BMW ZF8HP50 Gearbox Whine 2nd, 5th

Minty · 02-17-2017, 08:48 AM

I know this has been discussed before but I haven't seen any recent postings about gearbox whine / whistle.

I have always had this noise and weirdly it is only apparent when the car first gets up to operating temperature (when the oil temperature reaches just below the middle). It is virtually silent when cold and dissipates slightly after a very long run. It is most noticeable in 2nd and 5th and faintly in other gears.

I have also read on the 1er forum that a high percentage of M140i owners have reported the same noise.

Do any other 340i auto owner experience this? I can live with the noise if it is a feature but am worried that this might lead to self destruction

Cheers,
Minty

robbiep · 02-17-2017, 09:30 AM

The car has a 3 year warranty on it.

Drive it like you stole it, get it serviced as per OBC, report any faults to BMW as and when they happen (Assist are brilliant if you need to call them out), and wait and see if the noise gets worse or the gearbox breaks.

creepy coupe · 02-17-2017, 09:43 AM

Are you sure it's not coming through the speakers?

Minty · 02-17-2017, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Are you sure it's not coming through the speakers?

Certain, if I drive in an enclosed space then it's even louder outside.

Minty · 02-17-2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbiep

The car has a 3 year warranty on it.

Drive it like you stole it, get it serviced as per OBC, report any faults to BMW as and when they happen (Assist are brilliant if you need to call them out), and wait and see if the noise gets worse or the gearbox breaks.

Haha, I like your style...I'm a bit OCD when it comes to stuff like this.

Ashway · 02-17-2017, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minty

I know this has been discussed before but I haven't seen any recent postings about gearbox whine / whistle.

I have always had this noise and weirdly it is only apparent when the car first gets up to operating temperature (when the oil temperature reaches just below the middle). It is virtually silent when cold and dissipates slightly after a very long run. It is most noticeable in 2nd and 5th and faintly in other gears.

I have also read on the 1er forum that a high percentage of M140i owners have reported the same noise.

Do any other 340i auto owner experience this? I can live with the noise if it is a feature but am worried that this might lead to self destruction

Cheers,
Minty

My daughter has just had her M135i replaced FOC with a new M140i after it had gearbox whine. The original gearbox was replaced after it developed the fault at about 1500 miles, replacement unit started to go the same way with similar mileage so I wrote a letter to the supplying dealership rejecting the car.
Replacement was authorised by BMW and a new factory ordered car arrived in January. The M135i was 7 months old when it was rejected.

ZF engineer said they all do it as it is a characteristic of the gearbox but is more noticeable on the M light as there is less sound insulation on the transmission tunnel, the ace up our sleeve was the fact that her brothers car delivered 2 months before hers was perfect. They also said that although they could hear the whine in 2nd and reverse it wouldn't do any damage in the long term

225 · 02-17-2017, 12:45 PM

Sounds like a whistle in 2nd and as others have said can sound like a police car from far away. At first I thought it was turbo whine but guess its the gearbox after all these threads.

Minty · 02-17-2017, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 225

Sounds like a whistle in 2nd and as others have said can sound like a police car from far away. At first I thought it was turbo whine but guess its the gearbox after all these threads.

Thanks 225, do you experience the same noise?

Minty

225 · 02-17-2017, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minty

Quote:

Originally Posted by 225

Sounds like a whistle in 2nd and as others have said can sound like a police car from far away. At first I thought it was turbo whine but guess its the gearbox after all these threads.

Thanks 225, do you experience the same noise?

Minty

Sorry I meant mine has that sound!

Daftasabrush · 02-17-2017, 06:42 PM

Mine did it in second and fifth and I had a new 'box fitted under warranty.

Minty · 02-18-2017, 02:44 AM

Oh dear, not looking good

Steven1077 · 02-18-2017, 05:31 AM

Can't say I've noticed any noise in my 340i

Daftasabrush · 02-18-2017, 07:28 AM

Fwiw my 4th is doing it on the new 'box but only very slightly, nowhere near as bad as 2nd and 5th on the old 'box.

There was a two week wait for the new 'box to arrive from Germany and Bmw uk sorted me out with a 520D from Enterprise in the meantime. It was all handled rather well except when it came to getting the car back. Bmw insisted on getting the 520D back as soon as the repair was completed so I got a call at work saying I had to collect the car now and insurance on the 520D wouldn't be valid beyond the end of the day. The dealer sorted it in the end so I could drop the hire car off at theirs and swap I to mine the next day but it was a bit worrying.

