Temp gauge goes way up to the danger zone, but not quite overheating, if I don't have the A/C on. Checked coolant level, it is fine. When driving it rises, when idling in goes to normal.

You have probably solved the problem by now, but the first thing to do is re-check the coolant level once the engine cooled off. You may have cracked the radiator or the hose. Then the question becomes "what caused it to run hot".

Is the temp gauge not moving at all even after driving the car ?
And have you checked the coolant level in the radiator and the overflow tank ?

For car running hot and overheating issues, I suggest to you go through this help links. Click this link below and go through the troubleshooting procedure to take care of the problems: ----Car runs hot? http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-runs-hot-in-traffic.html
-----------All types of car overheating problems and troubleshooting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/11/all-types-of-car-overheating-problems.html
Car freeze overnight and started overheating while driving?http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-freeze-overnight-and-started.html-----------Engine Overheats and heater blowing cold?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/engine-overheats-and-heater-blowing.html

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Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html
--------overheating? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-century-overheating.html
----------Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html
----------This details will help.Thanks.

Don't know what the "whirring" is, but you NEED to find it. The only reason your temp. goes down at higher speed, is cuz more air is rushing past your car, cooling the engine and radiator. Careful you don't burn up the engine! Find the cause of the overheating, probably related to the sound you hear, or caused by overheating, even maybe causing the overheating. Take your time and work on it or have it serviced. Start by checking your coolant level. Good luck.

To verify if cooling system damage exists.
Drain the engine coolant.
Remove the intake manifold.
Remove the plastic heater core feed pipe.(located under the intake manifold).
If the coolant pipe cannot be removed after removing securing hardware, the VANOS banjo bolt must also be removed thus allowing additional clearance needed to remove the pipe.
Visually inspect the front (inside) of the coolant pipe.
If the plastic on the inside of the coolant pipe shows no signs of deterioration (smooth surface) the engine should be reassembled using new gaskets and O rings where necessary.
If the plastic on the inside of the coolant pipe shows signs of deteriorated (worn away, bubbling, ect) this is an indication that the engine has been severely overheated and these components must be replaced.....Cylinder head gasket,all coolant hoses,all plastic coolant pipes,coolant expansion tank and cap, radiator, water pump, thermostat, oil and filter....

Hope this is some help to you ??

YOU NEED BLEED COOLANT SYSTEM.CHECK COOLANT LEVEL IN RADIATOR.ADD MORE DEXCOOL UNTIL COOLANT LEVEL IS CLOSE TO RADIATOR SPOUT.CRANK ENGINE LET IDLE UNTIL TOP RADIATOR HOSE GET HOT.WATCH TEMPERATURE GAUGE.IF TEMPERATURE GAUGE START RISING TO HOT ZONE.TURN OFF ENGINE.LET COOL DOWN.USE LARGE RAG SLOWLY OPEN RADIATOR CAP A LITTLE AT A TIME UNTIL ALL PRESSURE RELIEVED.REMOVE RADIATOR CAP.ADD MORE COOLANT.CRANK CAR AGAIN LET IDLE UNTIL TOP RADIATOR GET HOT.KEEP EYE ON TEMP.GAUGE ALSO.WHEN TEMP.GAUGE STOP CLIMBING.YOUR COOLANT SYSTEM BLED.WHEN DONE LET CAR SET A WHILE CHECK COOLANT LEVEL.ALSO FIRST THING IN THE MORNING CHECK COOLANT LEVEL AGAIN.AND BESURE ADD COOLANT IN THE OVERFLOW JUG TO THE COLD MARK.DONT OVER FILL THE COOLANT RESERVOIR JUG.WORK SAFELY DONT GET SCALDED.

If engine is overheating then check coolant level and thermostat first, then water pump. If engine is not overheating then check coolant temp sender for gauge.

Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/thomas_c50676e836a18949

Is the coolant at the correct level? Any loss of coolant so you must add it (if so, how much and how often). Do you have a air bleed bolt on the engine (usually near the thermostat). This could just be air in the system, which would cause both problems you describe (running hot, no heat). How long does it take to drive it for it reach overheating zone on temp gauge?

my 528i does, or did the same thing. Overheating is bad for those aluminum cylinder heads. 1st, replace the coolant. Then check to see if the electric cooling fans work, or cycle on, they most certainly would have to cycle on when the temp gauge is in the red zone.
1st thing most people do is replace the thermostat. However, if the temp goes from overheating to not overheating in less than a minute, the thermostat is working. The key thing to look for is why did it get to the red zone in the first place.

check your coolant level. half way on the guage is normal