you could have someone try to rev it while you have the 5 minute warm up you state it happens;maybe you will hear something.
I was also surprised at how much it was moving/buzzing once I did locate it on the X3.

Also electrical items tend to work different in warmer temps than colder. Coils are a great example. Possible misfire at warm up/ start up but fine after a drive cycle.

Well whatever the case is, I hope you are able to find the noise. Maybe a go pro under the hood would help.

[///Mposter]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Hi, Who are you addressing? If it's my noise, I wouldn't think so, because the noise is not there during idle, or at all RPM's even, only within a certain range of RPM and when the engine is cold. After 5 minutes, the sound completely goes away, and if it was a boost solenoid, why would it go away when the engine is warmed up?

This is my issue:

Hi , I'm addressing you. I have had different sounding noise on my 335i than the X3 . Both were boost solenoid a. On my 335i it sounded like it was coming from the radio or behind the dash and was intermittent. With the X3 it was at idle and would go away as the pedal is pressed. I couldn't say that there is a specific reason why yours is different but maybe if you could have someone try to rev it while you have the 5 minute warm up you state it happens;maybe you will hear something.
I was also surprised at how much it was moving/buzzing once I did locate it on the X3.

Also electrical items tend to work different in warmer temps than colder. Coils are a great example. Possible misfire at warm up/ start up but fine after a drive cycle.

Well whatever the case is, I hope you are able to find the noise. Maybe a go pro under the hood would help.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by ///Mposter

Hi , I'm addressing you. I have had different sounding noise on my 335i than the X3 . Both were boost solenoid a. On my 335i it sounded like it was coming from the radio or behind the dash and was intermittent. With the X3 it was at idle and would go away as the pedal is pressed. I couldn't say that there is a specific reason why yours is different but maybe if you could have someone try to rev it while you have the 5 minute warm up you state it happens;maybe you will hear something.
I was also surprised at how much it was moving/buzzing once I did locate it on the X3.

Also electrical items tend to work different in warmer temps than colder. Coils are a great example. Possible misfire at warm up/ start up but fine after a drive cycle.

Well whatever the case is, I hope you are able to find the noise. Maybe a go pro under the hood would help.

Thanks a lot! The car is at the dealer right now for this noise, so I will ask them to check that too.

[jwduffett]

I think your just hearing the Turbo.

[bmwx32015]

Originally Posted by Bluelondon

So I just received my new 2017 x3 35i last week and as I've come to expect with BMW, the cars never arrive perfect, there's always something.

Regardless of what mode I'm in, there's always a noticeable whistling sound whenever I press on the gas. This doesn't happen when stationary, only when driving, at any speed, as long as I step on the gas and the car is in motion, it whistles.

Any ideas what this could be?

PS: It's not the turbo. This literally sounds like a whistle. Think of the noise a firework rocket makes as it flies up in the sky before exploding.

I have exactly the same issue. Just about a week ago after driving in a snow condition this noise (perfectly describe in your post) appeared. I scheduled an appointment with BMW but would like to know what was the cause in your case. I understand it's been a while since it happened to your X3 and would really appreciate your follow up. Thanks.