XSeries-forum

Hello to you all. Enjoying my X5 40d ownership immensely, however, 13 months in and my 2010 model has a drone off throttle from the prop shaft and can jolt a bit on startup. My local BMW dealer is of no help whatsoever even though I have always used them and just parted with £600 of my money. Any help would be appreciated before I go to a specialist dealer, hopefully well informed.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'm not the greatest on technical advice and X5Sport should be along shortly, but I did find this about the front drive shaft recall on X5 in 2010 see link below

And it could be similar to what you are experiencing and should be able to check with BMW if the recall has been done by them

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=995198

And on xdrivers
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... ic.php?t=0

Also
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... ic.php?t=8

Hth helps

Graeme

Thank you Graeme.

Could be front or rear diff, although if you are hearing it beside you that would also point at the transfer box (xDrive unit) as it is roughly beside where you sit.

Definitely worth checking whether the propshaft check has been done.  It is not a recall, although it should have been IMHO, as the issue causes a joint to fail with catastrophic effects to the engine.

Check your tyres too.  If they don't have a '*' on them, or there is a wide difference in tread depth front to rear you could be getting transmission 'wind up'.  Others have reported similar noises and it was tyres (wrong type, large tread depth difference) and was fixed by changing all 4 for an approved type.  Another indicator is a jerkiness on the steering on full lock.

Whatever it is, don't leave it as it could be expensive!  It sounds like you're on it in any case 

Thank you X5Sport. Tyres are recent new Bridgestone RF's OE recommended, currently 6mm on all four. I know the previous owner did a lot of towing so I am having the donut (propshaft UJ) and shaft centre bracket/bearing changed for my own peace of mind. I had Ocean BMW check all recalls had been done when it went in for its major service last week. I have lost faith in them, hence why I am persuing my own investigation and remedies. At least then I won't keep throwing £99's at Ocean to be fed bullshit and drivel. If I fail to find a cure it will go to an independent (well respected) BMW specialist. Regards, Ian.
PS. I should add that I have a 3 year comprehensive warranty for the car that covers up to £4,000 single item failure and £150 per hour labour. Is it too much to ask to get a correct diagnosis and repair? My excess is only £100 but I always end up paying £99 for nothing!! Hmmm.

I think a few of us are less than impressed with the technical abilities at Dealers these days, and not just BMW.  The guys round the back don't seem to able to work from 1st principles, and with manufacturers insisting things are just changed out (at our expense) you can see why motorists have little faith in the motor trade.