[ccboye]

Not sure if it's just me or someone else is experiencing the same issue but I'm hearing excessive transmission noise (whining sound) with gears are up/down shifting.

I duplicated this issue, and as well as reported an inconsistent whistling sounds caused by something else to the dealer. They claimed the issue was a result of defective ARS (active roll stabilization) pump which got replaced. Unfortunately the whining noise is still there when I picked up the car today. I'm beginning to think that this might be a transmission issue. Has anyone else dealt with this issue before? Please share your input.

[delvek]

I have the 8spd sport transmission (not sure if yours is the sport or not) but I have had no issues with it and I have ran it pretty hard. The ZF transmission is incredible, my recommendation is if you detect a flaw to push hard to have it remedied as it should not leave you second guessing its condition.

[m 135]

Originally Posted by ccboye

Not sure if it's just me or someone else is experiencing the same issue but I'm hearing excessive transmission noise (whining sound) with gears are up/down shifting.

I duplicated this issue, and as well as reported an inconsistent whistling sounds caused by something else to the dealer. They claimed the issue was a result of defective ARS (active roll stabilization) pump which got replaced. Unfortunately the whining noise is still there when I picked up the car today. I'm beginning to think that this might be a transmission issue. Has anyone else dealt with this issue before? Please share your input.

I had this problem in my x6,took it to the dealer and told them about the whining noise in the gearbox,they tested it and said they can hear it,turns out it was the oil pump making the sound,they now have a quiet oil pump that can be fitted so they did this and the water pump at the same time and now there is no noise,hope this helps.

[ccboye]

I will inquire about the oil pump remedy. However I believe this is a flaw and I'd push till it's resolved. With the radio off, it becomes an annoying noise inside the car!

[dblock2151]

Is it more of a whine or a chirp? My 550i chirps after every gear, it's very audible as others have mentioned the noise (in the cabin and outside the vehicle).

[ccboye]

Originally Posted by dblock2151

Is it more of a whine or a chirp? My 550i chirps after every gear, it's very audible as others have mentioned the noise (in the cabin and outside the vehicle).

It's more of a whine.

[TheFutureOfCoffee]

My GT 550 does this too, it's pretty loud and noticeable and Im deaf in one ear. The 2011 550 Sedan I have does NOT make this noise. Any input would be helpful if this is actually a defect.

[ccboye]

I'm going to take the car back after the holidays so I'll report on what the dealer says.

[TheFutureOfCoffee]

Thank You, I would love to hear what your findings are. Happy Holidays,
-Rob

[jazzyd]

its the oil pump

[ccboye]

I didn't get the chance to find out if that was the problem; my car "died" on me yesterday. I got the 'Drivetrain Malfunction' message and the car became non-functional and had to be towed to the nearest dealer. It was xmas eve was they were already gone. Whether or not this had anything to do with the whinning noise, I have a feeling it might be the transmission that went out. It upsets me that they sometimes do not take our complaints seriously leading to such inconveniences.

[ccboye]

Originally Posted by ccboye

I didn't get the chance to find out if that was the problem; my car "died" on me yesterday. I got the 'Drivetrain Malfunction' message and the car became non-functional and had to be towed to the nearest dealer. It was xmas eve was they were already gone. Whether or not this had anything to do with the whinning noise, I have a feeling it might be the transmission that went out. It upsets me that they sometimes do not take our complaints seriously leading to such inconveniences.

Dealer claims my car is fixed from the main issues, but the whinning noise I reported is supposed to be normal. First they said it was wasn't normal when they compared it to a brand new 550i, but couldn't diagnose where the noise is coming from. They then tested it against another car with a 'similar engine' and heard the same noise. I told them that I disagree with that conclusion since since I'd rather have them compare to a used 550i instead. I getting frustrated with having issues with BMW.

What should I do with this situation?

[positiveions]

i would have the shop foreman compare it to another 550 on the lot.

[TheFutureOfCoffee]

They fixed it, it was indeed the Oil Pump, the new Oil Pump is dead silent

[ccboye]

Originally Posted by alattehotte

They fixed it, it was indeed the Oil Pump, the new Oil Pump is dead silent

How did you get them to diagnose it to the oil pump?

I'm getting pushback because they are not savvy enough to diagnose and fix the issue. They claimed the 750i makes the same noise, but duh I own a 550i, stupid! They want me to come and pick up my car because there's nothing for them to do, and I say not until you prove to me that the noise is normal.

[m 135]

When i got my oil pump replaced,the dealer told me it was the 750i owners who complained first,they thought the 750i should be a lot quieter for the type of car it was,this is when they looked at the oil pump as the problem.

[ccboye]

Somehow the dealership was trying to push back that it was normal because the 750i makes the same noise. I told them to better find a way to fix it before I pick up my car. Miraculously, a BMW engineer happened to be visiting today so he confirmed that it is indeed the oil pump! So frustrating!!

[TonyW1967]

I'm getting a high pitched (but low volume) whining noise on my 530 d xdrive (auto with 140,000 km), but only on deceleration, around 70 - 90kmh - completely silent at any other speeds, and never on acceleration. I've just have the differential oil (front and rear) and transmission oil replaced, no change... Any ideas? Next step is to change the transfer case oil, but I'm not holding my breath that it will resolve the issue... is it possible it could be the pump?

[TonyW1967]

Oil pump, I mean...

[Surly73]

Change the transfer case fluid and see what happens. It could be the transfer case itself - there are a lot more bearings in the driveline than just the transmission.

What you describe is a fairly typical driveline bearing whine off throttle. I had one around 40kph you could barely hear and got a new transfer case under warranty. I had one around 120kph you could hear clearly, I got nothing but a TC oil change and an excuse that it was my "non-standard wheel and tire setup" (which consists of square 351M wheels and BMW spec tires - factory equipment for the X-Drive with M-Sport package, but my X-Drive wasn't M Sport so that's not how it left the factory so that must be the problem... Whatever guys).

I'm out of warranty now. The noise is still very faint and often not present. It's not getting worse at any rate. If you're outside of warranty and sound it subtle, your most productive course of action might be to change all the fluids, say a prayer, keep changing them regularly and keep driving until it changes noticeably.

[TonyW1967]

Many thanks for that Surly73, I'll have the transfer case oil changed and cross my fingers....