Not even 1 month old and RATTLES EVERYWHERE

ES_TRADER · 12-31-2010, 09:23 AM

I feel like im driving a lowered honda accord or acura except, this one is a M BMW, so it says on my steering wheel.

I have to post this because im pretty fcking irritated that a brand new luxury sports car costing north of 70k has a lot of interior rattles. All the 328i loaners i got some new, some old, were DEAD QUIET over the same roads i drive the M on. My e46 330 is dead quiet after 8 years of ownership and 140k miles.

I love the car but the interior noise, quite frankly, is killing the whole experience. I hear all these when driving over bumpy roads and highways..

Now on my 2011.5, with less than 2k miles and I have these rattles so far:

1. Driver's side door panel near the pillar, window, or seat belt extender (one of these but i cant pinpoint where)
2. Navigation Dashboard Area (the inside where the 2 screws are is already lined with some sort of soft material, dont know how that can possible rattle, probably deeper inside)
3. Passenger door/window (sometimes, if the road is REALLY ROUGH)
4. Rear console
5. Somewhere in the Rear seats (sounds like a fire crackling noise)
6. Driver's seat plastic thing on the lower left where u adjust seat position
7. Armrest makes 1 clicking sound when i rest my arm on it initially
8. Navigation screen shakes up and down over bumpy roads

I thought my navigation screen was about to blow up the way it vibrated up and down so violently that i couldnt even read the words on the screen..at first i thought my vision was blurring, then realized the screen was shaking

Yes, i know the suspension is stiffer than the other 3 series etc and materials constrict in the cold, but BMW engineers know more about this than me, so how come they dont compensate for the stiffness by using quieter/better materials?? they still continue to use the same cheap shit, yet increase the price?? no problem.. And if materials constrict in the cold, what goes for those living in near subzero temperatures driving the M? even Germany is blistering cold...i wonder if those cars sound like they're gonna fall apart..mine sure sounded like the inside was about to fall off last night, and it was only 46 degrees.

.

and79 · 12-31-2010, 09:30 AM

Yeah, mines does rattle now and then. I turn up the stereo or drive faster!

Raustin · 12-31-2010, 09:31 AM

Rattles???? I have 21,000 miles on my 09 and zero rattles....so far. I picked it up from Pentagon at Ramstein and had it there last winter. Drove the car when the streets were clear and not one rattle noticed. Now live in Altus, OK where the streets...shall I say are in need of repair and the car is still solid.

Take it back and 'demand' they test drive it until the problems are solved. Should be an easy fix. Good Luck.

mfeltiii · 12-31-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raustin

Rattles???? I have 21,000 miles on my 09 and zero rattles....so far. I picked it up from Pentagon at Ramstein and had it there last winter. Drove the car when the streets were clear and not one rattle noticed. Now live in Altus, OK where the streets...shall I say are in need of repair and the car is still solid.

Take it back and 'demand' they test drive it until the problems are solved. Should be an easy fix. Good Luck.

You are lucky then. I have a bunch of plastic rattles too and have heard similar complaints on this forum many times. To the OP however, the nav screen issue seems like a different story and I have not heard of this before. I would get that one checked out.

JonnyM3 · 12-31-2010, 09:46 AM

I've noticed a few here and there, but none have remained constant over the 3k miles I've put on it.

BCA · 12-31-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfeltiii

You are lucky then. I have a bunch of plastic rattles too and have heard similar complaints on this forum many times. To the OP however, the nav screen issue seems like a different story and I have not heard of this before. I would get that one checked out.

+1

calintexas · 12-31-2010, 10:19 AM

I've read comments from others that their South African built E9x 3's were very solid, but that their German built M3's have rattles. My car only seems to have a passenger side dash rattle that shows up above 80 MPH or so. Of course, it's not an issue as that's above the speed limit, and I never exceed the speed limit.

