[Andyecon]

Sheesh, this seems like a real problem... my 2023 M340 now has this suspension clunk as well. Mine is a 2023 with a Fall 2022 build, fixed suspension. Get the clunk accelerating or stopping quickly or going over uneven bumps in the road. Can hear it and feel it through the steering wheet. Also, this may be in my head, but I feel like the steering has become squirrelly.

Annoyingly, my sunroof rattle was just fixed after two attempts by the dealer. I'm thinking of getting offers on this car, I can't believe it has had this many issues in < 4000 miles.

[Kenz]

Originally Posted by Andyecon

Sheesh, this seems like a real problem... my 2023 M340 now has this suspension clunk as well. Mine is a 2023 with a Fall 2022 build, fixed suspension. Get the clunk accelerating or stopping quickly or going over uneven bumps in the road. Can hear it and feel it through the steering wheet. Also, this may be in my head, but I feel like the steering has become squirrelly.

Annoyingly, my sunroof rattle was just fixed after two attempts by the dealer. I'm thinking of getting offers on this car, I can't believe it has had this many issues in < 4000 miles.

Tell me about it. I have had the same issues as u within week 1 of collection. Like the drive but disappointed with the realibility of it, especially for this price. Hope they can get to the bottom of it.

[Kenz]

Actually am surprised not seeing much of this suspension issue on YouTube. Since many have been experiencing the same with no permanent resolution. Hopefully someone that manage to catch the sound on video, make it viral on YouTube or etc, so bmw will have to face it 😎😎😎😎

Or hopefully someone do a review on this on YouTube.

[Andyecon]

I submitted a complaint to BMW about the sunroof issues and now this... didn't ask for anything, just wanted to voice my frustration with having to spend so much time dealing with issues in the first 6 months of ownership. Was told that somebody will call me, will report if they say anything more than "sorry, keep taking it for service".

[Berto2]

Originally Posted by Andyecon

Sheesh, this seems like a real problem... my 2023 M340 now has this suspension clunk as well. Mine is a 2023 with a Fall 2022 build, fixed suspension. Get the clunk accelerating or stopping quickly or going over uneven bumps in the road. Can hear it and feel it through the steering wheet. Also, this may be in my head, but I feel like the steering has become squirrelly.

Annoyingly, my sunroof rattle was just fixed after two attempts by the dealer. I'm thinking of getting offers on this car, I can't believe it has had this many issues in < 4000 miles.

Experiencing the same thing on my 2023 m340. Started making the sound around 1700 miles. Got my struts replaced but sadly it wasnt a fix.

[nm2003]

Originally Posted by Berto2

Experiencing the same thing on my 2023 m340. Started making the sound around 1700 miles. Got my struts replaced but sadly it wasnt a fix.

I wouldn't be getting experimental work done by the dealer, that is not guaranteed to fix this issue.

Every time the dealer touches your car, you risk them stuffing something else up. Not every dealer has the same level of competence and skill.

BTW. There needs to be a service bulletin for something that clearly calls out what the fix is and how to implement it.

Are we at that stage yet?

PS. I am not sure if there are different suspension noises, that are all being grouped together here, that each possibly have different rectifications.

[Berto2]

Originally Posted by nm2003

I wouldn't be getting experimental work done by the dealer, that is not guaranteed to fix this issue.

Every time the dealer touches your car, you risk them stuffing something else up. Not every dealer has the same level of competence and skill.

BTW. There needs to be a service bulletin for something that clearly calls out what the fix is and how to implement it.

Are we at that stage yet?

PS. I am not sure if there are different suspension noises, that are all being grouped together here, that each possibly have different rectifications.

I totally agree with what you’re saying. I don’t want them swapping out unnecessary parts but it does sound like a bad strut. Theres a couple of videos i seen idk if its on this thread but im getting the same exact noise on uneven roads. I believe one of them was a m440. Seems like its a problem that bmw had with the f30/f80 model, ended up being something with the steering gear.

[Berto2]

Originally Posted by nm2003

I wouldn't be getting experimental work done by the dealer, that is not guaranteed to fix this issue.

Every time the dealer touches your car, you risk them stuffing something else up. Not every dealer has the same level of competence and skill.

