M3 CS - noise vibration

[JimmyRosa]

Hello people,


I have a noise/vibration coming from the NS rear arch/wheel when turning left, it seems more apparent when from cold.

I have already booked the car in @ BMW steeler but they couldn't find anything visually wrong, they gave the car a free health check (visual) every thing passed with green, but it is only visual!

When driving in a locked out left turning circle the noise and vibration is there but not as much as when stating from cold!?!

Could it be the diff? don't think it's the bushes, they would have been seen in the check?


Cheers,

JR

[Great Pretender]

Sounds like the Diff to me, but nothing too untoward.

I think you're likely to be told "they all do that Sir".

[mat205125]

Mine does something similar, and I've been told my my Indy that a diff oil change will sort it out. That'll be done in the new year when the service is due.

[Daz4m]

There's a TSB for a vibrating diff on the M3. Had a similar problem on my car and they changed the diff fluid under warranty. All fixed.

[JimmyRosa]

Morning all,


Thanks for the info Owner 2 M3s before and never had this issue...

The car had an inspection 2 back in April this year, diff oil changed in this service I hope lol. What actually happens to the diff oil for the diff to vibrate and cause noise?

I've a full BMW warranty on the car, I'll have to book it in again and have 1 of the technician come out for a road test, can't really say changed the diff oil can I? and hopefully they will as it's a TSB?

Cheers,

J

Edited by JimmyRosa on Tuesday 8th September 09:43

Edited by JimmyRosa on Tuesday 8th September 09:45

[john_p]

Is it a metallic scraping noise?

[Daz4m]

From Bimmerfest:

SIB 33 01 02 applicable to the E46 M3 addresses the situation of a grinding noise coming from the differential during slow cornering. This noise is best heard during tight cornering situations for example parallel parking, driving in a tight circle, etc.
The correction is the differential oil should be replaced with specially formulated differential oil, P/N 83 22 2 282 583, SAF-XJ plus FM Booster.

[JimmyRosa]

To answer your question JP,

I Tried listening to the sound again, it's a creaking sought of sound, almost sounds like something wrong with the Suspension strut!?!

The rest of the replies point towards the diff oil change...

Cheers,

J

[0836whimper]

Changing the diff oil doesn't necessarily solve it, you need to put the right diff oil in. My stealer put the normal (wrong) stuff in, I made them take it out and put the right stuff in for curing the diff grumble.

[mat205125]

Another posibility could be snapped springs perhaps?

[JimmyRosa]

Whimper,

Did you have this done under warranty, how did you go about it, did BMW find that changing the diff oil was the issue?
Or did you have to specifically tell them whats what?

Is the correct oil as Daz's last post?


Cheers,

J

[0836whimper]

JimmyRosa said:

Whimper,

Did you have this done under warranty, how did you go about it, did BMW find that changing the diff oil was the issue?
Or did you have to specifically tell them whats what?

Is the correct oil as Daz's last post?


Cheers,

J

I think a diff grumble is fairly obvious, on a full lock (or tight turn) the rear diff groans and it does sound like something's rubbing in the rear wheel arch or something, and sounds nasty. The good news is it's easily fixable for not much money.

I took it into BMW and they put in (2nd time of asking) the special oil(teflon/synthetic/mineral can't remember the exact word) which cures it almost straight away. I believe it's part no. Diff oil part No. 83 22 2 282 583, just google e46 m3 diff oil. £70 or so if I recall, not in warranty any more as it's a 2003 car.

It is a known issue that kicks in after a while (for me 38k miles) and I self diagnosed and asked BMW to put the oil in. They will know what you are talking about here.

Edited by 0836whimper on Wednesday 9th September 17:49

Edited by 0836whimper on Wednesday 9th September 19:16

[JimmyRosa]

Cheers whimper,

Much appreciated mate.

My motor has only covered 24K. At least it's easy enough to cure.

Cheers for all the replies...