Michaeljh2000 · 12-31-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

2. Navigation Dashboard Area (the inside where the 2 screws are is already lined with some sort of soft material, dont know how that can possible rattle, probably deeper inside)

Do you mean the instrument cluster/pod? Just in front of the steering wheel? If so, I had this problem too. Remove to two torx screws and gently pull the instrument cluster out. You will not need to unplug the electrical harness, but don't pull too far. The back of the instrument cluster is fastened by a clip on each end and when its cold, will rattle. To solve the problem, I used scotch 3M brand electrical tape and sealed up where the back, along the seam of the housing meets the rest of the cluster. Also, along the top and bottom of the cluster. It took less than 5 minutes and problem solved.

Definitive · 12-31-2010, 10:38 AM

I have all the same rattles exept the vibrating nave screen. Then add some strong creaking noise over speed bumps or driveway entrys.

I honestly think if people say try have no rattles they are either always driving windows down, music on, or have a hearing problem!!!

For me i cant really complain to the dealer and have to find and fix them myself. Because of this:
Lowered
Loud deep exhaust
Added subwoofer

When the rattles are there its typically when i have the stereo off and windows closed ( kid sleeping in the back) or at certain rpms when my exhaust is open, or at certain frq when my bass is loud and constant.

I do th e same thing as above. Turn up the stereo, make my exhaust louder, open the windows, and drive faster!

Noise gone...

D

FStop7 · 12-31-2010, 10:43 AM

I had a rattle from the drivers side door panel and occasionally the dash on my M3. The M6 is mostly quieter but the passwnger seat sometimes rubs against the center console and creaks.

Regarding the rattle in the back, do you have the ski bag? I found there is a small tag that sticks out and makes a lot of noise when thw windows are down because it's flapping.

ES_TRADER · 12-31-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michaeljh2000

Do you mean the instrument cluster/pod? Just in front of the steering wheel? If so, I had this problem too. Remove to two torx screws and gently pull the instrument cluster out. You will not need to unplug the electrical harness, but don't pull too far. The back of the instrument cluster is fastened by a clip on each end and when its cold, will rattle. To solve the problem, I used scotch 3M brand electrical tape and sealed up where the back, along the seam of the housing meets the rest of the cluster. Also, along the top and bottom of the cluster. It took less than 5 minutes and problem solved.

LOL..surprisingly, there are ZERO rattles buzzes or noises from my instrument cluster gauges...that part is solid......

i mean the car drives dam solid and nice...they built the outside very well, but all the small details seems like they slapped it on with cheap glue and pastic

ES_TRADER · 12-31-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

Regarding the rattle in the back, do you have the ski bag? I found there is a small tag that sticks out and makes a lot of noise when thw windows are down because it's flapping.

no ski bag....nothing..trunk empty...it blows my mind looking back there seeing nothing, yet the noises come...

Of course i did have the dealer look at these during my break in svc, but we all know they couldnt hear them....btw, they are in a beautiful newly built city with brand new paved roads...of course it was smooth as silk when we road tested it

Salespunk · 12-31-2010, 11:03 AM

I thought they covered rattles for the first 6 months?

My car is solid. Never had any problems with rattles.

flipmeraz · 12-31-2010, 11:20 AM

20k miles on mine and not a single rattle

Psylight · 12-31-2010, 11:42 AM

My moonroof makes the occasional noise, but thats about it. Seems pretty solid to me...I have an 08.

ucla1995 · 12-31-2010, 11:45 AM

This is not normal - take it to the dealer, possible lemon situation I would think.

Dave07997S · 12-31-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpuer

I feel like im driving a lowered honda accord or acura except, this one is a M BMW, so it says on my steering wheel.

I have to post this because im pretty fcking irritated that a brand new luxury sports car costing north of 70k has a lot of interior rattles. All the 328i loaners i got some new, some old, were DEAD QUIET over the same roads i drive the M on. My e46 330 is dead quiet after 8 years of ownership and 140k miles.

I love the car but the interior noise, quite frankly, is killing the whole experience. I hear all these when driving over bumpy roads and highways..

