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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum Mechanical Maintenance - Break-in, Oil, Fluids, Servicing 540i Engine Sound - is this normal?

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      10-26-2020, 10:37 AM   #1
Jas387
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540i Engine Sound - is this normal?

I've just picked up my new 540i and have been driving it around for a few days, following the break in procedures.

It didn't seem all that noisy when I collected it from the dealer but I have since noticed that the engine doesn't sound as smooth and quiet as I was expecting it to be at idle. It drives perfectly, but when it is idling, there is a noticeable rattling/tapping sound, most obviously on the drivers side of the car (I am in the UK, so it would be the passenger side for the rest of the world). It doesn't sound very nice and isn't what I was expecting from a 6 cylinder petrol engine.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/472240126
https://player.vimeo.com/video/472240638

The car is at the detailers being ceramic coated at the moment but I'm considering taking it back to the dealer to get it checked out.

Does this sound normal to anyone else? Thanks for any advice.

Last edited by Jas387; 10-26-2020 at 01:00 PM..
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      10-26-2020, 12:35 PM   #2
faz999
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Definitely take it back get it checked out. Injectors noise is normal but vibration noise seems little loud.
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      10-26-2020, 01:03 PM   #3
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Sounds like a 540D!
Mine is a 2017 540i and from the outside there is a little top end tapperty noise, but no where near as loud as what you have recorded. It is also inaudible from inside the car. I would definitely take it back for a check.
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      10-26-2020, 02:54 PM   #4
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Thanks all. Mine is completely inaudible from inside the car too, but it is definitely noisier than I was expecting from outside. When the bonnet is down, the sound comes from the drivers side (US passenger side) wheel arch.

These videos probably do make it seem a little worse than it is, but I’m fairly sure it sounds worse/more rattly than my two previous 530is, and all the 530ds I’ve driven.

When I get it back from the detailer, I’ll take it in to get looked at.
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      11-04-2020, 03:01 PM   #5
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Well, the dealership said it was normal, which is kind of what I expected would happen.

I have only managed to find one other video of a 540i idling, so it’s really hard to know whether mine is normal. There is a chance that the video is making it sound a little worse than it is.

My neighbour has just bought a new 5 series, so I’ll see if I can listen to his for comparison.
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      11-04-2020, 08:25 PM   #6
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i too find the engine is louder than i expected it to be (compared to a 3) but it's not a jarring noise
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      11-05-2020, 01:41 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by packet View Post
i too find the engine is louder than i expected it to be (compared to a 3) but it's not a jarring noise
Thanks, that’s helpful and good to hear. Mine isn’t a jarring noise either - it just doesn’t sound as ‘smooth’ as I was expecting it to be.

Unfortunately (because of COVID) we weren’t able to test drive a 540i before we ordered, and you don’t see that many of them in dealerships in the UK.
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      11-05-2020, 08:18 AM   #8
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It doesn't sound rough, but it's not whisper quiet - it's like a mix of tough and smooth
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      11-05-2020, 12:20 PM   #9
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so i just took a drive today to confirm this - yep, it's not whisper quiet but it's not open pipe harley either
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      11-05-2020, 01:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by packet View Post
so i just took a drive today to confirm this - yep, it's not whisper quiet but it's not open pipe harley either
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      11-05-2020, 04:34 PM   #11
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That doesn't sound like a normal engine. My 17 540i doesn't sound as clanky. This sounds like a diesel. I'll see if I can check out a 2021 540i at the dealership when I go in tomorrow to replace the seals of my sunroof. I wouldn't buy a six cylinder straight engine if it sounded like this.
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      11-05-2020, 04:58 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by f30modern View Post
That doesn't sound like a normal engine. My 17 540i doesn't sound as clanky. This sounds like a diesel. I'll see if I can check out a 2021 540i at the dealership when I go in tomorrow to replace the seals of my sunroof. I wouldn't buy a six cylinder straight engine if it sounded like this.
Thank you. We are just heading into another lockdown here, but I'll listen to it again in the coming days and consider taking it in to ask to compare it to another car on the forecourt.
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      11-05-2020, 11:02 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jas387 View Post
Well, the dealership said it was normal, which is kind of what I expected would happen.

I have only managed to find one other video of a 540i idling, so it's really hard to know whether mine is normal. There is a chance that the video is making it sound a little worse than it is.

