Symptoms of bad front drive shaft?

[esevx5]

Have a 2008 so not covered under recall

I noticed a low rpm rattle when driving. Specifically from 1500 to 2500 or so. Sounds like marbles in a can

Only when driving, not idle - so has to be either diff, tranny, transfer case

What's interesting is that when I drive in D, the rattle is more noticeable because of quicker auto shifting at lower rpms

When I switch to manual mode and shift at 3k, the rattle is less pronounced because of more 'tension'?

[heatmizr]

The Can Of Marbles is a known weak link in these BMW engines, particularly the V8's. I don't know what BMW engineers were thinking. The typical cause is insufficient damping material to keep the marbles from contacting each other and "clacking" together. Some blame improper break-in, others the extended oil service intervals. I think its just bad design.
The reason you hear it less at higher rpms is due to the centripetal force of the rotating can keeping the marbles stuck to the inside of the can walls.

Either way it's not a cheap fix. Even the Inline 6's will require a replacement at some point, though those engines take fewer marbles than the V8's.
*This was NOT covered in the N63 'Customer Care Package' fixes.

[elmasry17]

Front drive shaft propeller is covered 10 years or 120,000 miles on certain n63 vehicles. Mine is one of them. I can show you proof if you want

[heatmizr]

Well his wouldn't be an n63 in 2008. n62 v8 or n52 6 cyl.
So, I haven't had the driveshaft issue, but I can't imagine it sounding like you describe. I know others on here have, hoping they chime in. Several have had it happen all of a sudden, no sound/warning. Others only a vibration.

And sorry for the sarcastic post above. Its true though