Now on my 2011.5, with less than 2k miles and I have these rattles so far:

1. Driver's side door panel near the pillar, window, or seat belt extender (one of these but i cant pinpoint where)
2. Navigation Dashboard Area (the inside where the 2 screws are is already lined with some sort of soft material, dont know how that can possible rattle, probably deeper inside)
3. Passenger door/window (sometimes, if the road is REALLY ROUGH)
4. Rear console
5. Somewhere in the Rear seats (sounds like a fire crackling noise)
6. Driver's seat plastic thing on the lower left where u adjust seat position
7. Armrest makes 1 clicking sound when i rest my arm on it initially
8. Navigation screen shakes up and down over bumpy roads

I thought my navigation screen was about to blow up the way it vibrated up and down so violently that i couldnt even read the words on the screen..at first i thought my vision was blurring, then realized the screen was shaking

Yes, i know the suspension is stiffer than the other 3 series etc and materials constrict in the cold, but BMW engineers know more about this than me, so how come they dont compensate for the stiffness by using quieter/better materials?? they still continue to use the same cheap shit, yet increase the price?? no problem.. And if materials constrict in the cold, what goes for those living in near subzero temperatures driving the M? even Germany is blistering cold...i wonder if those cars sound like they're gonna fall apart..mine sure sounded like the inside was about to fall off last night, and it was only 46 degrees.

.

Mine has the #2 rattle..I am getting a high pitched rattle near the nav area over bad roads. Other than that though the car feels really tight, but it is annoying. Problem with taking it to the dealer is that they can cause more rattles than they are trying to fix when they disassemble things.

Dave

JCtx · 12-31-2010, 12:28 PM

I pretty much have the same rattles as OP except the nav screen, but adding the damn center dash speaker grille, which I'm going to tackle this weekend. All except the middle dash grille quiet down as interior warms up, so I can live with them. But yes, I was disappointed to hear them since day 1. The good news is they haven't gotten worse than new, but they get much worse in winter, of course. Oh well. And no, I would never let a dealer attempt to fix them. When they drive me nuts, I'll do that myself.

OC3 · 12-31-2010, 01:00 PM

Wow...

TheBry · 12-31-2010, 01:27 PM

I think you got a car built on a Friday afternoon.

I've had my car since August 2008, have over 51K miles on it, and it's still very solid. That's a HUGE nod to BMW build quality since every panel north of my car's belt-line is hinged and designed to either open, close, fold, etc. (it's an E93 M3). You'd think it'd be rattle-paloosa but it's not. I have the occasional torsional creaking when pulling into and out of driveways at an angle, but that's to be expected in a convertible. Other than that, it's quiet.

Lagunae92 · 12-31-2010, 02:11 PM

Mine rattles like crazy, and I've even had the shop foreman tell me that I complain about rattles more than anybody. My biggest culprit is the torsional creak from the back. Haven't figured out how to fix that one, and I've taken apart most of the interior myself to make sure it was pt back properly, since when you ask a dealer to fix it, they only put things back so they look right, whether or not all latches catch.

The front instrument clusters are easy to fix, as they unscrew and you can line them with felt or something.

The top speaker is tricky due to the windshield being in the way of you seeing what's going on. I found that the speaker rattles unless I touch the very top center of it. Not sure what to do there, but it comes and goes.

The rear shelf is a mystery and a PITA to get into, but if you come up with a solution, let us know.

It's a shame that this happens, because the cars drive great and are incredibly fun and good looking. The rattles often consume my attention more than the engine wail, but I guess that's the point of having premium audio.

08E92M3 · 12-31-2010, 02:50 PM

No rattles here, just dct issues. The dealer has just installed new software (released on 12/23/2010) for me, we'll see!

