[Mav12]

Does your 335i engine have a consistent ticking sound at idle? Is that normal? (obviously much more evident with the hood up, but can hear it normally too).

[Jackson743]

No.

My 335i does not make a ticking sound.

[BMWforLife]

Originally Posted by Jackson743

No.

My 335i does not make a ticking sound.

+1 no ticking here.

[n55x3]

Direct injection motors do have a slight ticking. Some may not notice, some may call it ticking, some may call it normal. Regardless, a DI motor sounds different than a normal fuel injection motor most of us have grown up around. You can hear it much more so on the N20.

With all that being said it's hard to quantify what you are explaining. If you are worried your best bet is to go to dealer and listen to some other N55 motors on the lot. If your ticking is way different than yes, you might have an issue.

[SomeRandomer123]

Post a video!

But the clackity-clack sound is normal due to the switch from Piezoelectric Injectors to Solenoid.

[Mav12]

Thx for responses so far, will try to post video tonight

[jdong]

If you are listening from outside your car, this is probably a description of the direct injection noise. If you're inside your car, you should not be able to hear it unless you are really sensitive to NVH, in which case consider a Lexus

[Mav12]

Hahah, no thanks on the lexus. So the sound cannot be heard from inside, either at idle or during driving. But it is clearly audible from the outside at idle. Here are two clips. (1 with hood closed & 2 with it open). Thx for your opinions. (I hope this works, it was almost impossible to find audio or video format that I could upload here!)

[bthuss]

hey Mav, i just got my 335xi M-sport and i noticed that exact same noise. so you are not an isolated instance. sounds exactly the same with that kind of rythmic (yet not completely consistent timing) clakety-tap noise.

not sure what it is but then again this car makes all kinds of interesting noises once i shut it down and lock it. all kinds of whirring motors and things going on for a minute or so after its stopped.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Mav12

Hahah, no thanks on the lexus. So the sound cannot be heard from inside, either at idle or during driving. But it is clearly audible from the outside at idle. Here are two clips. (1 with hood closed & 2 with it open). Thx for your opinions. (I hope this works, it was almost impossible to find audio or video format that I could upload here!)

Does sound a bit like a DI trait. Assume the engine was at full temperature. Have you tried different AKI fuel ratings? My N55 differs with fuel used, from virtually silent to a slight tick, indicating injection or combustion variation.

HighlandPete

[Bimmerius]

any updates?
just heard same noise on my 2 days old F30 328xi

[schtozo]

Yeah mine does a clackity clack noise... Sounds like normal from these direct injection engines! 2 litters sound horrible though!

[300hp]

I posted in my "well if you have a BMW you will have to park it...."thread that I was observing this issue. It seems a floodgate of issues got me at the same time.

iRO of the ticking sound this only happened after driving for say 5 miles. Every time at idle I would hear this sound and it was ANNOYING.

I have a 528i as a loaner with the N20 and that ticking sound is the same as on the N20 at start up. The ticking sound goes away once you drive off in the 528 and never comes up until the next day at start up.

However in my case the ticking sound could not be heard with the hood open. Only when inside the car. My dealer said there was a tube they had to close and fixed the issue. I am yet to test drive it but am waiting for the new DME.

[gomichaelkgo]

Mine makes a jingle noise at startup and when coasting at low speed - but only when the engine is cold. The tech said it was the wastegate. Here's the sound: you can hear it out the passenger window as its reflected off the orange car. They decline to fix anything, claiming its normal.

[JNoSol]

This is normal Direct Injection noise.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

This is normal Direct Injection noise.

I don't think this is normal as my N55 X5 does not have this issue. It's about 2 and a half years old and I have never heard this ticking sound before.

[rconti]

Originally Posted by 300hp

I don't think this is normal as my N55 X5 does not have this issue. It's about 2 and a half years old and I have never heard this ticking sound before.

Well, what do you want us to say? Direct injection motors run upwards of 20,000psi. They definitely make a distinctive clicking sound. That's not a matter of debate. Maybe your X5 has more sound deadening on it.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by rconti

Well, what do you want us to say? Direct injection motors run upwards of 20,000psi. They definitely make a distinctive clicking sound. That's not a matter of debate. Maybe your X5 has more sound deadening on it.

I am just stating my observations. My 335i does not have a ticking sound except for the one I asked my dealer to fix. My X5 does not either. The 528i loaner I have has a ticking sound at start up but within 10 seconds its gone until the next day at start up.

I think if you are experiencing an annoying ticking sound take it in otherwise you should not be experiencing this.

[johnsonlwu]

Took my N20 car into the dealership to check out the ticking which is getting louder and louder, they said everything is normal.
I told them I have an exact same MY N26328i and it doesn't tick.
Heck they even gave me a 328XI GT and it doesn't tick.
I guess there IS is difference between N20 and N26.

[Steve33]

I have a ticking noise noticeable at idle, cold or hot. I definitely hear it from inside my car, doors closed and all. It follows engine RPM and goes away when I'm driving (or I just can't hear it anymore). I'll listen closely again tomorrow and take a recording

[mike@x-ph.com]

totally normal

[BashShah]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

totally normal

Mike are you saying that a 2012 F30 335i with a N55 can have a turbo actuator rod type rattle and it is normal?

Or

Normal and it is a faulty waste gate as the n54.

With 60k miles on the car, I heard mine for the after a friend pressed the gas pedal and released it a few times at stand still. Car was driven but parked for about 2 hours.