[kezzuki]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

Got my IFKA hvac control replaced again today and it solved the issue.

Its either super quiet or completely gone. Way better than the previous 2 units.

Nice！
What does ifka stand for? lol

I hope they offer extra chances to take thr lottery to me as well lol

[livinlife]

Best way is to put ur ear by it to see if its gone or not

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by kezzuki

Nice！
What does ifka stand for? lol

I hope they offer extra chances to take thr lottery to me as well lol

no idea, its the same AC control panel- just the official name.

Just to note: Its not 100% gone, its still there but very tolerable and nothing like the other 2 units. Whisper volume on the radio is enough to drown it out where before I could have the radio at 50% and I could still hear it.

[livinlife]

Correct vanguard it never leaves

The part is lousiy and nosey from
The manucfature . Simple


If driven with no audio and no ac on u can hear it a little.... simple

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

no idea, its the same AC control panel- just the official name.

Just to note: Its not 100% gone, its still there but very tolerable and nothing like the other 2 units. Whisper volume on the radio is enough to drown it out where before I could have the radio at 50% and I could still hear it.

IHKA (Integriertes Heizung und Klima automatic)

[-Vanguard-]

Update: sound is back louder than ever.- I guess it was always there and I just wasnt in the right directional position to hear it as well; I did change my seating position. I sat in about 6 different X5's and 3 X6's- they all had it as well.

My SA advised me to wait a year until they change the components as they are fully aware of the problem.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

Update: sound is back louder than ever.- I guess it was always there and I just wasnt in the right directional position to hear it as well; I did change my seating position. I sat in about 6 different X5's and 3 X6's- they all had it as well.

My SA advised me to wait a year until they change the components as they are fully aware of the problem.

Is this issue on all X5/6/7 vehicles or only on some? I wonder if my X7 has it and I just can't hear it because I'm old and have a high frequency hearing loss.

My daughter and son-in-law have been in the car several times and they haven't said anything about any high pitched noise.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by mitch57

Is this issue on all X5/6/7 vehicles or only on some? I wonder if my X7 has it and I just can't hear it because I'm old and have a high frequency hearing loss.

My daughter and son-in-law have been in the car several times and they haven't said anything about any high pitched noise.

No one from my service department can hear it, but I heard it on every single X5 and X6 they showed me.

[livinlife]

Its the fan i guess or hvac in general they need to produce all new ones

[kezzuki]

So below is my update with a dealership in Toronto.

On BMW's side, the regional technical manager from BMW Canada says they are aware of the issue and have found the cause: the part is not well made, and they also happened to switch manufacturer for that part, which they believe will produce parts without that problem.

So their solution for me is:
(1) For now, they found a car with a later production date than mine, had me sitting in the car to confirm that the noise is smaller (but it is definitely there), so that they can temporarily switch that car's part into my car and i don't get bothered as much...They did that, and i put like 2 layers of clear TPU sticker on the tiny screen the the metal buttons below and now the car is somewhat very quiet but it is kinda difficult to press those metal buttons.

(2) In about 3 or 6 months, after the panel parts from the old manufacturer are all consumed (i guess they plan to keep using them, instead of recalling or something) and that they are sure if they order a part it will be from the new manufacturer, they will then order the panel part and put it into my car, then the problem should be fixed...

So for now, there is only the temporary fix.
I don't think they will offer solutions like takingthe car back or exchanging the car for a different model, because they have (at least they think they have) precisely discovered the cause of the problem, which is just a small part, but not something big or safety related.


And also, from all the 2021 X5s i have sat in at the dealership, it is only the ones with the higher trims (in canada the package is called Premium Enhanced package) that has this problem. The lower trim (Premium Essential) ones are very quiet and nice. And as we tried before, the panel from lower trim can not be put into our higher trim x5s...there is a HW compatibility issue.

[ladra]

OMG!

I wish I had read about this noise problem before I purchased the car... DAMN.

