Recently bought a 2012 535i with approx 48k miles as a CPO through Chapman BMW in Arizona. After a couple days I noticed whenever I would go over a speed bump or anything that caused more than normal travel in the suspension I would hear this horrific creaking or moaning noise in the front suspension. Only happens in the first 15-20 minutes of driving, once everything is warm it goes away and theres no noise at all. Sounds like a bushing possibly but when I took it in to BMW they said its completely normal for the front suspension to sound like that and this is also the first time I was informed that most suspension parts arent covered by the CPO warrranty so if a bushing or anything like that needed to be replaced it would be out of my pocket. Mind you this was only a couple days after purchasing this car.
Curious if anyone else hears this noise in their front suspension and if it is in fact normal to hear this sound. I have never in my life owned a car with suspension that is "normal" to sound like this so it definitely makes me skeptical. I have attached a video clip as a reference. Any input would be appreciated.
Last edited by SteveAreno; 01-25-2017 at 04:01 PM.
That sounds normal for a loose, worn or broken part. If you just bought the car the dealer should at least look at it. And not dismiss it as normal. Is it on both left and right sides?
The dealer you are taking your car to are morons.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
Suggest you have them reconsider calling this normal before you call BMWNA.
BMW would have sold exactly ZERO of these cars if they all made that "normal" noise when new. How stupid do these service writers think we are?
A CPO car is supposed to have the suspension examined prior to sale. It seems your dealer may have cut corners and perhaps figure BMWNA will tell them no to a warranty claim since they "missed" it. Either way a different dealer is probably your best bet. Ask BMWNA, the actual zone rep if you can make that contact, for a suggestion as this one is unsatisfactory.
Last edited by ross1; 04-07-2017 at 11:27 AM.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
Took my 2014 535i xDrive in three times to the dealer to have this exact issue diagnosed. First diagnosis was "it's normal suspension noise." After bringing it back two more times, replacing all the bushings, and on the last visit replacing the swaybar and swaybar bushings; problem solved. Car is quiet once again going over speed bumps when the temperature outside is below freezing.
They do sound like morons
Ask the dealer to set up a meeting with the BMW zone rep, and arrange to leave the car at the dealer overnight so you can take the rep on a ride.
I also believe your CPO warranty covers everything for the first year, and the warranty is good at any BMW dealer. Again, at any dealer you take the car to, arrange to leave it overnight, so the car can be driven cold.
Hey steve I’m curious to know if you ever got this problem figured out, and if so what was the issue?
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