Och

iTrader: (3)

Huge gaps between panels, so panels don't rattle against each other from vibrations.

mmarshall

Older BMWs were indeed like rocks in their sheet metal and door solidness. In general, that went out with the newer Chris-Bangle models, though the 3-series started a trend to thinner door sheet metal and solidness before it got the Bangle re-design. The BMW excellence in chassis and steering remains, however, and even the Chris Bangle models are not exactly what I would call tinny on the outside......though I am not impressed with the door solidness on the new 5-series. The old 5-series, though, was marvelous.

mmarshall

No arguments there. M-B, decades ago, was the very definition of automotive quality. But their prices were so high, in relation to average incomes, that few people could afford them. Now you see them everywhere.

GM, in the late 60's, with its famous body by Fisher, was also known for careful attention to detail (I know...I grew up with them). Though their acrylic lacquer paint was notoriously lousy, body/interior quality and door solidness was carefully done (my young, sharp ears could tell a GM-designed car just by the sound of its door closing, as oppposed to Fords and Mopars). That disappared rapidly in the 1970's.....first in 1971 wth the all-new full-size models, and then in 1973 with the all-new mid-sized models.

INHOCJP

I'll just list the most recent cars I've driven:

'99 GS300 - so many rattles it drove me crazy. The dealer had to remove the dash and add foam to countless areas on the car. On the positive side, it had no mechanical issues for the seven years I owned the car.

'06 GS430 - yes, this car suffers from numerous rattles as well. A couple from the dash and one from the rear deck. Already had the TSB for the windshield creaking applied. But at least no mechanical issues with the car.

'06 E350 - my wife's car, picked up around the same time as the GS430, in June '05 and recently traded in for the E63. Build quaility was great, not one rattle in the car.

'08 E63 - still pretty new, but build quality is impressive. No rattles or funny noises, just a little road noise from the tires.

'06 LS430 - mom's car. This thing is quiet! Build quailty is great, unlike my GS430, no rattles.

'07 Escalade - dad's car. To my surprise, the Escalade has held up quite well. It's 1.5 years old now and is still rattle free. I actually love driving this car when I get the chance.

dunnojack

all cars rattle eventually.
you may be lucky to get a car that is tight.
but even benz and bmw rattle.
i test drove a brand new 3 series that had some light rattles in the dash. didn't feel tight.
imagine after 10000 miles...

i have learned to be less **** about rattles. but i would like to learn how to disassemble my car and do some DIY rattle fixes.

Q_Lexie

My ES had some rattling issues until a couple of months ago, and they are gone now. I didn't even bring it to the dealer, but they just automatically disappeared. It had some rattles around dashboard, passenger seat window and moonroof. The rattle around the moonroof was so annoying. I haven't heard a single rattle from it since last October.

STIG

Bimmer isn't a luxury car.

Anyhow, X5 4.8i has been rattle free, and I drove LS460l a few days ago and it was whisper quiet.

SO, it's not a growing trend with luxury cars.

mmarshall

No arguements there. The LS460 is one of the finest cars in the world.

I also agree that German cars, in general, tend to have fewer rattles than some American-designed ones (it varies, compared to Asian-designed cars). Chrysler products and some older GM designs seem to be the worst. The big problem with German designs is bad electronics, not rattles.

HELLAFLUSH

iTrader: (1)

Rattles drive me crazy! Only because I was the one who would fix the complaints for customers. Haha.

mmarshall

Are you a service technician, and is your job to fix rattles?

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Interesting. I still have my 99 Gs300 and also being in CA, I have NO rattles at all. Only a minor rubbing noise from seatbelt belt against the seat.

I've wondered about the rattles being more prominent in colder states

Brother in law's 745 has a dash sqeak/rubbing noise everytime you get in and out of the driveway or up a curb. Feels like the dashboard is flexing/twisting

ES350Bob

Interior rattles are car making 101, they should NOT be present in a new car, worse in year after year productions of the same model.

I8ABMR

The GS also has minor dash rattles. kind of upsetting. I had very high expectations when I bought this car. So far mechanically it is sound , but I get wind noise off the mirrors and a dash rattle. I hope they get their crap together quick. The market can be swayed by poor build quality. Just ask ford,GM, etc

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

our 2001 es has no rattles at all, its very quiet, except for wind noise, and our 2008 rx is free of rattles to, but out of these two, the quitest car is still the rock solid mb, many have said that when you close the door, it sounds like closing a vault, and it is true

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

My Ford Explorer has a stiff suspension, 18's (although not super low profile) and it honestly has not one squeak or rattle. I'm impressed. