My service guys had told me that rattles and squeaks are covered in the first year and it's a goodwill decision by the dealership thereafter. I've never checked out the documentation to determine if this true or not, as they've always tried to fix the problems for me at no charge.

I've learnt that if I pin point the source of the problem to them, they will then find a fix for it. If I tell them there's a rattle 'somewhere over xxx', the the likelihood for a long term fix is low.

Having said that, they haven't been able to fix my rear shelf problem entirely. When it was making 'popping' sounds on the right, they fixed it, then the left start to make noise. When they fixed the left, the right became noisy again. In the end I just jammed a black soft cloth between the shelf and rear seat. Now my car is quiet

 

I'm in the UK. Here, the dealer is excellent. ANYTHING I take it in for, any problem at all, it's covered, even things which are just bugging me a little. They applied the "leather stuff" and did not charge.

 

Imagine that, anything is covered.

 

I don't have leather but my rear shelf does creak (when cold outside)

 

My 2004 545i, only 29,000 kms and the doors creak on their rubber seals but subdued when stereo is on low volume. Otherwise, faultless and a dream to drive.

 

Same here when it?s below 0 celsius degrees, but...
At first I thought it was the rear shelf creaking, but I found out it's the seals of the container hood that make the sqeaking sound. I put some CRC's silicone there and it stopped that awful sound which came inside so loud. I know the silicone will tear off in time but it's ok because it is so easy to apply again. It's been a month now and the seal is still covered in a very thick layer of that stuff.

 

by container hood you mean trunk or boot lid right? Try talcum powder next time, that smooths without getting sticky and/or dirty and thus sticky over time. Also works great for door seals against freezing stuck. (use a towel to cover interior while applying, or do this first and then vacuum the interior)

I hardly dare to touch the car (it's so dirty the alloy wheels look like they were shiny black painted) as we have slightly freezing weather and the roads are a mess.

In fact, I have to clean the headlights almost every trip as they get so dirty they don't emit enough light any more.

Stupid to see the washers cover in the bumper but that apparently was an option on this car so no washers up front.

 

Thanks for the tip! And yes, I mean trunk lid

 

my car is about 2 weeks old and I have started to notice I get a creek/rattle sound when I hit a bump. It's coming from the back seat, I am thinking it's the leather back hitting the storage shelf also...I will call my dealer tomorrow and see if i can set-up an appointment for them to check it out, I will post a follow up after...