12-31-2010, 09:23 AM	#1
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	Not even 1 month old and RATTLES EVERYWHERE I feel like im driving a lowered honda accord or acura except, this one is a M BMW, so it says on my steering wheel. I have to post this because im pretty fcking irritated that a brand new luxury sports car costing north of 70k has a lot of interior rattles. All the 328i loaners i got some new, some old, were DEAD QUIET over the same roads i drive the M on. My e46 330 is dead quiet after 8 years of ownership and 140k miles. I love the car but the interior noise, quite frankly, is killing the whole experience. I hear all these when driving over bumpy roads and highways.. Now on my 2011.5, with less than 2k miles and I have these rattles so far: 1. Driver's side door panel near the pillar, window, or seat belt extender (one of these but i cant pinpoint where) 2. Navigation Dashboard Area (the inside where the 2 screws are is already lined with some sort of soft material, dont know how that can possible rattle, probably deeper inside) 3. Passenger door/window (sometimes, if the road is REALLY ROUGH) 4. Rear console 5. Somewhere in the Rear seats (sounds like a fire crackling noise) 6. Driver's seat plastic thing on the lower left where u adjust seat position 7. Armrest makes 1 clicking sound when i rest my arm on it initially 8. Navigation screen shakes up and down over bumpy roads I thought my navigation screen was about to blow up the way it vibrated up and down so violently that i couldnt even read the words on the screen..at first i thought my vision was blurring, then realized the screen was shaking Yes, i know the suspension is stiffer than the other 3 series etc and materials constrict in the cold, but BMW engineers know more about this than me, so how come they dont compensate for the stiffness by using quieter/better materials?? they still continue to use the same cheap shit, yet increase the price?? no problem.. And if materials constrict in the cold, what goes for those living in near subzero temperatures driving the M? even Germany is blistering cold...i wonder if those cars sound like they're gonna fall apart..mine sure sounded like the inside was about to fall off last night, and it was only 46 degrees. .
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12-31-2010, 09:31 AM	#3
Raustin Cmd Chief 4 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 DCT Sedan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Altus AFB OK iTrader: (0)	Rattles???? I have 21,000 miles on my 09 and zero rattles....so far. I picked it up from Pentagon at Ramstein and had it there last winter. Drove the car when the streets were clear and not one rattle noticed. Now live in Altus, OK where the streets...shall I say are in need of repair and the car is still solid. Take it back and 'demand' they test drive it until the problems are solved. Should be an easy fix. Good Luck.
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12-31-2010, 09:46 AM	#5
JonnyM3 Captain 231 Rep 905 Posts Drives: Moderately Quick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	I've noticed a few here and there, but none have remained constant over the 3k miles I've put on it. __________________ E90 ZCP Alpine White M3- Gone F82 Azurite Black M4- Gone 2021 Jaguar F Type R- Current
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12-31-2010, 10:19 AM	#7
calintexas Lieutenant Colonel 151 Rep 1,599 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Texas iTrader: (1)	I've read comments from others that their South African built E9x 3's were very solid, but that their German built M3's have rattles. My car only seems to have a passenger side dash rattle that shows up above 80 MPH or so. Of course, it's not an issue as that's above the speed limit, and I never exceed the speed limit. __________________
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12-31-2010, 10:38 AM	#9
Definitive definitivecars.com 354 Rep 3,833 Posts Drives: Elsa - 2015 F80 M3 - YMB/SS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [6.66] 2009 (Lease up Sept ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up 6/19 ... [0.00] 2007 (Lease up Octo ... [0.00]	I have all the same rattles exept the vibrating nave screen. Then add some strong creaking noise over speed bumps or driveway entrys. I honestly think if people say try have no rattles they are either always driving windows down, music on, or have a hearing problem!!! For me i cant really complain to the dealer and have to find and fix them myself. Because of this: Lowered Loud deep exhaust Added subwoofer When the rattles are there its typically when i have the stereo off and windows closed ( kid sleeping in the back) or at certain rpms when my exhaust is open, or at certain frq when my bass is loud and constant. I do th e same thing as above. Turn up the stereo, make my exhaust louder, open the windows, and drive faster! Noise gone... D
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12-31-2010, 09:30 AM	#2
and79 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 45 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gloucester iTrader: (0)	Yeah, mines does rattle now and then. I turn up the stereo or drive faster!
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12-31-2010, 10:43 AM	#10