Minty · 05-12-2017, 12:56 PM

Finally got round to booking my car in today to look at the whining noise (plus some other issues :-(

Not a good start when technician asked if this is the 4ltr Petrol...anyway, techie was keen to resolve but seemed to think it was turbo noise.

When I collected the car this afternoon I was told "they all do it!". Technician took out their 440i GC and reported that it exhibited exactly the same behaviour. I am inclined to agree as the 116d Sport Auto bizarrely made EXACTLY the same whining noise!

Hey ho.

225 · 05-12-2017, 01:13 PM

Good to know. Mine still sounds like a turbo whistle or a police cars siren in the background.

Grant_7 · 05-12-2017, 03:31 PM

Wow, you can really hear it in your video.

My 340i makes no such noise.

dsc888 · 10-27-2017, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minty

Finally got round to booking my car in today to look at the whining noise (plus some other issues :-(

Not a good start when technician asked if this is the 4ltr Petrol...anyway, techie was keen to resolve but seemed to think it was turbo noise.

When I collected the car this afternoon I was told "they all do it!". Technician took out their 440i GC and reported that it exhibited exactly the same behaviour. I am inclined to agree as the 116d Sport Auto bizarrely made EXACTLY the same whining noise!

Hey ho.

Did you every get your transmission issue resolved? I too have the whine in 2nd and 5th. I thought i had it in 2nd initially but now realized it's in the same 2 gears. I can't believe so many B58 owners have this issue. I will have to make an appointment with my dealer to see what they will do.

Soul_Glo · 10-27-2017, 11:19 PM

Had this on my E92 with ZF 6HP. Something to do with gear selection was shot at 90k miles. The dealer want a 2k contribution and 4k was good will. The part was on back order from Germany. Dealer said more than a month. Asked local FATE engineer about a valve body I think it was and he had them off the shelf. Part exchanged car and walked.

insanecoder · 10-27-2017, 11:59 PM

If there is a whine.. it may be covered up by my ASD

So havent heard such a thing

Minty · 10-28-2017, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsc888

Did you every get your transmission issue resolved? I too have the whine in 2nd and 5th. I thought i had it in 2nd initially but now realized it's in the same 2 gears. I can't believe so many B58 owners have this issue. I will have to make an appointment with my dealer to see what they will do.

I have not been successful in getting it resolved yet. I had booked it in previously for 2 days investigation work, after a couple of hours I received a call to say it was due to a loose air intake and all fixed...needless to day it was exactly the same when I picked it up...I was not happy

I have it booked in for a service and to investigate this coming Monday with the supplying dealer...fingers crossed.

I am thinking of a new X3 now...problem solved

dsc888 · 10-28-2017, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minty

I have not been successful in getting it resolved yet. I had booked it in previously for 2 days investigation work, after a couple of hours I received a call to say it was due to a loose air intake and all fixed...needless to day it was exactly the same when I picked it up...I was not happy

I have it booked in for a service and to investigate this coming Monday with the supplying dealer...fingers crossed.

I am thinking of a new X3 now...problem solved

Sorry to hear about the first experience. I hope that you get them to both confirm and resolve your issue. It's a shame that ZF can't make an otherwise terrific AT perfect by making it silent.

As for the X3, I hope that car isn't plagued with AT noise issues either. But yeah, it's a great little car. Good luck!

SkyJawa · 10-29-2017, 03:42 AM

There’s an epic thread on this on Baby BMW. You will get nowhere with the dealers and BMW according to them it’s normal and a feature.

Some people looking at it have said it actually sound s like the noise is coming from in front of the gearbox from the engine:

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php...928a258543891c

View Poll Results: 340i Auto Owners - Does your gearbox make this noise?
Yes - mine sounds the same in 2nd and 5th	5	14.71%
Yes - mine make a similar noise in different gears	7	20.59%
Yes - raised with dealer and new gearbox required	2	5.88%
No - mine is silent (and I feel quite smug now :-))	20	58.82%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

