Diesel Tractor... Are They All Like That?

m_alnimah · 08-21-2015, 07:22 AM

So I recently got a 528i Loaner... I noticed that It sounds TERRIBLE, It sounds like a Loud Diesel Tractor, is this Common with all 528i's? I've driven an X3 xDrive28i and it sounded nothing like that! It doesn't sound very Attractive, a 520i sounds better IMO, BUT,, for the amount of Power this thing has I'd probably shut the Windows and Drive with the Radio On!

Do all you 528i Owners Hate the Sound of your engine? At one point I thought the car has something wrong with it... Does the 328i (Soon to be 330i) sound like that too?

lsturbointeg · 08-21-2015, 08:29 PM

Lol...the 3 series loaner they gave me was the same way! So freaking obnoxiously clattering loud!

I ended up leaving it in my driveway and used my son's Corolla instead!

BMWrules7 · 08-22-2015, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_alnimah

So I recently got a 528i Loaner... I noticed that It sounds TERRIBLE, It sounds like a Loud Diesel Tractor, is this Common with all 528i's? I've driven an X3 xDrive28i and it sounded nothing like that! It doesn't sound very Attractive, a 520i sounds better IMO, BUT,, for the amount of Power this thing has I'd probably shut the Windows and Drive with the Radio On!

Do all you 528i Owners Hate the Sound of your engine? At one point I thought the car has something wrong with it... Does the 328i (Soon to be 330i) sound like that too?

Yes, diesels are less refined, but so am I.

Only at idle does it sound like a diesel.

At speed, they sound great.

The Beast · 08-22-2015, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Yes, diesels are less refined, but so am I.

Only at idle does it sound like a diesel.

At speed, they sound great.

But I believe he's referring to a 528i petrol...

cityjohn · 08-22-2015, 02:37 AM

When I first heard my 528i running at the dealer that's the thought I had -- that it's a lot like a diesel. Still sounds like that.

m_alnimah · 08-22-2015, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cityjohn

When I first heard my 528i running at the dealer that's the thought I had -- that it's a lot like a diesel. Still sounds like that.

But for the amount of power it has, I'm willing to drive in denial of its sound

BMWrules7 · 08-22-2015, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Beast

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Yes, diesels are less refined, but so am I.

Only at idle does it sound like a diesel.

At speed, they sound great.

But I believe he's referring to a 528i petrol...

But, I believe that was really embarrassing!

I was so caught up in the diesel, I failed to see the model.

JKSH · 08-22-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_alnimah

So I recently got a 528i Loaner... I noticed that It sounds TERRIBLE, It sounds like a Loud Diesel Tractor, is this Common with all 528i's? I've driven an X3 xDrive28i and it sounded nothing like that! It doesn't sound very Attractive, a 520i sounds better IMO, BUT,, for the amount of Power this thing has I'd probably shut the Windows and Drive with the Radio On!

Do all you 528i Owners Hate the Sound of your engine? At one point I thought the car has something wrong with it... Does the 328i (Soon to be 330i) sound like that too?

Which model year is this 528i loaner you have? Mine is the 2014 528i LCI model that does not have any of the sound you described. The cabin is very quiet and no "cludding" sound at all. In fact I can tune the engine sound thru coding (Active Sound Design) to sound like V8 engine or M5 if I choose to, although some people hate it and leave it as null.

COBodom · 08-22-2015, 11:10 AM

I had 2012 528xi and now drive 2015 528xi msport.

Yes, on the outside when the engine is cold it will resemble clunky diesel.
You will never hear that clunky sound inside the car. MY12 was quiet, but MY15 is even quieter. Its dead quiet.
Active Sound was introduced in 2014 (in 528), so the sound you hear in the cabin is really nice. Very different from pre 2014 528.

Power is plenty, no complains on MY15 "refinement" either (whatever that subjective term conveys) and that's why I am in the second 528.

