[jetblack_e90]

Just curious about our wastegate rattle issues with the n54 and if they eventually end up causing turbo failure or if it is just an annoyance. So let's take a poll to see how our stock turbos are holding up.
Those still with stock turbos please respond with:

1.) current mileage
2.) wastegate rattle (Y/N/mileage start)
3.) turbo performance issues (still holding boost @ 100% / or failing)
4.) build date
5.) tuned (Y/N/mileage start)

[jetblack_e90]

I'll start:

1.) 81,600 miles
2.) Y / 80,000 miles
3.) still performing (no codes)
4.) 4/2009
5.) N (stock)

[TrollToll]

No need for a poll.
They will all rattle eventually, and due to the design the will all have performance (underboost) issues eventually. It's just the way the wastegate pivot is. When that bushing wears enough, and it will, it will prevent the wastegates from fully closing. There are some people with 100,000+ miles, but don't count on it.

[Pete.J]

1.) 87,000 miles (~140,000km)
2.) N
3.) No turbo performance issues
4.) 06/2007
5.) N (Will be tuned to MHD Stage 1 as a first step in my tuning journey with this beast very soon )

More information:

My wastegates don't even seem that they're anywhere near rattling or starting to rattle! Touch wood

I didn't own the car since new, so I am not certain if previous owner has replaced turbos in the past under recall/warranty or not. I doubt it though, because I have all the previous service papers and they don't mention anything about replaced turbos.

When I jack up the car this Friday to do an oil change I'll try and read the part numbers of my turbos (at least the rear one could be easier to read).

Previous owner was an old guy, owned it since knew, and didn't seem to know shit about cars. It seemed to me that even if the wastegates rattled he won't notice.

EDIT: Car is still on stock turbos from factory, and also still on original waterpump waterpump will be replaced ASAP as a preventative maintenance item before I get stranded somewhere.

[YoungBlood]

They will all rattle, its a fact of life.
1. 99k
2. Y, before I got the car, but it had the factory tune that holds open the WG, so I didn't detect it til going tuned. forgot what it's called. But picked up car with 83k on it, so before 80k they were rattling for sure.
3. Y/N I got 30ff codes but tightening my actuators/shimming eliminated 80% of my rattle and I hit/ hold boost perfectly still
4. Early 07
5. Y, 84k rattle was there as soon as the factory flash was off. 0% rattle fix in MHD gets rid of most of my noise.

[Jklad]

Oh fun, another poll. Yay.
131k miles Cobb tune since 55k
Original turdbos
Wastgates replaced at 40k (rattled)
Wastgates and actuator arm replaced again at 78k (rattled a lot)
At 115k, more rattling but Rear wastgate nut was found separated from rod hanging some ways down the rod, adjusted the rod a few turns, tightened the nut, rattle has been gone ever since and turbos seem to boost fine.

[whyzee125]

1.) 157,000
2.) N
3.) 100%
4.) 05/07
5.) Yes: since new

[YoungBlood]

I adjusted my front actuator. 0 rattle now. Turbo siren on the other hand 🙄

[titium]

Originally Posted by pitos_7

1.) 87,000 miles
2.) N
3.) No turbo performance issues
4.) 06/2007
5.) N (Will be tuned to MHD Stage 1 as a first step in my tuning journey with this beast very soon )

More information:

My wastegates don't even seem that they're anywhere near rattling or starting to rattle! Touch wood

I didn't own the car since new, so I am not certain if previous owner has replaced turbos in the past under recall/warranty or not. I doubt it though, because I have all the previous service papers and they don't mention anything about replaced turbos.

When I jack up the car this Friday to do an oil change I'll try and read the part numbers of my turbos (at least the rear one could be easier to read).

Previous owner was an old guy, owned it since knew, and didn't seem to know shit about cars. It seemed to me that even if the wastegates rattled he won't notice.

wait till you put on catless dowpipes.... surprise!

[PA66400]

1. 135,000 miles
2. Yes, started at 80,000 miles
3. major turbo problems constant half engine light this past 6 months, mid throttle acceleration highway speeds
4. 03/2008
5. stock

I have been getting the 30ff code and half engine light since about 80K miles

[YoungBlood]

Originally Posted by PA66400

1. 135,000 miles
2. Yes, started at 80,000 miles
3. major turbo problems constant half engine light this past 6 months, mid throttle acceleration highway speeds
4. 03/2008
5. stock

I have been getting the 30ff code and half engine light since about 80K miles

And you haven't fixed it?? 😮

[PA66400]

Originally Posted by YoungBlood

And you haven't fixed it?? ��

Car is put away for winter. Tried to decide whether to sell it or fix it; it has high mileage and is worth less than $10K in present state. I am replacing the turbos next Spring. Alberta winter and a 335i sport package do not go together (block heater not even an option in BMW), I drive a F150 for 8 months of the year. Loved the BMW before 100k miles but the F150 never lets me down and is built like a tank.

[JM98]

72K miles and I still don't even know what waste gate rattle is supposed to sound like. Guess I have nothing to worry about

[TrAcK TRaP]

Rattling comes after catless down pipe (Most of the time). If car is stock you won't hear it a lot.

[jetblack_e90]

Thanks for the responses, I'm stock and just starting to develop the rattle (on deceleration and idle) but the dealer won't replace the turbos even though I'm <82k, @81,790 now, because they say the rattle isn't severe enough and there are no codes. If the turbos will hang in there I don't really mind the rattle all that much as long as it doesn't deteriorate the turbos. I could also try to adjust it if it gets worse.

[titium]

Originally Posted by jetblack_e90

Thanks for the responses, I'm stock and just starting to develop the rattle (on deceleration and idle) but the dealer won't replace the turbos even though I'm <82k, @81,790 now, because they say the rattle isn't severe enough and there are no codes. If the turbos will hang in there I don't really mind the rattle all that much as long as it doesn't deteriorate the turbos. I could also try to adjust it if it gets worse.

goto a different dealer.

well documented problem. it will get worse

[Dann]

1.) 60086 Mi
2.) Y - Bought car at 55000 and had it then
3.) No fault codes or boost issues
4.) April 2009
5.) N

[Gohan335i7]

So , rattle becomes more evident when catless downpipes are installed?!

[TrollToll]

Originally Posted by Gohan335i7

So , rattle becomes more evident when catless downpipes are installed?!

That's what they say. I never noticed a change in wastegate rattle, just more exhaust drone.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by jetblack_e90

Thanks for the responses, I'm stock and just starting to develop the rattle (on deceleration and idle) but the dealer won't replace the turbos even though I'm <82k, @81,790 now, because they say the rattle isn't severe enough and there are no codes. If the turbos will hang in there I don't really mind the rattle all that much as long as it doesn't deteriorate the turbos. I could also try to adjust it if it gets worse.

Just make it rattle louder - adjust the rear rod so it's looser

[Pete.J]

Originally Posted by titium

wait till you put on catless dowpipes.... surprise!

Thanks for the insight bud, I'll be all ears the day I install downpipes on this car.

Worst comes to worst if they did rattle, I'll buy a secondhand set and rebuild the wastegate rods on them, then swap them in.

I'll then rebuild the rods on my original turbos and sell them. Instead of whinging about my rattling turbos on the forums lol.

Rebuild kits are actually not that expensive, it's a bitch of a job to get the turbos out of the car though.