Noises from the roof structure

AlZ4 · 03-04-2021, 02:48 PM

I've had my Z4 for about 20 months now. I've noticed as it's aging, creaks, squeaks, and other noises from the roof structure have been increasing. It's by no means bad, but is noticeable over bumps or when the chassis is subject to twists like going from the road to the driveway. Some of it may be due to lower temperatures, but I don't think all of it is.

My son had a VW Eos, which was a hard top convertible, and in the owners manual it recommended a VW part number which was an oil to be used on the roof seals every 6 months to prevent leaks and cut down on noise. It definitely cut down on noise whenever it was applied.

My question is, do we need to be conditioning the rubber seals in the roof in any way and if so, what should we be using? I did not see anything in the manual.

spbbonzo · 03-05-2021, 03:52 AM

I have exactly the same issue and as hard as I try I can't find a pattern. It seems to rattle and creak when it feels like it. If I press the inside of the roof behind my head it creaks like mad so not sure if it's a fabric issue or something more structural. I think it may be time to take it to the dealers.

AlZ4 · 03-08-2021, 07:53 AM

Drove this weekend and temps were in the mid 60s F. Most if not all of the creaks and squeaks seemed to be gone. So it probably is temperature related.

My question still remains though, do we need to be conditioning the seals in any way to keep noises down in the future?

anandroid · 06-23-2022, 10:12 PM

I just got my z4. I had this issue in the morning heat in Florida, for me it creaks behind my right ear, and feels like it from the speaker. Have you found any solution to it yet?

spbonzo · 06-24-2022, 04:02 AM

I experienced the same thing for a while and was totally stumped as to what the cause was. I fixed my issue by lowering the roof and pressing down on the bar that links the roll bars. The creaking stopped.

It does reappear now and again but the same fix always works. I assume that there's a small amount of play in the fitting that may be agitated after hitting a bump.

yo4 · 07-01-2022, 01:50 AM

Germans said,

proceed as follows.
Clean the convertible top seal including the cowl panel seal in the A-pillar / window contact with a lint-free cloth moistened with water.
Info: Do not under any circumstances clean the seals with silicone remover, as otherwise the anti-friction coating will be damaged.
Clean side window.
Apply Aquapel window treatment into the seal in the area of the run-in surface of the side windows and allow to dry with the door open.

StanDiego · 10-08-2022, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yo4

Apply Aquapel window treatment into the seal in the area of the run-in surface of the side windows and allow to dry with the door open.

What seal is that, the window seal on the exterior of the door? If so, I understand leaving the door open, so the windows don't retract before the Aquapel has dried.

I use Aquapel on my windshield but it seems a bit strange to apply it to a seal. This is somehow related to noises from the roof structure, or have I taken this out of context?

Mastakko · 10-10-2022, 12:19 AM

I know a lot of the creaks I hear with my top up is from the pressure the top can put on the plastic pieces behind the roll bar. Also it's different if I leave wind deflector in or not. If those plastic trim pieces for the roll bar were sealed better to roll bar joints or had gaskets they'd reduce a lot of the noise.

I also think some of the rattles and creaks is just the flexibility of the top and the body moves slightly along the road.

Westside Guy · 10-10-2022, 08:26 AM

I have owned rag top convertibles since 1994 (2 BMW's & 2 Mercedes) and over time they all start to make noise. IMHO, it is the nature of the beast and unless the sounds are outrageously loud which means something is either loose or broken my fix is to increase the volume of my sound system.

COKen · 10-10-2022, 12:50 PM

I have used Wurth Rubber Care Gel Stick, from time to time, on my 20 year old Z3 M Roadster's rubber seals and it doesn't have any roof creaks or squeaks. Have not yet tried it on my Z4, but it doesn't have any creaks or squeaks (yet?).

Update: Just found this in the Owner's Manual.

Treat especially worn rubber parts with rubber
care products at regular intervals. When cleaning
rubber seals, do not use any silicon-containing
vehicle care products in order to avoid damage
or noises.

The product mentioned above is silicon free.

