2012 Cad CTS 3.6 engine NOISE...any real experience?

[exwestracer]

Just wondering about something... Last night I test drove a 2012 Cadillac CTS coupe with the 3.6 direct injected V6. Anytime I opened the throttle even moderately, the thing sounded like it was detonating itself to death. It literally sounded like someone was shaking a coffee can full of rocks under the hood. Car had 12 miles on it and ran well otherwise, so I doubt it was already broken...

I know the gasoline direct injection engines are sort of 1/2 diesel, 1/2 gas in the way they operate, but I was under the impression the GDI engines still had "normal" combustion events. A fellow instructor suggested that maybe the dealership didn't put premium gas in it, but I'd think this noise would scare off anyone that drove the thing; so that would be a dumb way to save a few bucks...

Anyone have any experience with these engines, and / or the cause of that noise?

[elitecustombody]

Buy CTS-V, the only noise you'll hear is blower whistling and sweet roar at WOT.

[Jim Nilsen]

Just wondering about something... Last night I test drove a 2012 Cadillac CTS coupe with the 3.6 direct injected V6. Anytime I opened the throttle even moderately, the thing sounded like it was detonating itself to death. It literally sounded like someone was shaking a coffee can full of rocks under the hood. Car had 12 miles on it and ran well otherwise, so I doubt it was already broken...

I know the gasoline direct injection engines are sort of 1/2 diesel, 1/2 gas in the way they operate, but I was under the impression the GDI engines still had "normal" combustion events. A fellow instructor suggested that maybe the dealership didn't put premium gas in it, but I'd think this noise would scare off anyone that drove the thing; so that would be a dumb way to save a few bucks...

Anyone have any experience with these engines, and / or the cause of that noise?

Taking into account that the person who put fuel in it may have been just a shop hand and didn't think about it when they filled it , it could just be fuel. It could also be a good indication that that one is a lemon and people should run from it?
What did the salesman say?

[moreHP]

I may be wrong but isnt that the same V6 that is in the new Camaros? I have been in one of those and it is very quiet.
And shouldnt the sensors just retard the timing until the detonation stopped? Even if it was low octane gas?

[S Griffin]

I have a CTS. If I get a little "bad" gas from a station, it will make noise like that. Scared the crap out of me the first time I heard it. It has happened a couple times with mine. They seem to be very sensitive to fuel. The manual says minimum 87 octane, but anything less than 91 and she is pinging like hell. I still love the car though.

[exwestracer]

Taking into account that the person who put fuel in it may have been just a shop hand and didn't think about it when they filled it , it could just be fuel. It could also be a good indication that that one is a lemon and people should run from it?
What did the salesman say?

He'd never heard one do that before... Shocking, I know.

I bought an AWD Charger R/T instead...