[Gabrola]

Sounds similar to the infamous N54/N55 wastegate rattle. However, I have a B38 in my car. It only happens or occurs more prominently when the car has been well warmed up.
Here's a video of the sound, it happens slightly at seconds 4 and 10, and more prominently at seconds 18, 25 and 37. Anyone know what could be the problem? This has been happening since I bought the car new as far as I remember.

[RoundelM3]

There has never been an N55 wastegate rattle problem - that was only on the early N54 engines. Maybe it's just my poor hearing, but I didn't hear any "rattling" in the video. Best bet is to take the car to a dealership for diagnosis.

Are you sure you don't have an N26 engine? My wife's 2016 F23 is so-equipped; the 2017 model supposedly has the B38 - at least, that's the way it is here in the USA.

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by roundel335

There has never been an N55 wastegate rattle problem - that was only on the early N54 engines. Maybe it's just my poor hearing, but I didn't hear any "rattling" in the video. Best bet is to take the car to a dealership for diagnosis.

Are you sure you don't have an N26 engine? My wife's 2016 F23 is so-equipped; the 2017 model supposedly has the B38 - at least, that's the way it is here in the USA.

I'm not sure about the N54/N55 problem, it's the only thing that came up when looking for a diagnosis and the videos of found sounded like what I'm experiencing. I'm booked with the dealership in 2 weeks to get it fixed hopefully, but I don't really trust them that much to fix it.

I have 218i which has a B38 definitely, and while I know I'm probably one of a few on this forum who have it, I thought maybe this could be something common on other cars since I couldn't pinpoint the sound specifically coming from the engine.

The sound in my video isn't definitely loud enough but in person it's annoyingly and alarmingly loud especially with the top down.

It's the exact same sound as the one in this video but it only happens when I'm coasting at low speeds regardless of the gear I'm in and when the car is warm enough; it never happens on a cold start.

[Julian1]

I´m pretty sure that the noise is produced by the wastegate linkage.
I had the problem once myself. The newest software update fixed the issue.

Likely, the wastegate actuator will keep the linkage under more strain, so the swing and rattle should be reduced.

Further information: http://www.1erforum.de/threads/118i-...asselt.235587/

[RoundelM3]

Are you sure it's not the exhaust flap (at the muffler entrance) rattling? That has been an issue with F-chassis cars all along.

There have been zero reports of wastegate linkage rattle in N55 engines, and none that I'm aware of for the N20/26 or B38 and B48. The N54 had two turbochargers and the rattle problem was eliminated with a new turbocharger design. The fix for the problem was to replace both turbos with the newer models.

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by Julian1

I´m pretty sure that the noise is produced by the wastegate linkage.
I had the problem once myself. The newest software update fixed the issue.

Likely, the wastegate actuator will keep the linkage under more strain, so the swing and rattle should be reduced.

Further information: http://www.1erforum.de/threads/118i-...asselt.235587/

Thank you so much. It seems that it actually is a common problem with the 3-pot engine. It seems that all owners on here http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=85971 have experienced the same sound.

Originally Posted by roundel335

Are you sure it's not the exhaust flap (at the muffler entrance) rattling? That has been an issue with F-chassis cars all along.

There have been zero reports of wastegate linkage rattle in N55 engines, and none that I'm aware of for the N20/26 or B38 and B48. The N54 had two turbochargers and the rattle problem was eliminated with a new turbocharger design. The fix for the problem was to replace both turbos with the newer models.

The sound is definitely coming from the front of the car. I've confirmed from other forums with owners of 118i's and 218i's that it actually is a wastegate rattle and it seems to be a universal "problem" on all cars with the 3-pot engine. It's funny that BMW were able to create a smooth 3-pot engine but they fucked up the turbo wastegate on that one.