At first i thought it was those little rubber ***** bouncy around under the cargo shelf, but that's not it. Then i realized i could reproduce it by banging on the passenger side rear headrest. I think it's an issue with that rear seat latch. Banging on the other headrest doesn't seem to do it. What i haven't done yet is drive around with that seat down to see if that stops it, then i know for sure. Anyone else have this rattle? It only seems to happen on light bumpy roads, rather than big potholes. Seems to be more sensitive.

 

Sorry, I have not had that problem. I did hear a rattle, and it was the seat belts...so I clipped them in and the rattle went away. I do hear the rear deck strap ***** from time to time, but i have grown used to them. Not sure what might be going on with your seat, good luck in figuring it out.

cheers
jon

 

Wrap a little tape around the latch, that will help. That was done to mine, haven't taken a good look at it so can't explain it so well, but it helped.

 

I think I've got it. I tried driving with seats down but still heard it. I also removed the little shelf and the 2 rear brakelight access covers. In my mind I had narrowed it down to either the boot latch or the seat latches.

I have another whack at it this weekend. Let me know if you solve it.

Chuck

 

Best way to fix the noise issue is to - 1.remove your back seat 2.store it in your garage 3.make a platform for Dogs and other cargo.

 

Darn, so it ends up it's not the seat cause the sound is still there even with the seat down. Almost sounds like there is a marble hanging from a short string and it's almost constant now. I'll keep posting as i investigate further...

 

It may be your boot latch. Just wrap a little tape around the D ring that goes into your latch and that should fix it. I had the same problem, but the tape fixed it.

 

>>It may be your boot latch. Just wrap a little tape around the D ring that goes into your latch and that should fix it. I had the same problem, but the tape fixed it.

Well, that was it! Could have sworn it wasn't, at first....but then i kept tracing the noise and then finally tried the tape thing and it's quiet as a mouse.

So that leaves me with two questions.

1. I thought that MINI cured this problem in the 04's, by installing a heavier duty d-ring or something?

2. What is the tape doing, so that it stops the noise? Is it just the fact that the d-ring is now thicker, making it more secure?

I had twisted those rubber stops so they are about 1.25" long, but that didn't help. Maybe they are not twisted out enuff? But at the same time, that also makes the trunk harder to close.

 

I not sure MINI did any kind of fix for the d ring thing for the 04 cars. MINI had to leave one area to rattle to drive the MINI owners crazy!

 

I have this metallic rattle from what I thought was the rear seats too - going in Monday for a fix ...
So thanks guys - I will have them check the boot latch too!

 

I had the rattle untill I found out what was making the noise. The plastic cover on the inside of the trunk, Its going to be hard to describe without pictures but the plastic trim that fits around the latch on the inside of the trunk. It was squeeking by the pins that attach it to the body, so I took a rag, cut it into a nice three inch strip folded it and shoved it under the plastic trim between the latch and the pin, and no more squeek.

 

I had a similar sound, and it took me a while to find it, as I even rode around in the boot area while by brother drove around the neighborhood. Mine ended up being, and still is, the rubber flaps Behind the boot vents. I believe those vents are to allow pressures to escapes when you shut a door or airbag deployment etc. Behind those vents, there are rubber flaps that hang down over the holes.

I can control my noise with the interior fan. If I turn the fan on, the rattle noise stops, if I turn the fan off, the rattle noise starts. It's as if those rubber flaps are pushed open by the air pressure and the noise stops. I took off the trim panel, and found the rubber flaps over the vent holes.

I mentioned it during my last service, and the dealer said it must be the boot latch (04'?). I explained what I did to find the problem, but I don't think they believed me as they "adjusted the latch" and the noise is still there. I just don't pay attention to it anymore.

Woops, I just saw this was an old thread, oh well....