[mattsrs]

What is the consensus on the impact of adding those vibration dampers to X5s with 20 inch wheels? Would it make any difference?

[Steve737]

I’m going to install some tomorrow. I’ll be surprised if they do much but I’m trying to keep an open mind.

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by Steve737

I’m going to install some tomorrow. I’ll be surprised if they do much but I’m trying to keep an open mind.

Thank you! Cannot wait to hear back about your experience. I have the parts already in my garage but haven't had the urge to install them.

[RNorb]

I had my 2020 X5 40i in for service and got a 2024 X5 40i loaner, and since I am considering trading for a X5 50e and thought I would do a sound test comparison. My 2020 has the dampeners, acoustic glass, and 20 inch RFT. The loaner had 21 inch RFT and no dampeners. Right away I noticed a sort of a hollow booming road/tire noise in the loaner that was not present in my car, and driving the cars back to back I sensed a real difference the two cars regarding the noise level. I consider my 2020 very quiet. However, using my apple watch I did a DB comparison and was somewhat surprised to see there was not more of a difference. So here it is for what its worth....


2024 X5 DB
Speed 40 57
Speed 50 58
Speed 60 60
Speed 70 63
Speed 80 64


2020 X5 DB
Speed 40 55
Speed 50 57
Speed 60 58
Speed 70 61
Speed 80 63

[Steve737]

Originally Posted by mattsrs

Thank you! Cannot wait to hear back about your experience. I have the parts already in my garage but haven't had the urge to install them.

Went to install this afternoon and opened the box to discover that it had 5 bolts and lock nuts and one vibration dampener. Returned those and I’m stopping by a BMW dealer on the way to work to pic up the proper parts.

[Jcit]

Originally Posted by RNorb

I had my 2020 X5 40i in for service and got a 2024 X5 40i loaner, and since I am considering trading for a X5 50e and thought I would do a sound test comparison. My 2020 has the dampeners, acoustic glass, and 20 inch RFT. The loaner had 21 inch RFT and no dampeners. Right away I noticed a sort of a hollow booming road/tire noise in the loaner that was not present in my car, and driving the cars back to back I sensed a real difference the two cars regarding the noise level. I consider my 2020 very quiet. However, using my apple watch I did a DB comparison and was somewhat surprised to see there was not more of a difference. So here it is for what its worth....


2024 X5 DB
Speed 40 57
Speed 50 58
Speed 60 60
Speed 70 63
Speed 80 64


2020 X5 DB
Speed 40 55
Speed 50 57
Speed 60 58
Speed 70 61
Speed 80 63

This is great data! The rule of thumb that I found in some literature on volume levels and human perceptibility is that a sound needs to increase/decrease by more than 3 dB for it to be noticeable. So it appears the dampers do not have much of a noticeable impact on noise level.

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by Steve737

Went to install this afternoon and opened the box to discover that it had 5 bolts and lock nuts and one vibration dampener. Returned those and I’m stopping by a BMW dealer on the way to work to pic up the proper parts.

oh man. This is interesting! because I ordered the parts from an out of state BMW dealer's online website (it was cheaper) and they ended up sending me a single dampener instead of 2 that I had ordered. I let them know and they shipped another one but weird that another dealer made the same mistake for you

[Steve737]

Originally Posted by mattsrs

oh man. This is interesting! because I ordered the parts from an out of state BMW dealer's online website (it was cheaper) and they ended up sending me a single dampener instead of 2 that I had ordered. I let them know and they shipped another one but weird that another dealer made the same mistake for you

That is weird!

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by Jcit

This is great data! The rule of thumb that I found in some literature on volume levels and human perceptibility is that a sound needs to increase/decrease by more than 3 dB for it to be noticeable. So it appears the dampers do not have much of a noticeable impact on noise level.

Its possible that it is the nature of the sound rather than the absolute loudness that is the perceived problem. I did hear a different sound driving the 2024 relative to my 2020.

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by RNorb

Its possible that it is the nature of the sound rather than the absolute loudness that is the perceived problem. I did hear a different sound driving the 2024 relative to my 2020.

I think this is very much possible. I suspect there's more low frequency noise coming into the LCI than the pervious gen and could be due to different insulation used or updates to the engine etc.

