E46 M3 Cabriolet - Window rattle fix
E46 M3 Cabriolet - Window rattle fix
Author
Discussion

alxce

Original Poster:

417 posts

244 months

Wednesday 20th May 2009
quotequote all
The car is just coming up to three years old and recently the driver side window started to make rattling/creaking noises. I found that if I just cracked the window very slightly it would stop and if using a perfectly smooth road it would also disappear.
I took it into the supplying BMW dealer and they knew what it was immediately. The seal between the driver window and the passenger one behind it had gone hard over time. The window then knocks against it slightly at the top and you get two small indentations where it rattles.
I will be honest in saying that it was about to drive me crazy it was so noisy but now they have replaced them both sides the noise is completely eliminated.
I thought I should post this info because I had seen some threads a while back where a similar problem was identified but there was no mention of these seals. I would think there is some kind of treatment you are supposed to apply to them to prevent the hardening, if anyone is aware of a product for this then please let me know.

sjj84

2,396 posts

242 months

Wednesday 20th May 2009
quotequote all
BMW sell something for the seals. I've just picked up a E46 M3 convertible today so will be getting this myself, just need to search the forums to find the product name. Will post back when I find it.

Toilet Duck

1,365 posts

208 months

Wednesday 20th May 2009
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Gummi Plege BMW part number 83 12 0 301 480 approx £5

Not used it myself yet, but I booked marked a thread on here about it for when I need it in the future wink

darreni

4,333 posts

293 months

Wednesday 20th May 2009
quotequote all
THe local main dealer replaced this seal on mine, the whole rear glass to be exact as they said that it is supplied as complete unit.
10 yards down the road, the rattle was still there.
Eventualy the applied an "aquapel" treatment to the glass or fuzzy felt seal above the front passenger glass & this sorted it for around 6 months.
The Gummi pledge is not great, but at a fiver its worth a go.

I also had the same problem on the drivers side window a year eariler, & this turned out to be a window regulator that needed replacing.
All covered under BMW warranty.

alxce

Original Poster:

417 posts

244 months

Thursday 21st May 2009
quotequote all
Gummi Plege it is then, thanks for the info.

Interesting reading the last response because I thought from the outset the noise had to be coming from the felt seal the window slides into at the top. I sprayed a little silicone lube into it but made no difference. It was around that time that I spotted the little dents in the quarterlight seals.
I guess as they have to adjust the window closure regulators when they fit the new seals it could be a combination of both things being a bit out of spec that causes the problem.