Approaching 2000 miles now on my X3, and have noticed an increase in rattles and noises as I drive around. Of course the may be linked to parts in the car and maybe I can do something about it.. so thought i'd post.

1. Main is sounds like its coming from the rear. Like I have a bag of pipes or tunes and tools in a bag.. each bump a metal clunking noise.
2. Passenger Door has a rattle inside.

Anyone got anything similar, or is this just normal for such a car?

MattUK wrote

Approaching 2000 miles now on my X3, and have noticed an increase in rattles and noises as I drive around. Of course the may be linked to parts in the car and maybe I can do something about it.. so thought i'd post.

1. Main is sounds like its coming from the rear. Like I have a bag of pipes or tunes and tools in a bag.. each bump a metal clunking noise.
2. Passenger Door has a rattle inside.

Anyone got anything similar, or is this just normal for such a car?

The passenger door rattle is most likely the door lock (which can be fixed) OR the panel is missing some noise insulation tape. I'm bringing my car in for a series of rattles this week or next. I'll keep you posted.

I too have a 2011 X35i (sports+premium+cold weather)with 8000 miles on it. I can hear a rattle inside the driver side door panel, but for the longest time could not figure out the exact cause. Then today while driving when I pushed against the leather padding on the door I could hear the same sound and it was as if there was a gap in between the padding and whatever is behind it. So you are probably right about he insulation tape being needed.

A second source of rattle is the speaker-grill in the center of the dash. And finally a third source of rattle is the passenger side either a/c vent or the surrounding dash area.

Does anyone else have these especially the occasional speaker-grill rattle?

-Rohan

I had a metal clunk in the boot area. Happened over bumps and when cornering reasonably hard. Figured it must be the boot door moving slightly and a quick squirt of lube in the door lock mechanism and over the metal hook on the door fixed it.

I too had the speaker grill issue. Mine was more of a rattle. Dealer fixed that one. Don't know what they did though.

I have the center dash speaker "creek" and some tin can rattling sound coming from the rear drivers side. I have yet to figure that one out. The trunk cover is out so it is not that....still looking for it.

My trunk cover is sitting on the floor in the back seat because I can't stand the creaking noise which the dealer tells me is normal.

mibmwx3 wrote

My trunk cover is sitting on the floor in the back seat because I can't stand the creaking noise which the dealer tells me is normal.

My 'trunk / boot' cover didnt creak until I removed it and re-installed booooo

Also intermittent creak to rh of steering wheel, speed dependant, solution = loader music

mibmwx3 wrote

My trunk cover is sitting on the floor in the back seat because I can't stand the creaking noise which the dealer tells me is normal.

Yeah, mine has been out since the first day because of the creaking noise. This noise is also coming from the rear and almost sounds like a piece of tin foil vibrating when I hit a bump. It's making me nuts. Thank god for music to drown it out!

yep.... having same issue with my trunk cover as well... really irritating i have to say

If it is the same problem I have fixed the boot/d pillar creak.

1. I slid some felt (bought from a craft shop and cut into a strip) between the d pillar and where the trunk cover fixture meet. This fixed the vast majority of the noise.

2. A quiet squirt of Teflon spray between the fixture and the black plastic cover that sits between it, the d pillar and seat. Gave it a quick wobble to let the spray drip down slightly. Needed a couple of goes at this but now silent.

I might sound like a squeak freak and that it probably right. The vast majority come from movement between a couple of plastic parts so easily fixed if tracked down and you can gain access.

Good luck all!

DJ Daddy-O wrote

If it is the same problem I have fixed the boot/d pillar creak.

1. I slid some felt (bought from a craft shop and cut into a strip) between the d pillar and where the trunk cover fixture meet. This fixed the vast majority of the noise.

2. A quiet squirt of Teflon spray between the fixture and the black plastic cover that sits between it, the d pillar and seat. Gave it a quick wobble to let the spray drip down slightly. Needed a couple of goes at this but now silent.

I might sound like a squeak freak and that it probably right. The vast majority come from movement between a couple of plastic parts so easily fixed if tracked down and you can gain access.

Good luck all!

Sounds like a job for the missus

Was thinking along the same lines and will give it a try

I managed to fix the rear rattle over bumps. It drove me insane to the point that I asked a friend to sit in the trunk and identify the source...it was the tailgate! The noise was tin / metal like knocking every time I drove over a hard enough bump. Especially loud when there was a bit of body flex. I tried everything prior to the fix below including stripping and removing tools, covers etc. The fix is as follows:

If you open the tailgate you will notice that there are 2 black rubber stoppers on the body just above the tail lights. These stoppers are adjustable. I've noticed that if the differential adjustment is such that one side of the tailgate is slightly higher than the other, that the weight of the tailgate causes the clunk when the body moves in just the right way. I experiement by adjusting the stoppers a few times and voila - after 3 or 4 times, noise was gone.

The only noise - now have is a light bizz/ rattle when I take off and sometimes at speed. Seems to be centre speaker or somewhere around that area.

