Dash Creaking from Heat
#1
Dash Creaking from Heat
I have started to get a cracking/creaking noise from the top dash. It happens when the inside of the car is cold. Usually when it’s below 40 deg outside. I get in the car and start her up. After 2-5 mins once the heat starts I hear the noise. It sounds like some kind of plastic is expanding from the heat. After 10 mins the noise is gone. I can stop get out for an hour then get back in and it does it again. It makes the noise faster since the car is already warm. I dropped it by the dealer and they said they padded the dash/windshield area. When I picked it up that day it still did it. Back again I guess.
#2
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#9
So lets hope Mini steps up.
#10
I have a similar problem
At night time when it's consistently cold my 2007 Mini's dash rattles like crazy. However during the day when a tech can look at it the rattle goes away. I called mountain view mini and I was basically told to go pound sand. So I guess it's up to me to now solve the issue.
I also get the sounds of expanding plastic when I turn the heater on with the vent. As funny as it sounds that also seems to solve the rattle, but I agree with you that a top dollar 'premium' small car should not have these issues.
I also get the sounds of expanding plastic when I turn the heater on with the vent. As funny as it sounds that also seems to solve the rattle, but I agree with you that a top dollar 'premium' small car should not have these issues.
#11
yeah i get the expanding sound too...idk how much i can blame MINI tho because materials expand and contract, its science....but i do get the rattle (in particular when im driving slower or when then engine hits a low note - usually while driving slow haha) that i do want to take in to get fixed...but i almost dont want to take it in in fear that it might get worse
#12
I have the same problem and I think that is not possible,especially because is a very expensive car. My parents have cheaper cars and they don't have that creaking noise when they turn on the heater.
I think that the best solution is to write directly to Bmw-Mini customer service in order to have them informed on how many(ALL) Minis have the problem.
Maybe they realize that is the case of making a modified part.
I think that the best solution is to write directly to Bmw-Mini customer service in order to have them informed on how many(ALL) Minis have the problem.
Maybe they realize that is the case of making a modified part.
#13
I have the same problem and I think that is not possible,especially because is a very expensive car. My parents have cheaper cars and they don't have that creaking noise when they turn on the heater.
I think that the best solution is to write directly to Bmw-Mini customer service in order to have them informed on how many(ALL) Minis have the problem.
Maybe they realize that is the case of making a modified part.
I think that the best solution is to write directly to Bmw-Mini customer service in order to have them informed on how many(ALL) Minis have the problem.
Maybe they realize that is the case of making a modified part.
Last edited by ianparcher; 01-02-2008 at 12:47 PM.
#14
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This is Princeton Mini/BMW in NJ. I have been there many times for varying issues. Everything from faults in the sagging hood scoops to stained wheel arch moldings and water on the inside of the front windows(still happends everytime the windows are wet).
They have had to keep the car a bunch of times, the longest was a week. I would always wait till I had a few issues. This time it was a crack in the armrest and a big gap in the dash trim. I also let him know that I was hearing an air leak from the drivers door (amplified when wet out).
I also asked him again to look at the headliner and rear hatch area of the car. From day one there has always been what I say are allot of rattles from these locations. I asked again if they could looking to the pass. door speakers. Listing to BBC and other talk radio vibrate the door. If I place my had were the rattles come from they stop. There was a 2nd request to look at the dash creaking from HVAC system this is not normal on any car. They have been making cars with plastic for a long time. There are ways to design the system not to create cracking/popping noises. I know my Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Nissan and Toyota didn't do it.
MSA: Mini Service Adviser
There also was the cold start rattle. I had brought this up before and he said it was direct injection noise. I voiced again how it sounds like its not and he told me I'm not a Mini tech.
MSA: If I don't like what "his" techs said I can go to a different dealer.
MSA: Proceeded to tell me I was picking the car apart. Being ****-retentive in regards to the rattles.
MSA: The car is not a quiet one and it has allot of plastic and will rattle.
Me: At a cost of over 35k it should not rattle this much.
Me: BMW owns Mini and I would think they would make a product to there standers.
MSA: Mini has nothing to do with BMW. Thats like comparing Rolls Royce to BMW.
MSA: I am wasting his techs time looking for rattles, this is an enthusiasts car and part of owning it is the rattles.
I said if they said that when I was going to buy the car I would said see ya. I didn't sign a contract that said: Your car will rattle. If you bring the car in and ask them to correct them the MSA will call you names and ask you to stop bothering them. They would rather make $150 an hour doing out of warranty work.
I think it comes down to this. The Mini I have is not a base model S its an option out 35k car. That is mid level luxury car area. IS250, C class, 3 series and so on. I would expect the car to be as quiet as possible in regards to rattles. Some rattle will happen...but some should be addressed. I would only ask them when I had the car in for other issues, never bring it in for just a rattle. Most of the time they would just ignore my request to look at the noise and never list it as an item. It would still be there when I got the car back so they never looked into the issue and there time was never wasted like the MSA said.
I also called MiniUSA and they gave me the same crap. Saying if the car is in specs then its fine. I said are rattles specs? Is the car design to rattle?. He would not answer the question. Saying We can call the dealer and ask them to look again. I said they have and they want me to leave and go to a different one and thats not an option since I work only 5mins from this one.
