[tankfish]

Since picking up a 22 plate X3 30d with 20" wheels, I've noticed an annoying noise at any speed above about 60mph and also at around 30mph but much quieter at that speed.

It sounds a bit like the noise when you blowing over the top of an open beer bottle. The sound is "hollow" and "resonating." It's not constant and it quickly fades in an out as the road undulates. Turning the wheel seems to make no difference.

The tyres are Pirelli Zero PZ4 245/45 on the front and 275/40 on the rear all with about 5.5mm tread remaining.

Has anyone else experienced a similar noise, could it be the tyres?

[Leem40i]

I have the same exact issue but I'm on Michelins. I brought it in to the dealership and they didn't find any issues. I attached a video. If you listen close you can hear the tone fluctuating.

https://youtube.com/shorts/VGyViYCYB...J519hnPhm8vqKT

[tankfish]

Yes that is identical to the sound I am hearing! My noise is a bit quieter though and it’s harder to hear on a recording.

Did they acknowledge they can hear the sound?

I am hoping to take it to the dealership next week. Really hoping they can diagnose it and resolve as I do a lot of motorway driving and I just can’t put up with the noise.

[Leem40i]

Originally Posted by tankfish

Yes that is identical to the sound I am hearing! My noise is a bit quieter though and it’s harder to hear on a recording.

Did they acknowledge they can hear the sound?

I am hoping to take it to the dealership next week. Really hoping they can diagnose it and resolve as I do a lot of motorway driving and I just can’t put up with the noise.

I would suggest you bring them a recording of the sound or play them the recording I uploaded. I found it only happens after the wheels and brakes have warmed up and can vary but typically will happen between 60 miles an hour and above. They stated they acknowledge the sound but couldn't find anything wrong. They said it's definitely not the hubs or bearings. Not sure at this point but let me know if you get better results

[tankfish]

Dealer believes the noise is tyre related and not mechanical. There is some feathering on the passenger side front tyre, so the two fronts were swapped (staggered setup so can't swap front and back).

Since swapping, the noise is still there but it's slightly less obvious - not by much though, it's still quite annoying. I am probably going to put up with it until the tyres needs replacing and hope that with new tyres it disappears. Tread is at about 5.5mm so that's a way off yet.

Have you tried different tyres?

[Leem40i]

Originally Posted by tankfish

Dealer believes the noise is tyre related and not mechanical. There is some feathering on the passenger side front tyre, so the two fronts were swapped (staggered setup so can't swap front and back).

Since swapping, the noise is still there but it's slightly less obvious - not by much though, it's still quite annoying. I am probably going to put up with it until the tyres needs replacing and hope that with new tyres it disappears. Tread is at about 5.5mm so that's a way off yet.

Have you tried different tyres?

I have a completely different brand of tire, different wear level, fresh alignment, and the tires are wearing out evenly and I still have that as well so that's not going to fix it

[wanabtech]

I have it as well. Not at all speeds.

[tankfish]

I'm going to go back to the dealer and see what they suggest.

What size wheels and brakes do you have, and do you have staggered tyres?

I have 20" with blue M sport brakes (Brembo I think)? My tyres are staggered

[wanabtech]

I wonder if this is why there are rubber dampening devices attached to the front struts, muffler, etc.?

I have 19" factory wheels and OEM tires. M Sport brakes.

[tankfish]

Have either of you had any parts replaced, like a wheel bearing?

[Bazza1980]

I’ve got a 71 plate ix3, I was chasing this resonance noise for a while.
It’s definitely down to the tyres and tyre pressures. I had the noise at around 40mph, would come and go, didnt change pitch with speed which told me it was not a wheel bearing. My tyres were are at the normal load pressure, 2.2bar for the front and 2.5bar for the rears.

I had actually lowered the pressures to these because I’d only owned the car for a week and I spotted the pressures were really high, like 2.8 in the front and over 3 bar in the rears. The noise only started when I lowered the pressures. So I increased the pressure to a happy even, 2.4 in the front and 2.8 in the back and the noise disappeared again.

Ride is slightly hard and I get tyre knock over bumpy roads but the resonance noise definitely went with pressure change.