[ggcline]

I just purchased a 2020 X3 M40i in carbon black/Oyster and so far it is great, except for one minor problem.

Regardless of how slow I go, when I back from our driveway down over a smooth curb onto our road, there is a distinct metal clank in the rear. Generally only once, but sometimes twice. You could make a similar noise if you tapped a small wrench against the body.

This noise sometimes happens when I am going forward down over a curb.

It happens when the X3 is going over the curb at an angle, one wheel at a time. The noise sounds like it is coming from a metal part hitting the body in the rear seat area. The X3 is not bottoming out against the curb at any point.

The X3 is quiet on the road and the noise does not occur when driving. I have thought at various times that this could be related to the seatbelt retractors or rear suspension.

The local BMW dealer looked at it and found that the mechanism which locks the rear seat back is broken on one side. That is being replaced Thursday.
I hope this takes care of the problem, but I am not sure it would make this noise. I will know later this week and will update the forum.

I searched the forum and dud not find any simikar issues. Have any of you experienced a noise like this and, if so, what caused it. Any thoughts?

[ContactPatch]

See this: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2034496


It might provide you with the help you seek!

[mattsheng]

Does yours sound like this? The noise seems to come from the rear end of the roof. https://youtu.be/MWnOgiR9LpQ?si=2O1yP9wTsHJXvD_6

My 2023 X3 has this problem since 3k miles and it's at dealer for over 2 months now with no fix. It happens only after the car sits for hours so it's really hard to replicate consistently. I will just keep on driving the 23 330i loaner for now lol

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by mattsheng

Does yours sound like this? The noise seems to come from the rear end of the roof. https://youtu.be/MWnOgiR9LpQ?si=2O1yP9wTsHJXvD_6

My 2023 X3 has this problem since 3k miles and it's at dealer for over 2 months now with no fix. It happens only after the car sits for hours so it's really hard to replicate consistently. I will just keep on driving the 23 330i loaner for now lol

Mine has been doing that, although very rare, whenever I backup up on my driveway ever since I got the car (preowned 2020 m40i). Sound is def coming from the rear. It doesn't really bother me and it reminds me that I'm still living in reality

[mattsheng]

Originally Posted by g11hoonigan

Mine has been doing that, although very rare, whenever I backup up on my driveway ever since I got the car (preowned 2020 m40i). Sound is def coming from the rear. It doesn't really bother me and it reminds me that I'm still living in reality

Mine does that that every morning lol. And since all loaners I drove (330i G20, 430i G26, 540i G30, 740i G12, X3 30i/M40i G01, X5 40i G05) don't make the same noise over the ramp, I don't think that's normal 😂.

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by mattsheng

Mine does that that every morning lol. And since all loaners I drove (330i G20, 430i G26, 540i G30, 740i G12, X3 30i/M40i G01, X5 40i G05) don't make the same noise over the ramp, I don't think that's normal 😂.

Yes, definitely not normal. What is also not normal is the number of times you visited the dealer and had those loaners available. I rarely talk to their service dept but when I do and ask for a loaner, the answer is always 'there's none available.'

[mattsheng]

Originally Posted by g11hoonigan

Yes, definitely not normal. What is also not normal is the number of times you visited the dealer and had those loaners available. I rarely talk to their service dept but when I do and ask for a loaner, the answer is always 'there's none available.'

I usually gotta wait 2 weeks for a loaner but recently my local dealer has a lot more new loaners so no waiting around anymore 😉

[ggcline]

Contact Patch: I saw that thread and it is possible that the problem involves the suspension. I don’t think the steering has anything to do with my noise and the noise is a discrete metal on metal clank or tap, no squeak. I do think it is possible that a strut or other part of the rear suspension could be involved.

Mattsheng: That sound is close and I have thought that it is possible the sunroof is causing the noise. However the sound seems to be coming from the rear seat bottom area. But sound does travel through metal and I have wondered about the sunroof after reading your thread.

I will let you all know if the rear seat locking mechanism solves the problem. It apparently was broken, so maybe BMW has it figured out.

I plan to try to replicate the sound before I leave tomorrow and get the mechanic to come along if the noise is still there. Thanks for your comments.

[ggcline]

Well so far it looks like the BMW tech fixed the cause of this noise.

Apparently the bracket for the lock mechanism that secures the cargo area cover was broken. The lock is spring loaded and the broken bracket must have caused the lock assembly to strike the body.

[mattsheng]

Originally Posted by ggcline

Well so far it looks like the BMW tech fixed the cause of this noise.

Apparently the bracket for the lock mechanism that secures the cargo area cover was broken. The lock is spring loaded and the broken bracket must have caused the lock assembly to strike the body.

Would you mind posting or PM me your invoice showing what part numbers were replaced and the tech's note? My shop foreman would love to know that so they can try the same thing on my car. Much appreciated!

[ggcline]

The part number is 51-47-7-396-582 Rear Privacy Latch Support, Right. I hope that is helpful.