Updated: M140i - Gearbox whine/leaks and a roof rattle - Ombudsman rule in my favour!
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- enthusiastowned
- Experienced Member
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Updated: M140i - Gearbox whine/leaks and a roof rattle - Ombudsman rule in my favour!
Hello All,
I have a suspect gearbox issue with my M140i. September 2016 Build with approx 4,000 miles - The cars been doing this for a few thousand miles now. Any drive mode, any gearbox mode - Gets worse as the car gets warmer... Is this normal?
This video is shot with an iPhone so the Mic isn't the best at picking the sound up, in the car it sounds like a supercharger (or a cake mixer as my Mrs puts it).
Need your input please!
I have a suspect gearbox issue with my M140i. September 2016 Build with approx 4,000 miles - The cars been doing this for a few thousand miles now. Any drive mode, any gearbox mode - Gets worse as the car gets warmer... Is this normal?
This video is shot with an iPhone so the Mic isn't the best at picking the sound up, in the car it sounds like a supercharger (or a cake mixer as my Mrs puts it).
Need your input please!
Last edited by enthusiastowned on Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:41 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Ex-owner of Melbourne Red M140i - YP66LFX / YP66 LFX
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
No idea what it is, but it isn't normal! Off to the dealers!
F22 M240i 8AT
- OrtonM135i
- Experienced Member
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
My Dealer told me BMW intentionally build them all with a whine to replicate touring cars sound
the usual bollocks you expect from most dealers... come up wth an excuse that sounds like a benefit! It should whine to some extent but only really in reverse or low speed/gears
Worth taking to a dealer as some that whine can end up leaking and failing at worst
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Worth taking to a dealer as some that whine can end up leaking and failing at worst
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2017 M140i auto
2013 M135i auto
2010 Mini JCW
2010 123D Msport
2007 Porsche Cayman S
2011 135i Coupe DCT
2007 Mini Cooper S
2013 M135i auto
2010 Mini JCW
2010 123D Msport
2007 Porsche Cayman S
2011 135i Coupe DCT
2007 Mini Cooper S
- Octavius
- Too Much Time To Waste Member
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Who makes the auto box for VW. They are silent.
MY SIGNATURE STOPPED WORKING AFTER AN UPDATE.
- enthusiastowned
- Experienced Member
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Glad it's not normal! It's already been into my local BMW who said they couldn't hear anything so asked for a video. I wanted a 2nd opinion for my sanity!
All gearboxes whine but I've never had anything like this before - When pushing on in the car, it's seriously loud when in the cabin and ruining the enjoyment.
Touring car.. It's not a bloody touring car, I hoped you laughed at them!
All gearboxes whine but I've never had anything like this before - When pushing on in the car, it's seriously loud when in the cabin and ruining the enjoyment.
Touring car.. It's not a bloody touring car, I hoped you laughed at them!
Ex-owner of Melbourne Red M140i - YP66LFX / YP66 LFX
- JohnnyPeanuts
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
I can't help with what's wrong but it sounds nothing like my AT - so I'm going with not normal
Now: M240i with options
Then: Doesn't matter...
Then: Doesn't matter...
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Does it happen in every gear?
There was some reports of the gearbox oil leaking from the heat exchange and causing this issue. Gets worse over time as the level goes down. Definitely push the dealers to fix
There was some reports of the gearbox oil leaking from the heat exchange and causing this issue. Gets worse over time as the level goes down. Definitely push the dealers to fix
2016 M140i with the same spec plus Pro Nav.
2015 pre-LCI M135i auto. Adaptive lights, adaptive suspension, nav, HK, folding mirrors, drivers comfort, sun protection package.
2015 pre-LCI M135i auto. Adaptive lights, adaptive suspension, nav, HK, folding mirrors, drivers comfort, sun protection package.
- Fathiantaki
- Experienced Member
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Are you sure its the gearbox and not the twinscroll turbo?
I wouldnt worry, doesn't sound "not normal" to me especially that (as per your video) you are in the higher revs...had a few BMWs who made a similar noise (including my current m140), never thought of it as an issue, rather than "a bit too loud"...
I wouldnt worry, doesn't sound "not normal" to me especially that (as per your video) you are in the higher revs...had a few BMWs who made a similar noise (including my current m140), never thought of it as an issue, rather than "a bit too loud"...
