What is that noise at 3200 RPM

dsgrillot · 09-29-2011, 08:23 AM

Can anyone tell me what this metallic/tinny vibration sound is? It only happens right around 3200 rpms. Sounds like it's coming from under the hood. Kinda sounds like a thin piece of metal is being sheared off. It happens in all gears and only when the engine is warm. It never goes away as long as you hold 3200 rpms. Thanks for any advice.

Pheonix · 09-29-2011, 08:35 AM

Most likely coming from the VANOS Upper valve train assembly.That is norma so get use to it (or get louder exhaust and Intake to drown it out;_)

dazed^ · 09-29-2011, 02:13 PM

Think of it as the S54 Siren's Song...

Finnegan · 09-29-2011, 02:20 PM

+1 on both follow ups to the OP.

It's just part of what the engine sounds like. You'll get used to it! I just tend to avoid that RPM range and don't sit around 3.2K.

JB 007 · 09-29-2011, 03:17 PM

Vanos..

gcochard · 09-29-2011, 07:15 PM

It reminds me of an S52, makes me miss and hate my e36 all at the same time.

MZHammer · 09-29-2011, 07:19 PM

This noise used to scare the hell out of me, when I first heard it after reading about Vanos issues on this forum. Thankfully, I learned from others that it is absolutely normal.

gcochard · 09-29-2011, 07:20 PM

Speaking of the vanos bolts, at what RPM do those like to sound off?

Or...what are the symptoms if they don't have an RPM associated sound?

EM-KOOP · 09-29-2011, 10:39 PM

i was really worried about this too, then i stumbled across this on bimmerfest a few months ago:

i actually kinda like the sound.

mikeinsf · 09-30-2011, 01:31 PM

Yep, get used to it. It's an inherent S54 characteristic. I hate the sound personally, but I've learned to tune it out. The Inspection II (including valve adjustment) I just got done has minimized it somewhat.

09-29-2011, 08:23 AM	#1
dsgrillot Private 16 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Beckley, WV iTrader: (0)	What is that noise at 3200 RPM Can anyone tell me what this metallic/tinny vibration sound is? It only happens right around 3200 rpms. Sounds like it's coming from under the hood. Kinda sounds like a thin piece of metal is being sheared off. It happens in all gears and only when the engine is warm. It never goes away as long as you hold 3200 rpms. Thanks for any advice.
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09-29-2011, 08:35 AM	#2
Pheonix Major 379 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe 2012 e93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW/Z4MC [0.00]	Most likely coming from the VANOS Upper valve train assembly.That is norma so get use to it (or get louder exhaust and Intake to drown it out;_)
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09-29-2011, 02:13 PM	#3
dazed^ Private First Class 4 Rep 174 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Think of it as the S54 Siren's Song...
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09-29-2011, 02:20 PM	#4
Finnegan Dog Listener 704 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	+1 on both follow ups to the OP. It's just part of what the engine sounds like. You'll get used to it! I just tend to avoid that RPM range and don't sit around 3.2K.
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09-29-2011, 03:17 PM	#5
JB 007 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 380 Posts Drives: Z4MC RRS MINI... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nicosia iTrader: (0)	Vanos.. __________________ Z4MC_Black Sapphire/Imola-_-DMS ECU ll H&S cat-back ll H&R coilovers ll CF Lip ll Lamin-X ll Matte black kidneys ll Afe drop in ll Afe intake elbow ll RPi scoop ll LeatherZ imola shift boot ll ZHP knob...
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09-29-2011, 07:15 PM	#6
gcochard Captain 24 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South OC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	It reminds me of an S52, makes me miss and hate my e36 all at the same time.
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09-29-2011, 07:19 PM	#7
MZHammer Lieutenant 45 Rep 516 Posts Drives: E85 Z4M, F82 M4 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hamilton, ON iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 M4 [0.00] 2006 BMW Z4M Roadster [0.00]	This noise used to scare the hell out of me, when I first heard it after reading about Vanos issues on this forum. Thankfully, I learned from others that it is absolutely normal.
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09-29-2011, 07:20 PM	#8
gcochard Captain 24 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South OC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Speaking of the vanos bolts, at what RPM do those like to sound off? Or...what are the symptoms if they don't have an RPM associated sound?
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09-29-2011, 10:39 PM	#9
EM-KOOP New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sunny SoCal iTrader: (0)	i was really worried about this too, then i stumbled across this on bimmerfest a few months ago: i actually kinda like the sound. Last edited by EM-KOOP; 09-29-2011 at 10:41 PM.. Reason: added info
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09-30-2011, 01:31 PM	#10
mikeinsf First Lieutenant 10 Rep 335 Posts Drives: 2007 M Roadster Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (1)	Yep, get used to it. It's an inherent S54 characteristic. I hate the sound personally, but I've learned to tune it out. The Inspection II (including valve adjustment) I just got done has minimized it somewhat. __________________ 2007 ///M roadster
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