Jerry,

I have an appointment to take the car in tomorrow. I had my wife drive me around yesterday so that I could pinpoint the locations of the noises. I understand that all cars have creeks and rattles and am not trying to be too picky. I just want to resolve the most irritating ones (especially as they often happen at the same time which drives me nuts). Here are the locations where I found the most noticeable noises:

• Vibration in the center speedo coming from behind the nav screen (also discovered by Cosmic Blue Conspiricy above). This is the one that bothers me most and seems directly related to the speedo. I can hear the vibration noise slow as the speedo returns to zero.
• Rattle from the plastic housing that covers the rear part of the center console.
• Rattle from housing covering gear shift and front part of center console.
• Woodpecker sounding noise coming from sunroof when driver's side window open and driving at 35+ MPH. I think this has also been identified by many other posters and has to do with some sort of plug in the sunroof gutter.

I will let you know if they are able to resolve these.

 

The speedo problem you are mentioning is exactly mine. So if you get a resolution, I'm very interested.

 

Cosmic Blue,

Car is back from the shop. Except for the speedo issue, rattles that I pointed out seem to be gone for now. Unfortunately, as I believe you were told at your dealership, the speedo vibration appears to be a known issue with no current fix available. I was told that this issue has been around for a while and impacts all Mini models with this type of speedo (speedo ring around the nav display). Apparently, not enough people have complained about this to cause Mini to come up with a fix! This is frustrating! Perhaps I am just too persnickety, but this type of noise coming out of the console ever time the car slows to a stop just makes it feel cheap. Luckily, I enjoy most everything else about the car and should be able to put up with this. I just hope that someday a fix can be found.

 

I'm not fussed about it, but FYI for folks who are trying to deal with rattles, I too have a sunroof rattle sometimes. It's weird. It's quite loud for about ten seconds, but that's it. It happens rarely and infrequently, independent of which windows are open (though the sunroof itself is always fully closed when it happens). It almost sounds like a piece of plastic is loose in the wind and tapping back and forth. That isn't what it is, but that's what it sounds like. BobbyFray's "woodpecker" rattle seems to describe it.

No noise from the speedo, though. I thought I heard the noise in my driver side door that another poster mentioned, but it seems to have stopped on its own.

Other than that, I don't seem to have much in the way of rattles.

And then it's gone and doesn't happen for the rest of the day, or even for a few days. Go figure.

If anybody knows for sure what is is (like the

 

I'd love to know what they did for the other rattles, just out of curiosity. Tonight, my nav screen went completely black for a bit. I think it's probably a software thing vs a hardware problem, quite honestly, because I think pressing the home button got it back.

I still have to bring it in. I've isolated where the noise is coming from on the right door. When you slam it, you can actually hear the thing that is buzzing vibrate for a second, so pulling off the panel will probably expose the problem. At least that one. Then I have the seats to deal with. I have an actual buzz in the passenger front seat seatback, plus a loose seatback in the rear passenger side seat, plus the loose plastic piece behind the rail.

Very disappointed with the build quality of the interior. Still, I love taking the car out all the time. Not sure what's up with that.

 

tippy, could this be your solution? pic of location in hatch. credit to retrohasen

 

I too have the "woodpecker" noise. The noise only starts when I am at a stop and take a turn. The noise doesn't stop until I slow to 5 miles an hour. When I go straight or turn at normal speeds, no noise. I have removed the flap under the hatch. I can't figure it out.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

My guess is that the little buzzing rattles are in part due to the run flat tires. The sidewalls are so thick in those damn things that they transfer a lot of vibration to the body of the car. I am seriously thinking of changing to a non run flat for many reasons, but comfort being the main one.

 

I just checked my very recently built CM for the flap in the back hatch. Mine is made of rubber so it looks like MINI made a rolling part change sometime during the build season.

 

Just got back from MINI dealer and 2 of my noise problems are NOT completely resolved.
1. Speedo issue - it appears that only happens when there's Navigation installed. And 'Bulletin' stated that 'Commercially Acceptable' according to MINI, and no fix available.
2. Rattle noise from ceiling issue - There are due 4 doors frame pushing again the car frame which produces squeaky noise, also is a known problem. Temp solution: apply solution like Amorall(uses to shine the dashboard) to all 4 door frame rubber, and it needs be done whenever the noises arise.
So, spending extra for Navi that brings the problem and design flow is 'commercially acceptable ' made me feel like a fool!
The bottom line I will be very very hesitate to buy it again or recommend other to buy from what I've experienced. Once is enough.


Good Luck!

 

Check out my post on the 2 noise issues under jerrychimini.
Cheers.

 

The last couple of months I have been going nuts trying to find a source of a rattle that was coming from the back seat area... finally found it today...

The rear license plate frame was causing the rattle...

I came across the rattle while waxing the car, the bodywork over the bumper isn't very sturdy, I banged the number with my elbow and I heard a very familiar rattle... I put some double-sided foam tape behind the bracket and now my rattle is gone!!

 

I just wanted to update that my sunroof rattle has gotten significantly worse. I haven't tried the forum fix for it yet, since I think I'd rather make the dealer deal with it. I also have very soft rattles in the driver and passenger front doors. I think it's a slight rub.

 

I love you, this was driving me nuts!

 

Do all of you have 2011 models? I am waiting for my 2012. Hopefully it won't have these problems, I have really sensitive ears. My Infiniti is the first car I have ever had without rattles. Please no rattles!!

 

Its been 1,700 miles and no rattles on my 2012 with Nav...

 

I should update. My dealer fixed the sunroof rattle. All gone.

I can hear slight rubs in the door frames on certain corners or uneven ground, but I really have to lean in to listen, so they're not worth worrying about for me.

 

If you're extremely sensitive to rattles, MINI may not be the brand for you. The interiors are very nice, but the fit and finish are not as tight as some of the true luxury brands. They also have relatively stiff suspensions, which will bring out interior noises.

If you want a quiet cabin, there are quieter brands for the money.

 

I've got nearly 5,000 miles on my All4 w/ 17" wheels & sport suspension, and I haven't a rattle anywhere. Maybe they will come later, but so far, this is a very solid car. I don't have the Nav, nor the sunroof, so that may be a factor.

Now, if I could only get them to fix the 'flapping in the wind' chrome trim....


Mark

 

Not yet 3000 miles - 3 confirmed rattles.... (one of them a speaker)

Other two in the door - well one in the arm rest area and the creaking from the top of the doors that driving me batty

 

Rattling drives me batty as well!

My 07 MCS was super quiet the first 10k miles then suddenly one day small rattles here and there started. Dealer went through it thoroughly even replacing parts of the dash. Quiet again for a while, rattling is back. I don't think I'd ever buy another Mini. No excuse for poor quality control. Yes the cars don't flex much with the rigid chassis, transferring road undulations causing most of the rattles but they should have taken that into account when designing the car. Too many individual plastic parts making up the interior.

 

Alfadude1 thank you so much, I had been dealing with an odd rattle and sure enough, I tried your trick with the battery cover and problem solved!

 

I am glad I could help! I sold my Countryman over a year ago but I am glad my old posting could help someone out.

 

Was the speedo issue (rattling needle) ever resolved? I have a rattle in the dash that sounds like it's behind the speedo. I don't have nav, but have the MINI connected so it's the same set up. I'm taking it in tomorrow, so am curious.

Thanks!