BTW. There needs to be a service bulletin for something that clearly calls out what the fix is and how to implement it.

Are we at that stage yet?

PS. I am not sure if there are different suspension noises, that are all being grouped together here, that each possibly have different rectifications.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UpMEhAbr_1A


This is the same thump sound I hear but obviously from within the cabin. I also feel a faint click on the steering wheel same time as the thump. I will try this method and see if its a fix will update.

[Insane435]

Here is what replacing certain suspension components has resulted me. My noises are still not gone.

Top hat replaced - no more clunk when reversing at low speeds
tie rods replaced - no more clicking when turning wheel
thrust arms - currently being replaced as I have a clunk when braking and going over bumps at low speed.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by nm2003

I wouldn't be getting experimental work done by the dealer, that is not guaranteed to fix this issue.

Every time the dealer touches your car, you risk them stuffing something else up. Not every dealer has the same level of competence and skill.

BTW. There needs to be a service bulletin for something that clearly calls out what the fix is and how to implement it.

Are we at that stage yet?

PS. I am not sure if there are different suspension noises, that are all being grouped together here, that each possibly have different rectifications.

There is already a TSB out on the clunk. Although it has not resolved the issue for all, it probably is the best place to start for those who have the clunk and are trying to get rid of it.

[Andyecon]

Just found out they're replacing my tie rods... hopefully this fixes it, although given how many people have continued to have the clunk I am doubtful. My car will end this repair at 20 days in the shop since I bought it in January. Yikes.

[Andyecon]

Tie rods replaced, no clunk driving from dealership to airport for a business trip, but I didn’t get them over 30mph before. I do feel like the steering feels different now, but can’t say for certain after the short interstate drive.

I’ve asked my customer service rep at BMWNA if they can help on a trade in as I just don’t trust this car after my experiences so far. My previous two BMWs were completely problem free, sad that this one has given me such a headache.

[Andyecon]

I’m just going to keep this as a live diary, sorry if it bores anyone.

My tie rods were replaced on Monday. I have driven the car about 30 miles on the interstate since and just a bit around town. I have not heard the clunk/pop again, but my steering now feels very strange:

1. It feels slower, heavier, and vague. There is a dead range on center where I can wiggle the wheel back and forth with no apparent effect.

2. It almost feels like it is fighting me on long curves, trying to return to center more forcefully than I remember.

3. When I do have it on center, it drifts to the right or left in a way I don’t remember. On a straight road, my wheel seems centered but I will inch to the left. Then I’ll correct it, recenter my wheel, and I’ll be drifting to the right.

I talked to BMW NA and they said there is nothing they can do to help me because from their perspective everything is fixed. So looks like I’ll be booking yet another service to try and get the steering sorted and there goes another couple hours of my life wasted on a brand new $60,000 car being built poorly.

[Andyecon]

Well, here is a weird development! Tonight I was taking a roundabout sweeping left. Steering felt really weird like it was fighting me, then there was a loud POP from the left front an suddenly the steering felt normal again!

I don’t know if the tie rod wasn’t set correctly or what, but the difference was immediate (even though the pop scared the hell out of me).

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Andyecon

I’m just going to keep this as a live diary, sorry if it bores anyone.

My tie rods were replaced on Monday. I have driven the car about 30 miles on the interstate since and just a bit around town. I have not heard the clunk/pop again, but my steering now feels very strange:

1. It feels slower, heavier, and vague. There is a dead range on center where I can wiggle the wheel back and forth with no apparent effect.

2. It almost feels like it is fighting me on long curves, trying to return to center more forcefully than I remember.

3. When I do have it on center, it drifts to the right or left in a way I don’t remember. On a straight road, my wheel seems centered but I will inch to the left. Then I’ll correct it, recenter my wheel, and I’ll be drifting to the right.

I talked to BMW NA and they said there is nothing they can do to help me because from their perspective everything is fixed. So looks like I’ll be booking yet another service to try and get the steering sorted and there goes another couple hours of my life wasted on a brand new $60,000 car being built poorly.

Originally Posted by Andyecon

Well, here is a weird development! Tonight I was taking a roundabout sweeping left. Steering felt really weird like it was fighting me, then there was a loud POP from the left front an suddenly the steering felt normal again!

