Roaring noise in 97 M3 5spd coupe

[m3f_koolkat197_76a87646ad]

Hi,



Just purchased my 97 M3 5spd Coupe with 64,200 miles on it. The car has been great thus far with the exception of some minor annoyances. The first was the squeaking clutch. I was able to fix this morning by putting on alot of white lytheum grease. Applied the grease on all the clutch moving parts. Second is the fuel gauge. Fuel gauge reading is not accurate. Jumps all over the pllace. At this point, I don't know how to fix this problem. I'll just keep track of my mileage after every refill.



The one issue thats been really bothering me is this noise that the M3 makes when its aroound 20mph (accelerating or decelerating). Whenever I am in the this range... it makes a roaring vibration sound which seems to be coming from the rear. Has anyone experience this before and is there a resolution for this? Thanks in advance.



Kiet

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

The fuel gauge acting that way is a good sign your fuel senders in the tank are starting to die. Replace thoes and your fuel gauge should work normally again.



The noise.. perhaps the diff, or perhaps a wheel bearing is making noise.



Hard to tell without hearing it though.

[m3f_koolkat197_76a87646ad]

Hey Sirius,



Thanks for the response. I live in Chantilly, VA. You know... I just realilzed that you and I have the same wheels on our car. I have a Silver M3 though. The noise that its making is a loud low deep tone sound... and the how cabin feels like its vibrating. And its only happening between the 20-25mph range. Once I'm below or above this range, the noise goes away. Any other idea. Thanks.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Cool. I'll keep my eyes out for ya.

[m3f_desmo001]

Your tires might be cupped or feathered, or whatever the correct term is. Run your hands along the inner edge (I suppose the outer edge could do it too). Feel for the individual tread blocks ramping up, like they are sitting at an angle. Another way to explain it is the leading edge of one block will be higher or lower than the trailing edge of the block next to it.



That type of wear can happen, even on tires that don't look that old. It will cause a roaring noise at low speeds. I've noticed it especially while braking on my 350Z, but for me it's the front tires that wear unevenly, not the rears. As it gets worse the car starts to sound like a 4x4 truck with big tires going down the road... wahwahwahwahwah.



A four wheel alignment and a set of new tires should fix it.



Desmo

[m3f_romh_9db5ad5d95]

Your tires might be cupped or feathered, or whatever the correct term is. Run your hands along the inner edge (I suppose the outer edge could do it too). Feel for the individual tread blocks ramping up, like they are sitting at an angle. Another way to explain it is the leading edge of one block will be higher or lower than the trailing edge of the block next to it.



That type of wear can happen, even on tires that don't look that old. It will cause a roaring noise at low speeds. I've noticed it especially while braking on my 350Z, but for me it's the front tires that wear unevenly, not the rears. As it gets worse the car starts to sound like a 4x4 truck with big tires going down the road... wahwahwahwahwah.



A four wheel alignment and a set of new tires should fix it.



Desmo





I experience the same vibration at about the same mph's. Mechanic told me that it was the tires, but he hasn;t looked at it. Just his diagnostics over the phone. I'm thinking that it could be the driveshaft or something. The whole car seems to roar and tremble for a few seconds until I hit the throttle again.

Strange. But I do have cheap tires on my car

[m3f_beemertek]

It's probably your center bearing on your driveshaft. see if you can feel the vibration on the driveshaft tunnel in front of the back seat.

[m3f_romh_9db5ad5d95]

It's probably your center bearing on your driveshaft. see if you can feel the vibration on the driveshaft tunnel in front of the back seat.





Would a bmw technician be able to diagnose this problem immediately, considering that it could be or it couldn't be the driveshaft? So are you saying that when I feel this vibration, I can place my hand in the carpet behind me?

[m3f_iambrettfa_57a6316e71]

ive had that same kinda winding down noise in about first and second, since ive owned my car about 10k miles

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

They should. Noises can be some of the trickest things to find on a car. And since we are talking over the net, it makes it that much harder to find.





Would a bmw technician be able to diagnose this problem immediately, considering that it could be or it couldn't be the driveshaft? So are you saying that when I feel this vibration, I can place my hand in the carpet behind me?

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

Does it do it when you are out of gear? Like, push in clutch at 20mph...what happens?



Just go to an NTB and they'll diagnose it for free instantly. Never a wait on things like that.

[m3f_CMT_50ca834bd5]

There is a very good chance that your Guibo or "flex disk" is worn and needs relacement. Get the car up on the lift and check the rubber disc connecting the transmission to the driveshaft, and see if the thick rubber is cracked or cracking. It could be on its way out, and would exhibit exactly the type of described noise/symptoms.

[m3f_vrsixer]

When you bought the car, did you check the trunk for any Lions?



Sorry, had to do it... :chair: