How loud is your 3.0L engine?

[willy_manily]

Just got my new X5 3.0 petrol and when the revs get to around 3000rpm the engine is quite loud from the cabin. I've never experienced an engine to be this loud.

This makes me wonder if my car has an issue or if all 3.0i petrols are quite loud engines. My family have owned both the 4.4, 4.8 and a 3.0D and I don't think they were as loud as my 3.0l. Obviously the 4.4i and the 4.8i had a much louder exhaust noise, but the noise I hear seems to be from the engine not the exhaust tips.

My fuel consumption seems to be ok the engine produces quite a lot of power.

Also, when I listen to the engine idling it's not exactly the quietest motor ever. I don't really hear any grinding or clunking, it just seems loud. Could this be a sign of something failing/about to go wrong?

Sorry in advance for the stupid question. It just worries me a little.

EDIT: Video from the cabin: https://youtu.be/EW1HE7C6ShA
EDIT: Video of engine idling: https://youtu.be/fOCyaVtrN5U

[puddinboo]

can you take a video of it so we can here the engine run?

[crystalworks]

M54's are not a loud engine. See if you can post a video to help narrow things down. Could be anything from vanos rattle (most likely) to an exhaust leak.

[dkl]

A video would certainly help us further diagnose it. My 3.0i has been super smooth and quiet, even with a Remus exhaust.

[Joshdub]

Mine isn't loud, but this is pretty subjective.

Maybe your fan clutch is seized?

[squidzilla]

My e46 and and auto xi sound the same. My 5mt x5 is louder and think something is amiss, but have not got around to addressing it yet. It drives fine but it bugs me it is not a smooth sounding as the other two.

[motordavid]

Our '01 3.0 isn't loud at 3,000 rpms or more climbing through the gears, or at 3,000/4,000 rpms at steady cruise, which in our 5 spd is 60+ to 80+ mph.

At idle, I know it's running, (not electric car quiet), but it doesn't make odd noises...

As others have mentioned, a vid/audio would help, though cell phone audio is wide angle vs shot gun mic style.
GL, mD

[willy_manily]

I'll record a video tonight and upload. Cheers guys.

I'm also going to test another 3.0i this weekend to compare.

[phathom]

Mine is quiet. I can barely tell it's on from the inside while idling except for the tell-tale feeling of the engine humming away. While driving, same thing unless I open it up.

[4.8iS Le Mans_NZ]

From my own experience (E39 530iAT), M54 'rattle' type noise at idle can be due to a badly worn DISA valve. Could also exhibit at higher rpm.
The valve controls airflow into the engine and the butterfly pivot wears, causing fluttering and noise.
On my engine, a new 'German Auto Solutions' DISA valve repair kit was installed (30 minute job) and the noise went away.