I just picked up my 335 coupe on Sunday and today is the first rain. Wipers sounds pretty loud to me at rest...especially the thunk/thud at the beginning and end of each stroke. The weirdest thing is that if I'm at a stop and foot on the brake I can feel the power stroke of the wipers in the pedal...it's an odd sensation.
Anyone else experience this? Is it normal?
Thanks.

Normal. you will get used to feeling them in the pedal.

I just picked up my 335 coupe on Sunday and today is the first rain. Wipers sounds pretty loud to me at rest...especially the thunk/thud at the beginning and end of each stroke. The weirdest thing is that if I'm at a stop and foot on the brake I can feel the power stroke of the wipers in the pedal...it's an odd sensation.
Anyone else experience this? Is it normal?
Thanks.

It could be the drag of the wiper insert. I had my inserts replaced when the car was new because of the same sensation and that cured the "problem".

Me 2, no fix. 'eh

I'd have your dealer look at that. My wipers aren't loud at all and living in Florida, where it rains a lot, I've used my a lot. And I've certainly never felt the movement in my brake pedal.

I've noticed they give a loud "thunk" at top and bottom of stroke. I find it odd as well. Can't say I've noticed it through the body or brakes though. I thought the other day it might have been not quite as loud, like maybe the new blades are wearing in a bit.

I noticed the same thing with my car a couple of weeks after I got it but it stopped before I had a chance to take it in to the dealer to look at and hasn't happened since.

Normal. you will get used to feeling them in the pedal.

So this is the infamous wiper arm/brake pedal interconnect line? :D



Seriously? This is normal for at least two of you? I guess I don't see the connection here. What happens if you lift the arm up into the "change blade position" and run the wiper? Do you still feel something in the pedal or is this associated with the end travel of the arm?

Gary
'07 328xi

So this is the infamous wiper arm/brake pedal interconnect line? :D



Seriously? This is normal for at least two of you? I guess I don't see the connection here. What happens if you lift the arm up into the "change blade position" and run the wiper? Do you still feel something in the pedal or is this associated with the end travel of the arm?

Gary
'07 328xi

Gary, it probably wouldnt occur. Its the drag of the wiper across the glass.

Mine makes a loud thunk ~ 20% of the time. It was worse when the car was new, but still does it sporadically. Presumably it's another mechanical defect. I've never owned a car with so many defects that come and go, but never stay long enough to easily diagnose.

Never occurred to me that new wiper blades would make the thunk go away. Seems like it is something else.

Been so long that it has rained in Virginia, I don't think I remember how to turn the wiper on, much less the sound.

I've never experienced what you're describing. I just push the auto button, and the wipers do their thing. No loud noise. I'd get it checked out.

brakes wipe the rotors with the wipers dont they?

brakes wipe the rotors with the wipers dont they?

True and funny!

brakes wipe the rotors with the wipers dont they?
Very good point although not entirely accurate. The brakes use the rain sensors to deduce wet surface and periodically apply the brakes slightly to dry the rotors to maximize emergency stopping power in the wet. So although the brakes don't wipe with the wipers, they will be periodically active when the wipers are active in the rain.
Again very good point to bring up, could explain that feeling he's getting inthe brakes when the wipers are on (unless it is with every wiper swipe in which case either the car or his head should be checked ;) *joking, don't take offense*).

Very good point although not entirely accurate. The brakes use the rain sensors to deduce wet surface and periodically apply the brakes slightly to dry the rotors to maximize emergency stopping power in the wet. So although the brakes don't wipe with the wipers, they will be periodically active when the wipers are active in the rain.
Again very good point to bring up, could explain that feeling he's getting inthe brakes when the wipers are on (unless it is with every wiper swipe in which case either the car or his head should be checked ;) *joking, don't take offense*).

