The shop told me that I need a new drive belt AND belt tensioner for my 2010 R56. I'm not sure if the belt tensioner is necessary. I haven't found any forums with R56 drivers that had this replaced. Can anyone tell me if the belt tensioner need to be replaced or can I have them continue using the current one? The reason why I had the shop take a look at the belt is because there is a loud whining sound on low end speed.

 

there are 4 or 5 (if you want to count the water pump) potential areas where noise can come from. How did the shop isolate the noise? AND could they have spayed lubricant on the bearings to see if it helps it?

nothing against shops, but you have to ask them the hows and whens and whys. before you make a decision, make sure it makes sense what ever they're proposing and in case it doesnt solve the issue, what would be the corrective action.

 

I wish I had asked him that earlier. He test drove my car with me and he heard the sound. I guess I assumed that he knew what it was. He said it was the belt tensioner and the drive belt which has a few rips.

 

We have seen many water pump pulleys with the rubber cracked on them, even happened on my car that made noise.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/water-...9-r60-r61.html

but I have also replaced many friction wheels for noise so that very well could be an issue too
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tensio...ion-wheel.html

or the cheaper friction wheel which is good value and identical
https://www.waymotorworks.com/afterm...ion-wheel.html

I haven't seen but maybe one tensioner cause noise so that would be my last guess
https://www.waymotorworks.com/belt-t...9-r60-r61.html

 

Thanks. I will keep everyone posted when the parts arrive.

 

The parts came today. I'm ready to find out if this is really the issue. But before I do so, I wanna ask them if it's the AC compressor because it's making a lot of sound when I turn it on.

 

did the friction wheel cure it?

 

No it didnt. The whining sound is still there. I believe that it is the alternator

 

Update: I went to Mini service center and they said the engine oil level is low. The engine oil shouldn't be that low. It might be an internal issue with the engine. They told me that they will top off the engine oil and then drive it for 1000 miles and come back. They are going to give it some sort oil consumption test to figure out why the car is eating so much engine oil.

 

yikes, hope everything works out, please keep us posted. I still have a vibration after replacing the friction wheel, I'll keep an eye on my oil-

 

Did you ever get this resolved? I have a similar issue and I thought it was the friction wheel but i disengaged it, run the car and the noise was still there, I eliminated the friction wheel, water pump and tensioner pulley. Using a stethoscope, the alternator is a suspect point in my case.

 

The belt tensioner and the friction wheel are two different things!

 

Commonly mixed up.