[Mungogrubb]

Looking for a bit of comfort from any of you 328 drivers! I am up to 12.5k miles now and the catalogue of issues is starting to grow, the two i am most concerned with is the whining/whistle from the gearbox in reverse the second and reason for the post is the engine racket at low speeds and tick over.

It may be my mind playing tricks but i am certain its getting louder and louder! i gave a mate a lift the other day and he was convinced it was a diesel. Is it just mine or should i take it in?

I'd appreciate you thoughts

[stefan4]

My 320i when cold on tick over can sound a little diesel esk but nothing too loud

Ive also heard this said about the 125i which has the same engine.

[Isow]

Originally Posted by Mungogrubb

Looking for a bit of comfort from any of you 328 drivers! I am up to 12.5k miles now and the catalogue of issues is starting to grow, the two i am most concerned with is the whining/whistle from the gearbox in reverse the second and reason for the post is the engine racket at low speeds and tick over.

It may be my mind playing tricks but i am certain its getting louder and louder! i gave a mate a lift the other day and he was convinced it was a diesel. Is it just mine or should i take it in?

I'd appreciate you thoughts

I've driven two 328s, one was noisy, the other was quiet.
I bought the quiet one.
Obviously it is the Direct Injection.
I do not know whether BMW has two different suppliers of the Direct Injection stuff.
If you are ever in the Manchester area, I will take you out in my 328 , which is relatively quiet, so you can compare it to yours.

[Hprice1099]

I've never noticed anything, I'd take it to BMW to check

[HiBee]

My 328i seems to be reasonably quiet when idling, certainly not diesel noisy though.

[RobUK]

My 328i is pretty quiet, including on tick-over. Haven't heard another one to compare it with unfortunately. Wonder if an oil change would help?

The (Sport Auto) gearbox whine in reverse started on mine around 6K miles, it's not loud at all but it wasn't there from new. Local dealer agrees and BMW UK have advised the gearbox needs replacing. Had call last week to say the new gearbox has arrived so will probably book it in this week (2-day job it seems).

[Isow]

Originally Posted by RobUK

My 328i is pretty quiet, including on tick-over. Haven't heard another one to compare it with unfortunately. Wonder if an oil change would help?

The (Sport Auto) gearbox whine in reverse started on mine around 6K miles, it's not loud at all but it wasn't there from new. Local dealer agrees and BMW UK have advised the gearbox needs replacing. Had call last week to say the new gearbox has arrived so will probably book it in this week (2-day job it seems).

Good luck.

[HiBee]

Rob.

Just pray you don't get a 114 loaner.

[Mungogrubb]

Cheers guys, think I am going to take her in and good luck Rob let us know how it goes as it seems mine will need the same treatment!

[RobUK]

Thanks guys, yep not best pleased the car needs a new gearbox so early in its life and the big concern is obviously that such major work could introduce new problems. Also not a good sign that I'm not alone in having this problem. It started around 6K and I've now done 11K. Have also noticed in the last 500 miles or so that when the ASS kicks in or when I put it in Park, there's a 'thump' from the transmission, almost feels like the car has been gently hit from behind - it's really noticeable.

If you've got gearbox whine, definitely get it checked - BMW UK should know about this now.

The replacement car will need to be an auto, have satnav and be able to carry 4 people in reasonable comfort. Hopefully that'll rule out them lending me some 114i roller-skate

[Shaunguitar]

Is the noise you refer to like a ticking tappit type sound which increases in speed with the engine? I notice that but not sure if its a characteristic of the engine. And it seems to lessen once engine warmed up.

[Mungogrubb]

Originally Posted by Shaunguitar

Is the noise you refer to like a ticking tappit type sound which increases in speed with the engine? I notice that but not sure if its a characteristic of the engine. And it seems to lessen once engine warmed up.

Yep that's pretty much it- I know this engine is a little noisy due to the Direct Injection but when someone else thinks its a diesel it makes you wonder!
It is better when warm but not much

[Shaunguitar]

Mine's going in next week to try to identify a knocking from rear end and I've told tem to look at this too so will update you. Going in next Thursday. Cheers.

[SomeRandomer123]

Like Rob, I can't compare to another 328i because I haven't heard one, but I wouldn't say the clackity-clack of the Direct Injection is out of the ordinary and not particularly loud or diesel like. Like all engines, it's quieter once warmer, but it's not particularly bad on a cold start. Cold or warm, I cannot hear it inside the car with the doors and windows shut.

20,000mls now, still not had first service. Got mine about the same time as Rob's - June 2012.

The injectors are solenoid type, not piezoelectric anymore, which is why the noise is more pronounced.

With windows down, it can't be heard on the move.

Thankfully, my car has (somehow for a first year build) been flawless.

Sport Automatic Transmission - I have no whine in R or any clunk when changing to P,R,N,D.


Best of luck with your transmission change Rob, that's not good at all!

[Moleeuk]

Mine is a June 2012 model and I have noticed a slight 'rattle' on cold start. Stops after a few seconds though and I cannot hear it in the car.

Can get noisy a little noisy at the red line mind...

I have a 8AT (not sport) gearbox and have no noise in reverse. I will be listening carefully though.

[Tom1s]

Hi what the noise was? I have similar symptoms.

[dstor]

My old 328i used to make the same racket at idle! Didn't please me and did get worse as the miles piled on (changed at 105k).

I think I read somewhere it was the injectors and nothing to worry about but not a nice sound I grant you. Pleased the new engine in my 330i doesn't do it!!!

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by Mungogrubb

Looking for a bit of comfort from any of you 328 drivers! I am up to 12.5k miles now and the catalogue of issues is starting to grow, the two i am most concerned with is the whining/whistle from the gearbox in reverse the second and reason for the post is the engine racket at low speeds and tick over.

It may be my mind playing tricks but i am certain its getting louder and louder! i gave a mate a lift the other day and he was convinced it was a diesel. Is it just mine or should i take it in?

I'd appreciate you thoughts

There's a lot of people having problems with the ZF 8 whining especially in the M135i, it must be a known issue as ZF have started fitting modified boxes to a lot of M135i, as for the engine noise I had a 428i once and it sounded more like a diesel than a 335d at idle but fine when driving

[RobUK]

My 328i started to get much more 'clattery' with age - chopped it in at 48K miles by which time it had developed another noise which I'm led to believe was crankshaft bearings