2001 3 Series - "Drowning" sound when breaking??
Discussion
Hi,
A bit of a long shot, and I am planning to go see BMW at the nearest opportunity but will ask here first.
I am driving a 318ci se 2001 BMW, (don't take the piss that its only a 318, I am 19 and they won't insure me on anything fun - unless I can stomp up £5k!)
I have noticed, not all the time but on occasions - when breaking in the region of say 30mph down to 5mph I hear a sort of "drowning" (like very low and deep tone spitfire engine) sound as I break. I can feel it on the pedal, as if its vibrating - feels like something is rubbing making the sound and vibration. This is not related to steering or heavy breaking, just slowing down as usual.
It doesn’t happen that often, usually when it happens it happens a few times over a course of a mile or twos driving, then goes away.
Obviously - funny noises from your breaks is a little worrying, could be just a worn pad, but I have heard about some "problems" with this model of 3 series, that as yet BMW have not owned up to.
The other thing I have noticed, I think this is unrelated, but the steering is not 100% straight. I wouldn’t mind this on a fiesta, but its a BMW... I would have expected it to be perfect. It seams to slightly want to go to the left - no matter what speed, so I always have to have a tiny bit of pressure to keep it straight. Seams the resting place of the wheel is a few degrees to the left, so its trying to correct to the middle but ends up steering very slightly to the left.
Rather annoying when I am driving along the motorway with cruise control because I can't relax my arms completely.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions that would be great, I am expecting to be fobbed off by BMW (no doubt along with a complimentary coffee)... and I am a little worried about them giving me a big bill for looking into it, and maybe finding nothing... Its out of warranty, so the decision is – Sell the car, or stop worrying about it.
(Finally on the subject of the 3 series... fantastic car in every other way bar the ones I have said above - with the exception that I can hear a little air getting in on the drivers side door when going at 70mph and above (not that I have ever gone any faster than 70 :P)
Thanks!
Sam
A bit of a long shot, and I am planning to go see BMW at the nearest opportunity but will ask here first.
I am driving a 318ci se 2001 BMW, (don't take the piss that its only a 318, I am 19 and they won't insure me on anything fun - unless I can stomp up £5k!)
I have noticed, not all the time but on occasions - when breaking in the region of say 30mph down to 5mph I hear a sort of "drowning" (like very low and deep tone spitfire engine) sound as I break. I can feel it on the pedal, as if its vibrating - feels like something is rubbing making the sound and vibration. This is not related to steering or heavy breaking, just slowing down as usual.
It doesn’t happen that often, usually when it happens it happens a few times over a course of a mile or twos driving, then goes away.
Obviously - funny noises from your breaks is a little worrying, could be just a worn pad, but I have heard about some "problems" with this model of 3 series, that as yet BMW have not owned up to.
The other thing I have noticed, I think this is unrelated, but the steering is not 100% straight. I wouldn’t mind this on a fiesta, but its a BMW... I would have expected it to be perfect. It seams to slightly want to go to the left - no matter what speed, so I always have to have a tiny bit of pressure to keep it straight. Seams the resting place of the wheel is a few degrees to the left, so its trying to correct to the middle but ends up steering very slightly to the left.
Rather annoying when I am driving along the motorway with cruise control because I can't relax my arms completely.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions that would be great, I am expecting to be fobbed off by BMW (no doubt along with a complimentary coffee)... and I am a little worried about them giving me a big bill for looking into it, and maybe finding nothing... Its out of warranty, so the decision is – Sell the car, or stop worrying about it.
(Finally on the subject of the 3 series... fantastic car in every other way bar the ones I have said above - with the exception that I can hear a little air getting in on the drivers side door when going at 70mph and above (not that I have ever gone any faster than 70 :P)
Thanks!
Sam
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