[notyetguilty]

Hello Everyone,

I hope I've come to the right place. I have an early 07 E92 335i and I'm starting to get the dreaded turbo wastegate rattle.

I'm not under any form of warranty and modding is not an issue for me.

I understand that my turbos will need replacing eventually and that's if the noise doesn't drive me insane beforehand!

Please could you advise whether it's worth upgrading the turbos or having BMW put some new standard ones in? I think this question is more money related rather than anything else! If you could even go one further and advise a specific specialist in the UK that would be even better.

Thanks for taking your time to look through this for me.

[Sparky68]

Wastegates could be adjusted which would be a lot cheaper than replacing the turbos. If you did want to go for new turbos however, Google Vargas stage2.

[nicktyler]

You can have your current turbos rebuilt at quite a few places for less than half the cost of BMW replacement or upgraded units.

I had that done recently on my early 07. Although I had catless downpipes installed at the same time and now it makes noise on part throttle (after 2 rebuilds, adjustment reset and checked again) so if you are going to go down the modding route be aware that it still might not stop the noise, or just create another one.

If you are standard and you go down the BMW replacement for new at least you can be sure that they will be silent the first time or redone untill they are at the cost of the dealer.

[phil200tdi]

Get a JB4 and activate WG rattle fix.

Job Jobbed.

[Nigelo]

Over on the main n54 engine part of the forum some gents have used a spring to put some perpendicular tension on the wastegate arm to prevent it rattling.

[Nigelo]

Over on the main n54 engine part of the forum some gents have used a spring to put some perpendicular tension on the wastegate arm to prevent it rattling.

[crypticc]

Given the cause is either below spec wastegate rod as on earlier cars, or wear of the same it would suggest the spring is a stop gap. If you are original owner go for good will on the arm if I were you and this was never done. Had my Mar 07 from new and was done in first six months.

[notyetguilty]

Thank you so much all for your inputs, I'm still really stuck on what to do. I think I may try the cheapest (spring fix!) first of all and then move to the JB4 if this doesn't work, I shall let you know the outcomes when I get a chance.

I bought the car second hand from a non BMW dealership last month so unfortunately I wouldn't be able to take the 'good will' route

[phil200tdi]

When are you getting the rattle? At idle, when on throttle or when lifting off?

[notyetguilty]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

When are you getting the rattle? At idle, when on throttle or when lifting off?

Hi Phil,

There is some at idle, especially on cold start. At about say 1700-2000rpm you can definately notice it. Coming off the throttle particularily from mid-rev range you notice alot also. If I were to rev whilst in neutral the sound when lifting off is horrible. From what I can tell it's deffo wastegate rattle.

[phil200tdi]

What mileage does the car have?

Are you getting any boosting issues? Whilst the sound is annoying, if the turbos work fine there is no reason to replace them.

It will most likely be the rear turbo, you can reach down past the steering assembly and check for play in the actuator rod. If there is movement the spring may help. The other thing to try is detailed here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176269

The JB4 does this using software - hence I recommended it... if you get JB4 make sure its G5..

[notyetguilty]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

What mileage does the car have?

Are you getting any boosting issues? Whilst the sound is annoying, if the turbos work fine there is no reason to replace them.

It will most likely be the rear turbo, you can reach down past the steering assembly and check for play in the actuator rod. If there is movement the spring may help. The other thing to try is detailed here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176269

The JB4 does this using software - hence I recommended it... if you get JB4 make sure its G5..

Thanks Phil it's just over 47k. I think the turbos are fine I do get some lag I'm just hoping my car hadn't had that dreaded software update. Thanks so much for that link I've just spent all morning looking through that thread and I'm going to give it a try on the weekend if I can source the right tools! I was under the impression that over time this rattle can cause loss in boost I must be mistaken

[C.J]

Thought about taking out warranty with BMW? You can sign up through their website.

Might cost you £50pm, but your rattle will be covered. Mine are currently being replaced under this route (along with HPFP, coils and spark plugs).

You just need to ensure your car has FSH.

[notyetguilty]

Originally Posted by C.J

Thought about taking out warranty with BMW? You can sign up through their website.

Might cost you £50pm, but your rattle will be covered. Mine are currently being replaced under this route (along with HPFP, coils and spark plugs).

You just need to ensure your car has FSH.

Hi there thank you very much for your response however is this possible? Whichever warranty this car did have must have expired by now and I didn't purchase the car from a BMW Dealer. I did try sign up via bmw-warranty but the best they could offer was breakdown cover lol. Do you have any suggestions? thanks again.

[C.J]

Originally Posted by notyetguilty

Hi there thank you very much for your response however is this possible? Whichever warranty this car did have must have expired by now and I didn't purchase the car from a BMW Dealer. I did try sign up via bmw-warranty but the best they could offer was breakdown cover lol. Do you have any suggestions? thanks again.

Speak to the helpline.