OEM Roof Bars Whistle

ThexGovenor · 12-22-2016, 10:17 PM

Hey all,
Searched for a while but couldnt find a definitive answer. I have the base bars from BMW and they have a definite whistle. Ive literally tried sticking my hand out the window and sunroof to cover certain parts of the bars to isolate it, however no luck. Anyone know of where the whistle comes from or how to best eliminate it?

zamboni · 12-22-2016, 10:20 PM

You can either get the Thule or Whispar bars from Yakima to reduce the whistle. OEM version is always making noise.

MuffinMan910 · 12-22-2016, 10:53 PM

I have Thule aeroblades and even they make a tiny bit of noise when going highway speeds. Never tried oem bars but if my aeroblades make a bit of noise I can only imagine how loud oem bars are

Only thing you can do is buy new bars, or buy a wind fairing which should help a bit

cmplaya · 12-22-2016, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThexGovenor

Hey all,
Searched for a while but couldnt find a definitive answer. I have the base bars from BMW and they have a definite whistle. Ive literally tried sticking my hand out the window and sunroof to cover certain parts of the bars to isolate it, however no luck. Anyone know of where the whistle comes from or how to best eliminate it?

mine whistles like mad without any roof bars

Billfitz · 12-23-2016, 08:39 AM

Any bars are going to make some noise. I take mine off when not in use.

beanbaguk · 12-23-2016, 08:43 AM

Another one for the Thule aero bars. I used to have OEM bars on my 1 series (E87), and they made a ton of noise.

I've now got a set of Thule bars on my F31 and while I can hear some noise, it's not that bad. I've also got a Dynamic 800 roof box too and for what it is, it's fairly quiet.

spuntyb · 12-23-2016, 08:45 AM

I have the Thule aeroblades and they whistle too, depending on exactly where you place them. I got the air foil, and the whistling went away.

ThexGovenor · 12-25-2016, 10:42 AM

I'll have to look into the aero blade. Thanks all, looks like I just have to enjoy the whistle in the winter

JollyRodger · 12-25-2016, 05:00 PM

I just went with the OEM bars. I got them on sale at the dealer and they were cheaper than the alternatives.

The only time they are on the roof is when I have my box or other things on the roof, and that is almost all the time. And the Thule Force Alpine box I have makes way more noise then the bars. So does the kayak in the summer or bikes or nearly anything I put up there.

thehuta · 06-13-2018, 08:26 PM

The noise on my vehicle was due to the square vent under the roof rack bar near the screw fixing the cross bar to the vertical strut.

It occurred from 30-65km/hr. For some reason... presumably due to a slightly larger hole and/or more laminar airflow in that region, it was only the front passenger side hole.

Buy some weathershield sealant strip. I got a pack to seal up to a 8mm gap, which was more than required. I cut a strip 1" long, took off the roof rack and vertical strut and stuck it over just that hole.

The roof rack can still close over the weather strip. Problem solved. I did not cover the other holes in case they are required for drainage.

shafeen · 08-13-2018, 03:47 PM

Thehuta, could you please send a pic if where the weathershield should go? Thanks!

starbai · 03-11-2019, 04:19 PM

Bump.

So its not in the budget to get new bars. I'd consider the fairing if thats a definitive answer.

But hoping for more DIY mods to reduce the noise.

starbai · 04-13-2019, 05:13 PM

Added the omni fairing. Needed some bolts from the hardware store to make it compatible with the OEM rack but it works like a charm now.

whisper quiet!

7iM3less · 04-15-2019, 04:32 PM

Fairing is the way to go boys, I lost patience last winter with my rack and sold it altogether. That whistling was so annoying.

Pretty sure the drag effects gas mileage too.

Armyvetf30 · 05-15-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbai

Added the omni fairing. Needed some bolts from the hardware store to make it compatible with the OEM rack but it works like a charm now.

whisper quiet!

