330 Ci w/ Harmon Kardon rattle

toanspeeds · #1 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 07:03 PM

good news for all of you that have the annoying rattle in the parcel shelf of your 330Ci's. bmw has finally come up with a fix...supposedly. my car has been in for this twice. the first time they tried to insulate the rear deck but to no avail. the second time they drilled 2 holes in my sub woofer assembly to let out more air so it wouldn't shake the rear deck cover as much. it kinda worked but then the bass sounded like shit. i just found out that bmw has just released a fix for the problem. don't know what it is yet. taking my car in friday. i'll keep you posted. also, they redesigned the sub woofer assembly and phased it into production on cars produced on and after 09/2001. mine was produce in 07/2001. guess who's getting a new sub woofer? i give you hint...

over90 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2002, 09:00 AM

A T-Shirt stuffed under my rear deck solved this problem!

wayne · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2002, 12:37 PM

how's the new sub-woofer? i'm trying to fix my too, but for some reason my dealer doesn't know anything about the fix for it yet. i guess it's because i live in the middle of nowhere.

let me know how you like the new sub-woofer!
i want to fix mine so bad

toanspeeds · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2002, 04:49 PM

i'll let you know as soon as it is installed. ordered it last week. i guess it should be here this week or next.

M3PiNoYdRiVeR · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2002, 08:42 PM

So I can't get the recall because I got mine on 4/20/01?

stevesbimmer · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2002, 11:12 AM

i just heard that it is a lower wattage amp for the sub that kinda sux! but what can you do? i dont understand how the upgrade can cost so much and sound like crap!

wayne · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stevesbimmer
i just heard that it is a lower wattage amp for the sub that kinda sux! but what can you do? i dont understand how the upgrade can cost so much and sound like crap!

I called and spoke to one of the tech from North Ameriaca BMW Relations. He said that the fix was suppose to be a new design for the sub-woofer. the old design of the sub is made out of two seperate pieces, and the new ones is suppose only made out of one single unit. I'm guessing that those of us who has the old design are suppose to get a new sub. Not sure yet, i'll let you know when i find out.

the other fix i've heard is from many of the dealers. they drill holes in the sub and let the air out, but this creates more complains than leaving it alone. many people are unhappy about the way it sounds after the fix.

Where did you heard about lowering the wattage? have you had it done already? and what did it cost you? (it is suppose be under the warranty)

stevesbimmer · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2002, 12:36 PM

i heard this on e46fanatics.com. i sure hope they figure something out soon! it is driving me crazy!!!! i wish i could just fix it myself but i dont want to void anything.

Manfred Kruger · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2002, 02:30 PM

Good news, after several attempts my BMW dealer has finally fixed the HK subwoofer rattle which apparently is quite common on all early 2001 3 series coupes. I am not an audiophile, but that rattle was a real pain in the ass. The problem is not with the subwoofer, but the rear deck. The fix is simply wedging some foam material between the subwoofer and the deck, the rattle is gone.

stevesbimmer · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2002, 03:21 PM

they did that last month to mine and its still there!

Manfred Kruger · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 05:07 PM

I had to try twice and it finally worked, take it back and have them do it right. I now find myself turning up the volume to extreme levels whenever there is heavy base and no rattle, just great sound.

stevesbimmer · #12 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 05:33 PM

hey thanks ill do that! also did you loose some bass when they did this? it doesnt sound the same too me

M3PiNoYdRiVeR · #13 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 06:35 PM

So when I stuff an old t-shirt back there how do I take off the rear deck???

ESP · #14 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 11:23 PM

No need to remove the rear deck... just pull a speaker grill and stuff from the side.. Socks are commonly used as well

M3PiNoYdRiVeR · #15 (**permalink**) 02-08-2002, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ESP
No need to remove the rear deck... just pull a speaker grill and stuff from the side.. Socks are commonly used as well

I don't get it. Do you mean the sibs in the back or the speakers in the interior?