Question about 2015 RS7 noise

[jb1970]

If I drive with the radio off or the windows down I can hear a whirring noise.
Its particularly noticeable if driving alongside a wall or crash barrier with the windows down.
It doesn't necessarily sound bad...if its normal!
I don't believe I noticed it in my 2013 S6.

Is it normal or not and what exactly causes it?

[VPRS7]

Sounds like tire noise to me. Does the '15 come with the Contis, as my '14 had them and there was definitely a noise. Even worse now with my 295 PSSs, believe it or not it is worst on new asphalt!

[jb1970]

I don't think its tire noise - its from the engine/drivetrain.

[jb1970]

Here is a clip showing the sound I am wondering about.
I hear a whine that I don't hear in clips of other RS7 on youtube.

[tenspeed]

Here is a clip showing the sound I am wondering about.
I hear a whine that I don't hear in clips of other RS7 on youtube.

This video is unavailable. Says it's set to private.

edit: it sounds like it's coming from the drive train. It could be a normal sound.

If it's speed dependant, it could be the rear end or transmission. If it changes with the RPM's it could be something driven off the belt.

[jb1970]

Thanks...should be public now.

[Serpent]

Here is a clip showing the sound I am wondering about.
I hear a whine that I don't hear in clips of other RS7 on youtube.

My RS7 does the same...normal.

[widebodyfx]

Interesting sound. Does it matter what mode the drive select is jn? Asking because of soundaktor system.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[jb1970]

Drive select and D/S seem to make no difference.
It seems to be RPM related.

[jb1970]

This just started today.
It was loud the first time I started the engine.
I restarted and sometimes its there and then it goes away now and again.
It does not seem RPM related.

In the video clip its normal initially and then it really kicks in at about the 2 second mark.

[cobrario]

so the clicking sound doesn't speed up or slow down as you rev the engine?

[jb1970]

No, the sound did not seem to change much with RPM.

After a 5 mile trip to the gym the sound had mostly gone.
On my way home I got a warning about an alternator problem and that the battery was not being charged.
A red battery symbol was displayed, but this did not reappear when I restarted it after getting home.

[jb1970]

Just wanted to close out this thread.

The really bad noise from 2 weeks ago was the alternator belt and belt tensioner failing.
The tensioner part took about a week to arrive.
I picked the car up yesterday and am happy to report that the original whirring/whining noise from over 6 months ago is also gone.