[eric_gm]

My G30 is a bit creaky and rattly. I notice trim pieces that "settle" the first few minutes after I start driving and I go over a bump or uneven roads.

When I press my hand against the large wooden trim under the screen, it creaks. When I grab the screen bezel and squish from behind, it creaks. The roof console where the sunroof controls are, creaks.

Am I just used to the extremely solid (and simpler) E39 which is rattle-free? Do you also hear pops and clicks, especially when you start driving? I'm fairly certain nobody has ever taken the dash apart so I doubt it's some kind of damage or missing clips.

[Joe-BMW33]

I have an E39 and a G30. I am not sure I would say the E39 is made or assembled more solidly, but there is just less swag to creak in the E39. Less wood, less lighting, less buttons and modules, less trim, etc. Parts and trim is more contiguous in the E39. That said, I honestly don't get too much creaking in the G30. I get it mostly at start up and drive off on extremely hot or cold days (including the sunroof). Once the cabin reaches normal temperatures, the creaking is gone.

I do have a passenger headrest "knock" going over bumps that drives me nuts unless the music is on. Luckily the music is going 99% of the time.

[eric_gm]

Same. It's the first few minutes and yes, if sun hits the trim it emits a loud pop, but only once. I'll record a video of both interiors as a fun experiment.

[leitrim_94]

On my second g30.

2018 520d and now a 2020 530e.

The 520d had a really “cracky” dash, especially in and around the centre air vents. Was definitely worse in warm weather with the a/c. Can also be reproduced on demand by a gentle push on the trim

The 530e, nothing. Not a sound. Heat, a/c, etc. Weird as I would quite a bit of consistency in the materials and build for these models

[eric_gm]

That's precisely the area where mine is creaky. Maybe BMW did something after the problem was noticed in earlier G30s like mine.

I need to install the wifi antenna soon so that trim will be taken apart. I'll take a look to see if there's some sort of padding that can be added to reduce the noise.

[capese21]

A spray with a dry ptfe can be quite effective on creaky trim. Dry PTFE that WD40 make is good stuff.

[eric_gm]

I have that exact same one in the shed. I assume it should go on the clips?

[eric_gm]

I took the trim off, PTFE'd the clips but in the process noticed exactly where the cracking noises are coming from.

They are not caused by the car moving or dash flexing, but instead it's the AC.

When this area circled in red starts to get colder, it contracts and emits loud pops:



That section with the vents came off as one piece with the larger trim but I guess it can be separated and something can be done to lessen the noises it makes when thermally contracting (adding foam or rubber pieces or PTFE around the edges. I didn't try but if someone also faces the creaky dash trim, that's the problem.

I suppose very hot air would have a similar effect for those of you in colder areas.

[pault1980]

Very common and theres a TSB from BMW to minimise the noises from the dash trims - which i just found I still have saved so have attached it here!

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by pault1980

Very common and theres a TSB from BMW to minimise the noises from the dash trims - which i just found I still have saved so have attached it here!

Carbaflo has been the BMW "go to" lubricant for squeaky dash trim for at least 22 years or more. It is very expensive, comes a tube with a felt tip applicator. It is like a medium viscosity oil. There are probably adequate alternatives for less, but I have used Carbaflo.

[eric_gm]

Thank you! That's super useful to know.

I wonder what changes were made to the trim that older revisions have to be fully replaced. From page 6 on that document:

"The trim must be produced AFTER 3/26/2018. If the production date
is before 3/26/2018, replace the trim and continue on"

My car would need a full trim replacement it seems. I PTFE'd the large trim clips and improved things a bit, but it still loudly pops from time to time.

In any case, just knowing this is normal and there's even a warranty bulletin to address it makes it somewhat ok. I was worried it was just mine, but I can live with it.

[capese21]

I have pretty much eliminated the creaking dash by removing the main trim panel and spraying the back with ptfe and silicone. Basically a crude version of what the BMW TSB states.

Mine would creak when pressing on it and also when cooling down with the aircon. No evidence of either now. Thanks to PaulT for posting the TSB as it confirmed I was on the right lines with the PTFE spray.

Be careful not to spray the ambient light guides as this will distort the transmission of the light making the strip patchy & dim. Don't ask me how I know

Its fixable by removing the guides and wiping away any excess if you do but a bit of a pita.

The trim on mine was dated 24/04/18 so wouldn't have been replaced if I had gone to the dealership.