Hi all,
I have an '07 coupe with an annoying noise coming from my front end that sounds like a rotational helicopter noise. I recently had it in for it's normally scheduled maintenance (30K miles) at which time the noise was pretty bad. It seemed to happen after applying brakes, almost as if the calipers wern't disengaging. They repalced the front pads and rotors per maintenance schedule and the noise is a little better but not gone. My run flats are near the end of useful life so I had them rotated to try and squeeze a few more miles out of them before replacing. The noise is now a 2-20 mpg rotational rubbing noise. The serivce advisor says it from the tires, so they are pretty much off the hook until I replace the tires. I've been driving for over 35 years and never heard a sound like this from tires. I am going replace tires before 36K warranty runs out in a couple months and see if noise goes away, but wondered in the mean time if anyone has heard a noise like this?
Thanks for thoughts!

 

Your tires are done. Replace them with a good quality NON-runflat for better ride and noise reduction. I suggest Michelin Pilot Plus A/S if you are in a temperate zone although you will get a wide variety of opinions regarding the tires.

Have you rotated them on a regular basis. that could be another source of the sound. you may have developed flat spots on the tires

 

x1000

Absolutely, positively the best upgrade you can do for your car. And for yourself.

 

Betting on the tires, too.

 

Yeah, I flat spotted a Goodyear one time sounded just like that.

 

My OEM dunlop runflats make that noise, once i switched to my winter tires for the season the noise is completely gone.

I really can't understand how BMW can put such horrible tires on such a great car.

 

What rotor did you install?

Alex

 

Alex,
I would assume they are stock rotors. They were replaced as part of the 30K regular maintenance schedule not because of the rubbing noise. Like I said the noise is alot better than it was, but definetly still have it.

The tires are due, it's just a hard pill to swallow with only 30K miles.

Thanks for all your help and everyone else on the forum!

 

I had seen some slotted rotors makeing similar noises next to a concrete divider. Being full face rotors, this factor is eliminated. When you run you hands across the tire, is the wear even from block to block?

Alex

 

30k on a set of OE tires isn't bad. If you feel the tread blocks you will probably find one side of the block is lower than the other which will give you a low pitch whirring noise or a whump whump when rolling at lower speeds.If you had a wheel bearing going bad the noise would be loudest around 40mph. and be more of a growling noise that changes pitch/loudness if you steer from side to side.But at 30k that is pretty unlikely. Regular rotation and pressure checks go a long way to keep the tires from developing the heel/toe wear which is most common on tires with the aggressive block treads.