Drone at 2000 RPM

pocoyo_3 · 10-22-2013, 11:24 AM

I have a rear-drive 335i 6-speed manual, which as I understand it has neither secondary cats, nor does it have a resonator. My car exhibits significant drone at around 1800-2200 rpm. I have had the car looked at by two local BMW dealerships, neither of which could find anything wrong with the car.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I could reduce the drone. Has anyone added back the resonator from the N54 E90 to an N55?

mashimarho · 10-22-2013, 11:46 AM

e90? Stock?
Shouldn't have ANY drone, if so. Rust/holes/loose gasket? There should be no drone. My car has downpipe and BMW PE and I STILL have barely any drone at low RPMs.

pocoyo_3 · 10-22-2013, 12:30 PM

Thanks. I thought it should not drone at 2000 rpm. All it takes is some engine load and me opening up the throttle in 3rd or 4th gear and it gets loud. I have the PPK1 and I know that makes the car louder.

I'm convinced it has been louder after I switched from the stock exhaust to the PE and then back to the stock exhaust again. I doubt it's rust, but it could be something loose. Thinking of taking it to a Midas or similar to take a look.

Red_Bean_Bun · 10-22-2013, 12:49 PM

Check for leaks and something like heat shield / parts in contact with the exhaust. Is the vacuum valve opened all the time ?

evo335xi · 10-22-2013, 04:53 PM

+1I bet the flap is open all the time. Is it a slight hum with light throttle?

pocoyo_3 · 10-22-2013, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the flap is open as I have PPK1. The car is quiet on light throttle. It's when I open the throttle (say going up a hill when the engine is under load) that it gets noisier. It's loud enough that I can feel it through the seat. I have been convinced that something is not right but my local BMW dealership said all is fine so I am looking for ideas. I may take it to a local exhaust shop such as a midas.

avocet · 10-22-2013, 11:07 PM

No Midas!
No Midas!

Find a reputable speed shop and spend some time getting to know the guys.

No Midas!

pocoyo_3 · 10-23-2013, 10:06 AM

Thanks - will avoid Midas then. Looking for something else in SE Michigan.

SflBimmer8484 · 10-23-2013, 01:22 PM

I had catless downpipes and straight pipes with no drone..

TrentOSU · 10-24-2013, 03:29 AM

Thought you didn't have any issues anymore.....

pocoyo_3 · 10-24-2013, 08:35 AM

I think that was more wishful thinking on my part. I've been with the car now for a week and it's the same. It's the 40 mph / 4th gear range which is the worst. Highways are fine, local roads are not in other words.

TrentOSU · 10-25-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my325i

I think that was more wishful thinking on my part. I've been with the car now for a week and it's the same. It's the 40 mph / 4th gear range which is the worst. Highways are fine, local roads are not in other words.

Hm, okay.

pocoyo_3 · 10-27-2013, 10:31 PM

I have been doing some research and noted that some people with Performance Pack 1 noted that the car got louder and deeper at 2000 rpm than before. As I have PPK1, it may be related to that.

Jdub679 · 10-27-2013, 11:16 PM

Maybe you could post a video. It's hard to fathom that the PPK could create that much more drone on an otherwise stock car.

pocoyo_3 · 10-28-2013, 03:49 PM

Good idea. I'll see if my iPhone can capture the sound well enough and will post one in due course.

10-22-2013, 11:24 AM	#1
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Drone at 2000 RPM I have a rear-drive 335i 6-speed manual, which as I understand it has neither secondary cats, nor does it have a resonator. My car exhibits significant drone at around 1800-2200 rpm. I have had the car looked at by two local BMW dealerships, neither of which could find anything wrong with the car. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could reduce the drone. Has anyone added back the resonator from the N54 E90 to an N55?
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10-22-2013, 11:46 AM	#2
mashimarho BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2106 Rep 13,876 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & F80 M3 & G82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lynnwood, WA iTrader: (45) Garage List 2021 BMW G82 M4 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW F80 M3 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335i xDrive [9.78]	e90? Stock? Shouldn't have ANY drone, if so. Rust/holes/loose gasket? There should be no drone. My car has downpipe and BMW PE and I STILL have barely any drone at low RPMs. __________________ Mashimarho.com /// Instagram /// Facebook /// Youtube /// sales@mashimarho.com /// (425) 582-7939
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10-22-2013, 12:30 PM	#3
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I thought it should not drone at 2000 rpm. All it takes is some engine load and me opening up the throttle in 3rd or 4th gear and it gets loud. I have the PPK1 and I know that makes the car louder. I'm convinced it has been louder after I switched from the stock exhaust to the PE and then back to the stock exhaust again. I doubt it's rust, but it could be something loose. Thinking of taking it to a Midas or similar to take a look.
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10-22-2013, 12:49 PM	#4
Red_Bean_Bun Captain 62 Rep 944 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (4)	Check for leaks and something like heat shield / parts in contact with the exhaust. Is the vacuum valve opened all the time ?
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10-22-2013, 04:53 PM	#5
evo335xi Lieutenant 33 Rep 451 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Ct iTrader: (1)	+1I bet the flap is open all the time. Is it a slight hum with light throttle?
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10-22-2013, 09:21 PM	#6
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the flap is open as I have PPK1. The car is quiet on light throttle. It's when I open the throttle (say going up a hill when the engine is under load) that it gets noisier. It's loud enough that I can feel it through the seat. I have been convinced that something is not right but my local BMW dealership said all is fine so I am looking for ideas. I may take it to a local exhaust shop such as a midas.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-22-2013, 11:07 PM	#7
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	No Midas! No Midas! Find a reputable speed shop and spend some time getting to know the guys. No Midas!
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10-23-2013, 10:06 AM	#8
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Thanks - will avoid Midas then. Looking for something else in SE Michigan.
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10-23-2013, 01:22 PM	#9
SflBimmer8484 Brigadier General 1467 Rep 3,157 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (5)	I had catless downpipes and straight pipes with no drone..
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10-24-2013, 03:29 AM	#10
TrentOSU Lieutenant 20 Rep 592 Posts Drives: 11' AW e90 335i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Corvallis, Oregon iTrader: (1)	Thought you didn't have any issues anymore.....
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10-24-2013, 08:35 AM	#11
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I think that was more wishful thinking on my part. I've been with the car now for a week and it's the same. It's the 40 mph / 4th gear range which is the worst. Highways are fine, local roads are not in other words.
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10-27-2013, 10:31 PM	#13
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I have been doing some research and noted that some people with Performance Pack 1 noted that the car got louder and deeper at 2000 rpm than before. As I have PPK1, it may be related to that.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-27-2013, 11:16 PM	#14
Jdub679 Captain 88 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i coupe M Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	Maybe you could post a video. It's hard to fathom that the PPK could create that much more drone on an otherwise stock car.
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10-28-2013, 03:49 PM	#15
pocoyo_3 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2006 330i / 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Good idea. I'll see if my iPhone can capture the sound well enough and will post one in due course.
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