Whistling at 40-45 mph

Rhidium · 03-29-2020, 05:13 PM

I started getting a high pitch whistling sound around 40-45 mph. I've had teh X3 for over a year and never had this issue before. I'm guessing it's a seal somewhere that is vibrating and allowing air to cause this whistle.

Some times it doesn't make a sound.. or sometimes it occurs at other speeds, like it shifted.

Anyone have a idea where it could be coming from? I've read before sunroof has a rattle, but this isn't rattling.

Pr3dict · 03-29-2020, 08:12 PM

Mine makes this sound and I've pinpointed it to the driver side mirror area. I only hear it when the window is open so I think it must be some wind tunnel thing going on right where the mirror and A-post meet. I can stop the sound by putting my hand out the window and in front of the mirror when I'm driving.

satz · 03-30-2020, 03:09 AM

further to PR3drict's post, it could be one of your door mirrors has been slightly bumped out of place?
Or check that your windows and sunroof are closing fully

Rhidium · 03-30-2020, 03:53 AM

Not sure if it would be the mirrors.. but I'll check. Folding it while drive should give me a idea.

Sunroof I open and closed but don't remember if it was making noise while open.

I know one of the last things I did before I heard the sound was open the trunk (it was raining at the time).

Speedbird1 · 03-30-2020, 05:43 AM

I have had this noise since the day I bought the car, (1 year ago) and it occurs between 50 & 70 mph on mine. I recall reading somewhere else on this forum that it was a known issue with no known cure, and that it varied according to outside wind direction, speed etc so very difficult to pinpoint and, therefore, eradicate. I do agree though, it appears to come from the drivers side window / mirror area. I've tried putting electrical tape over various joins / seals / edges but so far have been unable to stop it. Just to be extra frustrating, it doesn't happen on every journey.

GoodGuyAvi · 03-30-2020, 06:46 AM

From day first driver side mirror area

BMWZ4 · 03-30-2020, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhidium

Not sure if it would be the mirrors.. but I'll check. Folding it while drive should give me a idea.

Sunroof I open and closed but don't remember if it was making noise while open.

I know one of the last things I did before I heard the sound was open the trunk (it was raining at the time).

FYI mirrors will automatically fold out over 25mph, so that test probably won't work

Rhidium · 04-07-2020, 09:11 PM

Never had the sound for over a year.. just found it really strange that it just started.
I finally drove today to drop something off some food to a friend (we have a lock down due to COVID-19).. and it didn't make any noise. I'm wondering if it partially has to do with some water getting in to a certain spot causing the whistling. It definitely hasn't been consistent since it started.

Speedbird1 · 04-08-2020, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhidium

Never had the sound for over a year.. just found it really strange that it just started.
I finally drove today to drop something off some food to a friend (we have a lock down due to COVID-19).. and it didn't make any noise. I'm wondering if it partially has to do with some water getting in to a certain spot causing the whistling. It definitely hasn't been consistent since it started.

Unfortunately mine occurs in both wet and dry conditions, so I have to rule that idea out in my case.

Rhidium · 04-09-2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedbird1

Unfortunately mine occurs in both wet and dry conditions, so I have to rule that idea out in my case.

Really sorry to hear that! I'm surprised the dealership isn't doing something to fix it. I couldn't stand having a high pitch whine in my car. I am not a confrontational person, but I would be in their face demanding them to fix it.

Pete17 · 04-10-2020, 01:44 PM

I had the whistle sound from my drivers mirror from about 50mph. The dealer said it was not seated properly. It as been fine since it was repaired. Don't know if this helps at all.

Speedbird1 · 04-11-2020, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete17

I had the whistle sound from my drivers mirror from about 50mph. The dealer said it was not seated properly. It as been fine since it was repaired. Don't know if this helps at all.

Interesting, although I've had a decent poke around looking for obvious causes, the fact you have eliminated it via this route means I will concentrate here. Many thanks.

Rhidium · 04-28-2020, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedbird1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete17

I had the whistle sound from my drivers mirror from about 50mph. The dealer said it was not seated properly. It as been fine since it was repaired. Don't know if this helps at all.

Interesting, although I've had a decent poke around looking for obvious causes, the fact you have eliminated it via this route means I will concentrate here. Many thanks.

Well j figured out what is causing my issue... Looks like there is a gap on my roof! Going to have to contact BMW about it. The other side is starting to do the same thing, but not as nearly as big as this one.

satz · 04-29-2020, 02:30 AM

Are those gaps along the edge of the pano sunroof?

Rhidium · 04-29-2020, 04:31 AM

Yup they are.. I'll take a photo of the overall moonroof to give an idea of the location. I was shocked to find it when I climbed up the side of my car to take a look.

Also excuse the pollen.. took less than 24 hours for my car get tons of pollen on it after washing it. Grrr..

dmicah · 04-29-2020, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhidium

Also excuse the pollen.. took less than 24 hours for my car get tons of pollen on it after washing it. Grrr..

The pollen has been insane during the pandemic, at least here in WA. I've never had allergies until this year. Glad you're on the path to resolution, at least

satz · 04-29-2020, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhidium

Yup they are.. I'll take a photo of the overall moonroof to give an idea of the location. I was shocked to find it when I climbed up the side of my car to take a look.

Also excuse the pollen.. took less than 24 hours for my car get tons of pollen on it after washing it. Grrr..

Hopefully your dealer will rectify (maybe means replacing the entire rubber/foam surround around the pano sunroof, as I think it should be a contiguous piece..which is what it looks like on my car).

Have you tried to tape over those gaps, or fill them temporarily with blu-tak to see if that elimates the wind noise?