What's the width of your fairing?

bayarea_f30 · 05-15-2020, 01:30 PM

I put some hot glue on the gaps between the plastic part and the crossbar. Read it from a fellow member awhile ago but it works. Also had an OEM rack.

andino · 05-15-2020, 01:44 PM

I have Thule Aerobars on my wagon and they whistle quietly at surface road speeds. But once you get above 40ish mph, it goes away.

starbai · 07-01-2020, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armyvetf30

What's the width of your fairing?

its 40" INNO Fairings - INA261

328iX · 07-01-2020, 03:34 PM

Lol to the people blaming OEM bars but they're actually one of the most quiet bars. I hear almost nothing unless my sunroof shade is open (Yes it isolates almost all the noise)

I only drive 80-90mph on the highway and it's almost silent

I have a wagon with rails so I can move the placement wherever, the fixed placement on sedans is what must be causing the flow to be not smooth

Cyruskint · 07-03-2020, 11:28 AM

If you have OEM (or Thule aeros) and dont wish to have some sort of deflector:

Buy an extra strip of the rubber bit that fits in the T track.....if you use you roof attachments (eg kayak) in the same place all the time, cut your spare strip into pieces that fit exactly between the (eg Kayak) supports..........

In both my sets of roof bars it it the empty slots that whistle, not the bar with rubber strip in place (and my Thule aeros are worse than OEM)

Worth a thought anyway

gIzzE · 07-16-2020, 06:11 PM

If you wrap a bungee cord around the bars the whistling stops completely.

sspade · 07-16-2020, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gIzzE

If you wrap a bungee cord around the bars the whistling stops completely.

In what way do you wrap the bungee?

