[franzrya]

Hey guys,

I've had my M235i for about three weeks now, and ever since I received the car I've noticed a strange popping noise that sounds periodically while driving. I believe it is coming from the driver's side (American), but I can't figure out what it is. At first I thought it was the speakers popping, but I notice the sound occasionally while the speakers are off. Any ideas what this sound could be? It's very annoying.

Thanks in advance.

[ciwhamc]

Do you notice it more when accelerating braking or coasting?

[overcoil]

1) Visually inspect everything and grab anything you can with your hand and shake: shock, sill, window, side-mirror, seat, hood, sunroof/shade, rear mounted battery, fender liners, exhaust

2) have someone stand outside car while you drive by, or have someone get into backseat and press and touch everything to feel or hear.

3) Try to eliminate it down to a particular speed or gear. Inspect tire tread for a stuck stone, try to record the noise

4) dealer techs may be familiar with a problem or oversight from shipping

[bman6074]

I had a clicking noise turning hard right on my 135i. It turned out to be the torque on the wheels. The recommended torque wasn't enough had to add about 5lbs more. It could have been my torque wrench being off by 5lbs too. Oh well it resolved my clicking.

[franzrya]

I mainly notice it while coasting and while stopped. It almost sounds like a somewhat large raindrop hitting the windshield at high velocity; That kind of high pitched pop.

[overcoil]

Do you have wheel-locks ?

[ska///235i]

Sticky tires throwing rocks to the inner fenders???

[soghetto]

I like this game, whats first place prize?

high speed rain drop pitched sound
coming from driver side area
happens with speakers on or off
while coasting and/or stopped

How far between them are they? once, every once in awhile? or long time between them?
how soon after starting from a cold start does it take before you hear the sound?
is that amount of time consistent when warm also?

[Im no mechanic, but i can pretend to be one online]

[tccox]

Well, go to the 1 forum and search dash popping. My 128 did it. My 228 does it a little bit. I think its high outside temp related

[TAY TAY]

Im getting that same noise when I reverse turning the wheel to the left.

[franzrya]

It may very well be due to high temperature... Here in Tampa it's been 95 degrees F in the afternoon.