[chrisado]

So one thing to consider is that sound measurement in dB is not a linear scale but is logarithmic. 3 dB is quite significant. For each 3 dB increase the sound energy doubles(human ear doesn’t perceive it quite this way but it is significant)

[Lionel Hutz]

Originally Posted by RNorb

Its possible that it is the nature of the sound rather than the absolute loudness that is the perceived problem. I did hear a different sound driving the 2024 relative to my 2020.

Yup. 40-50db from rain or a fan is going to feel like white noise. 40-50db mosquito buzzing in your ear is misery.

[jad03060]

The frequency of the sound can play a big part in your perception about how annoying it is. Then, not everyone's hearing across the spectrum is linear...I know my HF has deteriorated significantly over the years.

Adding the dampers shouldn't hurt, but it may not help.

[Gene Horr]

Originally Posted by RNorb

Its possible that it is the nature of the sound rather than the absolute loudness that is the perceived problem. I did hear a different sound driving the 2024 relative to my 2020.

Yep. That's what I noted at first. The overall sound attenuation is actually decent. The problem is that it doesn't appear to work very well on the frequencies of the tire noise.

[Raikkonen]

My previous car -

2020 X5 M50i, acoustic glass, 21" Pirelli RF's, DHP, w/ Dampers - zero resonance

Current -

2024 X5 M60i, no acoustic glass, 21" Hankook RF's, full air suspension, no dampers - horrible resonance

Got my car back yesterday from the dealer, who installed the dampers, and the resonance is almost COMPLETETLY gone.

My dealer did mention there are service instructions as to how they have to be installed (orientation, torque specs, etc.), so perhaps those doing the install themselves aren't doing it properly?

I know, it's just a bolt, a washer and a nut, but still....

I will say that there is a night and day difference with how my car sounds now....I'm definitely content.

I should have asked the tech for a printout of the instructions.

I also agree with the general consensus that the lci is an overall "louder" car then the pre-lci, and I have the perspective of having literally dropped off my lease after 3 years and immediately jumping into my new car and driving away.

[Lionel Hutz]

Originally Posted by Raikkonen

My previous car -

2020 X5 M50i, acoustic glass, 21" Pirelli RF's, DHP, w/ Dampers - zero resonance

Current -

2024 X5 M60i, no acoustic glass, 21" Hankook RF's, full air suspension, no dampers - horrible resonance

Got my car back yesterday from the dealer, who installed the dampers, and the resonance is almost COMPLETETLY gone.

My dealer did mention there are service instructions as to how they have to be installed (orientation, torque specs, etc.), so perhaps those doing the install themselves aren't doing it properly?

I know, it's just a bolt, a washer and a nut, but still....

I will say that there is a night and day difference with how my car sounds now....I'm definitely content.

I should have asked the tech for a printout of the instructions.

I also agree with the general consensus that the lci is an overall "louder" car then the pre-lci, and I have the perspective of having literally dropped off my lease after 3 years and immediately jumping into my new car and driving away.

Did the dealer do this under warranty for you or did you pay?

[Raikkonen]

I paid...I actually didn't even consider to seek coverage/reimbursement!

I think I paid a hair under $200 for the dampers and dealer install.

As a sidenote, my dealer is very easy to work with, and they proactively seek warranty resolution.

While $200 is by no means inexpensive, I'm not sweating it, especially as I now consider the outcome and the difference it made.

[eelnoraa]

Can someone measure the weight of the damper? I am going to make a pair using scuba lead weight and test.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Can someone measure the weight of the damper? I am going to make a pair using scuba lead weight and test.

From what I've seen, they're rubber coated as well, so just a lead weight may not do what you want. Getting the same resilience might be a trial-and-error play that takes a while. Depends on what your time is worth to you. You might get lucky.

[jkramerXXX7]

Installed the dampener’s today and WOW! To me it’s a very noticeable difference in the drumming noise that seemed to be most aggravating. Still hear typical tire noise but definitely an improvement. No longer do I have to blast the radio to drown the noise. Between the new Michelins and the vibration dampeners, I’m feeling really good about the 50e.
The dampeners should be standard equipment in my opinion.

[mobsync]

Any opinions on whether this would help on 20" runflats?

[jkramerXXX7]

Originally Posted by mobsync

Any opinions on whether this would help on 20" runflats?

It's not an expensive investment so I would say it's worth a try.