Weird noises our BMWs make -- You are not alone - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

2003 M5!!! · 24th June 2004, 07:16

I suppose it is the price of driving a performance German car (or at least that is what I am hoping), but have the noises that your BMWs have made over the years ever driven you nuts? These are some of my irritating BMW noise experiences (feel free to list your own so we know that we are not alone in the phenomenon):

My M3 made an extremely irritating rattling noise from the rear / right wall panel -- directly behind the top of the door. Every little bump I hit, this stupid rattling would start. Of course, BMW couldn't fix it.

It got to the point where I had to drive with my stereo very loud just so it wouldn't bug me. What a pain in the butt.

My M5 has been pretty good. However, it is starting to creak -- reminds me of a leather couch (but it is not coming from the seat!). It is usually from the torque of a good take off. Fortunately it is not noticeable with the windows open (because of my exhaust

) or when my stereo is going. As I am very "anal" (in a bad way) it still gets my attention from time to time.

Bottom line -- the BMW is not a MB. From what I have been "told," MB are very "solid." However, I would not change a thing (i.e., my car) as I love the M5. It is a great car, and I am willing to make this "sacrifice" to enjoy the sweet smell of a M5 adrenaline rush early in the morning.

Take care all.

foxyboym5 · 24th June 2004, 10:48

my seats are fold downs, and they rattle quite a bit, but my eisenmann and xpipe are being fitted today, so that should drown everything out!!

atomic80 · 24th June 2004, 15:35

It also could be the seals for your doors. If you get wax or any sort of cleaning products near those seals then they squeak/creak like crazy! It's the lining that feels like "felt" on the edge of your doors. Try cleaning that and the contact area with "dawn" dishwashing soap or alcohol (rubbing, although this should be a last option since it may damage your paint) and that should take care of it. Warranty will have your seals replaced or cleaned up. Be careful about getting anything on it in the future! I've had this same issue many times before.

CEC · 24th June 2004, 16:58

Compared to some of the domestic performance cars I have driven BMW M cars are relatively rattle free. One thing that did bother me was the noises coming from the E46 M3 differential (I think) at low speeds

Boomer · 24th June 2004, 19:27

Had that same creaking noise in the drivers side door frame (why is it always right by my ear?

). Noise would be there with the window all of the way up, but would go away with the window slightly cracked. Saw on another link about putting felt on the upper door frame. Being a 2003, mine already had felt so I added a layer of 1/2" Velcro (fuzzy side) on top of the felt along the whole length of the frame. I only took the backing off in a couple of spots so I wouldn't have adhesive to deal with if I removed it later. Had to taper the ends to match the felt. Now, no more creaking!

Total cost $ 3.25 and no trips to the dealership for them to "lubricate the strips". Now.... if I can just figure the one out in the center of the dash near the windshield I'll be

.

2003 M5!!! · 24th June 2004, 19:34

I will try to clean the seals. Thanks for the information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomic80

It also could be the seals for your doors. If you get wax or any sort of cleaning products near those seals then they squeak/creak like crazy! It's the lining that feels like "felt" on the edge of your doors. Try cleaning that and the contact area with "dawn" dishwashing soap or alcohol (rubbing, although this should be a last option since it may damage your paint) and that should take care of it. Warranty will have your seals replaced or cleaned up. Be careful about getting anything on it in the future! I've had this same issue many times before.

mkirby · 24th June 2004, 20:15

I had a similar creak up by the windshield. There is a plastic sensor that looks like it was an afterthought in the middle of the dash close to the windshield. You can pull it up and then add some felt to the back of it to stop it squeaking. This worked for me.

Good Luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomer

Had that same creaking noise in the drivers side door frame (why is it always right by my ear?

). Noise would be there with the window all of the way up, but would go away with the window slightly cracked. Saw on another link about putting felt on the upper door frame. Being a 2003, mine already had felt so I added a layer of 1/2" Velcro (fuzzy side) on top of the felt along the whole length of the frame. I only took the backing off in a couple of spots so I wouldn't have adhesive to deal with if I removed it later. Had to taper the ends to match the felt. Now, no more creaking!

Total cost $ 3.25 and no trips to the dealership for them to "lubricate the strips". Now.... if I can just figure the one out in the center of the dash near the windshield I'll be

.

Boomer · 24th June 2004, 20:28

My next project. Thanks

BmwNut · 24th June 2004, 23:35

The worst sound my E39 had was the creaky fold down rear seats. Toss it into a corner, and you hear the seats shift...quality.
The other noise was a sometimes blah note from the M52; it sounded like a sewing machine when you drove next to a wall with the window down. Oddly enough though, it sounded fantastic from the inside, and great out the back. But from the side, it sounded really weak (which is was

).