Thankful for any info - I liked the mini a lot when I test drove - I'm right on the edge of signing up to buy a 2004 MiniS - no sunroof, 16 inch wheels/tires. Maybe this will address some of the rattle issues - but I HATE squeaks and rattles in a car. And I'm used to stiff - I have a lowered Audi A4- bilsteins, eibachs, 17 in wheels, - and it is as solid as a rock after nearly 80K. Do you know if BMW has addressed the rattle issue - doesn't seem that this should continue to be a problem.

K

 

I don't know if it'll make you feel any better, but I'd submit that the rattling was not an all-inclusive issue. I've got a 2003, ~24k miles and I don't have any rattling. Nor have I, save for a defective and oft-replaced boot latch, and an occasional bass-induced rattle in the driver door.

Ok, so now it sounds like I have a rattling car but I promise you, 99.9% of the time, all I hear is road drone.

 

>>Thankful for any info - I liked the mini a lot when I test drove - I'm right on the edge of signing up to buy a 2004 MiniS - no sunroof, 16 inch wheels/tires. Maybe this will address some of the rattle issues - but I HATE squeaks and rattles in a car. And I'm used to stiff - I have a lowered Audi A4- bilsteins, eibachs, 17 in wheels, - and it is as solid as a rock after nearly 80K. Do you know if BMW has addressed the rattle issue - doesn't seem that this should continue to be a problem.
>>
>>K

I hear ya. Rattles drive me nuts! I think the MINI is a well put together car, though, especially the 2004!

I just picked up 04 MCS w/ Sports Package on Saturday. No noise except the sweet sound of the supercharger & exhaust.

The 2003 MC w/ 16in Run flats & 12K miles that I traded in had a few rattles. The sunroof rattled which was fixed by lubricating the track. The Hatch rattled and Mini of Peabody replaced the latch. The ride was harsh in the beginning, but It smoothed out The Right window also rattled at times, but I think that is because someone tried to break into the car (BASTARDS!)

The MCS is awesome. I love it and I feel it is how the car should be built. The 17" wheels/sports suspension plus has a better ride than the 2003 cooper I traded in & it is tighter and handles as it is on rails.


Nice set up with the A4 btw.. I never lowered my Passat, but I threw 17" Ronals with Pirelli Super Sports. Very fun! :smile:


Good luck!

 

2004 MCS with 450 miles on the odo...no rattles!

 

2004 MCS with a little over 700 and no problems what so ever, including rattles.

 

12500 miles on '03 MCS. BOTH doors developed rattles. Dealer knew exactly what they were from and how to handle it. No more rattles.

 

I had a couple of nasty rattles and squeaks a few weeks ago. I have just over 4,000 miles. I was able to fix them with minimal effort with the info I found on this site. It might help to remember that this a economy performance car however, and not a luxury performance car. Keep that in mind and you won't be dissapointed.

 

I hope Mini gets a handle on quality control soon. My March 2003 build MCS with 8,800 miles has had more rattles and buzzes then any car I have ever owned. Many posters are vehement about not have had any problems with their Mini’s and I salute them and their cars. I just wish I could have been one of them.

 

I'm not one of them either, at least as far as rattles go. I have had more than my fair share, and I only have 2000 miles on my car!

 

'02 Cooper CVT with 15K miles and no rattles either!

 

>>Thankful for any info - I liked the mini a lot when I test drove - I'm right on the edge of signing up to buy a 2004 MiniS - no sunroof, 16 inch wheels/tires. Maybe this will address some of the rattle issues - but I HATE squeaks and rattles in a car. And I'm used to stiff - I have a lowered Audi A4- bilsteins, eibachs, 17 in wheels, - and it is as solid as a rock after nearly 80K. Do you know if BMW has addressed the rattle issue - doesn't seem that this should continue to be a problem.
>>
>>K

It may be worth noting that MINI has strengthened the A-pillars recently as well. That should help, at least in the drivers compartment.

 

17500 miles on an 03 MCS. Rattles EVERYWHERE! I have a nasty ear for rattles... even the quietest one will drive me insane.

1. Somewhere inside/under dash, rattling/buzzing sound usually at highway speeds (above 50 mph). Haven't found it yet. Can hear it over the HK stereo at full blast (well, Mini's version of full blast...)

2. Rear latch rattle. Wrapped automotive painting masking tape (the green 3M stuff) around the D loop, fixed that immediately!

3. Doors. They can be temporarily fixed by prying a panel off slightly with a screwdriver and sticking a black rubber o-ring from a spray nozzle in there. Passenger side I found that the speaker cover was rattling... removed the door panel and stuck masking tape between the panel and the speaker cover; fixed that.

4. Something up near my left ear... either the seatbelt or the window. Not sure which.



Also have a problem with both of my Minis... the driver's window (sometimes passenger) gets all white streaked, especially after I wash it and put the window down and up. Quite annoying indeed.

 

I ride in a co-worker's A4 regulary to go out for lunch - 50k miles and it is completely solid and silent. Very impressive machine.

My Mini, on the other hand, has 24k and rattles, buzzes and squeaks all over the place. I guess it's a classic "you get what you pay for" situation. Given the price differential, it's hard to complain. I try to convince myself that all the noises add character. Myself remains unconvinced, however.

 

I have a 03 MCS with 4200 mi and no rattles. The wife has a 1998 5 series with 68,000 mi and two rattles the dealer can't seem to fix.

Just the other day we had to go to the mall and I asked the wife which car she wanted to go in, she say's lets take the MINI, its alot more fun and it doesn't rattle. :smile: LET'S MOTOR

 

03 MCS with 3800 miles and a rattle behind the driver's seat, and a sometime squeak where the driver's window glass meets the rubber.

Most cars loosen up after 10k miles. Hope the MINI does not get much worse.

But my Dad used to say "that's why they put radios in cars".

Regards,
Red