R57 roof rattles

[Blackthou]

My wife bought a 10 reg R57 convertible Cooper S in May.
Very pleased with it apart from the rattling soft top when it's up. Just like convertibles of the 60s.
I haven't had a look at it myself yet to see if I can improve it before I take it back to the dealer. Is this normal i.e. should it rattle?
I'd expect better from BMW. It's spoiling a really superb car.

I have a TT convertible and the roof is 100% silent when up. Not the slightest creak, wind noise or draft. Just as good as the TT coupe I had before it in soundproof terms so not all convertibles are like that.

[Angib]

Rattles when the roof's up are not usual, so it's not standard and is a warranty fault. I do find that the rattles and squeaks do rather come and go - put the roof down, drive two miles, put it up and the result may be different.

There are two common convertible faults (squeaks from window seals when up and rattles from hood frame when down) but your car is late enough that both should not be a problem.

[Blackthou]

Hi Angib,
Thanks for the reply.
I had a good look at things earlier today and noticed the hood wasn't as taught on the offside behind the rear side window as the nearside.

On investigation there's a post over which the lower part of the hood fabric fits. It is a reinforced area and is secured by a spring clip. The hood was not over the post hence the slackness and the spring clip was missing. I rummaged around in the channels and found the clip.

Next I spent a good hour or more trying to get the hood fabric over the post. There's barely room to get your hand in. I tried with the hood in a variety of positions until I got it over the post.

I then spent equally as long trying to fit the spring clip and finally did it. Good I thought, that's that.

Went out for a drive and things were definately better in terms of creaks but if you went over rumble strips there seemed to be a noise behind the driver.

Invetigated further and everything seemed secure but I did notice the parcel shelf had two holes in it where it fits into the retaining bracket and on looking at the bracket I noticed there was a tapped hole either side corresponding with the holes on the shelf. I secured it with M5 bolts and the whole shelf still pivots proerly but is now firmly located and less likely to rattle.

Went out for a test drive and again still ok until the rumble strips. Yes I could take it back to the dealer but being an engineer, I have little confidence in them. I'll keep at it until it's sorted one way or another!