[Ural]

Originally Posted by clivem2

My door rattle they say has been fixed by using silicone cleaner on the door seals, it does seem to be a lot better but not perfect.

The wind noise.....they tested another customer's car, they said it's the same so I said they needed to fix that one too. They are going to bring their demo car to my house for me to try next. Their experience of the X3 isn't deep enough yet to know whether wind noise is normal. Hearing it "blustering" over the mirrors at 70 mph doesn't seem right to me.

Spraying silicone on rubber is classic ,but worked for me in the past on some stubborn creaks, at least temporarily . I hope your rattle doesn't come back in a few days or weeks.

First time I brought mine to the dealer for the wind noise, they made me drive their test car too, and that one also had the same noise from 50 mph, only a little less. However I am not accepting that it is normal . At this point the TSB on the mirror gaskets shows that neither is BMW . It may be the gaskets or seals or something else or all of them , I will continue pursuing.

Mine will be in again on Friday . Parts they had ordered according to the TSB arrived last week from Germany. We'll see.

[clivem2]

The rattle is back already.......

The wind noise is unacceptable and unmistakable, those saying they have no wind noise cannot have the noise I have. I will try the dealers demo car, if this has it too they'll say it's normal. What I do after that I don't know, probably write to BMW UK.

[Ural]

If they continue saying that it's normal then ask them to call an expert from BMW Germany. Luckily my dealer is approaching to me positively until now, and working with me to solve this .
I have been trying out any SUV I have a chance to to compare the noise, and to date my X3 is the noisiest for wind and traffic. I am not buying that this should be considered normal for BMW .

Apart from this problem, after 6,000 miles I have absolutely nothing to complain about the car, just minor rattles- every car has some- , and I think it's a very good car in general. That's why I cannot accept such a flaw even much worse vehicles in the market don't have.

[clivem2]

I agree on traffic noise too, it's like going back to when I had a soft top 330i.

[Ural]

Mirror gaskets have been replaced last week as per the TSB. In the first meters after picking up the X3 I noticed that traffic noise at slower speeds have lessened to a more acceptable level . These first meters are very important to me because that route was where we had tested my car with the technicians a couple of times and also their test car once for the same issue.
On the other hand the wind noise starting at 50 mph seems to have moved to around 65-75 mph and up now, and more like the classic wind noise obviously coming inside through the windows /seals and/or B pillars . Although not totally sure yet, I think replacing those gaskets would worth trying for those suffering from wind noise like me particularly at lower speeds. Having said that , I still think the insulation on the car needs improvement at door panels, window/door seals ,and B pillars as well as readjustment of the front doors on the tighter side is necessary.

[Botwin]

WOW Interesting reading...

I have a 2012 28i, it is 2 1/2 weeks old with over 2,000 miles.

It rides VERY quiet, and does not have one single rattle!

Perhaps they resolved this for 2012? I hope so!

BTW, removing the cargo shade from the back can resolve many rattles! Since the windows are tinted, do you need the shade, anyway?

[Ural]

Originally Posted by Botwin

WOW Interesting reading...

I have a 2012 28i, it is 2 1/2 weeks old with over 2,000 miles.

It rides VERY quiet, and does not have one single rattle!

Perhaps they resolved this for 2012? I hope so!

BTW, removing the cargo shade from the back can resolve many rattles! Since the windows are tinted, do you need the shade, anyway?

I don't have a major rattle either, only sunroof and center speaker - both taken care of by the dealer- but I do have some wind and traffic noise that I had explained in details above , had more before the TSB was done, but still some.

On the other hand, BMW's TSB on replacing the mirror gaskets to eliminate a certain wind noise inside the cabin is for vehicles manufactured before 7-15-2011 , and I understand from this they used right gaskets after that date, so disregarding your model year you should check your month of manufacturing .
I cannot know if after a certain date factory also used different seals or more insulation in door/window-mirror areas or basicly cared more about QC . Anyway, good for BMW if they took action so fast based on customer complaints and enhanced the model before waiting for the facelift.

