[gobears]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the club. Got my 330i Alpine White from Difeo BMW 1/29/06 in Tenafly, NJ. Beautiful car. Drives nicely; I'm experiencing the same kind of joy and suffering the same types of frustrations as the rest of you.

Anyhow, wanted to let you know that my car came equipped with premium package, steptronic, satellite (no comfort access, no sport) and a host of rattles and clicking noises. Some crunching noises from the center console when going over uneven/broken pavement in excess of 40 mph and clicking noises from the rear speaker mounting and some fluttering noises from the b-pillars.

After logging about 1700 miles on the car, finally took it into BMW Manhattan for service. Dropped it off this morning and explained to Jenny Veloz (service advisor) and Billy Hamosfakidis (shop foreman) the sources of the problem. Having dealt with dealers re: rattles before, I was afraid that my attempts will have been futile. But as soon as I got into the service area, I felt confident that the Manhattan guys were more than capable of dealing with the problem. Time now is 3:40 pm (5 hours after dropping off the car) and Jenny calls to tell me that the front and rear noises have been isolated and treated. Now they are looking for the b-pillar noises!!! They'll have the car ready for me either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Wow, that's what I call service. Of course, the jury is still out on whether they really took care of the problem, but I think they'll get it right.

On an unrelated note, Billy told me that BMW is toying with the idea of reprogramming the brakes on the 3-series to make the system more user-friendly and less grabby. The sooner the better I say.

Will keep you guys posted.

[330South]

Let us know if your SA figures out what the rattles from the center console are and if they are able to fix. I have rattles from the center console every once in awhile and have been holding off bringing the car in. Currently have 1,875 miles and am planning to bring the car in after reaching about 3,000 to get the oil changed and try to take care of the aforementioned rattles.

Its a great car but the little issues are annoying.

[Volare]

Yes, please post the sources. I also have center console noise and something from the right rear.

[KL2DC]

Very interested to see your service order/fix for your rattles. I have some rattles from the front passenger side area (seats or dash or both) as well as the infamous b-pillar clicking....thanks.

[meruyailir]

Please share with us how they fix the B pillar rattle, when they do. I have had the dealer look into it with no result. They even make the sound worse now.

[gobears]

Just a quick update. Jenny (the service advisor) called me again in the morning to let me know that the service guys are still looking into the b-pillar noises and will have the car ready for me no later than this evening. FYI, the noises from the b-pillars, unlike the clicking/rattling noises like those from the center console and the speaker mounts, sound like two soft materials rubbing aginst each other when travelling on uneven surfaces. That the service guys are working on the problem instead of telling me that they can't duplicate the noises give me some assurance that they understand what I'm talking about.

Anyhow, will update this posting by tomorrow.

[gobears]

They did a great job. All problems seemingly solved (need to test more rough and uneven pavement); but now that those problems are gone, I do notice other noises coming from different parts of the cabin, although these new (or what was until now unnoticeable) noises aren't as annoying, and I can certainly live with it for the next couple of years.

For those waiting with abated breath (not too many, I'm sure), here are the SIB or defect code from the service order.

Center console: Removed IHKA, warpped radio with insulating tape: Defect docde 51 45 00 39 00; Labor op 51 16 212; also perfomred SIB 51 07.

Clicking from behind rear seats: remove and replace both rear speakers and applied damening tape to lenth of vent cover, tabs and rear shelf underside.

B-pillars fluttering noises: replaced both front seat belts and performed SIB 51 32 05, replaced washer for seat belt.

Like I said, no more clicking noises or other problems associated with the original complaint. However, this is only a preliminary conclusion as I still have to put the car through the gauntlet that are the throngs neck bridge and the whitestone bridge. I'll post more if I notice any more problems.

Hope this helps.

[KL2DC]

Wow good stuff...I am taking all this down

They replaced both front seatbelts??? That is quite thorough.....

[meruyailir]

Mine is short of having seat belt replaced. Maybe I should have that in order to get rid of the noise. But the dealer didn't think it was coming from the seat belt. I need to convince them to do the replacement.

[gobears]

Originally Posted by meruyailir

Mine is short of having seat belt replaced. Maybe I should have that in order to get rid of the noise. But the dealer didn't think it was coming from the seat belt. I need to convince them to do the replacement.

I guess it depends on the type of the noise. If it's clicking sounds, then it may not be the seatbelts. If it's more of a fluttering noise (sort of like a soft rolling "r"), then replacing the washer and the seatbelt may solve the problem.

Did you go for a road test with a technician and point out the noise? That may help.

[ashecnc]

I have 7000 miles and do not hear the sounds everyone talks about. My seatbelts are quite, so I am lucky. Only thing I hear, my interior plastic snaping when hot or cold, which has been normal in every BMW I have owned. I think its the sound of plastic heating up, if you know what i mean

[meruyailir]

Originally Posted by gobears

I guess it depends on the type of the noise. If it's clicking sounds, then it may not be the seatbelts. If it's more of a fluttering noise (sort of like a soft rolling "r"), then replacing the washer and the seatbelt may solve the problem.

Did you go for a road test with a technician and point out the noise? That may help.

We did. The technical service bulletin stated clicking noise due to washer. Fast clicking noise becomes fluttering noise, doesn't it?

[gobears]

An update. After several days, a new b-pillar rattle appeared. If I apply pressure on the pillar, the noise stops. This may be an easy fix, but still, my patience is wearing thin. While I do love the driving dynamics, the rattles bother me significantly. Perhaps I'll take the car in yet again for another service, or I'll just live with it for the next 22 months and get another car, hopefully rattle free.

[NYF32DRIVER]

Sorry to hear about your problems...
Only 800 miles here but no rattles yet.

By the way, I'm suprised you received an even competent level of service from Ms. Jenny V. I found her to be curt, unprofessional and an all-around idiot. By far the WORST service advisor I have ever dealt with at BMW. Jai Ho is my service advisor of choice... he is very thorough and a great guy. And Billy the Shop Foreman is THE BEST ! He has always been very helpful.

If I had gotten a call from BMW NA after that experience (which I didn't), Ms. V would have gotten all "1"s

Joseph

[Volare]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35298

[Josh49]

Bump this old thread. I have the B-pillar rattle. They tried fixing it yesterday but it still is rattling a lot over uneven road, etc. I can't stand driving without music on, it drives me nuts. They replaced the washers in both seat belts yesterday. It's a drop better, but not really..

[Josh49]

I think I'm going to take off a B-pillar, have my gf drive the car and sit right there in the passenger side so I can definitely determine whether it is that or not.

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by Josh49

I think I'm going to take off a B-pillar, have my gf drive the car and sit right there in the passenger side so I can definitely determine whether it is that or not.

What was the outcome?

[Josh49]

They fixed it at the dealership. A few days later now, it's 99% gone now. I looked through the tsb's on the website and it looked like the did the b-pillar replace the spring washer one. The weird part was when I got the car back I was still hearing it. It's pretty much completely gone now..