Popping Noise from the Front Passenger Side

[Mega Man]

For the past 2 weeks, I've noticed a popping sound coming from the front passenger side. The first time, I thought maybe it was something banging around in the glove box when taking a left turn a little fast. Then I emptied my glove box to avoid such a noise. Same place, same left turn, about the same speed, same noise.

Third time, slowing to about 25 MPH, hit a mild dip (not enough to even scuff the bottom of the car), and popping sound from the same place. Thought it's either a fairing, or the spring in the front passenger wheel well.

Fourth time, small, and I do emphasize small pothole, popping noise from the same location.

Unless it's serious, it's really an annoyance. I wouldn't expect this from a BMW, or any car that costs as much as this one does.

Another annoyance that I noticed today was the rubber bushing we have that goes along the side of our windows, on the inside of my car, on the passenger side, toward the back, it gets a little jagged. Think about it like when you try to draw a straight line on a computer with the line tool, and move it off by just a bit and it suddenly drops down and then straight again. Once again, more of an annoyance than anything horrible. But not something you would expect on a BMW/pricey car.

[creepy coupe]

I have something like the same sound from my 135, and like you though it was something inside the glovebox, I notice it more on slight left hand down lock, I'm wondering if it the same noise member have had with the loose front strut.

[shodanusmc]

O believe there is a TSB regarding that. Check with your Dealers Service Dept.

[Mega Man]

Good to know, shodanusmc. I'll check with them early next week.

[nordique14]

see posts 5, 6 & 7

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273744

[aksundog]

Yeah, I got my new 135 last Monday, drove it 3 minutes before turning around and driving into the service bay because of a vibration/grinding noise coming from the glove box area.

They had to order a new glove box assembly, which was installed today.

[Mega Man]

That sounds a little more serious there, aksundog. I never had vibrating/grinding...did the replacement glovebox fix everything?

[jeremyc74]

I've been hearing a noise like this the last few weeks as well. This sounds like it may be the issue with mine:

SI B51 18 09
Body Equipment May 2009
Technical Service

Load Graphics
SUBJECT
Noises from the Glove Box Area


MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series) produced up to 12/2008


SITUATION
A rattling noise may be heard from the glove box area when driving over rough surfaces.

CAUSE
This may be caused by:

The glove box shock absorber

The glove box cover making contact with the inner shell of the glove box


WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty

[scorcherjf]

I have rattles/creaking coming from virtually everywhere inside the car, but not popping noises. Both doors rattle over bumps, sounds like it's coming from inside the doors, as well as the air vents. Also rattles from the rear view mirror area, iDrive area (2008 nav), and even the armrest area. These are minor rattles though, and most people don't even notice them and call me anal.

I wouldn't consider them popping noises though... does it sound like it's coming from the front right wheel? Could be something outside.

[imported_mega]

there's a friggin glove box shock absorber ?!?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

there's a friggin glove box shock absorber ?!?

It's really just to keep it from slamming open when you release the latch. I don't remember off the top of my head which side it's on, but you can see it if you open the GB and look around.

[aksundog]

Originally Posted by Mega Man

That sounds a little more serious there, aksundog. I never had vibrating/grinding...did the replacement glovebox fix everything?

Yep, the sound is gone. The mechanic said there was a broken piece inside the assembly somewhere vibrating around.

[Robert]

from your gat?

I have rattle noise from the rear shelf but no popping noise.

[TMR013]

I have heard something similar, and with my case at I have been able to isolate it further. It only happens when the AC is turned on. And I have heard it while parked and not moving at all. Assuming its duct valve somewhere in the dash making the noise. Anybody try turning off the AC and see if it still happens? Have been planning on calling an SA about it but it does not appear to be affecting performance. Just a nusance

[Perfect128]

More of the same?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217350

[Feyd]

Mine has been doing this since delivery. Its an audible "pop" noise, mostly coming from the passenger side, but sometimes from the driver's side. It usually happens when the car is cold and when my wheel is turned and I'm going over a bump/dip.

It kind of reminds me of the noise you get when you had a bad CV joint on a front wheel drive car.

used to be fairly random in occurrence, but it seems to be happening almost every time I get in my car.

It has been getting hotter outside, so perhaps its temperature related?

[jsdaniels]

I have noticed it once or twice before. Much like some of you it just happens, and I wonder WTH that was and can't isolate where it came from.

[rori zahr]

I agree with TMR013, I have paid good attention to this particular noise or rattle coming from the passenger side and I'm pretty sure it's related to the vent valves / mechanism system.

[lib]

How loud of a "pop" and with what tone?

I've noticed a loud pop that seemed to be coming from the direction of the passenger's A-pillar. It could have been anywhere from the sun roof to the passenger's dash - it happens so rarely that I never expect it so I'm not prepared to track the exact origin.

IIRC it seems to happen when transitioning on/off an angled driveway or when taking a tight corner. The tone is deep enough that it sounds as if the body is flexing but I'm assuming that can't be the case.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by lib

How loud of a "pop" and with what tone?

I've noticed a loud pop that seemed to be coming from the direction of the passenger's A-pillar. It could have been anywhere from the sun roof to the passenger's dash - it happens so rarely that I never expect it so I'm not prepared to track the exact origin.

IIRC it seems to happen when transitioning on/off an angled driveway or when taking a tight corner. The tone is deep enough that it sounds as if the body is flexing but I'm assuming that can't be the case.

That's EXACTLY what I get. I'm hoping it's just the shock for the GB, and the more I hear it, the more I think it is. When I first heard it a few weeks ago I thought it was the glass popping out of place or something. It sounds pretty serious, but I'm thinking that the shock is getting in a bind somehow, and then snapping into place. It's also possible that the heat is making it worse. I didn't start hearing this until it started getting hot here.

[Feyd]

Pop Symptoms:

Occurs on passenger side A pillar to floorboard
Occurs most often when wheels are turned
Occurs when driving over a bump/dip
Occurs more frequently as outside temps rise?

What else? There is to many people in this thread with this problem for it to be "isolated".

[TMR013]

Originally Posted by Feyd

Pop Symptoms:

Occurs on passenger side A pillar to floorboard
Occurs most often when wheels are turned
Occurs when driving over a bump/dip
Occurs more frequently as outside temps rise?

What else? There is to many people in this thread with this problem for it to be "isolated".

For me it only happens when the AC is running. Taking mine back to the Dealer tomorrow to have them check it. Will advise what they say.