2002 S, Aug build. I had the rattle and got the new latch. Couple of months later the rattle returned and I waited for first oil change/service call. Put the rattle on the fix list and when I picked up the car the ticket said "adjusted rubber stops". SURPRISE, the rattle was still there. I was NOT happy. I expected a replacement of a second bad latch.

I posted here and MINI USA said - call, we'll try to help. Not anxious to take another trip to the dealer I decided to chill for a bit. Having read about the duct tape fix etc I thought hey, maybe if I put something on the latch pin to slightly increase the diameter - and maybe cover the metal ala the duct tape fix I can make this go away. I dug around and found a piece of plastic tubing. I cut a piece and split it and slipped it over the "d" latch. I closed the boot. I opened the boot. Hmm, the plastic had come off. Maybe I should think this out... wrap it with duct tape? Well I pocketed the plastic for then. When I drove the car...whoa, NO RATTLE.

Note, the plastic shim was in my pocket. About three weeks later, of daily driving, the rattle returned. Well, I still had the plastic. I slipped it on the latch, closed the boot, opened the boot, pocketed the plastic. No rattle...for about 3 weeks. Same drill. Rattle goes away for a while.

Hey MINI...something is slipping in your latch and somehow I can "reset it". I've been doing this for about a year now...

If you are as frustrated as me get yourself about 3/4 inch of 1/4 inch plastic tube.

I dun'no why it works...but it does.

MINI - if you can fix this for good...pls contact me...then we can discuss the rattle in the moonroof trim that only happens when the outside temp is below 37 degrees.

If I move back to FL I be that much happier with my S!

 

Man, I am totally with you here. I´ve had the same problem since the car was new, I´ve been able to fix the rattle for some time and then it comes back. The last time I asked the dealer to fix it, they wrapped some type of velcro (the "shaggy" part) and the rattle is even worse.

I have ended up ordering a new latch (on my cost - the only way to fix a rattle is to do it yourself) and hoping it will finally end the torture.

Now my seat has just started squeaking!

I hate rattles

 

Hey guys! I did the scotch tape fix and it worked fine. Went to my dealership for an oil change and stumble repair and told them of my fix for the latch. The service manager looked at the latch and replaced it under warranty with no discussion. Works great, but so did the tape!

 

A couple wraps of electrical tape fixed it for me.

 

you can also unscrew the 2 large rubber bumper stoppers on either side of the rear hatch...puts a little more pressure on the latch...beteween doing that, and electrical tape on the latch...I have had absolutely no rattles what so ever. The best fix was the rubber bumpers...they are about mid way on the sides of the hatch...you will know what I am talking about when you see them.

cheers
jon

edit: one more thing...the two little plastic ***** on the end of the lift strings for the interior deck thing...those smack the sides of the boot when going around corners...since they are just hanging there when the hatch is down...and can swing freely. I'm thinking of wrapping them in some foam or bubble wrap

_________________
2003 Indi Blue Mini Cooper

2001 Black Audi Allroad 2.7T

http://www.rmcb5.com

 

been there, done that

The first thing I did was to adjust the rubber bumper stoppers (they are almost completely unscrewed now). Then I wrapped the duck tape and fixed it a little bit.

When I asked the dealer to fix it he took all the duck tape off and wrapped something that looks like the velcro contra (the fabric against which velcro sticks) and the rattle returned!

I know in my case it´s the latch, I´ve just been lazy getting it replaced... and those Mexican roads...

 

I think with the bumpers almost all the way out, you put a lot of stress on the latch...which may be causing further failure or something. I adjusted mine one week after I got it after reading something here and talking to Randy from Webb Motorsports...and the head mechanic at my dealer...I have had zero problems since then...almost 6 k miles now...

Maybe something else is loose with yours...definately have the dealer check it out and get it right.

cheers
jon

 

Update: I finally changed the latch. I ended up paying for it (about 30 bucks) because if I asked the dealer again they would end up unscrewing the stops and not solving the problem.

At least they were "nice" enough to replace it for free, which took over 5 minutes!

The hatch rattle seems completely gone, though I´ll call it a success after a week without rattles.

The funny thing is that now I discovered that my "hatch" rattle was not only the hatch but also the back seat. When the seats are down there´s NO squeak and when the back seat is in position I have an annoying squeak. At least that should solve easy with more velcro shaggy stuff.