Vibration/rumble at low engine speeds

1descending · 12-19-2014, 12:34 PM

I've just started to have a new issue with my car where there is a vibration and rumbling sound occurring at low engine speeds (between 1k - 2k rpm) and is most often felt when starting off from a stop. I can feel the vibration most in the pedals. Once the engine speed gets over 2k rpm everything seems normal again, and there is no apparent loss of power anywhere in the rev range.

I've googled the issue and can't find others having the same problem. The closest was some people having a similar issue when turning the steering wheel at low speed but my issue is occurring regardless of steering or A/C status.

I'm still under CPO but don't want to take it to the dealership yet because without a clear starting point, I think that will just be a waste of time.

Dackelone · 12-19-2014, 01:18 PM

Maybe a bad wheel bearing or tire?

1descending · 12-19-2014, 01:36 PM

I did get new tires recently, but wouldn't either of those problems be present and likely even worsen at higher speeds?

Zombie1 · 12-19-2014, 02:54 PM

can you hear if its coming from the front right or left side? If its in one area most likely a wheel bearing. What kind of tires did you put on? RFT's are noisy little buggers. how many miles on the car?

1descending · 12-19-2014, 03:33 PM

It's only got about 35k miles on it. Doesn't sound like it's coming from a particular side, it sounds like it's possibly coming from within the engine bay. The new tires are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3.

I've had a bad wheel bearing on an old car of mine and it was nothing like this -- that was very unstable at high speeds, which is not something I'm experiencing with my 135i.

I tried parking in neutral and revving the engine a bit. Didn't notice any particularly strange noises other than a quick 'click' as soon as the revs begin to fall.

1descending · 12-19-2014, 04:01 PM

I should also add I had a minor (or so I thought) shifting gaffe last weekend before I noticed these issues where I was down shifting 3rd to 2nd, rev matched, but had to hit the brakes somewhat hard as I was releasing the clutch and I accidentally dumped the clutch pretty fast and jarred the drivetrain a bit. That said, the revs weren't that high (2500ish I'd guess) and I was only travelling 25-30mph at the time so it wasn't at high revs or high speed.

Ra_ · 09-06-2019, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1descending

I should also add I had a minor (or so I thought) shifting gaffe last weekend before I noticed these issues where I was down shifting 3rd to 2nd, rev matched, but had to hit the brakes somewhat hard as I was releasing the clutch and I accidentally dumped the clutch pretty fast and jarred the drivetrain a bit. That said, the revs weren't that high (2500ish I'd guess) and I was only travelling 25-30mph at the time so it wasn't at high revs or high speed.

Sorry to bump this old thread but were you able to figure out the issues? I'm experiencing similar issues.

Ric in RVA · 09-06-2019, 10:52 PM

My wild ass guess is center support bearing on drive shaft.

f87CSdrifterential · 09-07-2019, 05:56 AM

I used to get a low rumble with a brief vibration upon letting off the gas at a 40+ mph cruising speed. It would occur most times during 3-4k RPMS. Don't know if OP had a manual since he hasn't been on here in 3 years, but my issue was the dual mass flywheel. I have a dual clutch single mass now with no issues. The flywheel was worn out and would also clunk for forward to reverse.

12-19-2014, 12:34 PM	#1
1descending Private 4 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Vibration/rumble at low engine speeds I've just started to have a new issue with my car where there is a vibration and rumbling sound occurring at low engine speeds (between 1k - 2k rpm) and is most often felt when starting off from a stop. I can feel the vibration most in the pedals. Once the engine speed gets over 2k rpm everything seems normal again, and there is no apparent loss of power anywhere in the rev range. I've googled the issue and can't find others having the same problem. The closest was some people having a similar issue when turning the steering wheel at low speed but my issue is occurring regardless of steering or A/C status. I'm still under CPO but don't want to take it to the dealership yet because without a clear starting point, I think that will just be a waste of time.
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12-19-2014, 01:18 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Maybe a bad wheel bearing or tire? __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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12-19-2014, 01:36 PM	#3
1descending Private 4 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I did get new tires recently, but wouldn't either of those problems be present and likely even worsen at higher speeds?
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12-19-2014, 02:54 PM	#4
Zombie1 Colonel 171 Rep 2,347 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 2010 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Island long iTrader: (6)	can you hear if its coming from the front right or left side? If its in one area most likely a wheel bearing. What kind of tires did you put on? RFT's are noisy little buggers. how many miles on the car? __________________ Mods:-Berkexhaust -alpinaB3flash -CobbAP -Cobb FMIC -ER charge pipe tialQ bov -M3 front sway bar -M3 subframe bushings -M3 front upper and lower control arms -M3 guide rods -M3 rear upper control arms -Mfactory LSD -defiv lockdown kit -TC Kline SA coilovers /camber plates- HP rear toe arms
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12-19-2014, 03:33 PM	#5
1descending Private 4 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	It's only got about 35k miles on it. Doesn't sound like it's coming from a particular side, it sounds like it's possibly coming from within the engine bay. The new tires are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3. I've had a bad wheel bearing on an old car of mine and it was nothing like this -- that was very unstable at high speeds, which is not something I'm experiencing with my 135i. I tried parking in neutral and revving the engine a bit. Didn't notice any particularly strange noises other than a quick 'click' as soon as the revs begin to fall.
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12-19-2014, 04:01 PM	#6
1descending Private 4 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I should also add I had a minor (or so I thought) shifting gaffe last weekend before I noticed these issues where I was down shifting 3rd to 2nd, rev matched, but had to hit the brakes somewhat hard as I was releasing the clutch and I accidentally dumped the clutch pretty fast and jarred the drivetrain a bit. That said, the revs weren't that high (2500ish I'd guess) and I was only travelling 25-30mph at the time so it wasn't at high revs or high speed.
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09-06-2019, 10:52 PM	#8
Ric in RVA Bergspyder 1466 Rep 1,211 Posts Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Richmond VA iTrader: (1)	My wild ass guess is center support bearing on drive shaft. __________________ Ric in RVA 2011 128i 6 MT Sport, 2009 Cayman 987.2, 2011 528i N52, 2018 F150 Platinum
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09-07-2019, 05:56 AM	#9
f87CSdrifterential First Lieutenant 188 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 CS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NH iTrader: (4)	I used to get a low rumble with a brief vibration upon letting off the gas at a 40+ mph cruising speed. It would occur most times during 3-4k RPMS. Don't know if OP had a manual since he hasn't been on here in 3 years, but my issue was the dual mass flywheel. I have a dual clutch single mass now with no issues. The flywheel was worn out and would also clunk for forward to reverse.
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