12-22-2016, 10:17 PM	#1
ThexGovenor New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2015 328i xDrive, 2006 E60 M5 Join Date: May 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	OEM Roof Bars Whistle Hey all, Searched for a while but couldnt find a definitive answer. I have the base bars from BMW and they have a definite whistle. Ive literally tried sticking my hand out the window and sunroof to cover certain parts of the bars to isolate it, however no luck. Anyone know of where the whistle comes from or how to best eliminate it?
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12-22-2016, 10:20 PM	#2
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1128 Rep 5,557 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	You can either get the Thule or Whispar bars from Yakima to reduce the whistle. OEM version is always making noise. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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12-22-2016, 10:53 PM	#3
MuffinMan910 Lieutenant 135 Rep 524 Posts Drives: 2013 f30 335i xDrive mSport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	I have Thule aeroblades and even they make a tiny bit of noise when going highway speeds. Never tried oem bars but if my aeroblades make a bit of noise I can only imagine how loud oem bars are Only thing you can do is buy new bars, or buy a wind fairing which should help a bit
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2016, 08:39 AM	#5
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8239 Rep 16,076 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Any bars are going to make some noise. I take mine off when not in use.
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12-23-2016, 08:43 AM	#6
beanbaguk Captain 455 Rep 938 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Costa del Sol iTrader: (0)	Another one for the Thule aero bars. I used to have OEM bars on my 1 series (E87), and they made a ton of noise. I've now got a set of Thule bars on my F31 and while I can hear some noise, it's not that bad. I've also got a Dynamic 800 roof box too and for what it is, it's fairly quiet. __________________ Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport
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12-23-2016, 08:45 AM	#7
spuntyb Brigadier General 4055 Rep 4,981 Posts Drives: 2019 F90 Competition Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have the Thule aeroblades and they whistle too, depending on exactly where you place them. I got the air foil, and the whistling went away. Attached Images __________________ <b>2023 M5C SRG\|Aragon \|\| 2018 Macan GTS</b> 2019 F90 Comp MBB\|Black (sold) 2018 F80 ZCP TB\|SS (sold) 2015 F30 335 AW\|CR (sold) 2015 F31 MG\|CR (sold) 2011 E90 JB\|Oyster (sold)
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12-25-2016, 10:42 AM	#8
ThexGovenor New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2015 328i xDrive, 2006 E60 M5 Join Date: May 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I'll have to look into the aero blade. Thanks all, looks like I just have to enjoy the whistle in the winter
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12-25-2016, 05:00 PM	#9
JollyRodger Private 37 Rep 52 Posts Drives: f31d Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I just went with the OEM bars. I got them on sale at the dealer and they were cheaper than the alternatives. The only time they are on the roof is when I have my box or other things on the roof, and that is almost all the time. And the Thule Force Alpine box I have makes way more noise then the bars. So does the kayak in the summer or bikes or nearly anything I put up there.
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06-13-2018, 08:26 PM	#10
thehuta Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 330i M Sport 2017 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Aus iTrader: (0)	Roof rack noise fix The noise on my vehicle was due to the square vent under the roof rack bar near the screw fixing the cross bar to the vertical strut. It occurred from 30-65km/hr. For some reason... presumably due to a slightly larger hole and/or more laminar airflow in that region, it was only the front passenger side hole. Buy some weathershield sealant strip. I got a pack to seal up to a 8mm gap, which was more than required. I cut a strip 1" long, took off the roof rack and vertical strut and stuck it over just that hole. The roof rack can still close over the weather strip. Problem solved. I did not cover the other holes in case they are required for drainage.
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08-13-2018, 03:47 PM	#11
shafeen Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2014 328i Xdrive GT Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: VanCity iTrader: (0)	Thehuta, could you please send a pic if where the weathershield should go? Thanks!
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03-11-2019, 04:19 PM	#12
starbai PPRSWCE 654 Rep 1,848 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	Bump. So its not in the budget to get new bars. I'd consider the fairing if thats a definitive answer. But hoping for more DIY mods to reduce the noise.
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04-13-2019, 05:13 PM	#13
starbai PPRSWCE 654 Rep 1,848 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	Added the omni fairing. Needed some bolts from the hardware store to make it compatible with the OEM rack but it works like a charm now. whisper quiet!
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04-15-2019, 04:32 PM	#14
7iM3less Brigadier General 2594 Rep 3,030 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Canada iTrader: (3)	Fairing is the way to go boys, I lost patience last winter with my rack and sold it altogether. That whistling was so annoying. Pretty sure the drag effects gas mileage too. __________________ 2016 BMW F80 ZCP Instagram : 7IM3LESS https://instagram.com/7im3less?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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05-15-2020, 01:30 PM	#16
bayarea_f30 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 48 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I put some hot glue on the gaps between the plastic part and the crossbar. Read it from a fellow member awhile ago but it works. Also had an OEM rack. Attached Images Last edited by bayarea_f30; 05-15-2020 at 01:40 PM..
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05-15-2020, 01:44 PM	#17
andino Captain 480 Rep 681 Posts Drives: F31 328i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: norcal iTrader: (2)	I have Thule Aerobars on my wagon and they whistle quietly at surface road speeds. But once you get above 40ish mph, it goes away. __________________ 2016 328ix F31 - SOLD! 2006 997.1 C4S
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07-01-2020, 03:34 PM	#19
328iX David 786 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	Lol to the people blaming OEM bars but they're actually one of the most quiet bars. I hear almost nothing unless my sunroof shade is open (Yes it isolates almost all the noise) I only drive 80-90mph on the highway and it's almost silent I have a wagon with rails so I can move the placement wherever, the fixed placement on sedans is what must be causing the flow to be not smooth
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07-03-2020, 11:28 AM	#20
Cyruskint New Member 7 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 LCI 330d; 2002 Z3 3.0 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Dorset iTrader: (0)	If you have OEM (or Thule aeros) and dont wish to have some sort of deflector: Buy an extra strip of the rubber bit that fits in the T track.....if you use you roof attachments (eg kayak) in the same place all the time, cut your spare strip into pieces that fit exactly between the (eg Kayak) supports.......... In both my sets of roof bars it it the empty slots that whistle, not the bar with rubber strip in place (and my Thule aeros are worse than OEM) Worth a thought anyway
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07-16-2020, 06:11 PM	#21
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	If you wrap a bungee cord around the bars the whistling stops completely.
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