HELP!

[Jacky]

hi

i got my 525i last september. I remembered it was pretty silent (not as silent as the Lexus).

Now it is June 2005 (9 months of usage, mileage of 20600km)...i can feel that the noise coming from the engine or from the car when it is moving is significantly louder than 9 months ago.

is this normal and will servicing bring the noise level down?

(actually, the noise got louder after my first servicing)

[ryan]

Try a placebo remedy.

Take a piece of rock, write "Silencer" on it, and place it on your dashboard.

See whether that works. Who knows it could be a mind thing if you just switched cars from a previous (more nosier car).

Then again...if it comes from the engine bay...when do you experience the louder sound? At all levels? or certain stages (accelerating / slowing down / 40-70km e.g.)?

[totoseow]

when did u last change ur engine oil? i know i m making my car louder...n louder...n louder...n louder...

[emiffy]

After your first servicing -- did they change the engine oil? I believe that the engine oil will have an effect on the engine noise.

And are you sure it's the engine, and not tyre noise?

[Jacky]

yes i think so.

there is this whrrrrrrring sound when you step on the gas.

the whrrrrrring sound is more noticeable now than before......

[emiffy]

Monitor for a while longer. What oil did they give you, Castrol SLX? For the next servicing (or if you are really really bothered about it -- when you change your engine oil again), try Mobil 1 or Torco. You don't have to do this at PML, it's a simple job.

[Jacky]

problem solved.

Tyre!!!! my run flat tyres were worn out after 9 months. Mileage is only 23000 km.

replaced with 4 X continental tyres.

Total Damage: $1800++

plus 1 backup tyre..

[eggz]

Jacky,

Were your runflats, Dunlops? if so, there is a known problem with excessive wear on these runflat tyres. PML/BMW Asia have been told in a service bulletin to replace them for customers who suffer this, free of charge (the cost is absorbed by Dunlop). Since you have already change your tyres, you might be able to go back to PML and hound them to refund you the cost of your new tyres.

I cut and paste the TSB, it's I think, for the US, but should apply here as well. I know of owners of E60s here that have had their runflats replaced FOC by PML because of this issue

Here it is:

SUBJECT
Noise and/or Vibration Caused by Irregular Tire Wear


MODEL
E60 (5 Series) equipped with Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST Run Flat Tires


SITUATION
Noise and/or vibration caused by irregular tire wear on Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST Run Flat tires may be objectionable to some customers. Irregular tire wear may also be noted during a service visit.

CORRECTION
If this situation is detected based upon a customer complaint and/or during a service visit; and only if the tires have less than 20,000 miles, replace all four (4) tires.

PROCEDURE


Check all four tires for proper inflation pressure and tread wear each time a customer comes into your center.
Noise and vibration may be caused by the irregular tire wear referenced in this Service Information. The wear only occurs at the tire's inner shoulder as indicated by the shaded area in the illustration.
The tires will have a feathered or scalloped edge on the inner tread blocks. If one or more tires are found with this condition, and the tires have less than 20,000 miles, all four (4) tires should be replaced with similar Dunlop tires, or when not available, with other BMW approved tires.

Assistance for situations outside of the scope of this Service Information will require submission of a PuMA case to the BMW Technical Hotline with required tire information such as DOT number, tire pressures, tire mileage, and digital pictures (if possible).

WARRANTY INFORMATION
The coverage offered by Dunlop for the situation described is in addition to their normal tire warranty. While tires are warranted by the Tire Company and not BMW of North America, claims that arise from this Service Information may be submitted by participating centers using the BMW Tire Center Target Satisfaction Program. BMW centers not enrolled in the BMW Tire Center Target Satisfaction Program must contact Dunlop directly at 1-888-637-3784 (1-888-OE SERVICE) for further assistance. For more information regarding the BMW Tire Center Target Satisfaction Program, please refer to Service Information B01 02 04.

REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement for claims under this Service Information will be processed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BMW Tire Center Target Satisfaction Program, except as noted below. Only centers enrolled in the BMW Tire Center Target Satisfaction Program will be permitted to submit claims for reimbursement.

The following information applies to all claims submitted in conjunction with this Service Information.

100% part and labor reimbursement as noted below, up to 20,000 miles on the tire.

Defect Code
36 12 02 77 DT
Enter as a "BMW Tire Center Target

Satisfaction Program" only


Labor Reimbursement
$20 per tire
Sublet code: 4


Shipping & Handling
$10 per tire
Sublet Code: 4

Shipment to the nearest Dealer

Tire location


Tires
Dealer Net cost

NOTES
Please note the following conditions apply to all claims related to this Service Information:

Only tires that exhibit the specific wear outlined in this Service Information are eligible for coverage.

Dunlop tires, when available, will be used for replacement.

If the specified Dunlop tires are not available, please contact The BMW Tire Center for other BMW approved tires that can be used as substitutes.

Tires which have been in use for more than 20,000 miles are not eligible for coverage under this Service Information.

Tires that have been plugged, patched, or otherwise repaired are not eligible for coverage.

All tires must be returned to Dealer Tire as outlined in Service Information B01 02 04.

Any tires received that do not meet all the criteria listed in this Service Information will result in a debit of the entire claim.