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
The noise is not normal at all so I would be having it out with the dealer if playing silly beggars. Could be the gearbox or turbo waistgate solenoid valve but needs investigating.
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Took mine in for a whistling box and exhaust rattle the other day. Told the tech I knew the exhaust was the butterfly valve rattling and it's a common problem, I also told him that the whistle is a known problem and that ZF had updated the box because of this. They still treated me like I was stupid and told me the whistle is the turbo spooling up and the exhaust noise was a characteristic of the car so good luck getting it fixed. BMW customer services were useless too! I'll not buy another BMW after owning 3 now and I told customer services this. They didn't give a sh*t.
M135i LCI, mineral grey, auto, bus nav, power folding mirrors, heated seats, coral red leather and front & rear pdc, performance grills, BMS exhaust tips, enhanced Bluetooth, office function and 8.8" screen coded via bimmercode app.
- OrtonM135i
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- Location: Northamptonshire
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Totally agree, cars are great but BMW themselves and most of their dealerships are appalling!Plantjuk wrote:Took mine in for a whistling box and exhaust rattle the other day. Told the tech I knew the exhaust was the butterfly valve rattling and it's a common problem, I also told him that the whistle is a known problem and that ZF had updated the box because of this. They still treated me like I was stupid and told me the whistle is the turbo spooling up and the exhaust noise was a characteristic of the car so good luck getting it fixed. BMW customer services were useless too! I'll not buy another BMW after owning 3 now and I told customer services this. They didn't give a sh*t.
They tried telling me that just because I bought my car privately it would be very hard to get the gearbox or fan issue repaired under warranty even though it was still within its 3 years!!!
Only thing you can really outside of things like sale of goods act is to lay into them on any of their social media sites and kick up enough fuss they have to do something about the issue
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2017 M140i auto
2013 M135i auto
2010 Mini JCW
2010 123D Msport
2007 Porsche Cayman S
2011 135i Coupe DCT
2007 Mini Cooper S
2013 M135i auto
2010 Mini JCW
2010 123D Msport
2007 Porsche Cayman S
2011 135i Coupe DCT
2007 Mini Cooper S
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
If you think BMW are bad try Ford/Vauxhall/Peugeot reason why I changed to BMW after years of dealer strife, its down to the dealer end of the day. I've just bought a new Hyundai so will see how they fare, buying experience has been just as good as BMW except they have Nescafe instead of Costa in the showroom.
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Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
+1 to this, buying and owning a Ford is something I don't want to do in a hurry again! My experience with BMW has always been good in ten plus years.chester wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:47 amIf you think BMW are bad try Ford/Vauxhall/Peugeot reason why I changed to BMW after years of dealer strife, its down to the dealer end of the day. I've just bought a new Hyundai so will see how they fare, buying experience has been just as good as BMW except they have Nescafe instead of Costa in the showroom.

66 M240i Coupe, MW, Coral, Auto, Vis/Comfort/Sun, Pro Nav, Heated Wheel/Seats, Elec Seats/Lumbar, Adaptive, Camera/Park Assist, Speed Lim, HK, Split/Fold, WiFi/EBT, F/M
09 320d E91, Silver, Pro Nav, BT, Auto L/W, Ht/Leather, SPG, Cruise
09 320d E91, Silver, Pro Nav, BT, Auto L/W, Ht/Leather, SPG, Cruise
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Definitely not normal. If they try to fob it off as normal, ask to take a 140 demonstrator out to prove it is normal
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: M140i - Gearbox Whine Video
Yeah, so thats not right at all. Do the video again with the phone in the footwell, it should make it louder.
As for making it sound like a touring car - the shiny suited BMW sales people might believe their bullshit, but we don't!
Don't take no for an answer. Use a different dealer if need be.
Little experience myself, but to be honest BMW dealers are no different to any other - just because you buy a "premium" brand don't think that they are any different to a Ford/Vauxhall/whatever dealer. They're in it for the money and the hapless punter is the cash cow.
As for making it sound like a touring car - the shiny suited BMW sales people might believe their bullshit, but we don't!
Don't take no for an answer. Use a different dealer if need be.
Little experience myself, but to be honest BMW dealers are no different to any other - just because you buy a "premium" brand don't think that they are any different to a Ford/Vauxhall/whatever dealer. They're in it for the money and the hapless punter is the cash cow.