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      01-31-2017, 06:22 PM   #1
Bluelondon
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2017 X3 xDrive35i making a whistling sound upon acceleration

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.
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      01-31-2017, 07:13 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluelondon View Post
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.
Probably the RFT (Run Flat Tires). They are notorious for making a whooshing noise while driving. Did your previous vehicle have RFT?
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      01-31-2017, 07:53 PM   #3
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Could it be wind generated noise? Consider the thread at the link below.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1077249
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      02-01-2017, 12:53 PM   #4
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My 2017 made the same noise though it was faint. It has since disapeared at 5K miles.
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      02-01-2017, 01:24 PM   #5
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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.
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      02-01-2017, 11:01 PM   #6
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Thanks for the suggestions but I can guarantee it's not wind noise. BMWs and wind noise go hand in hand so we're all very familiar with what wind noise sounds like and it's very different to a whistle sound that only happens when the gas is pressed. Again, try and think of the kind of whistle a firework rocket makes as it goes up into the sky and gradually dissipates, it's like that.

Anywho, will update once I find out more.
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      02-02-2017, 07:03 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluelondon View Post
Thanks for the suggestions but I can guarantee it's not wind noise. BMWs and wind noise go hand in hand so we're all very familiar with what wind noise sounds like and it's very different to a whistle sound that only happens when the gas is pressed. Again, try and think of the kind of whistle a firework rocket makes as it goes up into the sky and gradually dissipates, it's like that.

Anywho, will update once I find out more.
I listened for the noise again last night and it has definitely disappeared. I had actually forgotten about it until you posted. It was exactly as you describe, a drive-train under acceleration high pitch whistle that attenuated with speed. I'm guessing just a break-in noise.
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      02-03-2017, 02:00 PM   #8
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had this happen on my Mercedes C Class, turned out to be the tires.
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      02-03-2017, 02:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neylus View Post
I listened for the noise again last night and it has definitely disappeared. I had actually forgotten about it until you posted. It was exactly as you describe, a drive-train under acceleration high pitch whistle that attenuated with speed. I'm guessing just a break-in noise.
Interesting. I've read online from others who've experienced it that it might be the air intake or possibly a tear somewhere. Coincidentally the oil temperature on this X3 goes all the way up to the half way mark whereas my previous 2014 428i would barely break a quarter on the oil temp gauge once the engine had warmed up. Not sure if this higher engine oil temp is normal on the N55 X3 engine or not, but it's another indicator that the culprit might indeed be air intake related.
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      02-05-2017, 06:57 PM   #10
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Have you taken it to the dealership?
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      02-06-2017, 01:21 PM   #11
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Have you taken it to the dealership?
I have an appointment this Thursday the 9th. I should know more after that.
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      02-06-2017, 01:47 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluelondon View Post
I have an appointment this Thursday the 9th. I should know more after that.
Good also try recording it, the more proof you have the better chances the dealer being able to fix something
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      02-07-2017, 11:00 AM   #13
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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.
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      02-07-2017, 11:35 AM   #14
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I'm thinking it's the turbine whistling?
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      02-07-2017, 10:22 PM   #15
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I've tried googling the issue and a few other owners who have reported similar whistling sounds said it was something to do with the air intake, a tear somewhere that is making the sound. Since I'm taking her in this Thursday I don't want to touch anything and will just let BMW take care of this.

Just an FYI, the whistling sound happens whenever I drive and press on the gas, whether it's right after a cold start pulling away, or coming home after a long drive. It's not exclusive to any particular period of driving (cold start, prolonged driving, highway, low speed, high speed), it happens ALL the time as long as I press on the gas.

Also worth noting is that I'm only at around 300 miles so I'm still keeping revs under 4k to break engine in, so I'm just assuming more aggressive revving of the engine would make the whistle sound even more audible.

I hate having to take the car in so early after delivery. The service center at BMW is obviously going to be driving and revving the heck out of the engine and not caring it's still only at 300 miles. Was hoping to avoid that.
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      02-09-2017, 07:54 PM   #16
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Just dropped her off to the local BMW dealership and got an X5 loaner in the meantime. Now here's the weird thing, the X5 is making the same exact whistling noise upon acceleration! What am I missing here?

During the last couple of years of driving a 428i, I had been given a 2016 X3 28i loaner twice while my 4 series was being serviced. Neither of those X3s ever had this whistling sound, nor did my 428i, yet my 2017 X3 and this X5 both make the same sound. Could this be something to do with the N55 engine?

If it matters, the mileage on the X5 loaner is 2500 miles.
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      02-09-2017, 09:01 PM   #17
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I think its prob the N55, if you can get a video clip and post it here or even the F15 X5 section and get more opinions.

I'll post some of mine
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      02-17-2017, 09:04 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluelondon View Post
Just dropped her off to the local BMW dealership and got an X5 loaner in the meantime. Now here's the weird thing, the X5 is making the same exact whistling noise upon acceleration! What am I missing here?
Could be a leak somewhere in the intake like previously mentioned. The leak itself could cause the whistle, and/or it could also allow the sound of the turbo to be heard. Could be a boost leak too but that would noticeably affect power.

You might be surprised by how much and how loud turbos can whistle. My SR20 motor with a GT2871R (somewhat similar to N55 turbo, but slightly bigger compressor) at high boost levels not only whistles very loudly, it also has a very high pitched ringing to it. It sounds crazy.
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      02-17-2017, 09:59 AM   #19
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My car whistles a lot, but thats also because of the cold weather and when I'm on throttle
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      02-17-2017, 11:43 AM   #20
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Quote:
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My car whistles a lot, but thats also because of the cold weather and when I'm on throttle
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      02-17-2017, 03:52 PM   #21
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I have the exact same noise on my 2013 X3 35i. The day I test drove it I pointed it out to the dealer who swore it was normal. Claimed it was a blow off valve...... I came from a 2008 335i which definitely did not have the same sound. I chalked that up to the old car having a different engine and bought it anyway.

It's always there, I notice it sometimes but most of the time it doesn't really bother me.

Would love to hear what your dealer said though. My car is under warranty for one more month.

I'm going back to watching Bubb Rubb and Lil Sis for the 7th time today.

Last edited by jeph72; 02-18-2017 at 08:16 PM..
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      02-22-2017, 10:09 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeph72 View Post
I have the exact same noise on my 2013 X3 35i. The day I test drove it I pointed it out to the dealer who swore it was normal. Claimed it was a blow off valve...... I came from a 2008 335i which definitely did not have the same sound. I chalked that up to the old car having a different engine and bought it anyway.

It's always there, I notice it sometimes but most of the time it doesn't really bother me.

Would love to hear what your dealer said though. My car is under warranty for one more month.

I'm going back to watching Bubb Rubb and Lil Sis for the 7th time today.
You're comparing two completely different motors (N55 vs N54). If you're able to hear your turbo spool, enjoy it. It's a wonderful sound.
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