I don’t know if the tie rod wasn’t set correctly or what, but the difference was immediate (even though the pop scared the hell out of me).

Just a thought, have a reputable Indy shop evaluate and give feedback backed by data and statement. Have dealer pay for Indy shop invoice.

[Insane435]

Update: my lower control arms were replaced under warranty. So far I dont have any noises or issues.

In summary, I have had the passenger top hat replaced, both tie rods, both lower control arms, and had a 4 wheel alignment performed. Lets hope all is good now.

[superfuel]

Unscientific test:

For whatever reason if the AC is not on or was not on prior to my drive I hear no clunking sound.

[Andyecon]

I bailed on my M340 and traded it for another car today. I felt like the steering was still different, but the shop said it was in spec. Mainly, I was just tired of having to take the thing in… I have a young kid and a busy job and I wasted more than a full work day going back and forth to the shop over 7 months. I’m disappointed that BMW seems to have such common issues on brand new cars, but even more that they just didn’t seem to care that it was causing me such inconvenience.

[Fox530]

I am now noticing this issue on my 2021 M340i with adaptive suspension. The car is silent for the first 30 minutes of any day, after which time the noise you all describe (and can sometimes feel) appears and remains with the car for the rest of the day.

It is strange that it only does it when the car has been in use for a while, never from a cold start?

[Thisguy]

I know this sounds crazy.

But I'll turn the steering left and right (full lock) several times before driving off. In my case, the sound disappears, at least for the trip. Sometimes even the entire day.

Try it out and report back.

[toski32]

Hi,

I'm experiencing similar issues with my 2020 M340i. The problem began around 16,000 miles. After driving for 10-15 minutes, the front left suspension starts making a creaking sound, and there's a slight vibration in the steering wheel. This is particularly noticeable when driving slowly (around 25-40 mph). Every time the suspension dampens, I can hear and feel the creaking.

After three visits to the dealership, I finally drove with the shop foreman for 20 minutes to demonstrate the problem. After hearing the noise, the dealership kept the car for a week. During the repair, they replaced the strut top head (strut mount), tie rod, bottom wishbone, front control arm, and adjustment rod on the front left side. Initially, the issue seemed resolved, but after 2,000 miles on the new parts, the same problem resurfaced.

Parts List:

Tie Rod Assembly (32-10-5-A45-1A9)
Lower Control Arm, Front - Left (31-10-6-888-855)
Front Control Arm (31-10-6-879-543)
Adjust Rod (37-14-8-851-838)

[wataroo]

I had the same problem with my 2023 LCI 320i but think it has been solved. Here’s my experience.

I bought a second-hand car last December from an authorized dealer with 5000 km on the odometer. I noticed a clunk from the front left side on my drive home, but it wasn’t very evident at first, and I thought I was imagining it. The clunk happened intermittently during winter, strangely only on warmer days. As spring came and temperatures rose, the clunk occurred more often but only below the speed of 30 km/h, with a very slight feedback to the steering wheel.

I took the car in for its yearly checkup and mentioned the clunk. They replaced the front left strut mount. I thought it was fixed, but on the next warm day, the clunk returned. It doesn’t affect the drive when I’m going over 40 km/h, and my passengers have never complained about it. However, it is certainly annoying when you know it’s there. I can sympathize with someone who had to trade in their car because of this.

I took the car in for a second visit. The clunk was evident on my drive there, but sure enough, when I took a drive with the service person, the clunk didn’t happen. To the credit of my dealer, they said they’d keep the car and check it out the following day. I got a call a couple of days later saying that the clunk was indeed happening, and they’d replace the front left control arm(31106888855) along with associated peripheral parts. Since I was on vacation, I left the car at the dealer for two weeks, so they had plenty of time to fix it.

Two weeks later, I went back to pick up my car. They told me that the lower arm replacement didn’t fix the clunk. They went further and replaced the electric steering gear unit (32105A82530) along with associated peripheral parts. When I did my research on the clunk issue, I came across a couple of posts here in Japan that mentioned this EPS replacement remedied the clunk issue. This was a major work, and I appreciated the dealer’s persistence as well as the fact that I bought an authorized second-hand car with a full warranty.

So far, so good. No more clunk, and I’m back to loving driving my car. I hope this information is helpful to someone with the same issue.