Very Loud Whistling Sound From Center w/ Video

[UnfoundLegend]

Apart from the steering wheel vibration that has been giving me and those who drive our particular M5 Parkinson's in the hand, I also came upon yet another issue with my M5. I have heard this sound months before, but I don't drive my car hard much at all, and yesterday before turning it in to hopefully get the vibration issue fixed, I decided to drive the M5 as it should be driven...

Except maybe I made a mistake. I put settings in all sport (not sport plus) with TC on. And basically, upon moderate acceleration, anywhere above 4k RPM I began to hear a faint howling noise coming from the front. I thought it may have been the center speaker. I accelerated a bit harder, and the sound became much more pronounced and hurt my ears, and I figured it's probably not normal nor good to keep doing this. At this point, I realized that it's definitely not the speaker. So I grabbed my phone and was able to replicate the sound, because it was not going away at all! I put all settings back to normal as I accelerated in the video (shown below) and the noise became even louder! I then thought: "great, I have this on video. Slow down now". And as I did, I smelled something burning. So at that point I realized something was seriously wrong and I slammed on my brakes and pulled over in the grass and let the car sit for 20 minutes. Not to mention--the cooling fan was on the entire time.

I slowly drove it in to service. So now it's at the dealer. I also received "Drivetrain Malfunction" a few days ago, along with a very serious DCT blip which happened in auto mode, comfort--driving 10mph.

Maybe now is the time to get rid of this thing...even though I love it when it's working.

Video:

[dhirm5]

That does not sound good. Good luck on outcome.

[M5essex]

Just like you, I'd love to know what the problem is... Has she had a hard life/thrashing?

[UnfoundLegend]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Just like you, I'd love to know what the problem is... Has she had a hard life/thrashing?

Not as far as I'm aware. Purchased when it had 5k miles and put on 3k. But not a single time was the car abused. Never used launch control either.

[RealStig]

This is the windshield seal making noise most likely. I believe it will get worse with speed and it depends on weather (pressure/humidity/etc)

[elitex]

maybe active audio?

[M5essex]

Do you remember the uk Top Gear episode several years ago on the road trip to Verbier in Switzerland... He had the same problem with windscreen/wiper. But the noise doesn't sound like the whine coming from the speaker in the middle. Plus you've had malfunction warnings. Do you have warranty still?

[TonySCV]

Originally Posted by RealStig

This is the windshield seal making noise most likely. I believe it will get worse with speed and it depends on weather (pressure/humidity/etc)

Agreed.. sounds like a seal that's a bit loose (you'd be amazed at how much noise can come out of a tiny gap/tear/hole in the seal around the windshield alone). It sounds like a wind-generated noise.

[nynd]

You can rule out the windshield noise very easily. Put some painters tape around the windshield and go for a drive. If the noise is gone, its the seal and you found your issue. If its still there, then its inside the vehicle - maybe a rattle or buzz from something in the dash or speaker. Could it be the active sound is messed up and is getting piped through the center speaker channel?

[RealStig]

Originally Posted by nynd

You can rule out the windshield noise very easily. Put some painters tape around the windshield and go for a drive. If the noise is gone, its the seal and you found your issue. If its still there, then its inside the vehicle - maybe a rattle or buzz from something in the dash or speaker. Could it be the active sound is messed up and is getting piped through the center speaker channel?

That's not true, I did all of that, and the noise would still be there around 80 mph during certain weather conditions. It didn't matter if there was wind outside necessarily, I had my problem when the moisture levels were high in summer. The only way to fix the issue for me was to lower one of the windows briefly and then close it. Once I did that, the issue wouldn't happen again until I parked the car and got out. I tried two dealerships but they never fixed it.

[avlnch]

Either your windshield seal failed, or it's the one of the wing mirrors.

I would guess it's the windshield because of how loud the noise is, and because it sounds like the origin is the center of car.

A separate issue:
It sounds like you have some sort of problem with your clutch. The burning smell is possibly from the clutch, and the error came on as a result.

[N.S.A]

I Think you might have a lemon law case in your hands where you could get your car taken back from BMW and they will give you back your money.

[jnkirk1974]

I think your tea is ready Definitely sounds like the seal on the windshield.

[UnfoundLegend]

It may be the seal, but the noise isn't always there. I remember I tried accelerating at a lower speed, and any time rpm's would wind up above 4k, I would hear the noise. It didn't matter the speed I was going. That's how I'm almost certain it's not coming from the windshield. But I will inform the service to check.

[nynd]

Did you try activating the centre speaker? I wonder if the whine is from the motor that drives that center speaker up? Otherwise if you say it say speed related, it could be something in the cluster.

[Butty45]

Sounds more engine noise/ mechanical noise, almost like a belt is loose on the engine to me?

[Butty45]

Listened again. Could be brakes binding on?

[TonySCV]

The good news is that it's reproducible and even if not, you can show the service manager the video - chances are someone at the service dept has heard that noise before.

[v12]

Originally Posted by elitex

maybe active audio?

You are prob. joking but you are not, that isn't Active Sound and if it were we could disable it.


@UnfoundLegend: if you have a GoPro try and place it at different spots on the hood, windshield etc to help locate the source of the sound.

The video you posted: the sound correlates to speed it seems, correct?





-

[UnfoundLegend]

Originally Posted by v12

You are prob. joking but you are not, that isn't Active Sound and if it were we could disable it.


@UnfoundLegend: if you have a GoPro try and place it at different spots on the hood, windshield etc to help locate the source of the sound.

The video you posted: the sound correlates to speed it seems, correct?





-

Thanks for all the help guys.

It'll be at the dealer over the weekend while I'm out of town so I'll post an update of where the noise is coming from and what was done to (hopefully) fix it after I get back.

Also, V12, that is a great idea. I was just using my GoPro yesterday and never thought of that--even though I don't have access to the car now anyway.

.....your coding service by the way...absolutely amazing. Big thumbs up!

Also, I highly doubt it has anything to do with active sound. I remember you disabled it for me, and I was so surprised by the difference that I actually wanted it turned back on and so you did that for me, lol!

[v12]

@UnfoundLegend: Thank you very much.

AS: yep, that's the typical reaction. It amounts to a good portion of the "engaging experience" BMW intended.

I didn't turn it off in @RPiM5 's car when I coded his and perhaps we should have, he's got catless downpipes + a straightpipe GTM exhaust, so in that case perhaps AS isn't needed as much but still...

[UnfoundLegend]

Originally Posted by v12

@UnfoundLegend: Thank you very much.

AS: yep, that's the typical reaction. It amounts to a good portion of the "engaging experience" BMW intended.

I didn't turn it off in @RPiM5 's car when I coded his and perhaps we should have, he's got catless downpipes + a straightpipe GTM exhaust, so in that case perhaps AS isn't needed as much but still...

Hmm.. I've always thought catless downpipes changed the tone a bit, so active sound would play a different tone than the exhaust would.

If I ever get this m5 back in proper working condition, RPI GTM + catless downpipes is a must in my opinion. I believe it also interferes with a custom installed subwoofer--if I ever decide to install mine which is currently collecting dust.