[Danforz]

328i - 11,000 Miles

Hey guys, heres my story:

I noticed a rattling sound in the back of my BMW. Took it into Beverly Hills BMW, where they found and tightened a loose bolt, nut or something like that.

Anyways, that day as I drive it off, I notice the back is now making a crackling sound. On the phone I tell BMW I'll see if it goes away.

Well, it does go away for the most part. But now, when my vehicle "flexes", for instance when I go up a drive way or over a bump, I hear the crackling again. When ever any of my car's wheels are elevated above one another, the crackling occurs.

I took it to BMW and they said nothing was wrong.

I've had issues with Beverly Hills BMW before - so I'm curious if anyone has any input on the topic?

[Danforz]

bump

[thegeneral101]

it could be the door seals.

My 05' 530i would make that sound everytime the vehicle flexed, and I found out there was a problem with the door seals drying out or something like that. I took it in and they put some stuff on the seals, and no more noise.

[raleedy]

I had a similar problem with an E39 when it was new. Dealer took apart rear suspension and put talc on the bushings, which solved it.

[AndrewAZ]

Go to the back behind the head rests and hit the speakers a few times with your had or have someone drive you around while your in the back.. On my car its in the back right corner the speaker and trim back there rub making all sorts of sound. Had it fixed once and it lasted for a few months then the sound came back. (its not just the speaker but its several prices of trim that rub and make the sounds)

[MSC]

I've also had this "cracking" sound coming from the back periodically, and another thread here discusses the fact that others have diagnosed it as the rear window vent. Sound likely to me, though I've never had someone else drive to sit back there to see if that's where it's coming from.

Here's an example: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63887

Or search for "rear window vent" and you'll find some other threads.

[E36E46E90]

In my opinion, its the door seals. Trust me, I know. I am a rattle freak. I love rattle threads. I am going to give you the cheapest and most secret solution to this. Buy GOO GONE. Rub it on each door seal. Do you know what the door seal looks like? Do it on all doors. Then drive around. If it works, let me know, I would be happy to know if it does. I'm serious .

[RadM5]

Originally Posted by Danforz

328i - 11,000 Miles

Hey guys, heres my story:

I noticed a rattling sound in the back of my BMW. Took it into Beverly Hills BMW, where they found and tightened a loose bolt, nut or something like that.

Anyways, that day as I drive it off, I notice the back is now making a crackling sound. On the phone I tell BMW I'll see if it goes away.

Well, it does go away for the most part. But now, when my vehicle "flexes", for instance when I go up a drive way or over a bump, I hear the crackling again. When ever any of my car's wheels are elevated above one another, the crackling occurs.

I took it to BMW and they said nothing was wrong.

I've had issues with Beverly Hills BMW before - so I'm curious if anyone has any input on the topic?

Stay away from them (Bev Hills BMW), they claimed they fixed something on my e93, NEVER DID A THING! They also put dirty finger prints all over my beige interior, then half assed cleaned it when i told them about it. Don't be fooled by the name, they don't care about your car. They fake it real well though!!! mad0259:

[Danforz]

Thank you for the input guys. Anything else anyone would like to add? I'm going to do the sound test tomorrow.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by E36E46E90

In my opinion, its the door seals. Trust me, I know. I am a rattle freak. I love rattle threads. I am going to give you the cheapest and most secret solution to this. Buy GOO GONE. Rub it on each door seal. Do you know what the door seal looks like? Do it on all doors. Then drive around. If it works, let me know, I would be happy to know if it does. I'm serious .

Why not Gummi Phledge?
I don't know if I would trust a citric based cleaner to properly oil up my seals

[IND-Distribution]

I had a 2007 328xi that made a crackling sound from the drivers side rear. I took it to the dealer many times with no luck and ended up trading it in because the sound drove me nuts.

[canucklion]

because it's silicone-based, which has been shown to dry up the rubber over time; consequently worsening the problem.

The replacement product is called carbaflo, made by an UK company. BMW dealerships stock it, you can get it at the parts department.