02-17-2017, 08:48 AM	#1
Minty First Lieutenant 156 Rep 365 Posts Drives: G01 M40i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	BMW ZF8HP50 Gearbox Whine 2nd, 5th I know this has been discussed before but I haven't seen any recent postings about gearbox whine / whistle. I have always had this noise and weirdly it is only apparent when the car first gets up to operating temperature (when the oil temperature reaches just below the middle). It is virtually silent when cold and dissipates slightly after a very long run. It is most noticeable in 2nd and 5th and faintly in other gears. I have also read on the 1er forum that a high percentage of M140i owners have reported the same noise. Do any other 340i auto owner experience this? I can live with the noise if it is a feature but am worried that this might lead to self destruction Cheers, Minty
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02-17-2017, 09:30 AM	#2
robbiep Brigadier General 1983 Rep 3,216 Posts Drives: VW e-Golf ! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North Wales, UK iTrader: (0)	The car has a 3 year warranty on it. Drive it like you stole it, get it serviced as per OBC, report any faults to BMW as and when they happen (Assist are brilliant if you need to call them out), and wait and see if the noise gets worse or the gearbox breaks.
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02-17-2017, 09:43 AM	#3
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Are you sure it's not coming through the speakers? __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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02-17-2017, 12:45 PM	#7
225 Brigadier General 2281 Rep 4,933 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a whistle in 2nd and as others have said can sound like a police car from far away. At first I thought it was turbo whine but guess its the gearbox after all these threads.
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02-17-2017, 06:42 PM	#10
Daftasabrush Fool 1857 Rep 3,542 Posts Drives: F31 340i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Mine did it in second and fifth and I had a new 'box fitted under warranty.
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02-18-2017, 02:44 AM	#11
Minty First Lieutenant 156 Rep 365 Posts Drives: G01 M40i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Oh dear, not looking good
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02-18-2017, 05:31 AM	#12
Steven1077 Lieutenant Colonel 240 Rep 1,756 Posts Drives: M140i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: London England iTrader: (0)	Can't say I've noticed any noise in my 340i
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02-18-2017, 07:28 AM	#13
Daftasabrush Fool 1857 Rep 3,542 Posts Drives: F31 340i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Fwiw my 4th is doing it on the new 'box but only very slightly, nowhere near as bad as 2nd and 5th on the old 'box. There was a two week wait for the new 'box to arrive from Germany and Bmw uk sorted me out with a 520D from Enterprise in the meantime. It was all handled rather well except when it came to getting the car back. Bmw insisted on getting the 520D back as soon as the repair was completed so I got a call at work saying I had to collect the car now and insurance on the 520D wouldn't be valid beyond the end of the day. The dealer sorted it in the end so I could drop the hire car off at theirs and swap I to mine the next day but it was a bit worrying. __________________
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05-12-2017, 12:56 PM	#14
Minty First Lieutenant 156 Rep 365 Posts Drives: G01 M40i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Finally got round to booking my car in today to look at the whining noise (plus some other issues :-( Not a good start when technician asked if this is the 4ltr Petrol...anyway, techie was keen to resolve but seemed to think it was turbo noise. When I collected the car this afternoon I was told "they all do it!". Technician took out their 440i GC and reported that it exhibited exactly the same behaviour. I am inclined to agree as the 116d Sport Auto bizarrely made EXACTLY the same whining noise! Hey ho.
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05-12-2017, 01:13 PM	#15
225 Brigadier General 2281 Rep 4,933 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Good to know. Mine still sounds like a turbo whistle or a police cars siren in the background.
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05-12-2017, 03:31 PM	#16
Grant_7 Lieutenant Colonel 2021 Rep 1,926 Posts Drives: Caterham 420R. Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Warwickshire iTrader: (0)	Wow, you can really hear it in your video. My 340i makes no such noise. __________________ F31 340i \| GS with CR & Ash Grain Trim \| M Sport+ Pack \| Prof Media Plus Pack \| Interior Comfort Pack \| Leather Dash \| Folding Mirrors \| Pano Roof \| Elec Mem Seats with Lumbar \| Adaptive Suspension \| Comfort Access \| Reverse Cam \| Surround View \| SLD \| Rear Sunblinds \| Folding Headrests \| Model Designation Delete \| Trim Designation Delete \| MPPSK
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10-27-2017, 11:19 PM	#18
Soul_Glo Major General 13347 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	Had this on my E92 with ZF 6HP. Something to do with gear selection was shot at 90k miles. The dealer want a 2k contribution and 4k was good will. The part was on back order from Germany. Dealer said more than a month. Asked local FATE engineer about a valve body I think it was and he had them off the shelf. Part exchanged car and walked.
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10-27-2017, 11:59 PM	#19
insanecoder Banned 1412 Rep 3,211 Posts Drives: 340isDrive Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast USA iTrader: (0)	If there is a whine.. it may be covered up by my ASD So havent heard such a thing
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10-29-2017, 03:42 AM	#22
SkyJawa Major General 3719 Rep 8,636 Posts Drives: F10 530d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (1)	There’s an epic thread on this on Baby BMW. You will get nowhere with the dealers and BMW according to them it’s normal and a feature. Some people looking at it have said it actually sound s like the noise is coming from in front of the gearbox from the engine: http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php...928a258543891c
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