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      04-11-2019, 09:52 AM   #1
Oompah
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Steering wheel noise - BMW cannot fix - any advise?

Hi all,


First post on m5 level and straight away with a problem.

I bought a 16 reg m5 from Specialist Cars Stevenage back in December and ever since then I had nothing but problems with the car.

Ignoring a horrendous customer service from Stevenage BMW, for over 5 months now I have been battling with a steering wheel noise on cement surfaces (half of m25 for example). Each time I hit certain frequency the steering wheel starts to vibrate adn produce this really annoying buzzing noise.

The car has a lane departure function, so BMW diagnosed the issue as lane departure engine inside of the actual steering wheel.
Back in january the engine was repalced under warranty but this didnt make any difference at all.
Two weeks ago I called BMW assist and had the car recovered, as the next available appointment for a warranty repair was given to me for... end of May!
Two weeks later, today, I received a call from BMW that they have tried to fix the issue but they simply cannot. They apparently modified the engine slightly, so the buzzing noise isnt as pronounced but its still there and but modifying the vibration engine, they made it less efficient for the lane departure functionality.

Bottom line, after 5 months of owning the car and multiple visits to BMW service, the issue cannot be addressed. I was told there is nothing they can do and that this is essentially "part of the car's charm - it makes buzzing noise on uneven surfaces".
I was told to contact BMW customer services, which I did. They told me that if technicians cannot help, they cannot help either and there is nothing I can do, even though the car is under warranty. Personally I find it simply unacceptable. The car costed me 40k, is under warranty but the issue cannot be addressed?
Spoke to BMW FS, as the car is on finance, they don't really know what to do with this either.

As you can imagine, I am not a very happy bunny now. I have a car that developed a fault and BMW is washing their hands off because they cannot fix it.

I am due to collect the car tomorrow but I am wondering if there is anything that you guys can suggest for me to do in this situation. Can i actually refuse to collect the car if the issue hasn't been solved even though the car is under warranty?

Any ideas, comments? Thanks in advance for any input.

Artur
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      04-11-2019, 12:22 PM   #2
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As a last resort if the buzzing is overly annoying then simply disconnect the s/wheel engine.
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      04-11-2019, 12:33 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M5theonlyone View Post
As a last resort if the buzzing is overly annoying then simply disconnect the s/wheel engine.

I thought of this but BMW doesnt want to do it as this throws up errors and disables all other functions within security pack (lane departure, blind sport etc)
Also, the noise doesnt seem to be triggered by the system, some element simply vibrates and makes noise when the car hits certain surface.
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      04-11-2019, 12:51 PM   #4
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No wonder they don't want to investigate further. If the car is still annoying to drive then it's head to head with that firm for a refund or replacement,not easy I know and no wonder they are difficult as they probably knew of the problem beforehand.
You obviously test drove the car before buying, was there any indication of that then?
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      04-11-2019, 01:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M5theonlyone View Post
No wonder they don't want to investigate further. If the car is still annoying to drive then it's head to head with that firm for a refund or replacement,not easy I know and no wonder they are difficult as they probably knew of the problem beforehand.
You obviously test drove the car before buying, was there any indication of that then?
Haha, you nailed it here. Of course I test drove it - luckily enough for them, the road surface was good enough not to expose the issue. The issue came up as soon as I drove it home via m25's surface - but then the car was already mine and it was qualified as a warranty repair. And to be honest, I wasnt expecting BMW not to be able to fix the droning sound. But here we are.
The car was back with Specialist Cars Stevenage within first week.
To make it even more fun, they sold me a car with bad alignment and damaged paintwork. Scratches that we agreed they will remove before me buying the car, came out again after 3-4 washes. They simply masked damaged paintwork with some t-cut like solution that washed off within two months. Even though I came back to the sales guy and told him about the exact damage we spoke about before i paid for the car; he accused me of damaging the car post sale and said that it was "bought as seen". I will never buy anything from Specialist Cars again. I should have listened to opinions online. Crooks.

I've been BMW customer for over 15 years now but the post-sale customer care has been on a huge decline. I highly doubt I will buy another BMW again.
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      04-11-2019, 01:08 PM   #6
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I had/have the same problem after they replaced the "vibrator" because mine was defective. Let me tell you biggest mistake to have them replace it so that it would work properly. That's when I started to get the annoying buzzing. Took it back and it got better but still there. I just live with cause I know they're going to take a long time to figure out how to fix it so I rather drive my car then to let it sit there for days on end and multiple trips to the dealer. And they're correct, can't be disconnected because it works with all the sensing components
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      04-12-2019, 04:42 PM   #7
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the TSB on this problem is to replace the vibration generator and/or use foam tape. My dealer used tape because they did not want to fix any warranty issues for free, but it is better but still not perfect.

