[geddylee]

So, I hate my F30. Yes the steering is crappy compared to all my previous BMW's. I was prepared for crap steering, and crap ASS. But what shocks me is all the creaks and rattles and the plastic on my dash creaking if you slightly press on it.

Here are my previous BMW's -

2001 325i Convertible

2003 330i Sedan

2006 330i Sedan

2008 535i

2010 335i Convertible

And now the F30, the handling is worse, although the ride is better. I recently checked an F32 and I noticed the high gloss bracing they use on the center stack doesn't allow for as much as flex and thus does not creak like the sedan. I hate to leave BMW, but after the lease is up it might be time to change brands.

[dL.]

Normal. Mine does the same also.

It's plastic. The plastic is cheap. Hence the plastic creaks.

You want no creak? Check out the new 2014 Lexus IS. Best interior quality I have encountered so far. A4 and C class both creak also.

dL

[OC40]

My 2010 TSX had a phenomenal interior. Yet, I would take my F30 (and the creaks) 1,000,000 times over.

[2blu]

The dash isn't meant to be pushed or pressed on, but when you push or press on it, it creaks.... Just don't push or press on it...

[Spartan]

Was your car produced in SA or Germany?

[geddylee]

Germany, my issue with the creaks is that it constantly creaks while I am driving. I could care less about it if it only did it when I press on it.

[The J-Man]

Try pulling off the wood grain trim pieces on your dash. You'll be shocked how easily they pull off along with the ac vents. From there you can see way back into the dash and just how hollowed out it is. The F30 interior is just terrible quality.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by geddylee

Germany, my issue with the creaks is that it constantly creaks while I am driving. I could care less about it if it only did it when I press on it.

Interesting. I have a 2014 Germany build and do not have these issues. I'll have to press on the panels to check though. Definitely no sound when driving.

Did you check with your dealer?

[Bluelondon]

My 3 week old 428i M sport has similar creaks on the dash, and even the plastic bits on the M steering wheel squeeks if pressed on. Since it's not just my car and seems to be a common BMW issue, I can either just accept it and get on with my life or let it drive me nuts. I chose the former. It's out of my hands, they made the car like this so it is what it is.

Having said that, my 3 previous cars have been an 06 MB C230 supercharged, 07 MB CLK350 and a 11 E350 sedan. Not a creak in any one of them, the most solidly built interiors I have ever experienced were in the mercs. But I'd still take the BMW over any of them. The drive and engine alone overshadows a few creeks here and there. Nothing's perfect in life. Not even a BMW.

I think if we make enough noise about this to BMW via Email, they will start to take notice and make finally do something about this annoying problem, and also the most annoying thing for me in this car, WIND NOISE!! I swear it feels like the window is open a few mm when driving down the freeway. Sometimes I think the window isn't fully shut, so I double check and it's actually completely shut. Big nuisance >:/

Thank god BMW makes great engines. a short drive and I temporarily forget all about these irritating noise issues. But still would love them to fix it. Have to go in to the dealer soon.

[ILUSV]

I sold my F30 (328 sport-line) a couple weeks ago after only two months of ownership, there was plenty wrong with it in terms of specs (I didn't spec it right). I did too notice the crappy fit and finish, it really felt "cheap"... I bough an M135i (F20) instead and I'm shocked at how much better the interior of the F20 feels compared to the F30, it really has that premium BMW feel. How can a 1-series feel more expensive on the inside? the materials all seem higher quality, maybe because it is a smaller package so it hides it better? I'm not so sure, even closing and opening doors, the headliner, the works.. all around it has that premium BMW feel that we got accustomed to.

[dL.]

They are cutting cost on the F30. The new 2 series will be even worse I suspect.

The E90 uses better materials but still creaks if you press on it.

My HVAC doesn't creak unless I press on it. But the aluminum trim does. Just needs a few felt tape underneath and all be fine.

dL

[PrinceBarin]

I am guessing this isn't a problem for the 5 series?

The interior of my F30 is 'fine', not crap, not great, just 'OK'. My Audi A3 interior was nicer, and not just the plastics but the standard leather too. I presume this is what BMW considers acceptable at this level in their range as, per my comment above, I hear the 5 series is in a different league.

I'll get interested to see how my forthcoming F32 compares.

[Bluelondon]

Originally Posted by PrinceBarin

I'll get interested to see how my forthcoming F32 compares.

Let us know how it goes, rattle/wind noise wise.

[JBH320]

I owned a 2008 Lexus IS250 and got rid of it because it rattled and creaked and drove me crazy. I traded it in on a 323I and that was fantastic but my wife refused to drive it because the steering was too heavy.


Always a compromise somewhere.

[ipp]

Originally Posted by dL.

You want no creak? Check out the new 2014 Lexus IS.

Maybe it doesn't creak but have you seen the window switches and the inside door handles?

[Bahn360Photo]

i dont want to know, i dont touch it

[unintelligible]

Yep mine does that. First BMW I've had that creaks like that if you press on the dash, and not surprisingly this has the most rattles out of any I've had.

Oddly enough though this is also the first BMW I've had that has plastic seat trim that doesn't creak, so there's that I guess?

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by 2blu

The dash isn't meant to be pushed or pressed on, but when you push or press on it, it creaks.... Just don't push or press on it...

Actually, the dash is deigned to give and designed to be soft.

Why? As you know, when you crash at speed, there are two accidents:

1. When car hits the object (say a wall) in front of it.

2. When your body (that was traveling at 60 mph, suddenly smashes into steering wheel and cabin.

Just because you car stopped from 60 to 0 in short order doesn't mean this fact was communicated to your body in advance of the crash.

Thus, dash materials are designed to give to absorb the energy. Yes, you have an airbag, but there is no certainty your seatbelt is on.

In fact, your steering column is designed to break in an accident.

Is the requirement for soft materials the reason for your creaking? I don't know. But, me thinks there is a government mandate that BMW is following and that rule resulted in the design.

[ipp]

Originally Posted by ILUSV

I sold my F30 (328 sport-line) a couple weeks ago after only two months of ownership, there was plenty wrong with it in terms of specs (I didn't spec it right). I did too notice the crappy fit and finish, it really felt "cheap"... I bough an M135i (F20) instead and I'm shocked at how much better the interior of the F20 feels compared to the F30, it really has that premium BMW feel. How can a 1-series feel more expensive on the inside? the materials all seem higher quality, maybe because it is a smaller package so it hides it better? I'm not so sure, even closing and opening doors, the headliner, the works.. all around it has that premium BMW feel that we got accustomed to.

a BIT o/t... sorry.

Interesting, I'm looking into doing the same switch as you did. How do you feel about the M135 coming from F30 otherwise?

This is a object I'm interested in: http://www.blocket.se/varmland/BMW_M...m?ca=23_11&w=3

[Professor///M]

My e90 had dash creaking from various spots. One of them was actually the foam from around the inlet of the air conditioning vent, constantly pushing against the dash board trim. A little bit of felt tape fixed that. Also the aluminum trim caused creaking.

Haven't had any creaks in my F30 yet fortunately

[marlin2911]

I've never owned a car that didn't creak....whether it's been a Ford Taurus, a Nissan Altima, an Infiniti G35, or now my F30. To be honest, my F30 creaks the least out of all of those cars - only creaks around the sun roof shade if it's not opened all the way.

[dL.]

Originally Posted by ipp

Maybe it doesn't creak but have you seen the window switches and the inside door handles?

I pressed every component on a showroom IS last time and it was solid. What was wrong with these ones?

dL