Originally Posted by OneLiner

Hmm... interesting but I would be very surpised if the sound in my car (same sound as in negipai98 video) has anything to do with the wheel bearings. As negipai98 wrote in his original post it sounds more hydraulic/pneumatic, like the sound of a plane adjusting the flaps. It is also too intermittent and has a very distinct start and stop and seems unrelated to the wheels. My guess is that my sound has to do with the automatic transmission or maybe the brakes. If your sound has to do with wheel bearings we are probably not talking about the same sound.

Originally Posted by fbottoni

So, they just called me and said it's the rear differential, not the wheel bearings, and they're replacing it. I was not expecting that on a six month old car but oh well.

Originally Posted by fbottoni

So I think they Audi techs figured it out, because I just found this video and it is literally the exact noise I'm hearing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CK8zAAw4AA complete with the foot on accelerator, off accelerator noise difference. I don't know if this will help any of you, but it's worth mentioning to your Audi tech if the noise is similar to mine.

Originally Posted by Shawn St. Denis

That video is of a B5 S4 - and from 2007 so I'm not sure you say its the exact same issue. Yes, it does sound the same but..

Originally Posted by negipai98

Hello. First post so please be gentle...

I recently purchased a 2017 A4 Quattro with Cold Weather and Tech packages. I like the car for the most part, but am being driven crazy by a strange noise. The sound is like a low electric whirring, so to speak. Almost like a hydraulic pump or the flaps on a plane being adjusted. It happens mostly during braking, though sometimes when coasting after braking. There is no real consistency in terms of weather or road conditions, as it happens under all conditions, but only some of the time. With that said, it is very pronounced when driving in the snow.

I brought it into the dealer and they couldn't hear they sound when I drove with the tech (naturally it didn't happen that day) but they kept the car for a few days to test it out. During that time I had a loaner which was the exact same make and model, and never heard the sound. There was a variation of the sound when braking, but it was much lower - barely audible and not an issue. The sound we hear is very noticeable. The best diagnosis Audi could give was that it was likely the ABS Pump adjusting and anticipating a need of being used. I struggle with that explanation since it often happens when I am braking gradually and have almost come to a complete stop. Surely the ABS is smart enough to know it won't be required under those conditions.

I kept the car for another week, then brought it back to Audi and asked them to take another look, since I have never heard a sound like this. They kept the car for 11 days, and then came back and said that while there is definitely a sound, it is normal and I shouldn't worry about it. They said all cars make different sounds - even within the same model - and this one just happens to be louder. I have driven many different types of cars over the years and never have heard a sound like this, much less have it be called normal. Don't get me wrong - it isn't a crazy loud sound - but it does seem to be far from normal in a modern, premium car such as an Audi. The reality is that if I had heard this sound during the test drive I would have immediately turned to my sales rep and asked what it was, and likely would not have bought the car.

Sorry for the long post, but wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience. If yes, at least I know it is normal (although annoying). If not, I can feel more confident pushing back on my local service dealer. This is my first Audi, and unless something changes, it will be my last.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by OneLiner

I have the same noise in my 2016 A4 TFSI 190hp, in my case it doesn't appear every time I drive. If it appears it is usually in the beginning of the trip at lower speeds with a lot of breaking/accelerating. At higher and/or more constant speed it usually disappears.