Rhidium · 05-02-2020, 02:34 AM

I haven't had a chance to tape them, but the general sound I believe does eminate from there. The sound is outside and sound equal in volume.

I left a message with the dealer about it. With the COVID and the distance I have to drive to drop off my car, I just told them that leave it on my record and when I do a checkup I'll have them fix it. It better be covered. The X3 is barely over a year old.

khalipso · 05-02-2020, 03:46 AM

I had similar noise in my car since I bought. When window open I hear a hissing noise. Sometimes on bumps or when I turn.

Anyway, I tracked it to Audio system. The noise is coming from my speakers. I took it to dealer and explained them, that the noise is from my speaker even when my audio is off. They looked and replaced amplifier in my sound system. It was from the unit in the trunk on left side. Since then the sound is gone.

Check your SOUND SYSTEM.

Rhidium · 05-09-2020, 05:03 AM

It's is not the sound system. It is the moonroof seal. Put tape on the hole and sound is gone.

03-29-2020, 05:13 PM	#1
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Whistling at 40-45 mph I started getting a high pitch whistling sound around 40-45 mph. I've had teh X3 for over a year and never had this issue before. I'm guessing it's a seal somewhere that is vibrating and allowing air to cause this whistle. Some times it doesn't make a sound.. or sometimes it occurs at other speeds, like it shifted. Anyone have a idea where it could be coming from? I've read before sunroof has a rattle, but this isn't rattling.
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03-29-2020, 08:12 PM	#2
Pr3dict Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 248 Posts Drives: '17 340 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Mine makes this sound and I've pinpointed it to the driver side mirror area. I only hear it when the window is open so I think it must be some wind tunnel thing going on right where the mirror and A-post meet. I can stop the sound by putting my hand out the window and in front of the mirror when I'm driving.
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03-30-2020, 03:09 AM	#3
satz Lieutenant Colonel 336 Rep 1,642 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: A land down under iTrader: (0)	further to PR3drict's post, it could be one of your door mirrors has been slightly bumped out of place? Or check that your windows and sunroof are closing fully __________________ 2019 X3 M40i, Sophisto grey, H/K, pano Previous: 2019 BMW X2 Msport, Mineral Grey, Adaptive Suspension, H/K Previous: 2009 335i LCI, Bluewater
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03-30-2020, 03:53 AM	#4
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Not sure if it would be the mirrors.. but I'll check. Folding it while drive should give me a idea. Sunroof I open and closed but don't remember if it was making noise while open. I know one of the last things I did before I heard the sound was open the trunk (it was raining at the time).
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03-30-2020, 05:43 AM	#5
Speedbird1 Second Lieutenant 101 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2019 G01 X3 2023 F44 220i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I have had this noise since the day I bought the car, (1 year ago) and it occurs between 50 & 70 mph on mine. I recall reading somewhere else on this forum that it was a known issue with no known cure, and that it varied according to outside wind direction, speed etc so very difficult to pinpoint and, therefore, eradicate. I do agree though, it appears to come from the drivers side window / mirror area. I've tried putting electrical tape over various joins / seals / edges but so far have been unable to stop it. Just to be extra frustrating, it doesn't happen on every journey.
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03-30-2020, 06:46 AM	#6
GoodGuyAvi Captain 1496 Rep 841 Posts Drives: G80 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Private Island iTrader: (0)	From day first driver side mirror area
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04-07-2020, 09:11 PM	#8
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Never had the sound for over a year.. just found it really strange that it just started. I finally drove today to drop something off some food to a friend (we have a lock down due to COVID-19).. and it didn't make any noise. I'm wondering if it partially has to do with some water getting in to a certain spot causing the whistling. It definitely hasn't been consistent since it started.
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04-10-2020, 01:44 PM	#11
Pete17 Second Lieutenant 134 Rep 246 Posts Drives: X3 2.0i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: West Yorkshire. UK iTrader: (0)	I had the whistle sound from my drivers mirror from about 50mph. The dealer said it was not seated properly. It as been fine since it was repaired. Don't know if this helps at all.
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04-29-2020, 02:30 AM	#14
satz Lieutenant Colonel 336 Rep 1,642 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: A land down under iTrader: (0)	Are those gaps along the edge of the pano sunroof? __________________ 2019 X3 M40i, Sophisto grey, H/K, pano Previous: 2019 BMW X2 Msport, Mineral Grey, Adaptive Suspension, H/K Previous: 2009 335i LCI, Bluewater
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04-29-2020, 04:31 AM	#15
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Yup they are.. I'll take a photo of the overall moonroof to give an idea of the location. I was shocked to find it when I climbed up the side of my car to take a look. Also excuse the pollen.. took less than 24 hours for my car get tons of pollen on it after washing it. Grrr..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2020, 02:34 AM	#18
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I haven't had a chance to tape them, but the general sound I believe does eminate from there. The sound is outside and sound equal in volume. I left a message with the dealer about it. With the COVID and the distance I have to drive to drop off my car, I just told them that leave it on my record and when I do a checkup I'll have them fix it. It better be covered. The X3 is barely over a year old.
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05-02-2020, 03:46 AM	#19
khalipso Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: bmw x3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: PA, US iTrader: (0)	Noise Sound system I had similar noise in my car since I bought. When window open I hear a hissing noise. Sometimes on bumps or when I turn. Anyway, I tracked it to Audio system. The noise is coming from my speakers. I took it to dealer and explained them, that the noise is from my speaker even when my audio is off. They looked and replaced amplifier in my sound system. It was from the unit in the trunk on left side. Since then the sound is gone. Check your SOUND SYSTEM.
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05-09-2020, 05:03 AM	#20
Rhidium Lieutenant 274 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	It's is not the sound system. It is the moonroof seal. Put tape on the hole and sound is gone.
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