Gas mileage poor and the car has a whine in the rear.

XTRANAUT

MEMBER
2006 BMW 530I
39,000 MILES

I just bought this gorgeous, very well maintained 06 530i at the BMW dealership here in league City Texas. I traded in my 07 328i for the room and the ride. The 328 had a few more miles but was problem free and a rocketship.

Several days after the purchase of this car I started focusing on gas mileage and noticed that the readout was incredibly now. After a reset, the gas mileage has slowly crept up to 15 mpg. (City) I think that I recall seeing 16.9 when I was test driving the car but even that is low unless the drivers had lead feet.

The car is in immaculate showroom condition. It is a one owner local car but just today I started noticing a whine that seems to be coming from the rear. It increases in volume with acceleration. I first notice it about 40 mph and at 60 it is almost annoying. I didnt hear it in the test drive and thought the car was very quiet.

Both of these problems could be a million things but what do you find most common in this car. I have no warranty so I am hoping it is not a rear end or transmission unless BMW has a drive train still in effect. I have read of others having those problems and the dealer refusing to fix it.

Ideas and suggestions?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

The noise is most likely related to the fuel pump. You mayu want to check fuel pump pressure and the regulator.

As far as the MPG, chances are the vehicle was driven on the highway for a long period that would show a higher average. When you reset, it will appear to drop. Reset it when you plan to drive at least 20+ miles on the highway to see the difference. Remember, before it was reset, the average may have been based on a lot of miles. Reset, it is only based on the few mile you drove.