[bmw4cal]

Originally Posted by Botwin

WOW Interesting reading...

I have a 2012 28i, it is 2 1/2 weeks old with over 2,000 miles.

It rides VERY quiet, and does not have one single rattle!

Perhaps they resolved this for 2012? I hope so!

BTW, removing the cargo shade from the back can resolve many rattles! Since the windows are tinted, do you need the shade, anyway?

My 1 week old 2012 335i is noisier (wind, road, engine) than my 2011 e93. The engine sounds very nice when accelerating though.

[April1]

Originally Posted by Ural

On the other hand, BMW's TSB on replacing the mirror gaskets to eliminate a certain wind noise inside the cabin is for vehicles manufactured before 7-15-2011 , and I understand from this they used right gaskets after that date, so disregarding your model year you should check your month of manufacturing.

My X3 was manufactured before 7/15/2011. I didn't notice the noise as my most of the driving is in city, 5 miles to office and back. Is this valid for US X3's too?

I don't see gaskets on side mirrors, can you show me a picture of gaskets needing replacement? Thanks.

[Ural]

Originally Posted by alokbhargava

My X3 was manufactured before 7/15/2011. I didn't notice the noise as my most of the driving is in city, 5 miles to office and back. Is this valid for US X3's too?

I don't see gaskets on side mirrors, can you show me a picture of gaskets needing replacement? Thanks.

I believe it is valid for US x3s too , but only some owners complain about a wind noise, so it is most likely that not all vehicles are affected. Therefore if there is nothing bothering you at the moment you don't need to have anything replaced at all.

If I am not mistaken, the gasket referred to is a small part inside the triangle area where side mirrors are attached to the body. I have not seen them being replaced nor the part itself but the service rep showed me the TSB printout with a scheme of the area.

[johnbmw6]

Originally Posted by Botwin

WOW Interesting reading...

I have a 2012 28i, it is 2 1/2 weeks old with over 2,000 miles.

It rides VERY quiet, and does not have one single rattle!

Perhaps they resolved this for 2012? I hope so!

BTW, removing the cargo shade from the back can resolve many rattles! Since the windows are tinted, do you need the shade, anyway?

My 2012 is the same (35D M Sport) NO rattles or wind noises at all. They must have worked on this problem anyway, shame the steering issues persist.

[clivem2]

I've been into the dealer today, we did a back-to-back comparison with their demo car. 1st off was mine, the buffeting wind noise was easily heard. The I drove their 35D, it was considerably worse.

The dealer is ordering new door and window seals. They know the 35D for sure has the latest spec door seals, not sure about my car. It was interesting though that they've modified the door seals....

The dealer was careful set expectations that they will try to reduce the noise but won't promise anything (good BMW training!). The idea is to set the new seals to pull the doors in about an extra mm to create a better seal. If that doesn't help then they'll try window seals. My driver's door rattle maybe the window flexing in the window seal. They are also getting me yet another seat cover (the replacement is saggy too) plus new foam.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I've been into the dealer today, we did a back-to-back comparison with their demo car. 1st off was mine, the buffeting wind noise was easily heard. The I drove their 35D, it was considerably worse.

You mean your X3 was considerably worse than their 35d I assume? That sounds like a real pain in the ass. I hope they get it sorted for you.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by sfax

You mean your X3 was considerably worse than their 35d I assume? That sounds like a real pain in the ass. I hope they get it sorted for you.

No! The brand new 35D had even more wind noise.

[gblewis]

I start getting the wind noise at 45mph and as the weather winds pick up the noise gets louder. I received my 28i x3 in aug 2011

[Coreyn]

Originally Posted by gblewis

I start getting the wind noise at 45mph and as the weather winds pick up the noise gets louder. I received my 28i x3 in aug 2011

I got my 28i x3 in late August so it looks like we both have cars from the same production line. I have the wind noise and HAD the tailgate noise as well. The windnoise as explained by the dealer is normal due to the larger mirrors. But it took two visits to the dealer to correct the tailgate noise. Happy it was fixed but no explanation was given.

