Strange road noise

Aye-eight · 08-19-2015, 03:55 AM

Driving with the windows down in summer, I noticed an odd road noise coming from my i8. Sounds like a soft version of sticking playing cards into bicycle spokes - that's the best way I can describe it. It's only audible when I drive along a wall or something like that, so the sound gets reflected back into the car. Seems like it's only there when I go at least 15 mph or so, but it's also there at highway speeds. What seems odd is that it doesn't seem to change much with speed. Which makes BMW's explanation a bit dubious:

I've had it in the shop twice, and they came back with the explanation that the noise comes from the slotted brake discs. They say they've checked with BMW, it's a known issue, but there's no solution at the moment.

I'm a bit surprised. I've had cars with slotted discs before and never heard that noise. But maybe the engine noise always covered it up (hello, Porsche!).

Does anybody on here have the same problem?

jwestfield · 08-19-2015, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Driving with the windows down in summer, I noticed an odd road noise coming from my i8. Sounds like a soft version of sticking playing cards into bicycle spokes - that's the best way I can describe it. It's only audible when I drive along a wall or something like that, so the sound gets reflected back into the car. Seems like it's only there when I go at least 15 mph or so, but it's also there at highway speeds. What seems odd is that it doesn't seem to change much with speed. Which makes BMW's explanation a bit dubious:

I've had it in the shop twice, and they came back with the explanation that the noise comes from the slotted brake discs. They say they've checked with BMW, it's a known issue, but there's no solution at the moment.

I'm a bit surprised. I've had cars with slotted discs before and never heard that noise. But maybe the engine noise always covered it up (hello, Porsche!).

Does anybody on here have the same problem?

It's the bolts on the tire and there is a service bulletin on it

kip1 · 08-19-2015, 06:01 AM

It is probably the recharging process and kers, put it in emode it will go away. It is probably normal. All the ones I have driven have it and especially when the battery is low.

Aye-eight · 08-19-2015, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kip1

It is probably the recharging process and kers, put it in emode it will go away. It is probably normal. All the ones I have driven have it and especially when the battery is low.

I don't think that's it. I get it independently of battery level, even just fresh off the charging point. And I get it in all driving modes. It's especially easy to hear in e-mode, which I'm in most of the time (average 86 mpg to date - yes, I use it for my commute). That's why this annoys me so much: it makes e-mode less quiet.

What you may be referring to is the conditioning of the battery while it's being charged. That can even occur when the car is parked, depending on outside / battery temperature. But I'm experiencing a different noise alltogether.

Aye-eight · 08-19-2015, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwestfield

It's the bolts on the tire and there is a service bulletin on it

Could you let me know where to find that service bulletin? Didn't see it on the NHTSA page.

Thanks!

MalibuBimmer · 08-19-2015, 07:26 AM

Here it is.

mu2002cs · 08-19-2015, 09:35 AM

Its the lug bolts. The sound is exactly how my dealer explained it to me.

MalibuBimmer · 08-19-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mu2002cs

Its the lug bolts. The sound is exactly how my dealer explained it to me.

And as described in the service bulletin.

ntingle · 08-19-2015, 02:55 PM

I still hear this noise after replacing the bolts. I'm just ignoring it for now.

Epirali · 08-19-2015, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntingle

I still hear this noise after replacing the bolts. I'm just ignoring it for now.

You didn't get the earplugs that came with the TSB repair?

MalibuBimmer · 08-19-2015, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntingle

I still hear this noise after replacing the bolts. I'm just ignoring it for now.

Me, too. Supposedly the other noise problem has to do with the motor mounts. For which there is as of yet no cure,

Aye-eight · 08-21-2015, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Here it is.

Thanks very much!

A bit scary, isn't it?

kip1 · 08-22-2015, 05:43 PM

Ouch, not nice...

MKSixer · 09-12-2015, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwestfield

It's the bolts on the tire and there is a service bulletin on it

I just had mine done on yesterday and the difference is like day and night. It is SOOOOO quiet. If you haven't had this done, I highly recommend that you do it ASAP!!

Aye-eight · 01-02-2016, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKSixer

I just had mine done on yesterday and the difference is like day and night. It is SOOOOO quiet. If you haven't had this done, I highly recommend that you do it ASAP!!

My dealer wasn't even aware of the service bulletin, so I showed them the one posted here by MalibuBimmer. Theytold me the bolts are on back order at the moment. Will try again when I switch back to summer wheels.

By now, I have a reputation with my shop. They leanr things from me about the car that they didn't even know. ;-) When I had the winter wheels put on, I picked up the car, but then walked back in because I had a question on something else. The service manager saw me coming and went "Oh no, here it comes!"

Hope this Lowers their temptation to try to pull the wool over my eyes in the future ...

Aye-eight · 11-18-2016, 05:14 AM

Time to bump this one up again. Anyone still having this issue or any success in resolving it. Took my car in today for a tire change and mentioned it again. They had no record of my complaint in their system, although I started bugging them about it over a year ago. Took a mechanic for a ride, and he clearly heard it. Forwarded the bulletin posted above. Not sure if they will be able to do anything about it.

