[SeanE]

Didn't really think this fit in the 'cosmetic mods' page, but mods feel free to move this if needed.

I just installed the BMW brand roofrack with one fork-mount bike tray and right away noticed a pretty high-pitched whistle, starting at about 20 mph. It kind of disappears at higher speeds, replaced by regular wind noise.

I don't think it is from the bike attachment, but not 100% sure.

Anyone else have a rack and notice this? I was surprised at how large the gaps are at the points where the rack feet attach.

TIA

[Cyberdemon]

Honestly every single roof rack will have some type of accompanying wind noise. It's virtually unavoidable since there is always going to be some drag and turbulence from the wind bouncing between the roof and the rack components.

Most aftermarket racks can use a fairing (the big piece of plastic with a giant YAKIMA sticker on it) or aero bars (cross bars which are shaped to aerodynamically reduce the drag).

If you've already bought the rack you can see if there is a fairing that can be retrofit, otherwise the only other real solution is take it off or turn your stereo up.

It's one of the reasons I'm an avid fan of hitch mount bike racks. They're more easily removed, don't generate wind noise, and you don't risk damage to the car when mud or dirt is flying off your greasy mountain bike.

[SeanE]

Yea, I'm used to wind noise from racks I've had in the past, and I have a hitch mount on our SUV, but I think it would be mounted too low on this car. Also not sure a fairing will solve this if it's coming from as far out at the mount points/towers. I've used fairings in the past which then introduced worse noises, so I'm leery of adding one.

It's really the high-pitched whistle that was a new one for me, and just wanting to know if anyone else has solved it.

[DanG]

I use my 2 series rack all the time. As long as I keep the sun roof closed, I don't hear much in the way of wind noise.

And by the way, if you adjust the rack correctly, it only takes 5 minutes to install it. It takes even less to remove it.

I only install it when I am carrying two bikes. The drag from the rack reduces gas mileage.

[Cyberdemon]

If you want to try and diagnose where it's coming from, I'd suggest grabbing a roll of painters tape, and start taping up any small gaps you notice one at a time.

If you think it's between the towers and the car body, tape those up and see if theres a noticeable difference (perhaps even remove the cross bars while testing).

Usually any high pitched noises will usually be from a small gap, so if the tape solves it you may be able to add some type of foam pad in between the body and tower as a temporary fix.

[cMayman]

I too recently purchased a series 3 and installed BMW roof racks. And these racks whistle unbearably at lower speeds. When I inquired about this with the BMW service department, they told me to expect extra noise with roof racks. I have owned cars with roof racks in the past and nothing comes close to the annoying whistle I am experiencing. I ended up taping up all the seams on the feet of the rack and successfully eliminated the high pitched squeal.
The problem seems to be in the design of the rack itself. There is a moving, locking panel on this model which lifts up to hide the bolts that attach the rack to the roof. The whistle is produced by the air moving through the seams of the plastic segments.
I'm still trying to resolve this problem with BMW. It seems incongruous to drive a gorgeous car with gaffer's tape wrapped around the roof rack.

[BEM-S4]

Assuming the weather is decent try tilling the moon roof up so you have the back open. I haven't tried on a 2er but on a few other cars I've had that did enough to disrupt airflow to minimize noise.

[jmwilson125]

I get the exact same thing. It is pretty unbearable. Dan G said it only takes 5 minutes to install. I only put it on when I need it.

I was thinking about making a fairing or of plexiglass glad and stainless hardware

[Le frog]

Same issue here, and yes, it definitely comes from the towers; mainly from the front left.
Yes it's annoying, but I've learned to leave with it.
Although it's not as annoying as the nice dent my mountain bike rear tire left on the roof, when it fell off while loading it on the Yakima rack!

[jmwilson125]

If it is just from seam in the towers perhaps it could be caulked with black silicon. Then cut one side free with a razor blade. (If you are handy).

Maybe I'll try this spring if it bugs me too much.

[designatedposter]

any updates here? anyone solve the whistle and wind noise of this rack? i've had experience with other vehicles that did not make a peep, so i'm not ready to go to hitch mount yet.

[thehuta]

The noise on my vehicle was due to the square vent under the roof rack bar near the screw fixing the cross bar to the vertical strut.

It occurred from 30-65km/hr. For some reason... presumably due to a slightly larger hole and/or more laminar airflow in that region, it was only the front passenger side hole.

Buy some weathershield sealant strip. I got a pack to seal up to a 8mm gap, which was more than required. I cut a strip 1" long, took off the roof rack and vertical strut and stuck it over just that hole.

The roof rack can still close over the weather strip. Problem solved. I did not cover the other holes in case they are required for drainage.

[Funwithdesign]

The 40" Yakima fairing got rid of my whistle. Even though it's the legs of the cross bars that are the source, the fairing must move the air in a way that eliminates the noise.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by thehuta

The noise on my vehicle was due to the square vent under the roof rack bar near the screw fixing the cross bar to the vertical strut.

It occurred from 30-65km/hr. For some reason... presumably due to a slightly larger hole and/or more laminar airflow in that region, it was only the front passenger side hole.

Buy some weathershield sealant strip. I got a pack to seal up to a 8mm gap, which was more than required. I cut a strip 1" long, took off the roof rack and vertical strut and stuck it over just that hole.

The roof rack can still close over the weather strip. Problem solved. I did not cover the other holes in case they are required for drainage.

Any chance you could provide pics to illustrate?

[starbai]

Originally Posted by Funwithdesign

The 40" Yakima fairing got rid of my whistle. Even though it's the legs of the cross bars that are the source, the fairing must move the air in a way that eliminates the noise.

Which yakima fairing did you buy?

[Funwithdesign]

Originally Posted by starbai

Which yakima fairing did you buy?

The 40" universal fairing

[starbai]

Added the omni fairing. Needed some bolts from the hardware store to make it compatible with the OEM rack but it works like a charm now.

whisper quiet!

[Funwithdesign]

Nice. Did it come with stickers to protect your roof like the Yakima and Thule fairings?

[starbai]

Originally Posted by Funwithdesign

Nice. Did it come with stickers to protect your roof like the Yakima and Thule fairings?

Not that get pasted on the car itself, but it does have stickers on the bottom of the feet where it makes contact with the paint. I'm less concerned beacuse i have clear bra on the whole a-pillar right in front of my moonroof.