New Sturmey Archer X-RK8 (w) making horrible noise

After only 8 months of use, my old Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub developed a fault: according to my dealer, the axle bent inside and took a couple of cogs out. He ordered me a new one - apparently a new upgraded version. Even though it works, it makes a noise that says "bring me to a workshop" - sounds like freewheeling in every gear apart from first. I told my dealer this doesn't sound right, but he inststed that "this is perfectly normal". Bollocks to that! My previous one was an X-RK 8speed from a bike made in 2008. I rode it just under 1200km through the streets of fairly flat London. The new version is an X-RK8 (w).