I have had a persistent dash rattle that I've taken to Ralph Schomp MINI multiple times but they have been unable to fix. I have not had any trouble with them until this issue came up. After 3 attempts I've decided to write a letter to MINIUSA in the hopes that they can get this resolved.

The rattle is a constant buzzing and cracking sound coming from the middle of the dash right above the speedometer. From all my research (and Ralph Schomp's first diagnosis) it seems to be the dash centering pin rattling itself crazy. THIS RATTLE MAKES ME WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR OFF A BRIDGE - IT IS REALLY THAT LOUD AND ANNOYING!

I love this car and it's awesome handling, but these kind of issues are making me think twice about this love.

My letter to MINIUSA is below - am I overreacting?



MINIUSA,

I am currently having a difficult time getting a problem fixed on my 2005 Cooper here in Denver. The car has repeatedly been to Ralph Schomp MINI for various rattles and creaks, and although most have been fixed, there is a persistent dash "popping" that has not been fixed despite multiple attempts. Here is the story:

The problem began in May and during my first service visit in July, was identified as the "dashboard centering pin" rattling. The windshield was removed, the pin tightened, and a new windshield installed. This seemed to have solved the problem, but it proved to only be temporary.

Less than a month later during the "MINIs in the Mountains" here in Colorado, the dash began popping and rattling again. I scheduled a second service visit and discovered I could temporarily remedy the problem by hitting the dash in the center near the windshield (it would always return about every 100 miles though). During the second service appointment they were unable to duplicate the problem since I had hit the dash less than 100 miles ago. Ralph Schomp would not investigate an issue they could not hear.

Following this service visit my wife and I drove from Colorado to Ohio and back. During this trip the popping became worse and worse until it popped and rattled constantly at any speed over 20mph. From Ohio I scheduled a service appointment to address this rattle and a broken windshield (caused by a hit from a rock in Nebraska) for when I returned to Colorado. After 2,000 miles of popping and rattling I was ready to have this problem fixed once and for all!

When I dropped off the vehicle at Ralph Schomp on September 5, I reported the rattles I wanted to have fixed making the dash the priority issue. Unfortunately, the service department did not address the rattle first so that they could identify it, but instead had the windshield replaced right away - this of course resolved the dash problem, but prevented the service team from completely understanding what was causing the rattle. After the windshield replacement, Ralph Schomp was unable to replicate the problem, and assumed the problem was permanently remedied. I was more skeptical, having dealt with this problem in the same scenario before, so I instructed them to keep the vehicle overnight and listen again in the morning. Unfortunately, Ralph Schomp was unable to hear the dash rattle in the morning, and reported the vehicle as "fixed." I picked up the vehicle this afternoon hoping that the dash problem was indeed fixed. To my dismay, on the 50 mile drive home the dash rattle again returned at a very audible level.

This problem has plagued our 18,000 mile Cooper for over 4 months and 3 service appointments (each one needing to be scheduled over 2 weeks out and the dealer is about 50 miles each way). In an otherwise perfect and fun $20k car, this problem in unacceptable and needs to be fixed permanently. I am leery of taking the car back down to the dealer (almost an hour drive) only to have the problem not fixed again. Please help!

Thanks,
Michael R. DiRosa

 

not overreacting at all, you payed $20,000 for a car, it should work as intended. It was not intended to rattle, squeek or pop. In my opinion you are doing what should b done.

 

Sounds good to me. Your request seems reasonable enough and you have a right to pursue any course open to you. Good luck on getting that rattle dealt with once and for all!!! I get little rattles that come and go ('03 Cooper @ 40K). They don't bother me, but if they did I'd be pursuing a fix as you are doing.

 

i don't think you are over reacting as rattles are very annoying.

can you find a safe road and have your friend push down around
the dash to locate the rattle? Im sure you already tried it, but maybe
it's more forward in the defrost vent area?

i know some people stuck cardboards/EZ felt in the dash to fix
their rattles. my car had a buzzing noise from the passenger door
but fixed it with EZ felt (EZ felt can be had at Michaels Arts & Crafts
and has been one of my favorite buz suppression material).

 

I have isolated the noise (and made it stop) almost everytime I drive it - it stops by putting a little bit of pressure on the dash right in front of the air vent but behind the speedometer. Soooo nice when it stops...but I can't drive with one hand on the dash (especially since I need to shift gears).

-Michael

PS - yes I have an in-house stock of stick on felt...unfortunately this rattle is actually underneath the dash pad

 

You're definitely not overreacting--it sounds like your experience has been really frustrating, and any car owner clearly deserves to enjoy their car, not want to drive it off a bridge because of a manufacturer defect. Plus, your letter was courteous and well-written. You gave them all the information and were firm with them about what had to happen while remaining rational and professional. Sounds great to me.

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

 

Michael, I think your letter is totally appropriate. I had a persistent dash rattle in my 2003 MCS, which many techs could never duplicate. I finally had it repaired when the dash was removed and they added a previously missing washer to the pin. That fixed it for me, but it did take quite a while for the MINI techs to find the proper repair. Don't give up! Keep at it, with bulldog determination!

