Mine makes a ton of noise. I figured it was especially bad due to the poorly maintaned roads in this area; Ah California; but it seem to be common. I will be happy to learn if the dealer is able to remedy this annoyance as my 10K check-up should be due in the next few months. Keep us all posted.

 

Jeez, mine's an 08/09 build. I bet more folks'll start reporting this what with this the first winter of the new dash design in production. Folks like winechic :smile:

Oh and I'd insert "cheap" in front of "Plastic" in your spot-on theory JB

 

Well being said that I have the same problem with my '05 Cabrio....

The dealer fixed the problem yesterday, not sure if this can help you Jimbo but worth a shot!

Originally the dealer sid they ordered a part, but didn't specify which part, once I took it in yesterday they replaced the whole dash! This is what the Repair Invoice says:

Client states the dash rattles.
Verified compaint found cause of rattle was cause by dash.
PFM trouble shooting RO# 95395
Replace complete dash.

Parts: 1 FP Number: 51-45-7-124-286 Trim Panel

Best of luck getting your bubble wrap out of your dash!

 

That's EXACTLY the sound I get. I kept looking for the #$&(%@ truck in front of me throwing up the sand! I get it regularly in the driver's door, and only infrequently in the dash.
The last time it happened I grabbed the 'vertical pillars', and that made the sound stop. The pillars are set in formed styrofoam pieces, which may be the culprits. I know the last time I carried a wine bottle carrier (styrofoam) I damn near went insane listening to the top and bottom pieces rub together!
At least I know I'm in good company...

 

Thanks for the info. What dealer serviced the car? Jimbo

 

I’m with MINI USA. I’m sorry your service experience was not what you expected. We are here to work with you and your Dealer. If you need our assistance, please phone us at (866) ASK MINI or email us at MINI.Assistance@askMINIUSA.COM and mention Reference # 200504200272 so that we can help you more efficiently.

 

hey rsbell if you're going to post what your service department said and did, including the part # PLEASE ALSO POST WHICH DEALER DID THE WORK FCOL. I wanted to tell Molly from M-USA (who I called re the last post) and she was curious WHICH DEALER fixed your dash. But I did not know, and she could not tell. What gives? Jimbo

Wow. Nearly 600 lurkers, and only 30 responses. If your car has the same problem, feel free to chime in, we don't bite--unless we receive INCOMPLETE INFORMATION

 

I got my Mini back on Friday which I think would be either the 3rd or 4th time they have looked at the dash.

They replaced the windshield for a stress fracture and while it was out they were able to get between the firewall and dash to insulate some of the contact points.

I drove 150 miles on the highway that night with temps from 40 down to 31 deg with no creaks. Today I took it down a cobblestone street and no creaks.

So far so good

Luke

 

Jimbo,

Sorry I didn't list the dealership, it was MINI of Universal City.
So far they have been GREAT!

And my apologies for taking so long to reply, I was out of town for a few days.

 

I too have the issues somewhat on the drivers side dash...only 400 miles thus far on my 05...will take in when it gets more annoying as I just got the car.

 

NO prob! Thanks a ton, Jimbo

 

Luke my Service Advisor really raised an eybrow when I told him your story. Although them going in thru the windshield to fix nagging dash problems is common for 02s-04s, they've not had to do this with an 05. He did tell me two service bulletins regrding dash issues are coming out soon, one may be out already. They're keeping EFR overnight and it's supposed to snow litely here in the early AM so maybe it can be reproduced. If there's no noise, I don't want them to tear the dash apart tho. Maybe a new windshield?

Did you go thru any grief regarding the stress fracture? No BS pen tests? Jimbo

 

I didn't even know there was a stress fracture until the told me they were replacing the screen.

I'm on to bigger and better things now, like the constant vibration i'm feeling thru the steering wheel that makes my hands achy when driving.

oh joy!

Luke

 

L, go get some leather-palmed bike or driving gloves, fingerless. That could help a bit. I got some Bell brand at Mal Fart for less than ten, and they're still holding up after 3 years. Nice to have leather between your hand and that beefy wheel. Sorry to hear of your latest tale of woe.... Hang in there and keep us posted, either here or M2.

Oh and my dealer (schomp, denver) found, whilst driving my car bone cold at 28F and fixed "significant" rattles where the downtubes meet the dash (with felt--I can see a tiny bit), replaced a loose mirror/heated seat switch, and replaced/reattached the cupholder . Drove car in 32F in sloppy magchloride , and all seems OK.

I have to admit, I never checked out where the downtubes meet the dash for vibrations--maybe they're on to something here.

Is your S an early build, like mine (early August)? Jimbo

 

Do you reckon they just jammed the felt in there or took it apart?

 

whatever .5 hour labor charge would have them do

 

July 10th

 

That could be it. The temp that is. I know this winter with 60k+ miles and the fidgit temps we had, I felt like I was riding in a stagecoach with all the squeaks and such. An explosive, responsive, highly tuned and refined stagecoach.

 

Now don't flame me on this one,but in my first winter,I had a dash rattle in extreme cold.I found were it was,by pushing and poking the dash.It would go away with a gentle push,or by holding it with my hand for a minute or so,then one day it was bugging me,would not go away with gentle pushing and poking,so I slammed it hard with the side of my fist,and I'm now well into my second winter,and no rattle

 

I think I'll try that If I end up with a boxer's fractire of my hand, I'll just blame it on the MINI I didn't hear any rattles with the top down in 80 degree weather the other day But now it's 30 & the rattles are back

Lois

 

I had my gloves onPoco does tend to have the odd rattle in the cold,at start up,all go away after driving for 15 minutes or so.Now by cold I mean below -10F.
When you drive away at -40F,the tires are "square"as in the flat area of the tire stays flat for a mile or so,then my teeth rattle,the heater fan is cranked to high,and I'm trying to hear the road report on the radio,my ear flaps are down,so I tend not to hear any dash rattles

 

I just got back from a drive tonight, temp 16F and my rattle was back. After repositioning my rolled up chunk of electrical tape it sort of went away again but not completely. Any particular place you wacked it Lot15?

 

Well it was a year ago,but I seem to remember the rattle coming right over the speedo.black part of the dash right in front of the vent.I did not vent on it to hard,but it was buzzing,and I gave it at good smart wack.Now don't hammer on it,one blow did it for me

 

Hey,remember it's really cold were I live,so I hear all kinds of things rattle,my teeth,bones, even my eye lids ice up and buzz sometimes,but the odd hard push,or smart wack,does make the buzzes go away.
When the temps. go above about -5F,Poco is rattle and buzz free

 

I think Coopers rattle less than the S.