DIY *Interior Rattle Fix*

[Nick_M4]

Originally Posted by Benfmd

Just picked up my new mineral white/SO M3 last week. I notice that when going slowly up a hill or on slow turns there is a rattle or crackling like noise coming from both sides of the car. I think possible from the doors or seats. It sounds almost like the creeking sound you might hear on a ship.

I do not hear any rattles or like sounds when going over bumps or at faster speeds.

Anyone else experience this? What can be done about it?

Thanks

I have exactly the same, I live in the Netherlands and here the government has set out to make life as miserable as possible for people who likes cars......they have literally speed bumps everywhere. I get this crackling noise going over the speed bumps and in particular when I turn into a speed bump with one wheel first. My only conclusion is that the chassis is twisting and there are probably some friction between the windows and the rubber. It could also come from the CF roof but not sure.

For me the problem is not the noise itself but what I would like to understand is how stiff is this car actually if this can happen? There is a video on youtube with one of the M designers bragging that the car is so stiff it needs 40000 NM/degree. Now if the car is so stiff you would not expect crackling noises going over bumps on the road. The car simply feels cheap!!!!

[RussDC]

What he said!!!

[Nick_M4]

Originally Posted by RussDC

What he said!!!

Starting at 9:49

[mic_crispy]

Originally Posted by Nick_M4

I have exactly the same, I live in the Netherlands and here the government has set out to make life as miserable as possible for people who likes cars......they have literally speed bumps everywhere. I get this crackling noise going over the speed bumps and in particular when I turn into a speed bump with one wheel first. My only conclusion is that the chassis is twisting and there are probably some friction between the windows and the rubber. It could also come from the CF roof but not sure.

For me the problem is not the noise itself but what I would like to understand is how stiff is this car actually if this can happen? There is a video on youtube with one of the M designers bragging that the car is so stiff it needs 40000 NM/degree. Now if the car is so stiff you would not expect crackling noises going over bumps on the road. The car simply feels cheap!!!!

You kinda answered your own question. The car IS stiff. Insanely stiff... which is why the plastic creaks around the other fixed parts.

[gtr]

Originally Posted by drjochen

Gummipflege. Fixed it for my E90 M3 once and forever.

+100000. I've tried to spreading the word but I feel ignored. Perfect going two weeks. I wish I had this stuff for my nsx's top many years ago.

I'm doing the felt tape on the trim which will probably give me the old E36 noise free experience. Can't wait .

[rz3]

Where can someone get the shirt he is wearing in that video?

[Nick_M4]

Originally Posted by mic_crispy

You kinda answered your own question. The car IS stiff. Insanely stiff... which is why the plastic creaks around the other fixed parts.

Sorry I can't take squeaking, rattling and crackling noises as a sign of stiffness. To create the noise parts have to move against each other and that can only come from twisting of the chassis.

Yesterday I did the test of lowering the windows and the noise disappears. I can only conclude that when turning into a speed bump the body twists so that the doors move slightly, rubbing the windows against the rubber seal. But maybe I am wrong.........

[Benfmd]

I am glad to hear you confirmed the results of my "roll down the windows test"!

As far as the stiffness of the car, I think the logic here is that the car's chassis is so stiff that the "bolt on" parts like windows move a lot in comparison to the extremely stiff chassis. Hence the creaking noises. Given the greater stiffness of the M3/M4 I would expect more creaking noises in these M cars vs the regular 3 and 4 series cars.

Make sense?

[Nick_M4]

Originally Posted by Benfmd

I am glad to hear you confirmed the results of my "roll down the windows test"!

As far as the stiffness of the car, I think the logic here is that the car's chassis is so stiff that the "bolt on" parts like windows move a lot in comparison to the extremely stiff chassis. Hence the creaking noises. Given the greater stiffness of the M3/M4 I would expect more creaking noises in these M cars vs the regular 3 and 4 series cars.

Make sense?

Not sure it makes sense........if the chassis is not moving, bolt on parts should not move either.........drove my friends GT3 over the bumps and there is no crackling, squeaking noise what so ever........I guess there is no fix for this one just going to have to live with it.......

[Kuwen]

My car is currently in for service specifically to replace the rear drivers side window seals due to the creaking noise (and an alignment). I'll be sure to let everyone know how I fare.

[Nick_M4]

Originally Posted by Kuwen

My car is currently in for service specifically to replace the rear drivers side window seals due to the creaking noise (and an alignment). I'll be sure to let everyone know how I fare.

yes please let us know the outcome.............

[Surge]

Originally Posted by Benfmd

I am glad to hear you confirmed the results of my "roll down the windows test"!

As far as the stiffness of the car, I think the logic here is that the car's chassis is so stiff that the "bolt on" parts like windows move a lot in comparison to the extremely stiff chassis. Hence the creaking noises. Given the greater stiffness of the M3/M4 I would expect more creaking noises in these M cars vs the regular 3 and 4 series cars.

Make sense?

Correct.
Remember Newton's laws… an object in motion will tend to stay in motion.

So when you go over a bump in the road, the upward motion of the wheel will be transferred to the body. Since the chassis is so stiff, it does not 'absorb' any of the kinetic energy of the bump. Instead, that energy is passed on to the interior parts like the plastic trim.

I'm not saying it's OK, but I understand why there are more creaks and rattles than a regular 3 series.

I had a Lotus Elise SC, which has an insanely stiff chassis. Well, it rattled like a tin can over bumps.

[MikeVictor]

Teflon tape around the door where the rubber seal connects fixed this problem for my F30. You don't need to reapply anything over time and it's practically invisible.

[gtr]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

Teflon tape around the door where the rubber seal connects fixed this problem for my F30. You don't need to reapply anything over time and it's practically invisible.

That is interesting. I wonder if waxing that area would help also?

I believe most noise is from the A/C and carbon trim meet. Just push on your A/C vent and trim area and you can hear it. I did go to the dealer and tried it on a few other F30's and they all did the same creak. With bumpy semi truck lanes you can hear the noise when the radio is off.

[parky1215]

Added new rattle fix tip for center console (rear) area!

[evanescent03]

haha love your avatar as well ... i'm sure the reason they didn't do this from the factory is due to weight savings on all the tape?

i'll probably end up doing this at some point although my wife probably won't be happy seeing me pull things apart ... it makes her nervous and rightly so, but i should cause minimal damage using your well laid out instructions. thanks!

matt

[Oakleyguy]

Anyone have door panel rattles? My passenger one has been getting ridiculous

[Sivart321]

Originally Posted by Oakleyguy

Anyone have door panel rattles? My passenger one has been getting ridiculous

Yes, its annoying.

[CatchM3]

Any suggestions as to where I can find gummi pfledge other than online?
I've already checked Home Depot and no luck.

[Oakleyguy]

Originally Posted by CatchM3

Any suggestions as to where I can find gummi pfledge other than online?
I've already checked Home Depot and no luck.

Online is your best bet. Amazon has Prime eligible ones

[parky1215]

Originally Posted by Oakleyguy

Anyone have door panel rattles? My passenger one has been getting ridiculous

Originally Posted by Sivart321

Yes, its annoying.

This one is tough to troubleshoot. I only get this on my rear passenger side door panel.
Sound almost disappears when I lower the window little bit.

[Sivart321]

Originally Posted by parky1215

This one is tough to troubleshoot. I only get this on my rear passenger side door panel.
Sound almost disappears when I lower the window little bit.

I get a loud rattle coming from the door lock cylinder button thing. If the doors are unlocked (lock cylinder up), 80% of the sound goes away. I can make the sound go on and off by locking and unlocking the door while driving.