So, I've found a lot of threads with people complaining about their dash down tubes rattling but I haven't found any solutions. My passenger side tube especially rattles like crazy, and I've already removed the silly OEM cup holder. Also, I noticed that when I removed the two T25 torx to remove the cup holder, the whole down tube fell about 3 inches down into the center console. Is there maybe supposed to be something supporting it from underneath or within that would prevent the rattling that has gone missing?

 

ah... Yes... there should be some compressed foam inserts at the base of the Down Tubes...

See part #2 of the image

I was looking for the part number... But I need to know what year and model car you have.

Motor on!

 

I had the same problem. After starting to disassemble mine, I decided that it was too much of a hassle. Some felt tape/strip pushed down in between the down tube and the shifter trim totally cured my rattle. You can't see it and it actually made the down tube more solid-feeling (I.e. The drink holder doesn't jiggle around as much).

 

Interesting! I have an '06 MCS

 

neither of my gen 1 MINIs had the foam. i use very slipper surgical tape between the contact points...works like a charm.

 

Alright, well, looks like these things are about $12-$14 each from ECS or $28 each from the dealership. Either one has about a month wait for an order. Luckily, I'm pretty sure my girlfriend's '05 actually has these in tact so I bought some white styrofoam ***** from the craft store today, gonna pull the inserts from her car & try to carve out some replicas! Should be a fun weekend project!

 

In my case the noise was coming from between the pieces 3 and 13 on the picture above. I just folded a small piece of paper, unscrewed the screws on the grey pillar and pushed the pillar up. Then I put the pieces of paper on the bottom of the pillar and pushed it back down so the paper is not visible. That solved the problem.
I know it is not a ver elegant solution but it is quick and cheap :p

 

mine creaked there and at the top of 13 where it met the dash. thats where i put the tape.

 

Alrighty, got the styrofoam inserts on order! I actually attempted to carve a set of replica inserts myself, modeling them after the foam bits out of my girlfriends car. I gave up after about 2 hours. They're way too curvy & specific in the way they're shaped so I threw in the towel haha. I did notice, while I had her console apart, that the inner edges of the down tubes were lined in black felt tape, as well as the insides of the plastic holes where the tor screws pass through. I will try to replicate this for sure as well, as her dash doesn't rattle or squeak at all!