MIB has developed a strange noise. It sounds as if it is coming from the passenger side near the glove box. It only happens on certain pavement. Namely one specific bridge that I cross over on my way to work. Seems that the pavment is textured to reduce icing in the winter. It is more than tire noise. Once I am off that pavement, the vibration goes away.

 

Does it sound like something tapping up against a plastic box or vent pipe?

 

It's a know Mini issue called the gravel squirrel

 

The gravel squirrel also has a friend who hangs out in the engine bay, called the engine rat.

 

I wonder if the pavement + your speed induce a sympathectic vibration in something in the car. Have you tried a variety of speeds on that bridge? If m hypothesis is true, the noise will stop at speeds either much slower or much faster than your normal speed on the bridge. (This may be an impractical test, given traffic and speed limits.)

 

This may sound overly simplistic, but do you have the glovebox organizer? I have the same noise and determined that the organizer deformed slightly caused a rubbing/squeeking sound togteher with the stuff inside that had shifted as a result.

 

My car vibrates all the time when going over strangely grooved pavement. I know that one area they did this to the expressway because people were complaining about the noise (what did you expect when you moved next to the interstate???).

That section of the road sucks, and the car loves to tramline there along with nasty tire noise. And I doubt the grooves helped the noise at all.

 

There is a stop sign just as I turn right onto the bridge. I will have to notice tonight what speeds cause the noise.

 

No But I was thinking of one. Currently a pen, the Owners manuals etc. and some McDonalds napikins in the glove box.

 

Do you have loose stuff in your glove box that would rattle around when you hit this particular spot in the road? If it was your tire it seems it would make that noise all the time.... Mick

 

I have that sound you describe all the time now. Started a month ago and hasn't stopped. Truly annoying. I do have the glove box organizer so I may take it out and see if its causing the problem but I highly doubt it.

 

I didn't notice the noise last night. Perhaps it was the pen rattling around in the box or against the tissue holder in the door??

 

I have the organizer and stuff in it, but none of it is what is causing the noise I have. I have yet to take my MCS apart, but the sound is loudest up by the windscreen on the passenger side and clearly audible with my ear to the passenger front wheel well to the rear of the tire/wheel. Truly annoying.