[Ural]

Originally Posted by clivem2

They know the 35D for sure has the latest spec door seals, not sure about my car. It was interesting though that they've modified the door seals....


The idea is to set the new seals to pull the doors in about an extra mm to create a better seal.

I agree . It is very interesting that they already modified the door seals of a model launched just about a year ago.


So, are the new seals to pull the doors in an extra mm by design or will they assemble them so that doors will close more tightly? If latter is the case, should we then also try readjusting the doors to a tighter position with the existing door seals?

[Ural]

Originally Posted by Coreyn

I got my 28i x3 in late August so it looks like we both have cars from the same production line. I have the wind noise and HAD the tailgate noise as well. The windnoise as explained by the dealer is normal due to the larger mirrors. But it took two visits to the dealer to correct the tailgate noise. Happy it was fixed but no explanation was given.

If wind noise you have starts at 45-50 mph like most of us , then with all due respect, your dealer is wrong. Wind noise starting at those speeds is not normal at any car no matter how large the side mirrors are. On the other hand check your car's date of production , if it is before 7/15 you are eligible for the mirror gasket TSB. Your dealer should have mentioned that to you already when you told him about the wind noise.

[johnbmw6]

Originally Posted by clivem2

No! The brand new 35D had even more wind noise.

They must have a "PUP' then mine is all but silent.
I have had it up too 90+ MPH and still no noise at all, it's every bit as quiet as the 550i M Sport I just sold.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Ural

So, are the new seals to pull the doors in an extra mm by design or will they assemble them so that doors will close more tightly? If latter is the case, should we then also try readjusting the doors to a tighter position with the existing door seals?

I think they need new seals to be able to fit them in a tighter position. They said if the new seals don't work they can re-fit the old ones. Sounds like they much need to trim them to size once they are in position. My window rattle (originally I thought it was the door lock) is getting worse along with the wind noise, maybe some connection here.

To add to my woe, the TPM has just triggered, one tyre is down 10 lbs. That wheel slipped down a kerb a couple of days ago, hopefully that's the cause, not a puncture. The alloy didn't scrape.

[Ural]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I think they need new seals to be able to fit them in a tighter position. They said if the new seals don't work they can re-fit the old ones. Sounds like they much need to trim them to size once they are in position. My window rattle (originally I thought it was the door lock) is getting worse along with the wind noise, maybe some connection here.

To add to my woe, the TPM has just triggered, one tyre is down 10 lbs. That wheel slipped down a kerb a couple of days ago, hopefully that's the cause, not a puncture. The alloy didn't scrape.

Sorry to hear about your tyre.

I too had a slight rattle from the driver side window when the car was new but disappeared in time. Still, source of your rattle may be the same as the wind noise issue.

I believe, in some of the X3s if not all , there is a problem with parts or assembling or both in the entire front door areas causing abnormal wind-traffic noises, rattles, whistles and God knows potentially what else. I also believe that BMW is well aware of the situation: They launched a TSB real quick on the mirror gaskets to address the wind noise-whistling from side mirrors; they are obviously using redesigned seals on cars produced after a certain date ; and possibly they have reinforced the insulation inside door panels and pillars too (just my opinion - if they haven't they should)

My concern is, you have to be persuasive to your dealer and not just accept their technicians' initial classic "all is normal" approach to make them do the research and start applying all or any of these solution alternatives.

[clivem2]

My car goes in again on Thursday. This time I have something to show the dealer. My car is filthy due to the recent weather. The sill under the doors, right under the doors - not on the outside, ie inside the seals, this area is very dirty. If water and muck can get past the seals then I'm sure air can!!!