Static sound at highway speeds

  • Thread starter Thread starter yoomini
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yoomini

yoomini

Active Member
Hi all, just a couple days ago I noticed static interference coming through the speakers (I think?) when driving above 75 mph on the freeway. It comes through with or without the entertainment on but it definitely impedes the sound of the entertainment if it is on. It also comes through while on a phone call via Bluetooth. Has anyone experienced this?

I also noticed a slight whine or hum at this speed, concurrent with the static.

I'm probably going to take it to the dealer but thought I'd ask.
 
yoomini said:
Hi all, just a couple days ago I noticed static interference coming through the speakers (I think?) when driving above 75 mph on the freeway. It comes through with or without the entertainment on but it definitely impedes the sound of the entertainment if it is on. It also comes through while on a phone call via Bluetooth. Has anyone experienced this?

I also noticed a slight whine or hum at this speed, concurrent with the static.
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  1. Can you increase the level of the static by turning up the volume?
  2. Can you hear it when your SE is stopped? At 5 mph? 10?
  3. Does the static change pitch concurrent with the speed of your SE?
  4. Does the static change volume concurrent with the speed of your SE?
  5. Is your HVAC system on?
  6. Is the sound louder on one side than the other?
  7. Are your windows fully raised?
  8. Is the static so striking you remember the day it started? Snow-tire day?
  9. Can other people hear it, too?
  10. Will the static go away as you turn onto your dealer's lot?
 
I'll give this a try:
  1. Can you increase the level of the static by turning up the volume? No.
  2. Can you hear it when your SE is stopped? At 5 mph? 10? No.
  3. Does the static change pitch concurrent with the speed of your SE? Not really.
  4. Does the static change volume concurrent with the speed of your SE? Yes, above 75 mph. Higher speed = more static.
  5. Is your HVAC system on? Happens while HVAC on or off.
  6. Is the sound louder on one side than the other? Doesn't seem like it.
  7. Are your windows fully raised? Yes.
  8. Is the static so striking you remember the day it started? Snow-tire day? Yes, started right after the California rains. No snow-tire days here.
  9. Can other people hear it, too? Yes.
  10. Will the static go away as you turn onto your dealer's lot? LOL, I'll find out on January 25th.
 
You said the static was coming from the speakers, but have you tried covering them to be sure?

Also curious if you could record the sound.
 
While driving home last night the sound got significantly louder and now I can tell that the sound is not coming from the speakers. It may actually be wind noise, a very peculiar wind noise. I had the windshield replaced by a Mini dealer a few months ago so maybe that has something to do with it. Bad install perhaps? Looks like owners of non-SE Minis have had similar issues. I'll report back after the dealer checks it out.

Unfortunately, they're telling me it will take 7 days to diagnose.
Fortunately, they will give me a loaner vehicle.
Unfortunately, it will not be electric and it won't have a carpool sticker on it.
Unfortunately, I will have to return it with a full tank of gas.

This sucks.
 
Dealer service (not just MINI) has really gone downhill over the past year. :(

Could it be a combination of wind + drivetrain noise? I have heard that static-type sound in the MINI and i3, particularly from the driver’s window. My guess is the windshield wasn’t installed perfectly (common issue with replacements), and it’s letting in those noises. Could also just be the wind hitting the glass at a peculiar angle.
 
Welp, as expected, the sound went away the day before the appointment at the dealership. I'll have to wait until it comes back.
 
Do you have your rear seats up and the cargo cover on? I’ve noticed I can hear a white-noise like sound from the rear wheel wells when I’m at speed and i have the seats down or the cargo cover off.
 
fizzit said:
Do you have your rear seats up and the cargo cover on? I’ve noticed I can hear a white-noise like sound from the rear wheel wells when I’m at speed and i have the seats down or the cargo cover off.
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That would be the cabin pressure relief vent. It's not at all soundproofed and is pretty much a direct path from the underneath of the bumper to the trunk. It'll go away if you turn the fan off completely and mine makes an annoying flapping noise with the fan on 1

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Carsten Haase said:
That would be the cabin pressure relief vent. It's not at all soundproofed and is pretty much a direct path from the underneath of the bumper to the trunk. It'll go away if you turn the fan off completely and mine makes an annoying flapping noise with the fan on 1

View attachment 19666
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Fun fact, I saw a video from Mercedes where they started soundproofing the pressure relief vents in their EVs. I actually put a pillow in the sub trunk and it reduced noise a bit while still allowing airflow.
 
That's really interesting. To me, the sound was coming from the center and driver side of the front windshield.
 
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