520d Vibration in Cabin on Idle

[phivos]

I was just about ready to order a 520d, after ruling out Audi A6 and Merc E220. During the road test of a demo 520d everything was stunning with the car (excellent handling, descent acceleration, comfortable ride, etc)....until the car came to a stop!

While being idle (either with the Neutral or Drive), an annoying rattling noise was coming from the engine bay, transmitting vibration on the dash and the brake pedal. As soon as I would rev the engine slightly, the noice would immediatly go away. When the revs dropped down to idle, the noice kept coming back. Keep in mind that the engine was warm and ambient temp was around 20C. That kind of noice was a big let down coming from a car of this quality. I have been driving diesels for many years now and I have to admit that they don't make such noice. My old Astra 2.0 diesel and my Focus 1.8diesel did not ever make such noice.

That 520d noice resembles the noice that some old cheap auto transmission cars used to make when stopped with the D gear in position.

Is this normal with the 520d, or was it just that specific car? *** I need some feedback from 520d (AUTO) owners out there.*** For me that noice was such a disappointment that, I will have to decline that car in case it is normal with all 520d.

[dentist]

I am not sure if you are experiencing the same noise. My 520d is a year old with 10,000 on the clock. About 3 months ago it started making a vibration coming from the front end, in city traffic. It doesn't do it all the time and I cannot say that it sounds like a cheap auto car.
What is the noise you are experiencing like?

[phivos]

DENTIST,
We are probably talking about the same thing. The noise I'm talking about is not unbearable, however it's something that I want to avoid. I wouldn't like to buy a new car knowing that in a short period it will start vibrating in city traffic.
Anyone out there with a 520d having the same problem???

[phil2]

Go ahead phivos with the 520d. No strange noises or vibrations in mine and drove 2 more of the same thing...still quiet. Mine is almost 2yrs old with 24k on the clock.

[Peter]

I can't speak for the 520d, as I've not driven one, but it does appear strange and it should not be a normal feature.

I've known one 4-pot diesel car that gave some strange vibrations to the car at idle and it was simply the engine acoustic cover, not fitting correctly and building a sort of 'amplified' resonance. Just a thumb placed on it stopped the vibration. A bit of adjustment transformed the car inside. Could be as simple as that.

BTW, it was worse when the engine was hot, as the part expanded...

Peter

[phivos]

Thanks Peter,
You are probably right. It was definetely a resonance, I just couldn't fiddle with a demo car despite the fact that I really wanted to figure out if it was a common 520d noise or just a problem with that specific car.
I really hope you are right because other than this drawback I liked that car.

[k44ent]

LCI 520d, 15k miles 8 months old and no strange noises, 48mpg and no problems yet. Sounds like a problem specific to the car you tested, the BMW 4 cylinder is no where near as refined as the 6 cylinder BMW units but probably one of the best 4 cylinder diesel engines on the market.

[phivos]

Thanks k44ent!
Your input is much appreciated. So far the inputs are even 2 against 2, but I get the feeling that it should be a problem of that specific car I happened to drive.

[Derek T]

Thanks k44ent!
Your input is much appreciated. So far the inputs are even 2 against 2, but I get the feeling that it should be a problem of that specific car I happened to drive.

Hi

I have the same issue with my car and this is not a diesel, I have spoken to the main dealer and he has mentioned that there is a puma report on the issue. There is a mod for it , long job he says but fortunately mine is still under warranty. Might be worth a call and mention the puma report.. Good luck mate.

[bmpaul]

why dont you test drive a different 520d somwhere else then you will know if it is just that car that is doing it

[Mick 636]

I have a 320 d sport with exactley the same problem it has been to two differnt dealers on seven different occasions but none can find the cause of this vibration,i have also contacted bmw who said they have not heard of this problem ,but they fefuse to send anyone out to listen to it,they say if the dealers cant find the problem there is little else they can do........BIG HELP.

I was just about ready to order a 520d, after ruling out Audi A6 and Merc E220. During the road test of a demo 520d everything was stunning with the car (excellent handling, descent acceleration, comfortable ride, etc)....until the car came to a stop!

While being idle (either with the Neutral or Drive), an annoying rattling noise was coming from the engine bay, transmitting vibration on the dash and the brake pedal. As soon as I would rev the engine slightly, the noice would immediatly go away. When the revs dropped down to idle, the noice kept coming back. Keep in mind that the engine was warm and ambient temp was around 20C. That kind of noice was a big let down coming from a car of this quality. I have been driving diesels for many years now and I have to admit that they don't make such noice. My old Astra 2.0 diesel and my Focus 1.8diesel did not ever make such noice.

That 520d noice resembles the noice that some old cheap auto transmission cars used to make when stopped with the D gear in position.

Is this normal with the 520d, or was it just that specific car? *** I need some feedback from 520d (AUTO) owners out there.*** For me that noice was such a disappointment that, I will have to decline that car in case it is normal with all 520d.

[align=justify]

[phivos]

I have searched for the so called "PUMA REPORT" but didn't have any luck. BMW dealer knows nothing about it or just claims so. I'll try to test drive another 520d.
Anybody knows anything about the PUMA REPORT?

[Derek T]

I have searched for the so called "PUMA REPORT" but didn't have any luck. BMW dealer knows nothing about it or just claims so. I'll try to test drive another 520d.
Anybody knows anything about the PUMA REPORT?

MIne is going in tomorrow for a host of issues on the car!!! I will try to get some more info on this report if i can. The vibration on mine is whilst on tick over as the revs drop and you feel it through the seating and floor pan, BMW guy has said there is a mod for this (he is the one that says the puma report) Apparently the puma reports are issued by BMW to the main dealers. This is the second time I have complained about the same issue, maybe first complaint they don't do anything due to costs!!! I will wait and see how succesful this is. I love the car and this is my second BMW, last one a 3 series with no problems what so ever. but now regretting spending so much money on buying it.

Will update when I get the car, don't know what day though.

Cheers Derek

[kettle]

Hi I've had a 520d auto for 18months now from new and I can't fault the car.Don't let it put you off
Best of Luck Ray Killiner

[Derek T]

I have searched for the so called "PUMA REPORT" but didn't have any luck. BMW dealer knows nothing about it or just claims so. I'll try to test drive another 520d.
Anybody knows anything about the PUMA REPORT?

im to book it in!!
Phivos

I have the car back now, seems they have sorted the issues I have had. They were very coy about the report and would not comment any further. They say they have made a few adjustments to mine!!!! The vibration has now gone!! Funny that. I am sorry I could not find any more out for you, I said it was a mate having the same probs with the diesel but they said to get him to book it in!!

The bets of luck trying to sort it out.
Sorry again mate
Derek

[Bennetts37]

I had a similar noise on my 58 plate 520SE Touring, it turned out to be loose bolts holding the airbox under the bonnet.

The dealer tightened the bolts and the noise has not returned since.

Steve B