Tyres can cause this yes.!

 

If you jack it up, can you tell if there is any drag or play in the noisey front wheel? Could be the wheel bearing (I appreciate that these have been done, but your symptoms are consistent with a wheel bearing so a bad part or error installing probably shouldn't be ruled out too quickly). Worth checking the brakes aren't binding - I had an issue where a brake pad retaining spring supplied was not quite right and was keeping the pad very slightly in contact with the disc which caused noise and vibration at higher speed as the disc heated up.

As to tyres - yes they can cause dodgy noises as mcbonio says above. Check for feathering and heel and toe wear patterns and try rotating the tyres that are on the front to the back and see if the noise moves.

I see you're in Germany - I assume that you've got a 320d tourer, and that it's not a four wheel drive version (we didn't get E46 4 wheel drive versions in the UK)? If you have a four wheel drive version then other areas to look at would be front differential output shaft bearings.

 

Change your wheels over from side to side and see if that changes the noise or where the noise appears to come from.

 

Thank you. All good ideas. My tyres are directional so I will change front to back and see how that goes. Yes I have the rear wheel drive 320D tourer.

With the vehicle jacked I cannot feel any play. The noise wasn't different from before and after the wheel bearing change. I was sure it was bearings. Still think it is........

How do I check the ball joint other than the 9-3 and 12-6 movement? Can I try a pry bar and see if the joint moves up and down easily? there isn't a lot left to check.

 

Ok. I have changed my tyres and wheels and there is no change to the noise. I have also changed rear discs and brakes as they were worn. No change. However in this last week the noise has increased and I can now tell it is coming from the rear right wheel. So this weekend its rear wheel bearing change.

 

Do you have any issues with your handbrake? It could be the handbrake mechanisim dragging on the inside of the hub, or the backing plate holding the handbrake mechanisim on, these occasionally bent and begin rubbing.

 

Thanks thats a good idea. While I am changing my bearings I will replace my handbrake pads and fittings.

When I check the wheel with the car jacked up I cannot hear anything and there isn't any 12-6 or 9-3 movement. But I think I should change the handbrake as will be removing it all anyway to change the bearings.

 

Quick update. After trying to replace the rear wheel bearings myself my car is now in a garage. The hubs really don't want to leave the bearings. Garage have called and they cannot remove the hubs without damaging them. So it wasn't just me. Lets see what results from this.

 

Hubs can removed without damaging them.
Yes they can be very tight to remove.
Too bad I don't have any pictures ( I have replaced rear bearings).
I have used universal tools, no BMW specials ones.

 

Well the results are in. Definately rear right wheel bearing problem. All replaced all good.