The solution? New door panels. Just had them replaced and no more buzz. Apparently the buzz comes from where the armrest bar joins up with the bezel. MINI will replace the panels without questions. Hope this helps all those with the annoying buzzes.

 

I just had my passenger side door panel fixed for speaker buzz, but now I've noticed a rattle in the driver's side door, or maybe just in front of the door, down near the floor. It only happens intermittently, usually when going over bumpy terrain. Has anyone else experienced this particular rattle? Any known solutions?

Also, if they replace the whole door panel, it could be a problem eventually for those of us with Magnesium doors. They are discontinuing that option in '04.

 

try using tape backed felt around the perimeter of the panels.

re: discontinued magnesium - i doubt they can legally discontinue replacement parts.

 

>>The solution? New door panels. Just had them replaced and no more buzz. Apparently the buzz comes from where the armrest bar joins up with the bezel. MINI will replace the panels without questions. Hope this helps all those with the annoying buzzes.

Hi Fins,

Anong balita?

 

I have a buzz coming from that reflector at the door. It's really annoying. Oh poo

 

I've had a speaker buzz at low frequencies and high volumes, from teh front passenger door lower speaker. I've had occasional, intermittent squeaking from the door panels, and I was a little unhappy about how things in the door pockets would rattle around. In addition, the trim paint on the door Y-bars has started to peel.
Here's what I've done to address all of these issues:
I've taken the door apart, and all of the palstic trim off to re-paint the Y piece.
The surrounding plastic bezel (2 parts) is attached by melted plastic. You need to drill or dremel this off if you go to such lengths and figure out how to reattach. Not really a great way this is manufactured. The bezel and Y piece are ABS plastic, the door panel is coded as PP (don't know what that is). Heat melt thermoplastic glues sticks well to both.
I also noticed that the speaker grilles (at least for HK system) are also heat melted to the door panel. In my panel, this was not done well and the grille could move and could be once source for a buzz. I used 5-minute epoxy to fix the grille to the panel in several places. Next, I used dynamat (heavy, self-adhesive vibration deadening pads - in my case I used waterproof ones) to dampen any vibrations. I added dynamat to the metal of the door as well as the plastic door panel. Next, I lined the door pocket and whole area of the pocket with felt to reduce rattles.
I also noticed that the trim attachment plastic rivets (for attaching panel to door) move a little too much and may rattle. I reduced the rattle by removing the rivets and adding tape to their back.
Next, I used double sided tape around the speaker grille to reduce chance of grille & door panel (now an epoxied unit) to vibrate against the front of the speaker. The speaker is mounted to the door, and the grille just rests against that, not the best of designs in terms of rattle proofness.
Now I need to wait for the repainted Y-b races to dry, and then I can reassemble the doors. I am hoping this will make the doors more rattle and buzz proof, but also overall a lot quieter.
Markus

 

Hey pooky - what's up!

It could re-occur in the future, that's a crap shoot. It sure beats MG-BGT's DIY fix. I know I went his route trying to eliminate the buzzes. Panel replacement is a hell of a lot easier...

 

>>I also noticed that the speaker grilles (at least for HK system) are also heat melted to the door panel. In my panel, this was not done well and the grille could move and could be once source for a buzz. I used 5-minute epoxy to fix the grille to the panel in several places. Next, I used dynamat (heavy, self-adhesive vibration deadening pads - in my case I used waterproof ones) to dampen any vibrations. I added dynamat to the metal of the door as well as the plastic door panel. Next, I lined the door pocket and whole area of the pocket with felt to reduce rattles.

I fixed my HK speaker grill by first taking each front door panel off and simply cutting 4 pieces of felt (about 1" x 3&quot, and then "stuffed" this piece between the grill and the door panel by folding the felt in half and then using the tip of a small slot-tip screwdriver to push it into place. You will notice that there are 4 long slits on the inside of the HK speaker grill. This is where the felt goes. I then placed foam tape around the inside perimeter of the door panel that directly contacts the door frame. My fixes work great and now I have ZERO buzzing from my door panels!!! The bass doesn't even phase my door panels now. =-)~

For the rear speakers, I installed the MINI Sirius system and to do so with the H/K system, you have to remove both rear trim panels. While I had them off I installed foam tape around the entire perimeter of the trim pieces. My buzzing, rattling and all related noise is now gone. I just wish MINI did this in the first place.

_________________
Stewy was born on 2/20/03, Current Status: I picked him up today, 4-1-03!! MCS, DS/BL, Prem, Sport, Cold, Harman Kardon, Nav, PDC, Rain Sensing Wipers/Auto-Dimming Mirror, Black Panther Leather with Anthracite trim!

 

I had this ticking noise coming from my passenger door panel when I
drove around with the window or sunroof open. apparently the vaccum
inside the cabin caused the door panels to pull in/out a little bit. I
could simluate the noise while I pulled at the door's mapholder area
gently.

I took the door panel apart and looked at all the areas that could
possibly make the noise... 1st, the gasket/weather strip around
the large oval opening inside the door. If you press against the
strip collapsing it and move it around, it makes a squeeky ticking
noise. I lightly lubed it using a little bit of grease and oil inside
and out to rid the noise.

2nd I took off the black styrofoam backing inside the door panel since
it was also making a ticking noise when I pulled at it. I removed the
old adhesive and hot melted the foam back onto the door panel so
that there was no movement when pulled/pushed at.

Finally (3rd), I hot melted a 1.5mm thick EZ felt (width about 15mm)
between the door panel perimeter on the bottom of the door
panel where it meets with the metal door to give additional cusion
from making any noise.

I put the door back together, pulled at the handle and map holder
area and no noise! :smile: hopefully i can take her out for a test drive
this week to see if I completely rid the noise.

this is the only rattling I have on the MCS, so I hope I fixed it.

 

Finally got a chance to take her out for a test drive done this morning...The buzzing/ticking noise from my passenger door is gone.

yeaaaaaaaay!!!


but during the test drive... i completely smashed a bird (bird #6?)
as it bashed into my passenger side side-mirror going about 50mph.
guts on the passenger window and dusting on the side mirror cap,
but no damage to the car.

 

I took my car to the dealer to fix the rattles three weeks ago. Indeed the rattles have reduced, but my HK system rattles more than before. Any suggestions?

 

The dealer replaced my door panels when they were rattling

 

I had the normal h/k rattle on the passenger side. They removed the panel and applied the felt, and it helped alot - but there is still some speaker buzz there. I'll do it myself this time. I have no other noises anywhere, yet. 850 miles.