330i Creaking Seats

[chuckc]

I have a 2004 330i ZHP with the Alcantara/cloth interior. The passenger and driver's seat creak from what sounds like the area below and to the rear of the seats.

If you rock sideways on the seat and put pressure on the seat bolsters, or during spirited driving the creaking is quite evident. The seats did not do that when new. The dealer claims "they all do that".[kick] I doubt it. Anyone else run into this problem? [???1]

 

[deutsch100]

I had this exact problem on my 2003 Mercedes E320. It is just as you described, and it was a cracked seat frame. Many German cars seem to be plagued by this, as many German cars get parts built in Eastern Europe, rather than all parts being made in Germany.

Hope this helps.

 

[blondboinsd]

Yeah my 325i did that and so did my last X5 and for that matter so does our Range Rover, I always just thought it was normal?

 

[Average Jae]

i have a 2003 zhp and came across the same problem. one time when i went to the dealership, another zhp driver came in complaining of the squeeky seat issue.

the official dealer answer was that the squeeking comes from the nice plastic piece set in place to cover up the railings. problem occurs when the driver/ passenger sets their seats too low, making it rub right against the plastic piece, causing the squeeking noise when the car hits a bump or when the passenger rocks sideways.

the noise isnt' that bad in my car, so it doesn't really bother me, so i never really looked into raising my seats to try the remedy. (it just feels weird for me when i raise the seat up too much.) then again, my seats aren't at the lowest setting either, so there maybe some merit in what the dealer told me.

 

[tazza0712]

I have a couple of odd creaks in my 320i, bloody annoying me to be honest. Coming out of a 96 Corolla, I'm used to the odd rattle and creak going over bumps, but I really didn't expect it in a car like this. Went for a drive with the service manager, and although he said that noises are normal, the specific one that is annoying me is not, and is most likely the front passenger seat. Add to this the driver's window that makes noises when you go over a bump - only if it's closed - and I'm pretty frustrated. I always have loud music now... covers it up nicely until I book it in. Still love her but!

 

[chuckc]

i have a 2003 zhp and came across the same problem. one time when i went to the dealership, another zhp driver came in complaining of the squeeky seat issue.

the official dealer answer was that the squeeking comes from the nice plastic piece set in place to cover up the railings. problem occurs when the driver/ passenger sets their seats too low, making it rub right against the plastic piece, causing the squeeking noise when the car hits a bump or when the passenger rocks sideways.

the noise isnt' that bad in my car, so it doesn't really bother me, so i never really looked into raising my seats to try the remedy. (it just feels weird for me when i raise the seat up too much.) then again, my seats aren't at the lowest setting either, so there maybe some merit in what the dealer told me.

Thanks for the input. Mine is not a squeak but a severe creaking noise. There is a difference. The creaking noise occurs independent of the seating position being high or low.

 

[330i and like it]

It sounds like you need to get the dealer to fix the issue, I have a 330i - 2001 with 84K not a squeek or a rattle. When you spend aound $35-$40k on a car there should not be any squeeks or rattles.
Even if the dealer tells you that they all do it, tell him that this is an issue which all the cars need to be recalled. If you talk to a sale person they will tell you that BMW's are built solid!