My neighbour has just bought a new 5 series, so I'll see if I can listen to his for comparison.
It's normal. At least it's normal for the B58B30M0. You have the M1 in a 2021. Mostly similar engine with increased fuel pressure.
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      11-08-2020, 08:27 AM   #14
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So I gave it a listen again - the clattering sound I do found different in your car. But I'm no expert.
Is that when it's completely warmed up? You're under warranty, so the dealership has to give you the time of the day and then some...
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      11-08-2020, 09:11 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by packet View Post
So I gave it a listen again - the clattering sound I do found different in your car. But I'm no expert.
Is that when it's completely warmed up? You're under warranty, so the dealership has to give you the time of the day and then some...
Thanks very much packet.

The video was taken when it had been running for a little while, but I can't remember what the gauge might have been showing. It may not have been completely warm.

I think it seems to have quietened down a little now, but I'll try to check it again next time I drive it. The exhaust has also got a touch louder, which is nice.
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      11-08-2020, 02:54 PM   #16
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My bad - I just re-read your post - you mentioned that this was during break-in, so maybe it's a break-in thing? Especially since you say the exhaust note is louder now?

Honestly, this is the first car in which I haven't even lifted up the hood to see what's underneath (it could be powered by a bunch of hamsters for all I know)
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      11-08-2020, 03:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by packet View Post
My bad - I just re-read your post - you mentioned that this was during break-in, so maybe it's a break-in thing? Especially since you say the exhaust note is louder now?

Honestly, this is the first car in which I haven't even lifted up the hood to see what's underneath (it could be powered by a bunch of hamsters for all I know)
I am still breaking mine in - it was on about 500 miles when I took that video. I still wouldn't have expected a £60k car to ever sound like that to be honest, but maybe my expectations were a bit too high.

Ha! I'll check for hamsters and maybe ask them to keep the noise down
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      11-08-2020, 07:18 PM   #18
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Not just hamsters, but buff hamsters high on meth!

I hear you - at that cost, you want it to be perfect.
I am hoping this is just some break-in thing.

Just thought of one thing to set your mind at ease - sign into the BMW connected site and choose to request your vehicle data - it takes about 24-48 hours, you'll get a full report with error codes etc - that you can then lookup to see (and take to dealership - they get some wicked detailed info when they scan your key in their reader)
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      11-12-2020, 02:54 PM   #19
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Thanks packet, I’ve requested my vehicle data so we’ll see if that reveals anything.

Unfortunately my car is still noisy when I’m standing outside it. I appreciate Claykin letting me know it’s normal, but honestly I’ll be really disappointed if this is how it’s meant to sound.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/478594409

It sounds more rattly than just injectors to me, but it’s hard to tell from the video.

I might have to go to see our local dealer again and ask to listen to another 540i just to put my mind at ease.

It still drives brilliantly and is completely silent inside the car, it just sounds a bit rough when I’m standing next to it.

Last edited by Jas387; 11-12-2020 at 03:24 PM..
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      11-13-2020, 07:30 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jas387 View Post
Thanks packet, I’ve requested my vehicle data so we’ll see if that reveals anything.

Unfortunately my car is still noisy when I’m standing outside it. I appreciate Claykin letting me know it’s normal, but honestly I’ll be really disappointed if this is how it’s meant to sound.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/478594409

It sounds more rattly than just injectors to me, but it’s hard to tell from the video.

I might have to go to see our local dealer again and ask to listen to another 540i just to put my mind at ease.

It still drives brilliantly and is completely silent inside the car, it just sounds a bit rough when I’m standing next to it.
Hoping you get some good data to be able to back up your claim.
I gave your newest video a listen - and there is a tapping sound that sounds different to me.
I hope you can listen to another 540i and get some peace of mind - else different dealer.
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      11-13-2020, 09:03 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jas387 View Post
Thanks packet, I’ve requested my vehicle data so we’ll see if that reveals anything.

Unfortunately my car is still noisy when I’m standing outside it. I appreciate Claykin letting me know it’s normal, but honestly I’ll be really disappointed if this is how it’s meant to sound.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/478594409

It sounds more rattly than just injectors to me, but it’s hard to tell from the video.

I might have to go to see our local dealer again and ask to listen to another 540i just to put my mind at ease.

It still drives brilliantly and is completely silent inside the car, it just sounds a bit rough when I’m standing next to it.
First video loud injectors second video not normal too loud

That your pulley and belts need to be replaced it grinding

100% not normal take it back t
Ask to take drive with service manager pulleys and belt out of sync
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