16.4KVIEWS
15REPLIES
1APPRECIATES
12-05-2024LAST POST
Just recently bought a 2012 Le mans Blue m3,

Im hearing a noise when turning at slow speeds it sounds like its coming from the Diff or underneath the rear seats. Sound like a grinding or rubbing noise.

Any help would be appreciated?

Cheers Neil
Load a vid up, it's much easier to help that way.
Im at work for 2 weeks, will post a video when im home.
it's the rear diff locking on tight turns, it causes a rumbling sort of noise.
There is a "fix" for it from BMW. It's bassically rear diff oil with an "FM Booster (Friction Modifier). Anyway it's called SAF-XJ+FM Booster.
Add that, then find a nice big empty space and do 9x tight turns left, and 9x tight turns right to circulate the fluid through it.

I had the same issue, took it in for a service and got the diff oil changed, decided to try it on the standard oil for an M3 and it's improved it but it still does it on occasion.

HTH.
Cheers DavS1, thats the exact noise.

Its booked in for a service in a couple of weeks so will get it done then.

Neil
It will take a few hundred miles after the service for the noise to go away completely.
Just to add the noise isn't actually an issue. But if it annoys you then get the friction modifier.
Seems to be a few Scottish members on here, we should get a meet going :D
Hi Neil.

Did you take your car in for service and was the problem fixed? My car started making a similar grinding/rubbing noise only on right turns under 20 mph. I'm sure it's not rubbing from the wheels (but sounds identical) because there is no noise at higher speeds or when I hit bumps.
I took the car in for a visual inspection and they took it out for a drive. They reported that they couldnt hear any noise and told me to monitor it. If it continues ive to take it back and they will look in to it again.

Cheers
You should try the car park tight figure 8s manoeuvre first.
nfisher1991 wrote
I took the car in for a visual inspection and they took it out for a drive. They reported that they couldnt hear any noise and told me to monitor it. If it continues ive to take it back and they will look in to it again.

Cheers
Thanks.
Once the oil is changed a few slow figure 8 turns are also recommended from memory.
I have the same issue that just crept up with my 2012 M3. I haven't been driving it all that much of late due to weather and thought it might be for that reason. 74k miles so it may just be that as well.

Good recommendations here...thanks.

HS
HemiSam wrote
I have the same issue that just crept up with my 2012 M3. I haven't been driving it all that much of late due to weather and thought it might be for that reason. 74k miles so it may just be that as well.

Good recommendations here...thanks.

HS
I’m experiencing the same issues did you get this resolved
If you haven't changed your diff fluid that would be the first thing I'd do. Lots of threads about diff noises, do a search.