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Why not Gummi Phledge?
I don't know if I would trust a citric based cleaner to properly oil up my seals

[poiney]

Originally Posted by Danforz

328i - 11,000 Miles

Hey guys, heres my story:

I noticed a rattling sound in the back of my BMW. Took it into Beverly Hills BMW, where they found and tightened a loose bolt, nut or something like that.

Anyways, that day as I drive it off, I notice the back is now making a crackling sound. On the phone I tell BMW I'll see if it goes away.

Well, it does go away for the most part. But now, when my vehicle "flexes", for instance when I go up a drive way or over a bump, I hear the crackling again. When ever any of my car's wheels are elevated above one another, the crackling occurs.

I took it to BMW and they said nothing was wrong.

I've had issues with Beverly Hills BMW before - so I'm curious if anyone has any input on the topic?

Do a search and you will also find that it maybe the rear shelf and the window contact (as best I can describe). Your symptoms sound like that. After reading these other possibilities I"m starting to wonder if my present diagnosis is correct, however.

Mine is influenced by temperature, and now I also hear the cracking noise randomly, I don't have to be going over a bump.

[HyperM3]

Originally Posted by canucklion

because it's silicone-based, which has been shown to dry up the rubber over time; consequently worsening the problem.

The replacement product is called carbaflo, made by an UK company. BMW dealerships stock it, you can get it at the parts department.

Thats funny, since I bought my gummy phledge from BMW a while ago because thats what they used to protect the seals.

[canucklion]

yeah, that's what they used to use, (at least) I couldn't get the gummipfledge from a BMW dealership anymore. The ones that I've called so far have all told me that it's been replaced by carbaflo, in line with what I read from bimmerfest and roadfly.

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Thats funny, since I bought my gummy phledge from BMW a while ago because thats what they used to protect the seals.

[HyperM3]

Originally Posted by canucklion

yeah, that's what they used to use, (at least) I couldn't get the gummipfledge from a BMW dealership anymore. The ones that I've called so far have all told me that it's been replaced by carbaflo, in line with what I read from bimmerfest and roadfly.

Guess I should go place an order for some carbaflo then.

[GregL]

Sometimes my rear makes a crackling too, I figured it's just my shade though as it never happens when I drive with the thing raised.

[canucklion]

Here are the part numbers:
83 23 0 309 627 Lubricant (Carbaflo)
83 19 9 407 906 Remover (Silicone Remover)

But it seems like BMW is constantly changing their strategy in mitigating/eliminating this window rattle thing. The following TIS no longer said to apply carbaflo, instead, apply a strip of teflon tape to the body of the car.
http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B512805g.htm

[Moggie]

Note the Carbaflo is very expensive -- about $50-$60 for a tiny bottle. Also, my local dealers always seem to be out of stock... does Goo Gone really work?

[canucklion]

this is the post that referenced the service bulletin number:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...3&postcount=11

Go to your BMW dealer and ask them to read a SIB 51 07 04
which tells them to clean the flock covered door seal
that is on the doors top edge - clean it first
with 83.19.9.407.906 BMW Silicone Remover and
let it dry . Then apply 83.23.0.309.627
Cabaflo lubricant to the flock covering
on all four door seals. No additional
treatment is necessary after this
application - such as drying,
polishing the roof...etc

(thanks to Creighton @ BMW of Demerest)

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Guess I should go place an order for some carbaflo then.

[bg]

I have had at least 5/6 BMW's in a row that have had this creak problem. And still, BMW has not changed the design of their door frame and mounting insulation. This has peaved me very much as all service work is filtered back to BMW and they are well aware of the problem. Even a Kia or Chevy has a more simple/solid design. Pure Germanic arrogance at work. FIFW, the Carboflow solution does not work. At best it is temporary fix.

[canucklion]

why cheap out if carbaflo works as intended? Carbaflo is said only to be used one time, no re-application needed. While you don't know what goo gone is going to do to the flocked door seal.

Originally Posted by Moggie

Note the Carbaflo is very expensive -- about $50-$60 for a tiny bottle. Also, my local dealers always seem to be out of stock... does Goo Gone really work?