ChiTownM · 11-18-2016, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Time to bump this one up again. Anyone still having this issue or any success in resolving it. Took my car in today for a tire change and mentioned it again. They had no record of my complaint in their system, although I started bugging them about it over a year ago. Took a mechanic for a ride, and he clearly heard it. Forwarded the bulletin posted above. Not sure if they will be able to do anything about it.

I got rye bolts done as soon as the TSB came out and the noise went away. I do have intermittent creaking in the back right rear when going over bumps or potholes which I can now hear instead. So I am not sure it is a win or wasted effort ...... J/k

Aye-eight · 11-18-2016, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

I got rye bolts done as soon as the TSB came out and the noise went away. I do have intermittent creaking in the back right rear when going over bumps or potholes which I can now hear instead. So I am not sure it is a win or wasted effort ...... J/k

Thanks. I finally got them to order the bolts based on the bulletin. They claim they had never seen it in Switzerland. Very curious.

I had creaks, too. In my case, they went away with a minor realignment of the doors.

ChiTownM · 11-18-2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

I got rye bolts done as soon as the TSB came out and the noise went away. I do have intermittent creaking in the back right rear when going over bumps or potholes which I can now hear instead. So I am not sure it is a win or wasted effort ...... J/k

Thanks. I finally got them to order the bolts based on the bulletin. They claim they had never seen it in Switzerland. Very curious.

I had creaks, too. In my case, they went away with a minor realignment of the doors.

I will mention that. We did that but now the weather is colder so maybe it came back due to that weather change.

08-19-2015, 03:55 AM	#1
Aye-eight Major 509 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW i8 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: My garage iTrader: (0) Garage List 1962 Triumph TR3B [0.00] 2015 BMW i8 [0.00] 2007 Volvo V70 T6 [0.00] 1960 Chevrolet Corv ... [0.00]	Strange road noise - slotted discs? Driving with the windows down in summer, I noticed an odd road noise coming from my i8. Sounds like a soft version of sticking playing cards into bicycle spokes - that's the best way I can describe it. It's only audible when I drive along a wall or something like that, so the sound gets reflected back into the car. Seems like it's only there when I go at least 15 mph or so, but it's also there at highway speeds. What seems odd is that it doesn't seem to change much with speed. Which makes BMW's explanation a bit dubious: I've had it in the shop twice, and they came back with the explanation that the noise comes from the slotted brake discs. They say they've checked with BMW, it's a known issue, but there's no solution at the moment. I'm a bit surprised. I've had cars with slotted discs before and never heard that noise. But maybe the engine noise always covered it up (hello, Porsche!). Does anybody on here have the same problem?
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08-19-2015, 06:01 AM	#3
kip1 Captain 168 Rep 774 Posts Drives: X5M50d Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: - iTrader: (0)	It is probably the recharging process and kers, put it in emode it will go away. It is probably normal. All the ones I have driven have it and especially when the battery is low.
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08-19-2015, 07:26 AM	#6
MalibuBimmer Founder, Knights of the Roundel website 967 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 and 2018 AMG GT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Santa Monica Mountains, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Mercedes AMG GT [0.00] 2018 Audi Q3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00]	Here it is. Attached Images __________________ Previously: 2014 i8; 2013 650i convertible; 2013 650i Gran Coupe; 2013 X1; 2010 550i GT; 2010 535 GT; 2010 Z4 3.5; 2008 535ixt; 2007 M6 convertible; 2006 650i convertible; 1996 Z3; 1980 633CSi; 1978 630CS; 1972 3.0CS; 1971 Bavaria. (1971; 1979-2005 & 2017 - ? -- the Mercedes years.)
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08-19-2015, 09:35 AM	#7
mu2002cs Private First Class 111 Rep 182 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Its the lug bolts. The sound is exactly how my dealer explained it to me.
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08-19-2015, 02:55 PM	#9
ntingle Enlisted Member 25 Rep 41 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Los Gatos, CA iTrader: (0)	I still hear this noise after replacing the bolts. I'm just ignoring it for now.
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08-22-2015, 05:43 PM	#13
kip1 Captain 168 Rep 774 Posts Drives: X5M50d Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Ouch, not nice...
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11-18-2016, 05:14 AM	#16
Aye-eight Major 509 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW i8 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: My garage iTrader: (0) Garage List 1962 Triumph TR3B [0.00] 2015 BMW i8 [0.00] 2007 Volvo V70 T6 [0.00] 1960 Chevrolet Corv ... [0.00]	Time to bump this one up again. Anyone still having this issue or any success in resolving it. Took my car in today for a tire change and mentioned it again. They had no record of my complaint in their system, although I started bugging them about it over a year ago. Took a mechanic for a ride, and he clearly heard it. Forwarded the bulletin posted above. Not sure if they will be able to do anything about it.
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