I used to get this in my previous E46, but it seemed like it was definitely hitting the screen. I always assumed it was stones, but never really saw anything.

 

I have the same problem and know EXACTLY what you are talking about. At first I thought it was small pebbles hitting the windshield, but it also happened with no one in front of me. It is a very high pitched, sharp noise... I am thinking that it might have something to do with the expanding or contracting due to temperature changes...?

 

My car does exactly the same thing too. Sometimes it scares me because it is so loud. At first I thought it was the little stone too but it wasn't because I couldn't find any marks. Now I just ignore it. That being said, it is really annoying and can be scary.

 

Finally, a thread on this! I am determined to get to the bottom of this. Dealer has looked inside the dash for the noise and put lots of the infamous felt tape on pretty much everything inside the dash - no luck. Thought it was coming from the black plastic apron on the base of the windshield (push on yours and you'll hear the noise), but that wasn't it. Next, they took the entire dash out and lubed some strip that has a leather piece in it and put some more felt tape on it... Didn't fix it... Going to take it back again. Mine is an '06 530, but we drove an '05 5'er and it made the noise too, which gave dealer more ammo to say "that's just how it is". I won't give up. Maybe it is the seal around the windshield... not sure, but rest assured, this will be fixed. You just try to talk on the bluetooth speakerphone (radio muted and A/C on low) and see if it doesn't bother you...

PM me if interested in the outcome.

 

ouch, hope you get it fixed asap

 

Very interesting post!

I noticed something similar (well... not easy to compare noises only with descriptions) and I know the reason, but not why and how to solve.



When I'm driving the car speed higgher than 70Km/h and after a shower, I hear something similar to what you describe. It's located at the front right side.

I discovered the reason: drops of water remain between the glass (windshield) and the plastic cover on pillar A (sorry, I don't know the name in english), I mean the frame that goes from botton to top in the two sides of the windshield. The air at that speed makes the drops vibrate and make this noise against the glass.

It only happens in the right side, never in the left one (I don't know why, seems to be simetric. maybe the way the sweepers work?)



Could this be the origin of the noise for some of you?



Happy to discuss this.... I felt very frustrated triying to make my dealer believe my words...

 

This actually happens at very low speeds and somewhat small bumps or uneven surfaces.

 

Anyone had fixed it?

 

It's a bit "out there but ... every now and then (especially in the Fall of the year) tree leaves will sneak into the recess under the windshield wipers. The rather stiff oak leaves are the real annoying ones because at speed they set up a racket tapping against the plastic parts down there and actually be quite loud with a sound like pebbles hitting the windshield!

 

I had the same problem, most notably when it was raining or after it rained. I took it in several times until it was indentified. Well, they found the culprit. Water was leaking through the sunroof, and the noise was caused by the water going down the drip tube. The other issue related to this was an annoying wind noise above 50mph. When I pushed the roof up, the sound would go away.They tried to adjust the sunroof to no avail, then realized the glass was defective. They replaced the sunroof glass, and have not had the problem since (1 year ago). Hope this helps.