My 2013 Countryman JCW has an annoying rattle near the steering wheel. I narrowed it down to the plastic panel underneath the wheel, where your knees would hit. I took it off (held by two screws and a few clips) and noticed the clips were a bit loose. I used electrical tape to build up around the clip so it does not rattle. While that helped a bit, the main rattle was still there.

It appears to be that the rattle is inside the ignition lock assembly, as it has moving parts to accept and lock in the round Mini key. The rattle is really bad when no key in inserted (using the remote key function) and not as bad when the key is in the slot. I have not taken that assembly apart as I do not want to risk leaving my car non-functional.

Does anyone else have this rattle? Any resolution? It would be odd if Mini created keyless entry/start, but you have to deal with a bad rattle if the key is not inserted.

 

Not me.

 

I don't have this rattle. Bring it in to your dealership. Rattles are covered within the first year of ownership (at least in Canada)

 

Thanks. Do either of you have a 2013? I'm wondering if this is a new thing.

I usually like to figure out the issue before bringing it to the dealership. Too many times I have left service with my car in worse shape than before because they were trying to figure it out themselves.

 

I have a 2013. I've owned a 2011 prior. Neither has rattled like you described.

 

I have the same rattle. Mine is from the top half plastic piece of the steering column. Drives me nuts!!

 

I have a 2013, and it rattles behind the steering wheel - listened to it on a week long road trip last week. It almost sounds, at least on mine, that there is a wire bundle that is loose and rubbing inside the steering column - I haven't had a spare moment to take the panel off to look. It only seems to happen on really rough roads

Michael