2021 M5C rattly dash
Discussion
Hi
I recently picked up a one year old M5C with 4k on the clock.
Not sure how I didn't pick this up on the test drive but there is a lot of 'cracking' noise coming mainly from the middle of the dash. Happens over bumps but sometimes also spontaneously, especially when hot.
By 'cracking' I mean the sound you get when plastic flexes.
I can't tell if it's the faux aluminium trim, the idrive screen or the Bowers and Wilkins speaker which sits behind the screen.
It's very disappointing given how much I paid for this car.
Obviously it's under warranty but previous experience with a Mercedes dealer for a car that had similar issues wasn't great.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
I recently picked up a one year old M5C with 4k on the clock.
Not sure how I didn't pick this up on the test drive but there is a lot of 'cracking' noise coming mainly from the middle of the dash. Happens over bumps but sometimes also spontaneously, especially when hot.
By 'cracking' I mean the sound you get when plastic flexes.
I can't tell if it's the faux aluminium trim, the idrive screen or the Bowers and Wilkins speaker which sits behind the screen.
It's very disappointing given how much I paid for this car.
Obviously it's under warranty but previous experience with a Mercedes dealer for a car that had similar issues wasn't great.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Deep said:
Hi
I recently picked up a one year old M5C with 4k on the clock.
Not sure how I didn't pick this up on the test drive but there is a lot of 'cracking' noise coming mainly from the middle of the dash. Happens over bumps but sometimes also spontaneously, especially when hot.
By 'cracking' I mean the sound you get when plastic flexes.
I can't tell if it's the faux aluminium trim, the idrive screen or the Bowers and Wilkins speaker which sits behind the screen.
It's very disappointing given how much I paid for this car.
Obviously it's under warranty but previous experience with a Mercedes dealer for a car that had similar issues wasn't great.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Not being rude; but take it back to BMW, get them to drive it and hear the noises and let them fix it!I recently picked up a one year old M5C with 4k on the clock.
Not sure how I didn't pick this up on the test drive but there is a lot of 'cracking' noise coming mainly from the middle of the dash. Happens over bumps but sometimes also spontaneously, especially when hot.
By 'cracking' I mean the sound you get when plastic flexes.
I can't tell if it's the faux aluminium trim, the idrive screen or the Bowers and Wilkins speaker which sits behind the screen.
It's very disappointing given how much I paid for this car.
Obviously it's under warranty but previous experience with a Mercedes dealer for a car that had similar issues wasn't great.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
d_a_n1979 said:
Not being rude; but take it back to BMW, get them to drive it and hear the noises and let them fix it!
You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
Not rude at all. The dealer I bought it from is 170 miles away so it will go to my local dealer.You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
The only reason I asked here is in case others have had similar issues and know exactly where this noise is coming from. I suspect its the faux aluminium trim inserts because when you press them you can hear a cracking sound.
Pretty shocking for such an expensive car.
Deep said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Not being rude; but take it back to BMW, get them to drive it and hear the noises and let them fix it!
You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
Not rude at all. The dealer I bought it from is 170 miles away so it will go to my local dealer.You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
The only reason I asked here is in case others have had similar issues and know exactly where this noise is coming from. I suspect its the faux aluminium trim inserts because when you press them you can hear a cracking sound.
Pretty shocking for such an expensive car.
Unsure how they're fitted, but if they just 'pop off' then might be worth having a look, as long as you're uber careful not to mark anything
d_a_n1979 said:
Wonder if they may be able to pack them with something to stop the movement?
Unsure how they're fitted, but if they just 'pop off' then might be worth having a look, as long as you're uber careful not to mark anything
No, I definitely won't be attempting to take them off. I'm legendary at not being able to get things back together again!Unsure how they're fitted, but if they just 'pop off' then might be worth having a look, as long as you're uber careful not to mark anything
Deep said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Wonder if they may be able to pack them with something to stop the movement?
Unsure how they're fitted, but if they just 'pop off' then might be worth having a look, as long as you're uber careful not to mark anything
No, I definitely won't be attempting to take them off. I'm legendary at not being able to get things back together again!Unsure how they're fitted, but if they just 'pop off' then might be worth having a look, as long as you're uber careful not to mark anything
numtumfutunch said:
My current 5 series wagon does not make these noises
Obvs:
Its not an M5
Has HK not B&W
Is a Touring
Etc
Its a very quiet place to be (since I had the front door seals replaced under warranty)
That's why I chose a BMW again this time, my Merc had quite a few rattles and whenever I went in friends BMs they all seemed solid!Obvs:
Its not an M5
Has HK not B&W
Is a Touring
Etc
Its a very quiet place to be (since I had the front door seals replaced under warranty)
But such is my luck I manage to get one that sounds like someone is cracking plastic.
I've also noticed it's worse when the temperatures are hot.
Will take it into the dealer soon.
Could still be dash related. In hot weather the dashboard would expand and rub against the windscreen more.
Deep said:
Thanks but I don't think that's the case with mine.