I'm skeptical about errors from unplugging and removing it and suspect there is a way to code it out without removing the driver aids.

The noise you hear is not from it being triggered but an resonance from the road vibration (design flaw).
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      04-12-2019, 06:32 PM   #8
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I have the same issue with my 2015 M5, steering makes the exact same noise when going over bad surface. It's pretty loud and annoying
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      04-14-2019, 05:32 PM   #9
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there's nothing wrong with your car dude .. but i'm glad to finally read this but yes when you go over a rough textured surface, The steering wheel seemingly buzzes, but I don't mind it because it only does that when you're on shitty surfaces ..it's like the car is telling you "hey this road fucking sucks get off of it I don't like it at all".. but I'm glad to know that this is actually a part of the charm of the vehicle and I don't mind it at all and it's definitely nothing to do with vibration sensor because my car doesn't have the vib feature.

it really is just part of the charm and how can it be a design flaw because the car does that when it's on a horrible surface. its giving you road feel feedback, and when the feedback is a buzz, it means the road sucks
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      04-14-2019, 07:01 PM   #10
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Thank you for expressing your particular experience and opinion. However many people experience very loud screeching sounds from the steering column at speeds over 65 MPH on otherwise smooth but rain grooved freeway pavement. This is a $100k lux sport sedan and it is pathetic to have unpleasant loud sounds in the cabin while the ride is perfectly comfortable and not bumpy or grainy at all.

These are the experiences that people are talking about here, not your particular situation where you are barely affected and are not bothered by it. One of the biggest problem with car forums is that people generalize their opinion to "everyone should think just like me and they are stupid to think differently or have different (higher) expectations from their car than me".
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      04-15-2019, 04:36 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeachM5nster View Post
there's nothing wrong with your car dude .. but i'm glad to finally read this but yes when you go over a rough textured surface, The steering wheel seemingly buzzes, but I don't mind it because it only does that when you're on shitty surfaces ..it's like the car is telling you "hey this road fucking sucks get off of it I don't like it at all".. but I'm glad to know that this is actually a part of the charm of the vehicle and I don't mind it at all and it's definitely nothing to do with vibration sensor because my car doesn't have the vib feature.

it really is just part of the charm and how can it be a design flaw because the car does that when it's on a horrible surface. its giving you road feel feedback, and when the feedback is a buzz, it means the road sucks
I kind of understand what you saying but when I buy a car - any car for that matter - it should be able to take any type of surface. Unless manufacturers will distinguish and align specific cars to specific types of road surface, I will keep on buying my cars and expecting the same comfort/quality regardless of the surface I am driving on.
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      04-15-2019, 05:39 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thelowkick View Post
I kind of understand what you saying but when I buy a car - any car for that matter - it should be able to take any type of surface. Unless manufacturers will distinguish and align specific cars to specific types of road surface, I will keep on buying my cars and expecting the same comfort/quality regardless of the surface I am driving on.
i feel ya, but when you drive a rolls royce u expect to feel and hear nothing which is suited for passengers, who will in turn rave about how smooth it rides.

but when a driver gets behind the wheel and communicates the feel and driving experience of the rolls, they will say: muted, vague, disconnected.. because no matter what surface they're on, or how big the pothole is, they don't feel it, they just waft over it.

in a driver-oriented car like an M5, calling the steering muted or disconnected is an insult. like Jeremy Clarkson said in his review of an M5 "when a non-car person rides in this they say the ride is bad,.. Clarkson then says "but its actually very good (& he means for the type of car(high perf) the ride is very good) but non-car ppl dont know that bc they dont care about cars or driving, they just want a marshmallow to transport them from point A to B at all times.

Doug Demuro also says "no matter how good you think the roads are where you live, when you get a sports car you realize they arent very good at all"

but while you are driving on the surface that makes the buzzing, have you tried switching from sport+ to comfort and vice versa to notice a shift in intensity of the buzzing?

and this has gotten me thinking more. can everyone reading this chime in on if their car doesnt do this on textured concrete/pavement?

but as i think more im convincing myself bmw meant for the wheel to buzz on buzzy surfaces and communicate that way bc in other, average cars, when I drive on interstate concrete they buzz too, but what buzzes is the tires.. but in the M5 i hear no road noise or tires buzzing and instead its all just fed directly to my hands via the steering wheel via the tires via the road.

