I have been trying to identify a rattle in my S the dealer did not find. Over sharp bumps in the rear. I noticed if I smack the headliner right below both hatch hinge pockets I get a rattle. Would someone without a rattle please try this out?

 

I have the same rattle so I hope you've found it.

 

I hear it sometimes too. It's only noticeable when the radio is off.

 

It is going in again next week for the 15K. Maybe they will do better this time. I would be interested if slapping the headliner right below the hinge pockets makes a rattle in your cars, or in cars with no noise problem.
There is nothing inside the hatch that can vibrate. I looked there.

 

Mine has been rattling for over a year. After this last visit to the dealer it about 85% better. The noise was a metallic knocking sound coming from the rear hatch. Especially over a sharp bump. They replaced the striker again and adjusted the catch. It's not perfect but a lot better.

 

My 2010 did this too, but it wasn't a constant. Finally determined it was something with the latch and the U shaped catch. Wrapped the U shaped catch with a little electrical tape, problem solved.

 

I had the exact same problem and fix applied to my Mini. The fix lasted about 3 weeks and now the rattle is back, especially on bumps. I guess I could try 10zero's fix, but I totally think this is unaccepted and Mini should come out with some kind of permanent fix.

 

You're right, they should have a fix for it. But, sometimes I fear a dealer can actually make a little annoyance worse. The little fix for mine is so trivial, it's nothing I even think about.

I went through adjusting the rubber bumpers on the hatch in several different positions, none of which worked. Sometime quite some time ago I read somewhere that someone tried the electrical tape thing with success. So I just wrapped the lower U portion (the portion that actually goes into the latch) with just a couple of wraps of electrical tape. Mine's been wrapped now for about 3 months now, still no more rattle.

 

Opened the hatch and far less rattle. I may have more than one.
I will discuss this info with the dealer.

 

Tape around the bail stopped the rattle. I have a service appointment Monday. BYW, I keep the rear seat buckels tucked in beside the seat to keep them quiet. I would be most disappointed if I hard to put tape in it every few months. Seems this is a common problem and MINI should devise a solution.

 

In 07 Hatchbacks there was a clip that pops into a flange on the roof, in the middle of the headliner at the rear of the car (about 6" from the back edge). The plastic clip is glued to the headliner. If this glue fails, the plastic clip is free to rattle in the metal roof flange. Might be something to check. You can push the edge of the headliner down just enough to look in with a flashlight to see if it's still attached.

 

This was 100% MY RATTLE. I have photos if anyone is interested (of this clip).

 

meh, I'll try the fancy black duct tape method. what I have is more of a "thunk" sound over sharp bumps, and not all the time

 

So I got sick of hearing the rattle noise over bumps and wrapped the trunk latch with electrical tape and surprise surprise it went away. I will be talking with my dealer in a couple weeks to see if they can provide a permanent fix that does not involve electrical tape.

 

The problem with the electrical tape is the tape tends to shread and get stuck in the latch mechanism. Chances are if the dealer finds pieces of tape in the latch they will not warranty the part when it binds from the tape pieces.

 

I'd just glance at it now and then when you open the hatch. If it's shredding...cut it off and put a couple of new wraps to it. Mines been wrapped for 3 months now, zero rattles still and zero shredding so far.

 

Just wrapped my latch too. Rattle is completely gone. I should have done this a looong time ago. Oh well!

 

Just read this post after a "rattle" search and will try this tonight! Thanks.