I've noticed that temperature seems to play a big part; on a hot day there is a lot of 'cracking' sound.
Yesterday I drove the car at 5am when it was nice and cool and there was hardly anything.
I've noticed that temperature seems to play a big part; on a hot day there is a lot of 'cracking' sound.
Yesterday I drove the car at 5am when it was nice and cool and there was hardly anything.
Deep said:
Thanks but I don't think that's the case with mine.
I've noticed that temperature seems to play a big part; on a hot day there is a lot of 'cracking' sound.
Yesterday I drove the car at 5am when it was nice and cool and there was hardly anything.
I really suggest you take videos to record it during those episodes. Unless it’s a known fault, they will have to replicate the sound. If they cannot replicate it, then it won’t be fixed: that’ll be frustrating. I’ve had that with my current Volvo. I managed to have some videos to prove it. I've noticed that temperature seems to play a big part; on a hot day there is a lot of 'cracking' sound.
Yesterday I drove the car at 5am when it was nice and cool and there was hardly anything.
It's probably the main strip that runs across the dash. There's not a lot else to make that noise on a G30/F90 dash as they are really well built.
If you're so inclined, perhaps this will help....
- Buy some WD40 PTFE Dry Lubricant (you can get it in Halfords). Very important it's that product, not just WD40! This product is amazing to stop any plastic creaks and clicks.
- Remove the end cap on the passenger side of the dashboard (the bit on the end of the dash where the door closes onto - the passenger airbag on//off switch is there). A trim removal tool will prise this off easily - no need to disconnect the airbag switch, just leave it hanging
- You will now see a Torx screw holding the end of the trim strip - remove it. That's the only screw.
- Now, starting at the right hand side near the steering wheel, pull the panel off - just pull it straight towards to you as its just clipped on. Work your way along the length of the strip to pull it off evenly so you don't bend it - you won't break it but if you bend it too much you can add little stress marks to the ambient lighting strip that can make it uneven.
- There's two connectors to disconnect - the start-stop button and one above the glovebox area which gets power to things like the ambient lighting
- With the trim off, if you gently twist the panel you'll hear it creak so, now, spray the back of the panel around where all the plastic joints are (there's a lot of plastic-on-plastic and plastic welds) with the PTFE lube and you'll instantly get rid of all the plastic creaks
- Refit the trim
As for using your dealer, there's a chance they will make it worse. My dealer replaced that trim due to a faulty ambient light. They had one job to do which was the process above yet, when I got the car back, the air vent adjusters didn't work. They bent some plastic when putting it back on so I removed the trim and refitted it properly myself (it is quite alarming that the workshop couldn't do this simple job; makes you wonder what mistakes they make on trickier jobs!)
Finally, with this trim removed it's very easy to remove the iDrive screen (two screws which you will see behind the trim) but it's very unlikely it'll be that creaking. However, with the iDrive screen off, you can then have easy access to remove the grill etc. for the centre speaker and, under that grill is quite a lot of plastic that might also benefit from a bit of the PTFE spray.
If you're so inclined, perhaps this will help....
- Buy some WD40 PTFE Dry Lubricant (you can get it in Halfords). Very important it's that product, not just WD40! This product is amazing to stop any plastic creaks and clicks.
- Remove the end cap on the passenger side of the dashboard (the bit on the end of the dash where the door closes onto - the passenger airbag on//off switch is there). A trim removal tool will prise this off easily - no need to disconnect the airbag switch, just leave it hanging
- You will now see a Torx screw holding the end of the trim strip - remove it. That's the only screw.
- Now, starting at the right hand side near the steering wheel, pull the panel off - just pull it straight towards to you as its just clipped on. Work your way along the length of the strip to pull it off evenly so you don't bend it - you won't break it but if you bend it too much you can add little stress marks to the ambient lighting strip that can make it uneven.
- There's two connectors to disconnect - the start-stop button and one above the glovebox area which gets power to things like the ambient lighting
- With the trim off, if you gently twist the panel you'll hear it creak so, now, spray the back of the panel around where all the plastic joints are (there's a lot of plastic-on-plastic and plastic welds) with the PTFE lube and you'll instantly get rid of all the plastic creaks
- Refit the trim
As for using your dealer, there's a chance they will make it worse. My dealer replaced that trim due to a faulty ambient light. They had one job to do which was the process above yet, when I got the car back, the air vent adjusters didn't work. They bent some plastic when putting it back on so I removed the trim and refitted it properly myself (it is quite alarming that the workshop couldn't do this simple job; makes you wonder what mistakes they make on trickier jobs!)
Finally, with this trim removed it's very easy to remove the iDrive screen (two screws which you will see behind the trim) but it's very unlikely it'll be that creaking. However, with the iDrive screen off, you can then have easy access to remove the grill etc. for the centre speaker and, under that grill is quite a lot of plastic that might also benefit from a bit of the PTFE spray.
Edited by Palmball on Tuesday 21st June 23:51
Palmball said:
It's probably the main strip that runs across the dash. There's not a lot else to make that noise on a G30/F90 dash as they are really well built.