 

Welcome to the club, Michael. I have had the same problem, have had my dealer rip off the dash over and over again to no avail. Most of the issue was taken care of when they found that my windshield had been installed too low on the stops at the base of the windshield. They reset the glass and it went away for a few months, but crept back over the past few weeks. I have chosen to ignore it myself, but would love it if it could actually be fixed. I just can't waste time at the dealership anymore for something they simply can't figure out.

 

No way you're over reacting its perfectly sensible that you would be upset when your year old car is malfunctioning, make a case and get em to fix it!

 

The letter is fine except I would remove the reference to "MINI's in the Mountains" as MINIUSA could use that to imply that your rattles are caused by competitive or enthusiastic driving events. You and I know that's not the case but they could jump on any excuse to avoid responsibility.

 

I've been ingnoring this same rattle for months, but think I should speak up about it at the dealer before my warranty expires. Anyone have this rattle successfully (and permanently) fixed?

 

Unfortunately, it is slightly less than I would have expected from customer service...guess I have to deal with the dealer on this...hopefully they will decide to return my calls


Hi Michael,

Thanks for writing MINI. I am sorry to hear of the problems you are having with your MINI.

We do not have the ability to provide technical advice via e-mail. I would suggest contacting the service team at your local MINI dealership. The service manager receives the most up-to-date information from engineering to review your concerns and provide assistance. Should you need it, you may locate the MINI dealer closest to you by entering your zip code in the dealer locator on our homepage at miniusa.com.

If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.

LET’S MOTOR.

Darlene Hawley
MINI Customer Relations and Services
Representative
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)

 

You are definitely NOT overreacting. You worked, you saved, you bought a car with an expectation of quality. Where quality lacks, or service is needed, you expect the dealer to be expert enough to fix the problems. This is the agreement we all enter when we drop 20,000$ on a car, and the dealer and manufacturer enters it, too.

I was one more trip to the dealer for a similar rattle away from a letter not unlike yours. I would have written to the service advisor's boss first, though.

mb

 

Heck of a canned response you got from Mini.

 

If its an 2003 there is a recall on that dash rattle

 

Really? My dash has the same problem. I'm an early 04 (sept 03 build). Is there a TSB on this as well?

 

No overreaction at all! I had the same issue with my 02MC, but never pursued it as warrenty work though.

I did manage to "fix" the rattle by removing the dash cover and inserting two small pieces of cardboard under the middle/defroster vent (the oval shaped piece). It has been a long time ago since, I found the fix on the internet, and not even sure if it is still available. Do a search here on NAM and then perhaps a general google search. It still occassionally comes back, but seems only on colder days, and it is not constant like it used to be. If you would like, Im happy to pop the cover off, take some pics, and post or e-mail to you if interested.

Thanks,

Trent

 

Ok, sorry for the additional post, but I did a search on the NHTSA site and I didn't find the recall information

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callsearch.cfm

Not sure if you mean TSB on the issue...

 

I've got the same thing on an "05". Not loud and only on occasion but I would like to elimanate it. Actually there is another thread on this I'll have to search and find it. Meanwhile...

Anybody know the procedure for removing the dash? I hesitate to do it because usually when I try something like that I get frustrated and break something, or never get it back on correctly.


Edit: Here's the link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=37125

 

Over reacting to a rattle that drives you nuts? NOPE. I think you're well within your rights as a Mini customer to demand satisfaction from the dealer. At the Mini's prices, you should be catered to, not ignored. Make another appt. and take the guy with you as you drive...that way, he can't deny the fact that the rattle is there with you in the car with him.

 

Overreacting? No. As others have said, you paid for new, you should get new.
THAT SAID, it takes something under 3 minutes to remove the dash pad* on an '02-'04 (sorry, RAN, er, Pendergast, the '05+ is way more involved). Remove said dash. Drive. Diagnose and repair as appropriate.
Should the MINI dealer take care of it? Yes.
Is it far more time, hassle and angst for them to do it? Yes.
Principle is one thing, but in the end you just want the :impatient @%&^&:impatient rattle fixed.

*There are plastic cover plates on either side of the dash (the pic shows how it connects) - open door, identify cover plate, pop it off. Remove one torx screw from each side and the dash lifts right off.

 

Sounds to me like some sort of rubber washer is missing or they need to slap some foam insulation between the dash and the mounting area... hmmm.

 

One more visit to the dealer is scheduled for next Tuesday 9/19...I will take them for a drive with it before they touch anything.

Looks like I'll be getting another windshield too since they have to remove it to fix the rattle - that makes 6 windshields in 18000 miles and 1.5 years!

Maybe I should sit in the service bay with the tech and see what they do and make sure it's really nice and felt-ed inside the dash before they put it back together...don't know if Schomp will let me do that because of liability or something though.

Maybe the 07's will be better?

 

Id be pretty sure that the 07s will have there own kind of problem

 

Well, Rob at Schomp replaced the rattling A pillar and installed a "MINI dash anti-rattle kit" today which seems to have solved the problem. Still crossing my fingers that it holds!

It seems MINI has released a kit to solve this infamous dash rattle - if your dealer doesn't know anything about it have them contact Rob at Ralph Schomp service.

I'll update in a few days to see if it is still fixed...

BTW - thanks to Rob for hooking me up with a fun JCW Cooper S as my loaner for the day!