Quality concerns? (rattles & squeaks)

Number_6 · 11-19-2007, 11:45 PM

Having had a few days to digest the official MSRP, I'm still interested in a lightly-optioned 135, but I do have concerns about the overall quality and reliability of the 1-er, based on posts I've seen on Euro forums. For example, there are many owner complaints about rattles and squeaks associated with the doors, windows, air vents, & dash. Is there reason to hope that the '08 US models will be put together better?

At 37-38k USD with the options I want, this BMW would by far be the most expensive car I've ever bought. At that (or any) price I'd expect a solid car that is free of annoying rattles & squeaks. I'm not an early adopter, so I'll be watching the feedback from the first owners very closely.

In the same vein, I'm tempted to scrape together enough cash to get a no-option (exc. Z51) C6 (Corvette), but I just can't make myself do it, knowing about the rattle and squeak problems those cars have, mostly from the removable roof panel.

EmUc · 11-20-2007, 12:24 AM

If you expect BMWs to be rattle and squeak free, you'll probably be disappointed. My 04 M3 had its share of rattles and annoying sounds. But nothing enough to keep me from loving the car. And it was much much better than my Impreza. The truth is it's a machine and it may develop rattles after a while.

krassanova · 11-20-2007, 02:09 AM

You could always ride the warranty pony by taking it in for every noise it makes. why not? It won't cost you anything. Seriously though, I'm not sure what you've been reading about rattling and squeaky BMW's. My 1975 2002 can squeak a bit, but that's to be expected. i never had a problem in the 4 years I owned my 2001 330Ci, and my wife's 2006 X3 is great too, but the large sunroof sometimes makes noise. My MINI rattles and squeaks more than all of them, but that's because I've redone the suspension...but I have the large sunroof too, and that's the noisiest thing about the car.

I doubt the sunroof on the 1er will cause too many probs, since it is not one of those panoramic sunroofs like I have on the MINI and the X3. I had the same sort of roof on my 330 and never had any issues.

Kiwi · 11-20-2007, 02:42 AM

If you listen to every little complaint you will never buy a thing. Most forums have a small number of posters. I have had three new BMW cars and 4 new BMW bikes in 5 years and all have been great. There service is great. My new 118 diesels first service is not until 30,000klm and it is the tightest built car I have ever owned.

Sherifftruman · 11-20-2007, 07:13 AM

Is a Corvette that much better in the squeak department? I always heard they were pretty noisy.

BForbes · 11-20-2007, 08:35 AM

If you want a rattle and squeak free car go buy a 335i. That thing is like a BANK VAULT!!

atr_hugo · 11-20-2007, 08:42 AM

On the other hand, if you want rattles - try a '98 Camaro convertible. ; -)

1ster · 11-20-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

On the other hand, if you want rattles - try a '98 Camaro convertible. ; -)

Or a 2006 Civic. :mad:

gbent · 11-20-2007, 09:10 AM

I would expect these cars to be pretty tight & free from rattles.

I know BMW knows how to build a rattle free car if they want to. My 1988 M5 was 12 years old when I bouhgt it & it had very few rattle or noise issues even then.

Rook24V · 11-20-2007, 09:23 AM

Can't please all the people all the time. The cars that are stiffer sprung get complaints about rattles after a little while into their lifespan, the cars that aren't stiffly sprung don't develop rattles as much, but people complain about the handling. I present that you're buying the cheapest model BMW yet made, and expecting it to be built like a 7 series, when in fact it won't be. It won't even be built as well as a 3 series. Go drive an E46 M3 with 40k on it, it'll rattle. Go drive any BMW in the last 5 years, 3 series or smaller with 40k on it and it'll rattle. Its the old cars that seem to be bolted together better. my E30 325e with 252,000 miles on it only has 1 rattle, rear right window seal squeak. Other than that, its quiet, they don't make em like they used to.

chemhalo · 11-20-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ster

Or a 2006 Civic. :mad:

Or any VW.

imported_MPower · 11-20-2007, 10:00 AM

I would worry about rattles and squeaks once we get our hands on the car and start seeing what the brand new coupe is all about.