Good point. I completely overlooked the corelation

I just picked up my 335 coupe on Sunday and today is the first rain. Wipers sounds pretty loud to me at rest...especially the thunk/thud at the beginning and end of each stroke. The weirdest thing is that if I'm at a stop and foot on the brake I can feel the power stroke of the wipers in the pedal...it's an odd sensation.
Anyone else experience this? Is it normal?
Thanks.

LOL... it's your BMW slightly pressing your brakes for you to remove any moisture from the brake pads, just a coincidence.

Thanks for the responses..I could theoretically buy the brake pads cleaning the rotors during rain but I only felt the sensation when the car was stopped with foot on the brake. At that point you could feel it every time the wipers did their thing. If you were moving and applied the brake no sensation could be felt. I'm going to make an appt for Saturday and see what the deal is.
I've got to take it in anyway as the door seals seem to be making a little noise when going over road imperfections...probably just need a little lube on the rubber.

okay maybe I should get my head checked too, but to the OPs credit, I will say that today during heavy rain and the wipers going on full blast I did feel the slightest sensation in the brake and clutch pedals on the beginning and end of each stroke. Nothing I would consider alarming, but it is noticeable if you pay attention. Somehow the vibration gets transmitted to those pedals. Not surprisingly, it is not felt in the gas pedal which I assume due to the drive by wire design.
So to the OP, I wouldn't worry about it but you are not crazy (unless we are both crazy, which is plausible too :stickoutt).

...probably just need a little lube on the rubber.


Hello "dpolitzer":

Heck, it happens to the best of us.

okay maybe I should get my head checked too, but to the OPs credit, I will say that today during heavy rain and the wipers going on full blast I did feel the slightest sensation in the brake and clutch pedals on the beginning and end of each stroke. Nothing I would consider alarming, but it is noticeable if you pay attention. Somehow the vibration gets transmitted to those pedals. Not surprisingly, it is not felt in the gas pedal which I assume due to the drive by wire design.
So to the OP, I wouldn't worry about it but you are not crazy (unless we are both crazy, which is plausible too :stickoutt).

Hello "mryakan":

I tried this myself. Perhaps there is just a bit of a feeling. Perhaps it is imaginary. Could not be sure. Anyway, that is not to say that the OP did not feel this.

It has been my experience that BMWs have really strange and intermittent problems. After driving the POS Chrysler this morning, I can compare the finicky behavior of the BMWs and the really numb and predictable experience of the Chrysler to the difference between the wife and the Blonde 25 year old shiksa at the office. You can put up with a bit of twitchy behavior for the incredible difference in ride and handling.

Hello "dpolitzer":

Heck, it happens to the best of us.



Hello "mryakan":

I tried this myself. Perhaps there is just a bit of a feeling. Perhaps it is imaginary. Could not be sure. Anyway, that is not to say that the OP did not feel this.

It has been my experience that BMWs have really strange and intermittent problems. After driving the POS Chrysler this morning, I can compare the finicky behavior of the BMWs and the really numb and predictable experience of the Chrysler to the difference between the wife and the Blonde 25 year old shiksa at the office. You can put up with a bit of twitchy behavior for the incredible difference in ride and handling.
now assuming the wife is not watching over the shoulder, is this ride and handling real or imaginary? If she is there, I am talking about the BMW of course :devillook.

Just wanted to update this thread...took the car in on the weekend. They agreed that there is definitely a feeling in the brake pedal when the wipers are doing their thing but said that it is normal. They took out another 3-series and found the same thing. They also agreed that although the wipers are loud their spring tension was tuned for the autobahn and that I would appreciate them on the highway.
I'm just hoping that the wiper inserts will break in a bit over time.

thanks for the update. I certainly do appreciate the effectiveness of the wipers in heavy rain. Combined with RainX application to the windshield, I am able to drive with reasonable visibility while others are pulling over to the side because they can't see. The little bit of noise doesn't bother me, but maybe I am used to it from my 10 years in my e36 (and the fact that my hearing isn't the best in the world).