Mastakko · 10-10-2022, 04:55 PM

I do know that my seals are mighty hard at this point. The window seals for the top. Car is a 19 and I'm sure was left outside before I owned it

03-04-2021, 02:48 PM	#1
AlZ4 Private 88 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Madison, AL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW Z4 M40i [3.00] 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e [0.00]	Noises from the roof structure I've had my Z4 for about 20 months now. I've noticed as it's aging, creaks, squeaks, and other noises from the roof structure have been increasing. It's by no means bad, but is noticeable over bumps or when the chassis is subject to twists like going from the road to the driveway. Some of it may be due to lower temperatures, but I don't think all of it is. My son had a VW Eos, which was a hard top convertible, and in the owners manual it recommended a VW part number which was an oil to be used on the roof seals every 6 months to prevent leaks and cut down on noise. It definitely cut down on noise whenever it was applied. My question is, do we need to be conditioning the rubber seals in the roof in any way and if so, what should we be using? I did not see anything in the manual.
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03-05-2021, 03:52 AM	#2
spbbonzo Enlisted Member 19 Rep 46 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	I have exactly the same issue and as hard as I try I can't find a pattern. It seems to rattle and creak when it feels like it. If I press the inside of the roof behind my head it creaks like mad so not sure if it's a fabric issue or something more structural. I think it may be time to take it to the dealers.
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03-08-2021, 07:53 AM	#3
AlZ4 Private 88 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Madison, AL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW Z4 M40i [3.00] 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e [0.00]	Drove this weekend and temps were in the mid 60s F. Most if not all of the creaks and squeaks seemed to be gone. So it probably is temperature related. My question still remains though, do we need to be conditioning the seals in any way to keep noises down in the future?
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06-23-2022, 10:12 PM	#4
anandroid New Member 6 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0)	I just got my z4. I had this issue in the morning heat in Florida, for me it creaks behind my right ear, and feels like it from the speaker. Have you found any solution to it yet?
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06-24-2022, 04:02 AM	#5
spbonzo New Member 32 Rep 29 Posts Drives: Z4 G29 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I experienced the same thing for a while and was totally stumped as to what the cause was. I fixed my issue by lowering the roof and pressing down on the bar that links the roll bars. The creaking stopped. It does reappear now and again but the same fix always works. I assume that there's a small amount of play in the fitting that may be agitated after hitting a bump.
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07-01-2022, 01:50 AM	#6
yo4 Private 205 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2022G29Z4M40i & 2023G05X5 40d Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: JAPAN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW G29 Z4 M40i [5.00] 2023 BMW X5 40d [0.00]	Germans said, proceed as follows. Clean the convertible top seal including the cowl panel seal in the A-pillar / window contact with a lint-free cloth moistened with water. Info: Do not under any circumstances clean the seals with silicone remover, as otherwise the anti-friction coating will be damaged. Clean side window. Apply Aquapel window treatment into the seal in the area of the run-in surface of the side windows and allow to dry with the door open.
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10-10-2022, 12:19 AM	#8
Mastakko Private First Class 181 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW Z4 30i Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW Z4 sdrive30i [9.00]	I know a lot of the creaks I hear with my top up is from the pressure the top can put on the plastic pieces behind the roll bar. Also it's different if I leave wind deflector in or not. If those plastic trim pieces for the roll bar were sealed better to roll bar joints or had gaskets they'd reduce a lot of the noise. I also think some of the rattles and creaks is just the flexibility of the top and the body moves slightly along the road.
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10-10-2022, 08:26 AM	#9
Westside Guy Brigadier General 5813 Rep 4,472 Posts Drives: 2022 Z4 M40i, 2021 228i GC Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [9.81] 2021 BMW 228i Gran ... [7.83]	I have owned rag top convertibles since 1994 (2 BMW's & 2 Mercedes) and over time they all start to make noise. IMHO, it is the nature of the beast and unless the sounds are outrageously loud which means something is either loose or broken my fix is to increase the volume of my sound system.
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10-10-2022, 12:50 PM	#10
COKen Lieutenant Colonel 981 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: M Rster / Z4 M40i / X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I have used Wurth Rubber Care Gel Stick, from time to time, on my 20 year old Z3 M Roadster's rubber seals and it doesn't have any roof creaks or squeaks. Have not yet tried it on my Z4, but it doesn't have any creaks or squeaks (yet?). Update: Just found this in the Owner's Manual. Treat especially worn rubber parts with rubber care products at regular intervals. When cleaning rubber seals, do not use any silicon-containing vehicle care products in order to avoid damage or noises. The product mentioned above is silicon free. __________________ 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C. Looking for new home. 2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg 2023 X5 M50i, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg. Last edited by COKen; 10-10-2022 at 01:15 PM..
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10-10-2022, 04:55 PM	#11
Mastakko Private First Class 181 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW Z4 30i Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW Z4 sdrive30i [9.00]	I do know that my seals are mighty hard at this point. The window seals for the top. Car is a 19 and I'm sure was left outside before I owned it
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