I have sensitive hearing, especially to high-pitch / high frequency (exactly like the one described in this thread)...

Now I am really bummed and scared to receive my car in a month or so. AND I got the executive package which probably has a higher chance with this issue!

So sad. so sad.

[kezzuki]

Originally Posted by ladra

OMG!

I wish I had read about this noise problem before I purchased the car... DAMN.

I have sensitive hearing, especially to high-pitch / high frequency (exactly like the one described in this thread)...

Now I am really bummed and scared to receive my car in a month or so. AND I got the executive package which probably has a higher chance with this issue!

So sad. so sad.

Well....my car now has the part taken out of a car that has a recent production date, and it is slightly better. Maybe yours wont be that bad either... thats all i can say..

And in about half a year, we should all be able to get a noise-free replacement part LOL...sad but there is still hope...

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by ladra

I have sensitive hearing, especially to high-pitch / high frequency...

do you have a nearby dealership to sit in several X5 that have similar options as you to test? One guy mentioned different packages resulted in different experience of the sound.

[Grumpy311]

Just noticed this thread and have a tip for pinpointing high-pitched sounds. I fly airplanes for a living and some have small air leaks in the cockpit. Just roll up some papers or use a used paper towel roll. If you hold it to your ear and aim it it does a great job at determining the exact direction of the sound.

[MB_F31]

Originally Posted by ladra

OMG!

I wish I had read about this noise problem before I purchased the car... DAMN.

I have sensitive hearing, especially to high-pitch / high frequency (exactly like the one described in this thread)...

Now I am really bummed and scared to receive my car in a month or so. AND I got the executive package which probably has a higher chance with this issue!

So sad. so sad.

We bought a '21 X5 very optioned out w/ Exec Package etc. No high frequency noise at all. Wonderfully quiet ride especially compared to my 2014 328x Sport Wagon (still my fave BMW) - which is pretty quiet as well.

So don't panic just yet is all I'm suggesting.

[ladra]

Got my MY2021 yesterday and did notice the high pitch sound. For the most part my ear has to be pointing at a precise angle to hear it so it's not too bad.

I think I can bear it for now and will also try placing the original screen protector back on to see if that reduces the sound.

Please keep us posted if anyone finally gets the "good/updated" part via warranty.

Thank you.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by MB_F31

We bought a '21 X5 very optioned out w/ Exec Package etc. No high frequency noise at all. Wonderfully quiet ride especially compared to my 2014 328x Sport Wagon (still my fave BMW) - which is pretty quiet as well.

So don't panic just yet is all I'm suggesting.

Chances are you can't hear it. 5 people in my service center cant hear it

[kvsubu89]

Picked up 2021 X7 last week and the high pitch noise is quite evident coming from the hvac display. Checked in with the dealer who sounded they never experienced this issue but upon checking with other X5/X7s, they seem to think its a common noise for the hardware operation. Here's how mine sounds like

https://youtube.com/shorts/n8bDZx2p-88?feature=share

[hdahman]

i hear it, but not too loud to bother me. though it's funny all the guys who went to dealer and dealer can't hear it. I think they do but don't want to fix it.

[kezzuki]

Getting my 2021 x5 into the dealership to switch in a new part from the new manufacturer on May 12th.
Will update how it goes.

[john1200c]

Originally Posted by kezzuki

Getting my 2021 x5 into the dealership to switch in a new part from the new manufacturer on May 12th.
Will update how it goes.

Will be picking up my M50i in a few weeks. I'll be sure to listen for this. For what its worth, I was unable too hear any high frequency noise on my test drive as well as on any of the recordings on this thread so maybe my old ears just don't hear sounds in that range. Maybe too many rock concerts in my younger years!

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by kezzuki

Getting my 2021 x5 into the dealership to switch in a new part from the new manufacturer on May 12th.
Will update how it goes.

I was told by an engineer its going to take til well into the fall for these new units that have the high pitched noise fix. Im just going to wait it out.