Convertible dash noises

[2WheelDave]

G'day all. I know that convertibles are not as rigid as coupes, does this explain the periodic noises coming from my dash? Generally the car rides very quietly, but if you hit something just right, sometimes a fairly loud "crack" noise is issued from the outer (close to the doors) area of the dash. Are there any known issues I can go after to cure that or do we just live with it?

Thanks again for your time!

[JimVonBaden]

Top up, down, either?

[..Rush..]

Personally, I haven't experienced that.

[Edrift]

sounds concerning. I've never had that problem before with my '08 E88 135i

[Converted1]

Pretty sure you are talking about the A column trim creak. It can get loud when the car hasn’t been driven for a while and you hit a bump. The a column trim binds to the dash and breaks free when jarred. You can. Wedge some thin felt between that space and tuck it in with a credit card. I haven’t done it because it doesn’t bother me much. That is the fix.

[2WheelDave]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[homewrecker07]

I get that loud cracking noise and narrowed it down to a loose plastic trim piece on the upper side of the A pillar. I can press the plastic and it will make the same cracking sound.
Haven't had a chance to take it apart and apply some insulation.

[olds350]

I've experienced that pop/noise as well, it's a bit disconcerting considering how loud it is. Good to hear it's just the trim piece. That seems to be the location I've heard it from, but it's so sporadic and it's hard to chase the noise down.

[blue135]

I am with Homewrecker. Exactly same location for the noise that bugs me. Only there with top up, which it has to be with the rains we are having now.

[2WheelDave]

Well I'm glad ours isn't the only one! A Google search turned up a thread on here from years gone by that has some take-apart instructions for the A-Pillar trim. I'll dig it up later and link it here.

[JimD]

I get that and other noise that I attribute to the greater flex in the body due to reduced stiffness. My conclusion is that top down motoring is worth this kind of nonsense once in awhile.

[beattiecj]

I think this can also be attributed to the ac running and the vent shifting, it can be a loud popping noise. Try messing with the ac settings or driving with it off and see if it occurs.

[ekkathewrekka]

Originally Posted by Converted1

Pretty sure you are talking about the A column trim creak. It can get loud when the car hasn’t been driven for a while and you hit a bump. The a column trim binds to the dash and breaks free when jarred. You can. Wedge some thin felt between that space and tuck it in with a credit card. I haven’t done it because it doesn’t bother me much. That is the fix.

Thanks for posting, so felt between the dash and the a frame trim ?

[Converted1]

yes. Again I haven’t done it but there is a tsb that describes the sound and fix. I suggest looking it up.

Originally Posted by ekkathewrekka

Thanks for posting, so felt between the dash and the a frame trim ?

[Chris N]

Good info here, I have the same clunk in my coupe. Now I have a path to start trouble shooting.

[JHZR2]

Ive owned my 135i since new. Almost since new I had an armrest creak especially in the cold, and a creak of the plastic pieces in the center control column, especially the very bottom one.

Occasionally I get a pop from the Area where the sun visors are.

Never between the A pillar and dash, knocking on wood...

[Chris N]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

Ive owned my 135i since new. Almost since new I had an armrest creak especially in the cold, and a creak of the plastic pieces in the center control column, especially the very bottom one.

One of the best upgrades I did was the center armrest delete. It probably would be considered a downgrade to most. It eliminated the squeak and is now out of the way of my drink holders, not to mention it also feels roomier.