[GreyOnGrey]

So I've got this rattle happening right on the lip of the instrumentation panel, on the dash. If I wiggle it, I can hear it. It's the same lip that is found on the top of the iDrive screen, but that lip doesn't rattle. Anyone else have this symptom? It comes and goes, and if I press it down, it won't rattle. What's causing it, and will the dealer fix it for me? I'm under the 5/50,000 service warrantee.

[ldub]

i have the exact same problem. if the road is smooth, it's quiet. if not, it rattles like mad. i figure i'll wait till the 1st service or until it really annoys me.

[ncoig]

Originally Posted by ldub

i have the exact same problem. if the road is smooth, it's quiet. if not, it rattles like mad. i figure i'll wait till the 1st service or until it really annoys me.

I've never had luck with "rattle chases" at dealers...

-N

[johnnydad]

[posts without searching]Does the US warranty cover rattles beyond the 12 month mark[/post]

[darkphantom]

^it should

[Roowah]

I have a buzzy rattle in the same area. When I put a business card in the space between the instrument cluster and the housing it sits in (more towards the left side), the rattle stops. I'm planning to take it in after the holidays when I have more time. Not sure exactly what they will do to make it a permanent fix.

[ncoig]

Originally Posted by Roowah

I have a buzzy rattle in the same area. When I put a business card in the space between the instrument cluster and the housing it sits in (more towards the left side), the rattle stops. I'm planning to take it in after the holidays when I have more time. Not sure exactly what they will do to make it a permanent fix.

Laminate your business card, probably.

-N

[johnnydad]

Australian warranty specifically doesn't cover trim noises after 12 months. But then we get to pat Kangaroos.

Lucky I got some new business cards printed. My car has a very slight lightweight rattle from somewhere near the central vents.

[samurai1200]

blegh. may as well make this a rattle thread.
i have one somewhere in the driver side door... have yet to pinpoint it, cuz i have to be going at least 20-30mph on a slightly imperfect road, or worse. wherever its coming from, it's not accessible to fingers, cuz ive felt all around the door to try and stop the sound...

[stickypaws]

Rattles are a part of life. You can learn to easily tune them out unless you're anxiety ridden.

[noonystock]

Guess I'm anxiety ridden, then. I can't stand rattles, especially in a nearly $50k car.

BMW agreed with me -- the car shouldn't rattle. To his credit, my SA has worked diligently to largely eliminate the boatload of rattles I've experienced in my first 8 months of ownership. Some took multiple visits to resolve, but finally, I am able to experience the rattle-free car interior I enjoyed during my test drives. It is possible.

Regarding the rattle above the instrument cluster that started this thread, try tightening (or in some cases, loosening) the two torx screws that secure the underside of the instrument cluster housing to the dashboard arch.

Good luck...

[samurai1200]

Originally Posted by noonystock

Guess I'm anxiety ridden, then. I can't stand rattles, especially in a nearly $50k car.

+1, and a new rattle started today, somewhere on the passenger side, back row (e90). between paint defect, door squeak, and two rattles, my dealer's gonna hate my guts =)

[canucklion]

same in Canada, rattle fixes within 1 year, and instead of kangaroos we get to pet beavers.

I think US works the same way as well, but not entirely sure.

Originally Posted by johnnydad

Australian warranty specifically doesn't cover trim noises after 12 months. But then we get to pat Kangaroos.

Lucky I got some new business cards printed. My car has a very slight lightweight rattle from somewhere near the central vents.

[ncoig]

Originally Posted by canucklion

same in Canada, rattle fixes within 1 year, and instead of kangaroos we get to pet beavers.

I think US works the same way as well, but not entirely sure.

We have beavers, too.

-N

[canucklion]

you mean the animal?

Originally Posted by ncoig

We have beavers, too.

-N

[johnnydad]

Beavers? No, we miss out on them, but there are maps of tasmania absolutely everywhere.

[GreyOnGrey]

thanks... was thinking of tightening those two screws. i'll let you know if it works. thanks!

[ARt K]

If you are talking about what sounds almost like a screw or something loose inside your dash, i had the same problem so my SA suggested leaving the car for a couple of days and they would take the dash out, but i didnt want to mess with that so i was determined to figure it out myself......
What I found out is when i readjusted my steering wheel and locked the wheel adjustment lever back into place the rattling went away! So I think after time of driving down bumpy roads the lever loosens up a little and something starts rattling, so if every once in a while you push it back up nice and snug, I've never heard a rattle since

[E90ice]

Please get used to it!!!!!!! It's part of the "Ultimate Driving Experience"!

I paid 52k for my new car and it rattles pretty bad after 6 months of ownership!!!

YOU MUST purchase BMW's worth over 60-70k if you want to be rattle-free!.....and now it looks like my fuel pump might be going out too!

I love BMW

[samurai1200]

Originally Posted by E90ice

Please get used to it!!!!!!! It's part of the "Ultimate Driving Experience"!

I paid 52k for my new car and it rattles pretty bad after 6 months of ownership!!!

YOU MUST purchase BMW's worth over 60-70k if you want to be rattle-free!.....and now it looks like my fuel pump might be going out too!

I love BMW

-1

ANY new car should be rattle-free for 12 months, minimum.

It's just that I would expect that rattling happens more in less expensive cars.

[GreyOnGrey]

rattles bring the absolute worst out of owners... i can testify to this! and no one really seems to hear it as intensely as the driver. it's getting me riled up just thinking about it!

[GregL]

My car was rattle-free for exactly the first 17 months, but now it sounds like a bag of twigs. Dealers wont do squat though as they blame it on "wear and tear"... yeah, I guess it was me that "wore out" certain sections behind my dashboard. My Infiniti on the other hand which I drove for 75,000km was PERFECT, I'm not exaggerating when I say it never developed a single rattle, creak or squeak over the 5 years that I owned it.

I just don't understand how a car like this, which BMW heavily promoted at the time (2005) as being significantly more rigid than the E46, and that it's bonded in addition to being welded, is so prone to rattling. For me though I don't think it's anything that's come loose, the noises stop surprisingly when it's extremely cold so I'm guessing it has to do with thermal expansion. With enough time and a roll of felt tape my car could probably be fixed entirely.