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	I had a rattle from the drivers side door panel and occasionally the dash on my M3. The M6 is mostly quieter but the passwnger seat sometimes rubs against the center console and creaks. Regarding the rattle in the back, do you have the ski bag? I found there is a small tag that sticks out and makes a lot of noise when thw windows are down because it's flapping.
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12-31-2010, 11:03 AM	#13
Salespunk Lieutenant Colonel 1745 Rep 1,700 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SlowCal iTrader: (0)	I thought they covered rattles for the first 6 months? My car is solid. Never had any problems with rattles.
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12-31-2010, 11:20 AM	#14
flipmeraz Lieutenant 209 Rep 535 Posts Drives: 10 e92 m3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Central Coast Cali iTrader: (4)	20k miles on mine and not a single rattle __________________
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12-31-2010, 11:42 AM	#15
Psylight Brigadier General 92 Rep 3,488 Posts Drives: Teh Space Gray E92 M 6MT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Diamond Bar ,California iTrader: (11)	My moonroof makes the occasional noise, but thats about it. Seems pretty solid to me...I have an 08. __________________
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12-31-2010, 11:45 AM	#16
ucla1995 Slow and low 59 Rep 636 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	This is not normal - take it to the dealer, possible lemon situation I would think.
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12-31-2010, 12:28 PM	#18
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	I pretty much have the same rattles as OP except the nav screen, but adding the damn center dash speaker grille, which I'm going to tackle this weekend. All except the middle dash grille quiet down as interior warms up, so I can live with them. But yes, I was disappointed to hear them since day 1. The good news is they haven't gotten worse than new, but they get much worse in winter, of course. Oh well. And no, I would never let a dealer attempt to fix them. When they drive me nuts, I'll do that myself.
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12-31-2010, 01:00 PM	#19
OC3 Havin' a blast! 125 Rep 4,847 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 E92 Jerez Blk DCT ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Wow... __________________ BRP 1:56 \| CVR 2:01 \| ACS 1:53 \| WSIR 1:34
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12-31-2010, 01:27 PM	#20
TheBry Major 139 Rep 1,020 Posts Drives: 2016 G12 750i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco, California iTrader: (0)	I think you got a car built on a Friday afternoon. I've had my car since August 2008, have over 51K miles on it, and it's still very solid. That's a HUGE nod to BMW build quality since every panel north of my car's belt-line is hinged and designed to either open, close, fold, etc. (it's an E93 M3). You'd think it'd be rattle-paloosa but it's not. I have the occasional torsional creaking when pulling into and out of driveways at an angle, but that's to be expected in a convertible. Other than that, it's quiet. __________________ Past: 2008 M3 (E93) naturally aspirated V8 realness! Past: 2012 740Li (F02) M-Sport (European Delivery) Present: 2016 750i (G12) M-Sport
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12-31-2010, 02:11 PM	#21
Lagunae92 Captain 74 Rep 753 Posts Drives: BMW e92 M3 Laguna Seca Blue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Long Beach iTrader: (0)	Mine rattles like crazy, and I've even had the shop foreman tell me that I complain about rattles more than anybody. My biggest culprit is the torsional creak from the back. Haven't figured out how to fix that one, and I've taken apart most of the interior myself to make sure it was pt back properly, since when you ask a dealer to fix it, they only put things back so they look right, whether or not all latches catch. The front instrument clusters are easy to fix, as they unscrew and you can line them with felt or something. The top speaker is tricky due to the windshield being in the way of you seeing what's going on. I found that the speaker rattles unless I touch the very top center of it. Not sure what to do there, but it comes and goes. The rear shelf is a mystery and a PITA to get into, but if you come up with a solution, let us know. It's a shame that this happens, because the cars drive great and are incredibly fun and good looking. The rattles often consume my attention more than the engine wail, but I guess that's the point of having premium audio. __________________ 2009 e92 M3 Individual Laguna Seca Blue\|Black Novillo\|DCT\|19"rims\|Carbon Leather\|Premium\|Tech.\|Heated Seats\|Prem. Sound\|iPod\| Mods: \|Electronic Performance Steering Wheel\|ZCP CF Spoiler\|ZCP CF Spliters\|ZCP CF Mirrors\|Edition Front Grilles\|Edition Side Grilles\|BMW Performance Brake Handle\|3D Design Pedals\| Style Rumore Exhaust\|H&R Springs\|LCI Tails\|Challenge CF Door Panels\|
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12-31-2010, 02:50 PM	#22
08E92M3 Private 2 Rep 94 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dublin iTrader: (0)	No rattles here, just dct issues. The dealer has just installed new software (released on 12/23/2010) for me, we'll see!
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