I've been fairly successful at tracking down a couple noises that were emanating from "somewhere" in my car and I realized that it might be really helpful to new owners to have somewhat of an archive. I know that not every car will have the same noises, but it will at least give people ideas on where to start looking. Rattles and similar sounds burrow into my soul and drive me up the wall, so it's possible that this will cause you to hear sounds you hadn't notice before - sorry about that :P

example:
Presentation: What you're hearing and where it seems to be from.
Cause: If you've found the source, it goes here
Correction: Did you manage to fix it? What did you do?

 

Passenger door-panel creaks with audio playback.

Presentation: Soft lower-pitched, plasticy creak from passenger side. It sounds like plastic flexing a bit if that makes sense.
Cause: Caused by bass kicks from the stereo. When the bass kicks, the pressure causes the door panel to move a bit causing the sound.
It's extra-annoying with chill rock that has a bass kick, because you hear the kick followed by a creak (boom*creak*).
Correction: I'm going to fill both my doors with dynamat or something similar in hopes that this fixes the issue.

 

Presentation: Rattle from passenger side, varies in loudness.
Cause: For me, this is caused by the seatbelt buckle being suspended at about shoulder-height allowing it to vibrate against the frame of the car.
Correction: Move it up or down, or wedge it in the pouch on the back of the seat.

 

Presentation: Rattle from behind seats, maybe from boot or boot lid?
Cause: Still working on this one....
Correction:

 

Could be the license plate attachment/frame. I tracked down a rattle there.

 

Good thought! I'll check! Changing the frame to something that isn't a dealership advertisement is on my list of things to do, anyways

 

I've had this too. It was a simple matter of making sure to slide the belt retainer up so the tab was against the stop at the top of the seat back. It's a matter of routine now. Of course, the other option is to refuse to allow passengers.

And lest you prospective R59 owners get squeamish about this thread, know that other that this one item my Roadster has been solid and quiet as a mouse even on the roughest winter road surfaces.

 

You guys are crazy . Doing work to your car when it's under warranty??

Presentation: Mid speakers in HIFI system sound amazingly distorted.
Cause: Door clips
Correction: MINI of San Diego covered the door clips with felt tape. Problems completely disappeared.

 

Presentation: Squeak/rub noise when going over bumps or any imperfect surface
Source: Plastic "Accordion" at the base of the drivers seat belt (Female end.) rubbing against plastic seat shell
Solution: Tie folded bandana around offending area, car is now lexus-quiet.

 

If I can get a tip on fixing a rattle...and not have to drive 60 miles one way to the Dealer...wait around or make two trips..I am a very happy camper..

 

Felt is excellent idea! But I'll do it myself to avoid spending 2 hrs at my dealer

 

Presentation: Slither then crash noise from dashboard when driving S-bends
Cause: Bag of loose coins used to feed parking meters moved from glovebox in previous low-rent justa-Cooper to secret compartment in new "I've spent how much money?" SD Roadster, in order to make use of compartment that seemed desirable when I didn't have it, but seems kinda pointless now I've got one.
Correction: Put bag of coins back in glovebox where ordinary people keep it.

 

Angib - I had that experience with my sunglesses. I thought "This is a perfect place to put them" and then for 3 days straight i could not figure out what was thunking on every turn. EVERY TURN. I felt like such a moron.

This is true. There is nothing wrong with the car at all. Most people hopefully know that every new car has a chance of a couple little break-in rattles. I'm exceptionally ****, much to my wife's dismay - she could never hear any of the noises that I'm tracking down.

 

Presentation: Squeak/buzz from behind pass door with top up. Almost any bump sets it off.
Cause: no lube on the door latch (from cleaning mostly)
Correction: A dab of silicone grease worked into the mechanism and it is silent now - there at least...

Another:

Presentation: Persistent lite squeak top of dash (maybe a bit inside) in front of the driver.
Cause: Not completely sure, but it might be where the most forward part of the sash meets the window.
Correction: Nothing yet :(

Franny