[cooperSMark]

I've just been doing some searching for tyre noise but can't come up with anything that matches what i experience..

When i drive at 50mph or more, i get a humming noise which drones at certain speeds. It sounds like it's coming from the rear of the car and possibly just the drivers side. It's like a humming noise most of the time but can turn into a loud, annoying drone at certain speeds. Similar to the way a Land Rover hums on it's nobblies!

I'm just wondering if this is likely to be tyre noise as i've heard and read that the dreaded run flats can be noisy. There's tons of tread left on the tyres and the pressure warning light hasn't come on. It could be my imagination but i think it may have got worse since i got the car. It certainly seems more noticeable now. I can barely hear the engine as i slow down from motorway speeds.. even if i change down through the gears coming up a motorway off-ramp, i can barely hear the revs until the speed drops below 50mph.

Could tyre pressures cause more road noise? I know you're supposed to check your pressures on a regular basis but i haven't checked mine since i got the car about 5 weeks ago I'm in work at the moment but will call at a garage and check them on the way home..

Doesn't sound like a metalic noise or brake noise.. Any ideas?

[Mess]

tyre pressures would be the first thing to check. After that. id go back to the deal with you having it such a short period of time. Could be something else causing it that may need attention.

[Harpo]

Could also be one or more wheel bearings telling you they need changing!

[cooperSMark]

cheers for the quick replies... i'm thinking it may need to go back again too

i'll check the pressures later and see how it goes. Is there a tried and tested pressure among mini owners or does everyone just go with what BMW recommend?

[Boro Boy]

I've changed to conventionals as I couldn't get on with the run-flats, one of the issues was road noise - it's certainly quieter in the car now! I inflate them to 2.1 bar - just under the recommended 2.2 bar. Keeps them slightly softer to cope with our terrible roads, without dropping the car down too much which would cause the lower deflector to catch on speed bumps, etc.

[Weemann]

I had this problem with mine...it was the wheel bearings and if yours is the same you need to get it sorted out fast...mine fused to my axle in the end....massively annoying and expensive! They said it was because i was running on 19" wheels and cornering too hard but someone else said it was because i had a buckle in my alloy and so it wasnt balanced, either way i would get someone to look at it!
Another way to see if this is the case is does it get quieter or louder which way you turn at speed???? if so i would say it is this wheel bearing issue!

[cooperSMark]

Thanks for the advice.. i haven't really noticed it get louder depending which way i'm turning but it doesn't seem right to me.

So much for choosing a cherished mini eh?

ah well, as long as they sort it out if checking the tyre pressures doesn't sort out the problem

[cooperSMark]

checked the tyre pressures and the rears were a little bit low and the fronts a bit high. They're all at the Mini recommendation now and the humming is still there.. didn't sound quite so loud but still not right.

I jacked it up and felt for any free play in the wheels and they feel ok. I spun them too to check for brakes rubbing or any obvious lumps and bumps in the tyre and wheel. All seems fine.

I'll get it booked in either tomorrow or Friday. Do you reckon a wheel bearing will be covered by the warranty seeing as i've only had the car 5 weeks?

[cooperSMark]

booked in for Tuesday 15th so i'll let you know how i get on

[jack d 2]

I have just had a rear ns wheel bearing replced in my april 05 cooper s. Its done 25000 miles and I bought the car in Feb. They replaced it under warranty.

Hope this helps you, i would imagine they will honour your warrenty.

[cooperSMark]

great... sounds promising then. Mine's a 53 but it's a Cherished Mini with a 12 month warranty. It's only done about 45k miles.

[cooperSMark]

it's a wheel bearing causing the noise. It's being fixed under warranty as i type

[cooperSMark]

all done now

[Harpo]

Great news - now get out there and enjoy.

[cooperSMark]

been out there and enjoyed already fingers crossed all the teething troubles have been dealt with now