2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise

vb_man · Fri, Apr-20-2012, 11:46:13 PM

Only have 3500 miles on my 2011 M3 sedan with comp package and dealer used a temporary fluid since they were out. I started to hear a grinding noise at low speed turning rights. They changed the fluid to the good fluid and it is still there (slightly better). I tried working it in turing figure eights in a empty lot but still hear the grinding noise on right turns. Any one has this same issue?

crabman · Sat, Apr-21-2012, 07:39:34 AM

They probably didn't put in the friction modifier which is special order. Check your invoice to see if it is on there. If not, you can just about bet thats your problem.

serranot · Sat, Apr-21-2012, 09:53:12 AM

It can take awhile for the diff to stop making noise. Give it some time.

I think the new fluid already has the friction modifier in it.

vb_man · Sat, Apr-21-2012, 09:46:32 PM

Not sure if the new fluid they just installed new super lube but I had complied this for awhile but I will not assume until I bring it back in. I have ~600 miles on it since they added the new lube and did ~10 figure eights at low speeds but still hear a little grinding noise at low speed and tight right turns. I will take it in again and push the matter twits them. I wanted to see if anyone else has the same issue but it sounds like this issue is an outlier.

Hypothesis:
They should never install the substitute fluid at my 3K as a temporary fluid. Worst case, I will have them replace the diff.

Dealer is Mountain View BMW in CA (northern CA)

mtbmw · Sun, Apr-22-2012, 04:04:00 AM

i'd check the fluid. they've put the wrong fluid in my M and my buddies as well

vb_man · Fri, May-11-2012, 04:49:30 AM

Took the car in again for the noise and was pretty tough on them this time. They had ENG look at it and they will change the whole differential on the 2011 E90 this week. They said the root cause was that I did not change the diff out at 1200 miles but I think this is BS. I gave them the E90 at 3K and this is when they put the lower viscosity temporary and the grinding started. I really believe they did not put any fluid by mistake and this was the root cause in my eyes. In either case, I will get another differential from BMW of mountain view in N. CA

Oldman MZ3 · Fri, May-11-2012, 11:51:07 AM

The only time they put the special fluid in, if there is a complaint of grinding. When the 1200 mile service is done they uses the factory fluid ( for limited slip) THe special fluid comes as a kit of three bottles. See if that is what charged out.

vb_man · Wed, May-16-2012, 09:35:08 PM

Finally they swapped out the differential and all is well. No more grinding noise.. I surprised that this issue is not seen with the masses.

vnyprasad · Mon, Jul-16-2012, 12:19:21 AM

I had the same exact problem on my e90 2011 m3. First the my dealer changed the differential fluid and the noises didn't go away, now I have a new differential.

jaehshim · Mon, Jul-16-2012, 04:10:35 AM

me2
had the same problem on my 09 E90 M3. Dealer changed fluid with Friction Modifier, it went away.
This is a long run problem since E46 days

Fri, Apr-20-2012, 11:46:13 PM	#1
vb_man Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6 Reputation: 0	2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise Only have 3500 miles on my 2011 M3 sedan with comp package and dealer used a temporary fluid since they were out. I started to hear a grinding noise at low speed turning rights. They changed the fluid to the good fluid and it is still there (slightly better). I tried working it in turing figure eights in a empty lot but still hear the grinding noise on right turns. Any one has this same issue?

Sat, Apr-21-2012, 07:39:34 AM	#2
crabman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 17 Reputation: 0	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise They probably didn't put in the friction modifier which is special order. Check your invoice to see if it is on there. If not, you can just about bet thats your problem.

Sat, Apr-21-2012, 09:53:12 AM	#3
serranot Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 26 Reputation: 0	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise It can take awhile for the diff to stop making noise. Give it some time. I think the new fluid already has the friction modifier in it.

Sat, Apr-21-2012, 09:46:32 PM	#4
vb_man Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6 Reputation: 0	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise Not sure if the new fluid they just installed new super lube but I had complied this for awhile but I will not assume until I bring it back in. I have ~600 miles on it since they added the new lube and did ~10 figure eights at low speeds but still hear a little grinding noise at low speed and tight right turns. I will take it in again and push the matter twits them. I wanted to see if anyone else has the same issue but it sounds like this issue is an outlier. Hypothesis: They should never install the substitute fluid at my 3K as a temporary fluid. Worst case, I will have them replace the diff. Dealer is Mountain View BMW in CA (northern CA)

Sun, Apr-22-2012, 04:04:00 AM	#5
mtbmw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 177 Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise i'd check the fluid. they've put the wrong fluid in my M and my buddies as well __________________ 2002 BMW X5 3.0i - sold 2010 BMW 335i M-Sport - sold 2010 BMW M3 E92 - sold 2010 C63 AMG - sold 2006 BMW M3 IB/Cinnamon- dealer buy-back 2012 BMW M3 E92 - in production

Fri, May-11-2012, 04:49:30 AM	#6
vb_man Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6 Reputation: 0	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise Took the car in again for the noise and was pretty tough on them this time. They had ENG look at it and they will change the whole differential on the 2011 E90 this week. They said the root cause was that I did not change the diff out at 1200 miles but I think this is BS. I gave them the E90 at 3K and this is when they put the lower viscosity temporary and the grinding started. I really believe they did not put any fluid by mistake and this was the root cause in my eyes. In either case, I will get another differential from BMW of mountain view in N. CA

Fri, May-11-2012, 11:51:07 AM	#7
Oldman MZ3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 429 Reputation: 0 Location: Norwalk	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise The only time they put the special fluid in, if there is a complaint of grinding. When the 1200 mile service is done they uses the factory fluid ( for limited slip) THe special fluid comes as a kit of three bottles. See if that is what charged out. __________________ http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/P8060004.jpg

Wed, May-16-2012, 09:35:08 PM	#8
vb_man Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6 Reputation: 0	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise Finally they swapped out the differential and all is well. No more grinding noise.. I surprised that this issue is not seen with the masses.

Mon, Jul-16-2012, 12:19:21 AM	#9
vnyprasad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 19 Reputation: 0 Location: Santa Clara	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise I had the same exact problem on my e90 2011 m3. First the my dealer changed the differential fluid and the noises didn't go away, now I have a new differential.

Mon, Jul-16-2012, 04:10:35 AM	#10
jaehshim Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Reputation: 0	Re: 2011 M3 sedan rear differential noise me2 had the same problem on my 09 E90 M3. Dealer changed fluid with Friction Modifier, it went away. This is a long run problem since E46 days __________________ E90 M3 6MT Premium/Tech/Cold Weather/19" 220M/Enhanced Sound/

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