MattUK wrote

Approaching 2000 miles now on my X3, and have noticed an increase in rattles and noises as I drive around. Of course the may be linked to parts in the car and maybe I can do something about it.. so thought i'd post.

1. Main is sounds like its coming from the rear. Like I have a bag of pipes or tunes and tools in a bag.. each bump a metal clunking noise.
2. Passenger Door has a rattle inside.

Anyone got anything similar, or is this just normal for such a car?

Not being funny here but are you sure that point 1 isn't caused by the numerous tools that BMW supply with the vehicle? There are some stashed in the side compartments as well as under the floor.

Thank you for posting your fix. I have been hearing for about 500 miles now and its all i think about when i get in my x-3. She has about 4200 miles now and all i can think about is the stinking noise coming from the back.

ILuvMy335i wrote

I managed to fix the rear rattle over bumps. It drove me insane to the point that I asked a friend to sit in the trunk and identify the source...it was the tailgate! The noise was tin / metal like knocking every time I drove over a hard enough bump. Especially loud when there was a bit of body flex. I tried everything prior to the fix below including stripping and removing tools, covers etc. The fix is as follows:

If you open the tailgate you will notice that there are 2 black rubber stoppers on the body just above the tail lights. These stoppers are adjustable. I've noticed that if the differential adjustment is such that one side of the tailgate is slightly higher than the other, that the weight of the tailgate causes the clunk when the body moves in just the right way. I experiement by adjusting the stoppers a few times and voila - after 3 or 4 times, noise was gone.

The only noise - now have is a light bizz/ rattle when I take off and sometimes at speed. Seems to be centre speaker or somewhere around that area.

After 5,000 km (3,000 miles), the only noise I have is a squeaking drivers seat which I've had from almost new. Haven't had the time to take it in yet.

Tony

THANKS GUYS!!! The tip worked like a charm. No more rattles coming from the rear!

Firstly, big thanks for posting all the replies..

I was talking to someone else in an X5 at work, who heard it and said it was exactly what people have said, the tailgate. The dealer on their car put some blue stuff that left marks where it was rubbing so they could fix it.

Sounds like the stoppers / oil in the lock may be the way to go..

Re the tools... that had been one of the first things, and they are nicely wrapped up in a plastic wallet in the side and not moving it, but thanks for all the suggestions.

Luckily sounds like its fixable.

I was worrying it was the luggage rear separation net which I had raised a few times and had no idea how that would be fixed.

The only thing I need to remember now.. this car is somewhat higher than my last car.. as I found out when I opened the driver door against a huge flagstone kerb to hear crrruuunnch as the door scrapped across it.. wasn't a happy bunny, but so far I can't see any visible damage, and think its underside rather than cosmetic.. but I've not washed it yet which is when you see it

ILuvMy335i wrote

I managed to fix the rear rattle over bumps. It drove me insane to the point that I asked a friend to sit in the trunk and identify the source...it was the tailgate! The noise was tin / metal like knocking every time I drove over a hard enough bump. Especially loud when there was a bit of body flex. I tried everything prior to the fix below including stripping and removing tools, covers etc. The fix is as follows:

If you open the tailgate you will notice that there are 2 black rubber stoppers on the body just above the tail lights. These stoppers are adjustable. I've noticed that if the differential adjustment is such that one side of the tailgate is slightly higher than the other, that the weight of the tailgate causes the clunk when the body moves in just the right way. I experiement by adjusting the stoppers a few times and voila - after 3 or 4 times, noise was gone.

The only noise - now have is a light bizz/ rattle when I take off and sometimes at speed. Seems to be centre speaker or somewhere around that area.

Did the light buzzing sound from the centre speaker resolved or gone away?

brissim wrote

After 5,000 km (3,000 miles), the only noise I have is a squeaking drivers seat which I've had from almost new. Haven't had the time to take it in yet.

Tony

I have the same problem. Very annoying. Only driver's seat. Tried re-adjusting the seat position. Went away for awhile, but eventually came back again.

DJ Daddy-O wrote  

If it is the same problem I have fixed the boot/d pillar creak.

1. I slid some felt (bought from a craft shop and cut into a strip) between the d pillar and where the trunk cover fixture meet. This fixed the vast majority of the noise.

2. A quiet squirt of Teflon spray between the fixture and the black plastic cover that sits between it, the d pillar and seat. Gave it a quick wobble to let the spray drip down slightly. Needed a couple of goes at this but now silent.

I might sound like a squeak freak and that it probably right. The vast majority come from movement between a couple of plastic parts so easily fixed if tracked down and you can gain access.

Good luck all!

Would you be able to post a couple of pics showing clearly where you applied the felt and Teflon spray?

It would be most appreciated by myself and I'm sure quite a few others with this issue!

Thanks

dnw wrote

Would you be able to post a couple of pics showing clearly where you applied the felt and Teflon spray?

It would be most appreciated by myself and I'm sure quite a few others with this issue!

Thanks

+1
I have exactly the same problem.

I hear and feel a clunk from the front suspension when I drive over a small hump with great angle on the frontwheels. It sounds like something is loose in the steeringcolumn or the suspension..