[Matenza]

Hi Guys,
I’m new to the Forum, I bought an m3 xdrive about 2 months ago. Have done 600 miles. The car has about 10000 miles. I’ve been hearing some drivetrain noises when shifting from P to R or D and at low speeds a clunk coming from the rear. This is my first performance vehicle, have been driving a 320d before. Is anybody else experiencing this too? Is it a “feature” or a “bug”?

Thanks for the advice/help!

The Video with the noise:
https://youtu.be/nydjPmsLFd0?si=syITbJFIpKAbGPIs

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Matenza

Hi Guys,
I’m new to the Forum, I bought an m3 xdrive about 2 months ago. Have done 600 miles. The car has about 10000 miles. I’ve been hearing some drivetrain noises when shifting from P to R or D and at low speeds a clunk coming from the rear. This is my first performance vehicle, have been driving a 320d before. Is anybody else experiencing this too? Is it a “feature” or a “bug”?

Thanks for the advice/help!

The Video with the noise:
https://youtu.be/nydjPmsLFd0?si=syITbJFIpKAbGPIs

Did you get any work done on the brakes? From the video I'm hearing it when switching direction and seems to sound like brake pads shifting around.

Did you install any aftermarket brake pads?

[MT6]

Rear differential sounds just fine to me same as my car

1K miles is still few miles to settle on the brake pad to rotor gap

For peace of mind have BMW check it out at the breakin service.

[beamlord]

Sounds like brake pads shifting. Absolutely normal for 10k miles.
Nothing to worry about.

[Matenza]

Thanks for the answers. It’s the same sound without using the brakes. If everybody else is experiencing it, it’s probably normal.

[Matenza]

Dear All,
Still this frustrating clunk when changing gears. I ended up booking an appointment. Sadly, the next available appointment is 10th January 2024. I also managed to take a new video.

I assume it being a driveshaft problem or a diff mount problem. I think it is getting worse, so I parked the car in the garage about 10 days ago, now back to driving 320d and Tesla Model 3….

https://youtu.be/iYljbo89IoU?si=R93B8p4ubAHmgWL5

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by Matenza

Dear All,
Still this frustrating clunk when changing gears. I ended up booking an appointment. Sadly, the next available appointment is 10th January 2024. I also managed to take a new video.

I assume it being a driveshaft problem or a diff mount problem. I think it is getting worse, so I parked the car in the garage about 10 days ago, now back to driving 320d and Tesla Model 3….

https://youtu.be/iYljbo89IoU?si=R93B8p4ubAHmgWL5

Sounds like an M car to me.

[harperium]

Click on throttle

I had this issue on my X3M. It’s a known issue on numerous M models. Maybe this is what you’re hearing.

[Matenza]

This clicking sound on the X3M is definitely the same issue. It actually makes sense, because about 1300 km ago they replaced the rear diff. Most probably not putting enough lube to where it belongs.

Happy the hear that Its an easy fix.

[Forzanerazzurri]

It always amazes me how many people buy a $100,000 car and don't bother to take 10 mins to read the manual.



Just like every other M3 before it.

[Matenza]

Well, this is a noise I didnt hear on my test drives or when taking delivery of the car. So I assume it’s something new, or getting louder or whatever or I’m just getting paranoid.

PS: I actually did read most of the manual. I waited all together 14 months for the car.

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Matenza

Well, this is a noise I didnt hear on my test drives or when taking delivery of the car. So I assume it’s something new, or getting louder or whatever or I’m just getting paranoid.

PS: I actually did read most of the manual. I waited all together 14 months for the car.

Test drives are not usually the place where you'd notice stuff like this.
As you get used to the car you "start" hearing more and more because you get used to some of the things that the car usually does.

That said, to me it still looks like a sound of break pads shifting or something. This is usually happening when you switch directions.

The drivetrain click is usually heard on/off throttle, while going straight.
If you don't hear it then, then it's most likely the brake pads.

Also... 14 months to wait??? How is that possible? Especially for someone in Germany.

In my case, from order to delivery it was ~1.5months (custom build)

[Matenza]

I ordered the car custom in August 2022, it was produced in the end of February 23, I took delivery in Munich in the BMW World. I then had to drop my car off at the dealer for 6 months, but because of winter they started using the car only in April, so my delivery was in October 2023. I got 23% off of list price.

[stormlv]

Interesting ... not really by business, can I ask why you went this route?

I'm guessing 23% off of list price can be easily achieved by going directly to the 2nd hand market - without the long wait list

[Matenza]

Back in 22 There was no logical alternative option. This car is to this day very rare in Germany. I just looked it up on the internet: from 2020 there are 360 ads inserted including new cars. If I search for Ferrari’s there are 1100. Everyone wanted almost List price for 1yr old models. I actually made the dealer look up second hand vehicles for me. They were much more expensive (MSRP was 115 for my car, a second hand 1yr old was around 100k) I paid 89 and I could not have hand picked everything.
Plus: taking delivery in Munich with my 2 boys and wife was absolutely the best part in buying the car.

[Matenza]

Dear All,

Update: my car is sitting at the dealer. It is an M certified dealership, but they can’t touch M cars without consulting with M GmbH in Munich. 😀 Apparently, they need to take a video of the problem and send it to M GmbH and wait for the answer.

1., They immediately accepted that the sound is not normal. They looked at the coupling between the differential and the propschaft, it was fine, the g80 has a totally new propshaft, with some sort of adhesive capsule in it so it shouldn’t cause the problem it has caused on the x3m and f90, f87, which come with 2 different types of propshafts (because of emission restrictions).

2., The search goes on, they are now getting a totally new propshaft from the factory delivered including all bearings. It is supposed to arrive on Tuesday next week.

I’ll keep everyone updated!

Thanks for your comments/help.

[Matenza]

Update: the car is waiting for a propshaft. Its been 2 wks since we ordered it. The car is driveble with the old shaft, they reassembled it. I hope I get some positive news in the next 2wks.

[Matenza]

Update: the propshaft has been replaced, had some amount of wear they said, but the clunk is still there. We are waiting for a new differential, which means I get to do the run in service once more. 😫

I’m actually thinking about getting rid of the car. It’s been a huge liability from day one and I never had the chance to experience it.

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Matenza

Update: the propshaft has been replaced, had some amount of wear they said, but the clunk is still there. We are waiting for a new differential, which means I get to do the run in service once more. 😫

I’m actually thinking about getting rid of the car. It’s been a huge liability from day one and I never had the chance to experience it.

Might be time to cut your losses...

Can you return the car due to the various issues that arose?
If not, I would try to see if you can trade it in for a different one (or model).

[Matenza]

Well, trading it in is not an option for me. I have to call the Autoclub for a consulatation. It might be worth looking into other options. It all depends on how much the work/parts altogether cost. If it’s more than 10% of purchase price, then within 6 months you can give it back. I think…. Not sure. But of course they would be glad to trade it in for something new, I just don’t feel like buying new again. I kind of feel like sticking to my e93. It runs like a champ and has done so for the past 14 years and 150k miles.

Will keep you updated!

[TopJimmy]

I wish I was across The Pond with my tools, I’d take apart your brakes and search. Then we’d cruise to Würzburg for dinner at Hubland! Sorry I’m in the States…

[Matenza]

Just googled it. Why is this Greek place so special? What would you recommend eating here?

Thanks for your empathy!

Back in the old days, when I had a Mitsubishi, the dealer couldn’t fix my thermostat problem. I took a day off from college and went to the garage to help the boys out. We found the problem and the car drove another 60k miles. Sometimes having the perspective of an amateur helps to think out of the box.