11-19-2007, 11:45 PM	#1
Number_6 New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Quality concerns? (rattles & squeaks) Having had a few days to digest the official MSRP, I'm still interested in a lightly-optioned 135, but I do have concerns about the overall quality and reliability of the 1-er, based on posts I've seen on Euro forums. For example, there are many owner complaints about rattles and squeaks associated with the doors, windows, air vents, & dash. Is there reason to hope that the '08 US models will be put together better? At 37-38k USD with the options I want, this BMW would by far be the most expensive car I've ever bought. At that (or any) price I'd expect a solid car that is free of annoying rattles & squeaks. I'm not an early adopter, so I'll be watching the feedback from the first owners very closely. In the same vein, I'm tempted to scrape together enough cash to get a no-option (exc. Z51) C6 (Corvette), but I just can't make myself do it, knowing about the rattle and squeak problems those cars have, mostly from the removable roof panel.
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11-20-2007, 12:24 AM	#2
EmUc Private 14 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C LBB 6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	If you expect BMWs to be rattle and squeak free, you'll probably be disappointed. My 04 M3 had its share of rattles and annoying sounds. But nothing enough to keep me from loving the car. And it was much much better than my Impreza. The truth is it's a machine and it may develop rattles after a while.
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11-20-2007, 02:09 AM	#3
krassanova Private First Class 2 Rep 156 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2007 iTrader: (0)	You could always ride the warranty pony by taking it in for every noise it makes. why not? It won't cost you anything. Seriously though, I'm not sure what you've been reading about rattling and squeaky BMW's. My 1975 2002 can squeak a bit, but that's to be expected. i never had a problem in the 4 years I owned my 2001 330Ci, and my wife's 2006 X3 is great too, but the large sunroof sometimes makes noise. My MINI rattles and squeaks more than all of them, but that's because I've redone the suspension...but I have the large sunroof too, and that's the noisiest thing about the car. I doubt the sunroof on the 1er will cause too many probs, since it is not one of those panoramic sunroofs like I have on the MINI and the X3. I had the same sort of roof on my 330 and never had any issues.
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11-20-2007, 02:42 AM	#4
Kiwi Captain 145 Rep 917 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M Sports Convertible Join Date: May 2005 Location: Auckland New Zealand iTrader: (0)	If you listen to every little complaint you will never buy a thing. Most forums have a small number of posters. I have had three new BMW cars and 4 new BMW bikes in 5 years and all have been great. There service is great. My new 118 diesels first service is not until 30,000klm and it is the tightest built car I have ever owned.
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11-20-2007, 07:13 AM	#5
Sherifftruman Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 295 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	Is a Corvette that much better in the squeak department? I always heard they were pretty noisy.
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11-20-2007, 08:35 AM	#6
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	If you want a rattle and squeak free car go buy a 335i. That thing is like a BANK VAULT!! __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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11-20-2007, 08:42 AM	#7
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	On the other hand, if you want rattles - try a '98 Camaro convertible. ; -)
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11-20-2007, 09:10 AM	#9
gbent First Lieutenant 10 Rep 312 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2007 iTrader: (0)	I would expect these cars to be pretty tight & free from rattles. I know BMW knows how to build a rattle free car if they want to. My 1988 M5 was 12 years old when I bouhgt it & it had very few rattle or noise issues even then.
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11-20-2007, 09:23 AM	#10
Rook24V Private 33 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 m40i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greater Seattle Area iTrader: (0)	Can't please all the people all the time. The cars that are stiffer sprung get complaints about rattles after a little while into their lifespan, the cars that aren't stiffly sprung don't develop rattles as much, but people complain about the handling. I present that you're buying the cheapest model BMW yet made, and expecting it to be built like a 7 series, when in fact it won't be. It won't even be built as well as a 3 series. Go drive an E46 M3 with 40k on it, it'll rattle. Go drive any BMW in the last 5 years, 3 series or smaller with 40k on it and it'll rattle. Its the old cars that seem to be bolted together better. my E30 325e with 252,000 miles on it only has 1 rattle, rear right window seal squeak. Other than that, its quiet, they don't make em like they used to.
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11-20-2007, 10:00 AM	#12
imported_MPower Zoom Zoom 38 Rep 1,069 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 6MT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I would worry about rattles and squeaks once we get our hands on the car and start seeing what the brand new coupe is all about. __________________ In the garage: 2022 G80 M3 Manual - Portimao Blue
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