No help there!!!!
Bad build quality, bad service, lack of dealer support network, bad customer support and great gas MPG= perks of owning a stylish Mini
Thank God it will be my last!!
They have had to keep the car a bunch of times, the longest was a week. I would always wait till I had a few issues. This time it was a crack in the armrest and a big gap in the dash trim. I also let him know that I was hearing an air leak from the drivers door (amplified when wet out).
I also asked him again to look at the headliner and rear hatch area of the car. From day one there has always been what I say are allot of rattles from these locations. I asked again if they could looking to the pass. door speakers. Listing to BBC and other talk radio vibrate the door. If I place my had were the rattles come from they stop. There was a 2nd request to look at the dash creaking from HVAC system this is not normal on any car. They have been making cars with plastic for a long time. There are ways to design the system not to create cracking/popping noises. I know my Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Nissan and Toyota didn't do it.
MSA: Mini Service Adviser
There also was the cold start rattle. I had brought this up before and he said it was direct injection noise. I voiced again how it sounds like its not and he told me I'm not a Mini tech.
MSA: If I don't like what "his" techs said I can go to a different dealer.
MSA: Proceeded to tell me I was picking the car apart. Being ****-retentive in regards to the rattles.
MSA: The car is not a quiet one and it has allot of plastic and will rattle.
Me: At a cost of over 35k it should not rattle this much.
Me: BMW owns Mini and I would think they would make a product to there standers.
MSA: Mini has nothing to do with BMW. Thats like comparing Rolls Royce to BMW.
MSA: I am wasting his techs time looking for rattles, this is an enthusiasts car and part of owning it is the rattles.
I said if they said that when I was going to buy the car I would said see ya. I didn't sign a contract that said: Your car will rattle. If you bring the car in and ask them to correct them the MSA will call you names and ask you to stop bothering them. They would rather make $150 an hour doing out of warranty work.
I think it comes down to this. The Mini I have is not a base model S its an option out 35k car. That is mid level luxury car area. IS250, C class, 3 series and so on. I would expect the car to be as quiet as possible in regards to rattles. Some rattle will happen...but some should be addressed. I would only ask them when I had the car in for other issues, never bring it in for just a rattle. Most of the time they would just ignore my request to look at the noise and never list it as an item. It would still be there when I got the car back so they never looked into the issue and there time was never wasted like the MSA said.
I also called MiniUSA and they gave me the same crap. Saying if the car is in specs then its fine. I said are rattles specs? Is the car design to rattle?. He would not answer the question. Saying We can call the dealer and ask them to look again. I said they have and they want me to leave and go to a different one and thats not an option since I work only 5mins from this one.
No help there!!!!
Bad build quality, bad service, lack of dealer support network, bad customer support and great gas MPG= perks of owning a stylish Mini
Thank God it will be my last!!
Last edited by ianparcher; 01-03-2008 at 07:39 AM.
#18
I get some creaking in the heater vents when it's cold out, too, but (since it doesn't get all that cold in Texas) it goes away quickly...like under a minute. Never had a problem w/ the dash rattling, though.
Now on my '03 Cooper the vents did not creak (go figure) and the dash rattled. All in all, the vent-creaking is easy to live with.
Now on my '03 Cooper the vents did not creak (go figure) and the dash rattled. All in all, the vent-creaking is easy to live with.
#19
I get some creaking in the heater vents when it's cold out, too, but (since it doesn't get all that cold in Texas) it goes away quickly...like under a minute. Never had a problem w/ the dash rattling, though.
Now on my '03 Cooper the vents did not creak (go figure) and the dash rattled. All in all, the vent-creaking is easy to live with.
Now on my '03 Cooper the vents did not creak (go figure) and the dash rattled. All in all, the vent-creaking is easy to live with.
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#22
Well, that's just the thing, right? Your $35k MINI is the exact same car as my $27k MINI, or someone's base-spec $21k MINI. It's not going to be built any better or worse. I expect mine to be nice and all, but I know that, even for a "premium" hatch (it's a LOT nicer of a car than a lot of what's out there), it's not going to be perfect... as much as I want it to be.
#23
I have had a Mercedes and a BMW both worth more than 35 Gs. Guess what they had problems too, real problems that affected drivability, safety and my overall satisfaction. My MINI (R56) has the usually issues like the creaking dash and rattle rattle engine tick, but thats just what a MINI does. I traded both the more expensives and bought a $30 G MINI, its fun enough to drive I kinda just accept the little "quirks" as part of the car.
#24
I still have many unresolved rattles, creaks, and wind noise that I have been learning to accept as I am busy with mods. Helps I only spent $23K total on my MC. Whether you option $40K or $20K, Mini quality is unfortunately the same. The mods are adding up, though.
Don't think I'm going to get another Mini next time around, but I will probably keep this one till it can't move anymore.
Don't think I'm going to get another Mini next time around, but I will probably keep this one till it can't move anymore.
#25
Your optioned out $35K MINI has the same dash as a $18K base model. In my honest opinion and not trying to an a-hole, you should sell the car. You will never be hapy with it. It's not worth the agrivation your having.