But maybe you should look into a buick if you want the same smooth feel on every surface. i hear they make very soft rides. like a cloud. Then whenever you get to where you are going you can brag about how you rode a pillow all the way there, and then ask if they have white New Balance in size 9 in stock.. lol im just busting your balls but i have a point... in cars like M5's (and the M is the smoothest) you are gonna feel the road and not always be embedded in total comfort

you ever driven/ridden in a corvette, camaro, or mustang of any spec? hi or lo perf?? ....ill keep my buzzy steering wheel

Last edited by BeachM5nster; 04-15-2019 at 05:59 AM..
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      04-15-2019, 12:34 PM   #13
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I haven't got the lane change steer wheel but was still getting buzzing though from a different source on concrete surfaced motorways.The ventilation opening slats on the r/h b pillar were doing it like a crazy queen bee until I carefully applied some vaseline on the tiny pivots.
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      04-15-2019, 12:48 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M5theonlyone View Post
I haven't got the lane change steer wheel but was still getting buzzing though from a different source on concrete surfaced motorways.The ventilation opening slats on the r/h b pillar were doing it like a crazy queen bee until I carefully applied some vaseline on the tiny pivots.
haha yea I've heard my driver's side b-pillar doing that faint rattle. i just moved the slats and it stopped lol. what really makes an annoying noise is the rear center console cupholders if it's down and they are folded out.

but when u just close it and it goes back to quiet-ish, it reminds you a smooth quiet car shouldnt be taken for granted
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      04-15-2019, 04:32 PM   #15
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the most annoying and embarrassing sound...............I HAVE EVER HAD IN a car. My Lexus GS 3350 was soooo quiet. Complete design flaw!! Is this in all F10s or just the M5s?
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      04-15-2019, 08:00 PM   #16
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My 13 makes the buzzing sound only on certain concrete surfaces for over 6 years now,they just resurface the highway in my area with concrete and prior that no vibration while driving on the asphalt
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      04-15-2019, 09:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iknowspurgeon View Post
the most annoying and embarrassing sound...............I HAVE EVER HAD IN a car. My Lexus GS 3350 was soooo quiet. Complete design flaw!! Is this in all F10s or just the M5s?
my f10 550i didn't do it but as we all know its steering is electric and the M5's is hydraulic. and while The steering wheel may not go buzz in the 550 however, that n63 motor will go boom
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      04-15-2019, 09:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iknowspurgeon View Post
the most annoying and embarrassing sound...............I HAVE EVER HAD IN a car. My Lexus GS 3350 was soooo quiet. Complete design flaw!! Is this in all F10s or just the M5s?
yea, i had a lexus once and it never had issues and it was all good except no matter where i went people asked why i didn't just get a german brand LOL
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      04-16-2019, 04:50 PM   #19
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It isn't related to the servotronic setting. That just controls the hydraulic pump response. This particular sound comes from the little motor that shakes the steering wheel on the driver assist equipped wheel. It is not the motor working and making a sound, it is the metal housing surrounding the motor that produces the noise or something rattling inside.

Design flaw. That's why BMW is supposed to replace them on cars under warranty.
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      04-16-2019, 05:02 PM   #20
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I sold my corvette, drove my E60 545i for a year while I looked for an M5. I've had about a dozen BMWs going back as early as the E23 745i turbo and M cars along the way.

The buzzing/screatching isn't an intentional feature. The corvette steering wheel did not make noise.

If you search the web you will see reports of this problem dating back through the F10 M5 years. It is real. If your car doesn't have, that's great but that doesn't mean no one else has it.
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      04-17-2019, 01:39 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLK View Post
It isn't related to the servotronic setting. That just controls the hydraulic pump response. This particular sound comes from the little motor that shakes the steering wheel on the driver assist equipped wheel. It is not the motor working and making a sound, it is the metal housing surrounding the motor that produces the noise or something rattling inside.

Design flaw. That's why BMW is supposed to replace them on cars under warranty.
not true because my car doesn't have driver assist but makes the noise. try again
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      06-01-2019, 09:19 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeachM5nster View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TLK View Post
It isn't related to the servotronic setting. That just controls the hydraulic pump response. This particular sound comes from the little motor that shakes the steering wheel on the driver assist equipped wheel. It is not the motor working and making a sound, it is the metal housing surrounding the motor that produces the noise or something rattling inside.

Design flaw. That's why BMW is supposed to replace them on cars under warranty.
not true because my car doesn't have driver assist but makes the noise. try again
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeachM5nster View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TLK View Post
It isn't related to the servotronic setting. That just controls the hydraulic pump response. This particular sound comes from the little motor that shakes the steering wheel on the driver assist equipped wheel. It is not the motor working and making a sound, it is the metal housing surrounding the motor that produces the noise or something rattling inside.

Design flaw. That's why BMW is supposed to replace them on cars under warranty.
not true because my car doesn't have driver assist but makes the noise. try again
I have this vibration sound as well on "some" surfaces. I'm still on warranty and was hopeful they could resolve it. I'm not as hopeful after reading this post. (2015 non comp with lane departure)

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