2008 MC: I have a low volume, high pitched whine or whistle (like a vacuum leak sound) that only seems to occur when the engine is revving between 1800 and 2500 rpm. Wish I had more specifics, but has anyone else experienced this?

 

Yes... Just picked up my MC a couple of days ago. I think I may have to go in to check this out.

 

Welcome to the squeaking water pump club where you will meet many frustrated members.

Do a search with those terms and you will find posts galore but no fix from BMW yet. BMW is apparently opting for the head in the sand approach on this problem.

Calmante, is your car a 2008? I am hoping they may have it fixed on the 2009 models.

 

Take it back to the dealership and let them investigate it. It's probably the water pump squeal like others mentioned below but you need to get it documented at the dealership. Good luck to ya!

 

Yes, it's an 08. And it happens when I first start it, and it's noticeable enough so that people look at it and wonder. After a few minutes, the volume reduces substantially, but it's always slightly there, especially at lower RPMs. It's those first few minutes that are embarassing.

 

Thanks for getting back and let's hope that the 2009 cars will be better.

As for the embarrassment part of it I had a person walk some distance to come to my window, while on line to board the ferry, to tell me that my fan belt needed adjustment.

Reminds me of my old uncle who felt cheated if his new hand made shoes did not squeak as he wanted everybody to notice them.

 

This isn't the first fault that BMW appears to be ignoring. What's up with that? Is BMW going broke? Is it more the MINI division and its management than BMW itself?

 

Interesting issue that deserves a thread of its own which I hope you would initiate.

In a nutshell it is never one thing alone but a compilation of factors -hence difficult to fix- and no BMW is not going broke but the Minis are way down the daily management critical issues reports.

The Japanese have the Kaizen -continuous improvement- philosophy while western companies are more concerned with the last quarter's results. It all starts here.