BigKutta · 08-27-2015, 09:40 AM

I have a 2012 N20 528i and dont notice any clatter or rattle noise. I car is very quiet, and maybe at startup the sound is not the best, but other than that I hardly hear it. And I drive with my window down and roof open a lot

493263 · 08-27-2015, 01:03 PM

The 528 loaners I got were very quiet and buttery smooth. Something may be wrong with that car.

lsturbointeg · 08-29-2015, 10:51 AM

When I had the loaner it was very similar to my parent's Volvo diesel...loud and clattery as $hit! it also felt like a 4 cylinder motor running on 3 cylinder only. I guess I really have to hear a newer diesel because there's many people posting about how quiet their diesels are.

m_alnimah · 08-29-2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

When I had the loaner it was very similar to my parent's Volvo diesel...loud and clattery as $hit! it also felt like a 4 cylinder motor running on 3 cylinder only. I guess I really have to hear a newer diesel because there's many people posting about how quiet their diesels are.

Exactly!!

08-21-2015, 07:22 AM	#1
m_alnimah Lieutenant 70 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 2016 Mini Cooper S 5 Door Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Doha, Qatar iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 [10.00]	Diesel Tractor... Are They All Like That? So I recently got a 528i Loaner... I noticed that It sounds TERRIBLE, It sounds like a Loud Diesel Tractor, is this Common with all 528i's? I've driven an X3 xDrive28i and it sounded nothing like that! It doesn't sound very Attractive, a 520i sounds better IMO, BUT,, for the amount of Power this thing has I'd probably shut the Windows and Drive with the Radio On! Do all you 528i Owners Hate the Sound of your engine? At one point I thought the car has something wrong with it... Does the 328i (Soon to be 330i) sound like that too? Attached Images __________________ 2015 X5 xDrive35i M Sport, Black Sapphire on Terra Dakota Leather, Lane Change Warning, Lighting Package, 6WB, ConnectedDrive Services... (Sold) 2016 Mini Cooper S 5 Door Fully Equipped. (Sold) 2016 Audi A6 35 TFSI 2017 X6 xDrive50i Pure Extravagance, Space Grey on Coral Red, Fully Equipped.
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08-21-2015, 08:29 PM	#2
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	Lol...the 3 series loaner they gave me was the same way! So freaking obnoxiously clattering loud! I ended up leaving it in my driveway and used my son's Corolla instead!
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08-22-2015, 02:37 AM	#5
cityjohn New Member 12 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2012 528i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	When I first heard my 528i running at the dealer that's the thought I had -- that it's a lot like a diesel. Still sounds like that.
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08-22-2015, 11:10 AM	#9
COBodom Lieutenant 594 Rep 453 Posts Drives: 2024 540i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I had 2012 528xi and now drive 2015 528xi msport. Yes, on the outside when the engine is cold it will resemble clunky diesel. You will never hear that clunky sound inside the car. MY12 was quiet, but MY15 is even quieter. Its dead quiet. Active Sound was introduced in 2014 (in 528), so the sound you hear in the cabin is really nice. Very different from pre 2014 528. Power is plenty, no complains on MY15 "refinement" either (whatever that subjective term conveys) and that's why I am in the second 528. __________________ Current: 2024 540i MSport Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i
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08-27-2015, 09:40 AM	#10
BigKutta Brigadier General 3897 Rep 4,046 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C, 2019 330xi, 2017 Q7 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Burbs iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 330xi [0.00] 2017 Audi Q7 3.0 [0.00] 2020 M2C [0.00]	I have a 2012 N20 528i and dont notice any clatter or rattle noise. I car is very quiet, and maybe at startup the sound is not the best, but other than that I hardly hear it. And I drive with my window down and roof open a lot
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08-27-2015, 01:03 PM	#11
493263 Lieutenant 71 Rep 510 Posts Drives: 2011 550i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	The 528 loaners I got were very quiet and buttery smooth. Something may be wrong with that car.
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08-29-2015, 10:51 AM	#12
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	When I had the loaner it was very similar to my parent's Volvo diesel...loud and clattery as $hit! it also felt like a 4 cylinder motor running on 3 cylinder only. I guess I really have to hear a newer diesel because there's many people posting about how quiet their diesels are.
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