Tire whine
 

We have an 09 3.0si with the standard wheels and tires (Bridgestones). The car has about 14k miles. In November we had the car in for its 1st yearly maintenance. Because our town has had a big sewer and water project onging, the roads ahve been torn up over the past year and were just buttoned up in late Nov. The steering felt a little vague, so, given all the bumpy roads we have had, I opted to have a 4 wheel alignment done at the same time.

When the car came back, it felt great, so I assumed that, in fact, the wheels had been knocked out of alignment by our bumpy roads. Fine. Now, three months later, we have a moderate whine coming from the tires. It is most noticable at 35-45mph. Should I go back to the dealer and complain? I don't want to kill $600+ worth of tires (assuming it is only front or back but not both). Has any one had a similiar problem?

Love the X5. I'll probably buy a 3.5D in a few years when they have the kinks worked out.

The Bridgestone tires aren't good. Michelin's are much better. You can show them your tires, but most likely, you're wasting time showing the dealer. I had Michelin's until I had my wheels and tires swapped at the dealer. They were damaged on delivery. I noticed right away the Bridgestone's were louder than my Michelin's. I would just have them road force balanced and run them until the tread is gone if you don't want to purchase new tires.

Craig

Thanks. I will be sure to get Michelin's if I replace tires.

I was curious if others have had a whine come on so quickly at about 14k miles +/- or if the dealer maybe didn't do a good job on the alignment, or didn't get things absolutely tight. Of course, if I complain about that, they will say I hit a pothole after I got the alignment done and knocked it out of line again. (That is not impossible, but I don't remember any big hits)

Did they balance your wheels? If not, I would have them road force balanced. How does it drive? Does it pull or wander? If not, it's not anything wrong with the alignment, it's the tires...

Craig

I have a feeling that it's just the personality of the tires. EMT's are noisy.

Not saying it is the case, but the BMW specs on alignment are very broad- just telling someone to "align it to BMW specs" can give you a situation where you chew through a new set of tires in 10k miles.

Best to ask for an alignment with the "toe at the lower (minimum) end of the spec".

FWIW

A

Thanks for the suggestions. The thing that surprsied me is how quickly the whine started. It was not gradual at all. In answer to Craig: The steering is solid and it does not pull, suggesting it is the tires rather than alignment. There is really no vibration, so I don't think it is balance. ard: I will check on the toe-in measurement. I think it is on my service report. Thanks.

An update:

After two false starts (another story) I got the car to the dealer. Described the tire whine problem. At the end of the day, my wife stopped by to pick up the car. They report said that the tech could not replicate the problem. They did the annual service (which had alreadybeen done in October), washed the car and returned it. No one called me to say "Gee Mr. X, we can't seem to replicate the problem. Could you help us with a little more detail?" My hearing is shot, but I can still hear the whine. So I talke the car down to my Lebanese mechanic who can fix anything. It takes him two minutes to discovery that the Bridgestones are cupped on the inside of the two driver side tires. He also said it was way out of alignment. He tells me that they are safe to drive as long as I can put up with the whine, which I will do for a few 1000 more miles before I get the Michelins. Any comments or suggestions?

yup. are you opposed to non-RFTs? if so never mind, but i replaced mine (19s) with Toyo Proxes STIIs about 14k miles back and i am still pleased. yes they make some noise, but you are driving a truck remember.

otherwise, the traction, handling and the ride have improved a great deal. can't speak for snow because if we did get any i would be sitting my ass at the house rather than running the roads, but they have been great so far in the torrential rains we do get around here.

i must say i believe i am noticing the infamous "flat spot" Toyo issue in the mornings. maybe i need to check the pressures. sometimes i amaze myself with my own slackness.:rofl:

My Bridgestones (2008 X5) went at about the same miles as yours. I have a thread about it out there somewhere.

They got really noisy pretty quick once it started to happen. I was 2000 miles from home and we listened to the things for a few days.

As others have said, the Bridgestones are terrible tires. My 2010 X5 has them also, I'm just counting down the days until they are toast. Then again, I drove the new 550 Gran Turismo last night and it was awesome.