Brand new 335i owner! Question about dash noise?

[Turbochic]

I am a proud new 335i owner. First non-American car, wow she handles like a dream. Been noticing a strange ticking/popping sound coming from the dash when I am driving especially over bumps. It is kind of annoying, wondering if I should take it to the dealer or if anyone has any idea what it is?

[GreenThree]

My dash and rear deck pop when I go over bumps sometimes.

[thekurgan]

I am a proud new 335i owner. First non-American car, wow she handles like a dream. Been noticing a strange ticking/popping sound coming from the dash when I am driving especially over bumps. It is kind of annoying, wondering if I should take it to the dealer or if anyone has any idea what it is?

I heard that sometimes, but it wound up being the iDrive screws that were a bit loose. If you have iDrive, you'll notice the two torx screws attaching it to the dash. There are also matching screws where the instrument cluster is. Some loctite will keep them from coming loose again, just make sure they don't overtighten when it's cool out, for when it's warm again, they will expand. The only other ticking I hear sometimes is from the small window vent by the driver's side, but never when it's warm.

[b4scotty]

Roll down the windows, turn up the music!

[Turbochic]

Thanks for the reply, I am going to try tightening the screws, I do have idrive! Hope it works! Most of the time the music is pretty loud that I don't hear it!

[thekurgan]

Thanks for the reply, I am going to try tightening the screws, I do have idrive! Hope it works! Most of the time the music is pretty loud that I don't hear it!

There is also a small vent on top of the dash, and with the A/C on, it contracts and rattles (sometimes), but I don't see a way to service that.

[Bonds 25]

Loose ashtray? Mine was and it rattled, it was like the factory never properly clicked it in. So I clicked it in and guess what, no rattle.

[gtp e38]

my car has the dash pop and the rear deck pop as well.

[mryakan]

my car has the dash pop and the rear deck pop as well.
Are you sure it is the rear deck? I thought so too until I lowered the rear headrests and the noise went away. All I have now is the seat's plastic base making noise.

[thekurgan]

All I have now is the seat's plastic base making noise.

I pulled them up and put some felt on the metallic U-ring on the car's bottom that catches the plastic underside of the rear seat. The front seat power controls housing drives me nuts, squeaks like a whore's bed.

[mryakan]

The front seat power controls housing drives me nuts, squeaks like a whore's bed.
:lol I must have bought the same bed that she has :embarrasm ;) :alright.

[acmaui]

O crap! I haven't taken delivery of the 335 convertible yet, but now it sounds like 58K doesn't even by a squeak free car?

[mryakan]

O crap! I haven't taken delivery of the 335 convertible yet, but now it sounds like 58K doesn't even by a squeak free car?
I doubt any car can be squeak free no matter what it costs. Just the nature of things that expand, contract, flex, bend and twist. That being said, all these complains are really minor. This crowd (including myself) is a very picky one, and most people don't even notice what gets reported here. Also most of these can be fixed with a little lube or some minor tightening. I'm sure you'll find your new car to be nice and quiet.

[thekurgan]

O crap! I haven't taken delivery of the 335 convertible yet, but now it sounds like 58K doesn't even by a squeak free car?

Seriously, even a $200k convertible is going to have "sounds" within the cabin. $58k will buy you a convertible with the E93 "fluttering" sound decelerating from 65.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218612

[gtp e38]

Are you sure it is the rear deck? I thought so too until I lowered the rear headrests and the noise went away. All I have now is the seat's plastic base making noise.

I can't say for sure, my head rests are all the way down though, will need time to investigate

[cvacca31]

I just picked up a '07 335i sedan (previous car was a 98 328iS) and there is a buzz/rattle coming from the part of the mirror housing that holds the rain sensors). The plastic is kind of cheaply held together and when I squeeze it while driving, the sound goes away. I'm going to have the dealer take a look when I get a chance.

As for the comments about no squeaks or rattles, I totally disagree. My 98 328iS has 125k miles on it and that thing doesn't make a noise. I also worked in the auto industry and know that this can be done...

Best way to find these noises is to have someone else in the car with you who can poke around while you're driving. They can press and squeeze on things in the cabin until you narrow it down. We even used stethoscopes to try and find the root cause of the issue. These things can be a real pain the ass, though.

Good luck!

[ibimmer346]

O crap! I haven't taken delivery of the 335 convertible yet, but now it sounds like 58K doesn't even by a squeak free car?

Had my E93 for about 11 months. The only times I get bad sounds are with the top up when I hit some kind of sharp bump or if the body flexes a little (like coming off a ramp). Seems like the back window will move against the body of the car. Doesn't happen too often. No big surprise; there's a rubber seal between the back window and the "plate" it sits on. Bound to be some noise if it flexes. Haven't had any major rattles in the front.... yet.

[mryakan]

Are you sure it is the rear deck? I thought so too until I lowered the rear headrests and the noise went away. All I have now is the seat's plastic base making noise.
Oh about my seat making squeaking noise, while the car was at the shop today to replace the windshield and do the oil service, I asked them to check the squeaking. To the tune of 30$ labor to remove the seats, they told me they found a piece of change wedged between the lower seat rail and the subwoofer cover. I had a "Doh" moment and while I paid the #$%@ing 30$ :mad and I didn't even get the change back :rolleyes, well at least the annoying noise is gone . Moral of the story: Next time I'll check for wedged items esp. with kids in the car.

[Jhunter]

I am a proud new 335i owner. First non-American car, wow she handles like a dream. Been noticing a strange ticking/popping sound coming from the dash when I am driving especially over bumps. It is kind of annoying, wondering if I should take it to the dealer or if anyone has any idea what it is?

If you have always owned American cars you should be used to dash rattles! :)

My 335 is amazingly noise free. I have noticed only the rear deck popping a couple times and only when it has been very cold out. Thought I heard a recurring noise the other day but it was just mints rattling in a tin in my console. Took me a while to figure it out though. :D