If you're so inclined, perhaps this will help....
- Buy some WD40 PTFE Dry Lubricant (you can get it in Halfords). Very important it's that product, not just WD40! This product is amazing to stop any plastic creaks and clicks.
- Remove the end cap on the passenger side of the dashboard (the bit on the end of the dash where the door closes onto - the passenger airbag on//off switch is there). A trim removal tool will prise this off easily - no need to disconnect the airbag switch, just leave it hanging
- You will now see a Torx screw holding the end of the trim strip - remove it. That's the only screw.
- Now, starting at the right hand side near the steering wheel, pull the panel off - just pull it straight towards to you as its just clipped on. Work your way along the length of the strip to pull it off evenly so you don't bend it - you won't break it but if you bend it too much you can add little stress marks to the ambient lighting strip that can make it uneven.
- There's two connectors to disconnect - the start-stop button and one above the glovebox area which gets power to things like the ambient lighting
- With the trim off, if you gently twist the panel you'll hear it creak so, now, spray the back of the panel around where all the plastic joints are (there's a lot of plastic-on-plastic and plastic welds) with the PTFE lube and you'll instantly get rid of all the plastic creaks
- Refit the trim
As for using your dealer, there's a chance they will make it worse. My dealer replaced that trim due to a faulty ambient light. They had one job to do which was the process above yet, when I got the car back, the air vent adjusters didn't work. They bent some plastic when putting it back on so I removed the trim and refitted it properly myself (it is quite alarming that the workshop couldn't do this simple job; makes you wonder what mistakes they make on trickier jobs!)
Finally, with this trim removed it's very easy to remove the iDrive screen (two screws which you will see behind the trim) but it's very unlikely it'll be that creaking. However, with the iDrive screen off, you can then have easy access to remove the grill etc. for the centre speaker and, under that grill is quite a lot of plastic that might also benefit from a bit of the PTFE spray.
Thanks, yes I suspect it is the main trim insert as well. I get the occasional noise from the matching trim inserts that are in the door but nowhere near as much as from the dash.If you're so inclined, perhaps this will help....
- Buy some WD40 PTFE Dry Lubricant (you can get it in Halfords). Very important it's that product, not just WD40! This product is amazing to stop any plastic creaks and clicks.
- Remove the end cap on the passenger side of the dashboard (the bit on the end of the dash where the door closes onto - the passenger airbag on//off switch is there). A trim removal tool will prise this off easily - no need to disconnect the airbag switch, just leave it hanging
- You will now see a Torx screw holding the end of the trim strip - remove it. That's the only screw.
- Now, starting at the right hand side near the steering wheel, pull the panel off - just pull it straight towards to you as its just clipped on. Work your way along the length of the strip to pull it off evenly so you don't bend it - you won't break it but if you bend it too much you can add little stress marks to the ambient lighting strip that can make it uneven.
- There's two connectors to disconnect - the start-stop button and one above the glovebox area which gets power to things like the ambient lighting
- With the trim off, if you gently twist the panel you'll hear it creak so, now, spray the back of the panel around where all the plastic joints are (there's a lot of plastic-on-plastic and plastic welds) with the PTFE lube and you'll instantly get rid of all the plastic creaks
- Refit the trim
As for using your dealer, there's a chance they will make it worse. My dealer replaced that trim due to a faulty ambient light. They had one job to do which was the process above yet, when I got the car back, the air vent adjusters didn't work. They bent some plastic when putting it back on so I removed the trim and refitted it properly myself (it is quite alarming that the workshop couldn't do this simple job; makes you wonder what mistakes they make on trickier jobs!)
Finally, with this trim removed it's very easy to remove the iDrive screen (two screws which you will see behind the trim) but it's very unlikely it'll be that creaking. However, with the iDrive screen off, you can then have easy access to remove the grill etc. for the centre speaker and, under that grill is quite a lot of plastic that might also benefit from a bit of the PTFE spray.
Edited by Palmball on Tuesday 21st June 23:51
If I press the trim with my fingers it makes a crinkly noise, bit like if you scrunch up a crisp packet. Is this normal??
Thanks for the suggestion about the fix but I suspect you are far more proficient at diy than me! It's not something I would dare undertake, and to be honest given how much the car cost I think BMW should be sorting this out.
Thanks again
d_a_n1979 said:
Deep said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Not being rude; but take it back to BMW, get them to drive it and hear the noises and let them fix it!
You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
Not rude at all. The dealer I bought it from is 170 miles away so it will go to my local dealer.You've just bought it; there are issues & they need to be fixed
I'd be wanting them to sort it and not attempt any sort of DIY
The only reason I asked here is in case others have had similar issues and know exactly where this noise is coming from. I suspect its the faux aluminium trim inserts because when you press them you can hear a cracking sound.
Pretty shocking for such an expensive car.
Unsure how they're fitted, but if they just 'pop off' then might be worth having a look, as long as you're uber careful not to mark anything
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