[dbs600]

I REPEAT: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS POS COMPANY???

One plus years ago my driver's door speaker was buzzing at times, most noticeable / reproducible when on a telephone call. Dealer A "could not duplicate", but the problem was not as apparent as it later became. Subsequently dropped car off at Dealer B, came to pick up the car and again received "could not duplicate" BS. Spoke to shop foreman and showed him the problem. The dealer held on to the car further and replaced the offending speaker, which - GUESS WHAT??? - SOLVED THE F'N PROBLEM.

Fast forward, problem returns. Dealer A again says "could not duplicate". I get very upset and reproduce problem for the service writer, who gets shop foreman to come out. Reproduce problem for shop foreman, but he deflects in a million different ways and ultimately states he does not hear any buzzing; BS, BS, BS. Looking him straight in the eyes, while we're side by side in the car, and he's lying to my face. Shop foreman goes to speak with service manager, they spend 5+ minutes in his office, service manager comes out, I'm thinking great, let me show him the problem (car is no more than a couple hundred feet away), but he refuses and states his foreman is his eyes and ears and stands by his determination, in response to which my voice became publically loud.

Time passes, driver's door speaker has continued to buzz and front passenger door now buzzes as well. Bring car to Dealer B, show mechanic buzzing upon drop off, which I'm able to readily reproduce and which he readily acknowledges, WEEK AND A HALF LATER, return to dealer only to receive the "could not duplicate" BS, get in the car with the service advisor and shop foreman, able to reproduce the problem, only for the shop foreman to deflect, lie, etc. stating he doesn't hear anything, then stating he does, but it's the radio and the phone signal, and that no "codes" are showing. I become beyond frustrated.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???

[TheGr8Swami]

You stated this buzzing occurs during telephone calls. Does it occur with every paired telephone or just a specific phone? What kind of cell phone are you using? Over the years I've noticed that some cell phones if they're near certain electronics like speakers tend to cause feedback. My old Blackberry will drive you crazy if its near home or computer speakers! Have you updated the radio firmware in your car? Does the buzzing occur if the phone is turned off?

What you may want to do is contact BMW Customer Care at 800-831-1117 and inform them of the problem. Schedule a service visit and inform your service advisor that you have an open ticket with Customer Care. Usually the local dealership will contact a BMW Regional Service Specialist or an engineer in Germany to assist troubleshooting a difficult issue.

[dbs600]

Thank you for your thorough reply, TheGr8Swami. The Buzzing occurs during telephone calls and while listening to AM radio; 1010 WINS mostly, as that’s one of the only AM stations I listen to, and also occurs when using either an iPhone 4 or an iPhone 5 - I'm not familiar with other phones. It’s not a matter of constant feedback or RF interference, but the best way to describe it is that when the sound hits a certain decibel or frequency, the buzzing occurs. The software has been updated and the prior speaker was last replaced due to a bad “ohm”.

Otherwise, my Market Area's Regional Technical Engineer (aka the Factory Representative) is the worst of them all. I haven't been allowed to meet with him in the past on other issue and several people have told me that he is incentivized to deny work; truly disgusting. I love automobiles and I've always loved BMW, but the more I encounter and the more I discuss with others, others are just now – at this late time with all I've been through thus far – starting to convince me that I'd be crazy to ever recommend a product the company offers.

[TheGr8Swami]

Originally Posted by dbs600

Thank you for your thorough reply, TheGr8Swami. The Buzzing occurs during telephone calls and while listening to AM radio; 1010 WINS mostly, as thats one of the only AM stations I listen to, and also occurs when using either an iPhone 4 or an iPhone 5 - I'm not familiar with other phones. Its not a matter of constant feedback or RF interference, but the best way to describe it is that when the sound hits a certain decibel or frequency, the buzzing occurs. The software has been updated and the prior speaker was last replaced due to a bad ohm.

Otherwise, my Market Area's Regional Technical Engineer (aka the Factory Representative) is the worst of them all. I haven't been allowed to meet with him in the past on other issue and several people have told me that he is incentivized to deny work; truly disgusting. I love automobiles and I've always loved BMW, but the more I encounter and the more I discuss with others, others are just now at this late time with all I've been through thus far starting to convince me that I'd be crazy to ever recommend a product the company offers.

Wow, I wouldn't go that far to lambast the entire brand. Honestly, many automobile manufacturers have slacked on AM radio reception on newer vehicles. My Audi RS4 had terrible AM radio reception and I thanked the Creator when my favorite AM Sports Talk Radio Station purchased a failing FM station to do dual simulcasts.

Is the AM station located a great distance from you? Does this occur on all AM stations or just your favorite one? I'm forwarding this thread to some friends who may be able to provide some insight and help. Also, do you mind telling us what part of the world this is occurring and is the radio station AM Analog or Digital format? If you don't know, the call sign/station ID would help if it's in the US or Canada.