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08-05-2026LAST POST
So I just had my Oil changed at the dealer and when I got home and put the car in my garage I noticed this intermittent ticking noise coming from the engine. The car has 42k on it, 2011. I've never head the sound until now. I do know they let the oil drain for approx 2 hours before filling it.

Any idea what this noise is?

Thanks!
What's the oil level like? Might as well be bearings!
Both indicators say it's perfectly full. I'm hoping it isn't a case of the bearings...
I also have had this engine wine since I bought the car a few months ago. If anyone has any idea what either of these noises could be that would be great. Thanks
For me personal your ticking noise sounds similar as in this thread => http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1130559
Was diagnosed by BWM/Dealer and cause was heat shield , but need to say yours sounds louder .
Post referenced by ///M Power-Belgium in What's that? You wanna chit chat? Welcome to the whore thread! 08-30-2015
Doesnt sound like bearings but something is amiss.
my ticking was worse, but recently ticking has COMPLETELY stopped. I also had an oil change prior to the beginning of the ticking. Also a 2011 with 35m.

I think if this is the first time you got a really thorough oil change, and the fresh oil is doing SOMETHING to make it tick. after the oil shears and settles the sound will go away.

I just got mine changed for the first time at an independent shop, who was very thorough and also changed to LiquiMoly. 500 miles later ticking is gone.
///M Power-Belgium wrote  
For me personal your ticking noise sounds similar as in this thread => http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1130559
Was diagnosed by BWM/Dealer and cause was heat shield , but need to say yours sounds louder .
Thanks going to put it up on a lift at my friends shop this Monday and see if we can pinpoint where the noise is coming from
Mr. Liu wrote  
my ticking was worse, but recently ticking has COMPLETELY stopped. I also had an oil change prior to the beginning of the ticking. Also a 2011 with 35m.

I think if this is the first time you got a really thorough oil change, and the fresh oil is doing SOMETHING to make it tick. after the oil shears and settles the sound will go away.

I just got mine changed for the first time at an independent shop, who was very thorough and also changed to LiquiMoly. 500 miles later ticking is gone.
It's very odd. I see some threads where guys say it happens a few thousand miles after and oil change. And some happens right after the oil change :confused2:
SkypirateX wrote
Thanks going to put it up on a lift at my friends shop this Monday and see if we can pinpoint where the noise is coming from
Appreciate your reply , but please keep us posted because lots of owners have the ticking noise .
///M Power-Belgium wrote  
SkypirateX wrote
Thanks going to put it up on a lift at my friends shop this Monday and see if we can pinpoint where the noise is coming from
Appreciate your reply , but please keep us posted because lots of owners have the ticking noise .
Will do!
UPDATE:

BMW called me this morning after having the car for 3 days. They assure me both noises are ok and that the wine is from gears in the valve train. The told me they went through it "thoroughly because it's an M3."

Planning on taking it to another dealer for a second opinion
SkypirateX wrote
UPDATE:

BMW called me this morning after having the car for 3 days. They assure me both noises are ok and that the wine is from gears in the valve train. The told me they went through it "thoroughly because it's an M3."

Planning on taking it to another dealer for a second opinion
And I'd also ask them to send you a mail in addition to verbal confirmation all good over phone mate.
Helmsman wrote
And I'd also ask them to send you a mail in addition to verbal confirmation all good over phone mate.
+1

Tell them so if i blew my engine because of your shitty rod bearings, i'm good right?
Breh relax, not bearing related. Your car would've blown up already if it was the bearings. Also, it sounds like a bag of marbles rolling around in the engine bay, not random plastic ticking. The whine is drivetrain, I have it too.
Mr. Liu wrote
Breh relax, not bearing related. Your car would've blown up already if it was the bearings. Also, it sounds like a bag of marbles rolling around in the engine bay, not random plastic ticking. The whine is drivetrain, I have it too.
That whine sounds like the Harrop SC and you are saying it's valve or drivetrain related and normal ?
In other words...
I only heard that kind/loudness of whine only from the Youtube videos with a Harrop SC on a S65 !
And it's just normal ?
Is this serious or a joke man ? And why I never heard this whine noise on my S65 or others ?
Mr. Liu wrote  
Breh relax, not bearing related. Your car would've blown up already if it was the bearings. Also, it sounds like a bag of marbles rolling around in the engine bay, not random plastic ticking. The whine is drivetrain, I have it too.
Yeah I understand it isn't bearings. But I have 3 other friends with e9x m3's and I am the only one who has these noises. They are not normal.
Just picked the car back up. Per the service ticket the wine is valve train noise and the ticking is from heat shields in the exhaust manifold area.
Next week it's going to another dealer where I know a few people who tend to be very through. Will keep everyone updated.

If it ends up being nothing that's great. But I would rather be safe than sorry. My line of work makes me very sensitive to noises that are not normal so this is going to bother me forever :mad0260:
Any update on what the other dealer said?

I'm having pretty much the exact same noise, and I just changed my oil yesterday (noticed the noise this morning).

My vid below:
Stop obsessing over these ticks.

Image hosted on: phenomena.nationalgeographic.com
Waiting on the 2nd dealer still. Will keep you guys informed
to///m wrote
Any update on what the other dealer said?

I'm having pretty much the exact same noise, and I just changed my oil yesterday (noticed the noise this morning).

My vid below:
Scheduled service incl oil change later this month and will certainly pay extra attention the any ticking sound. This is crazy!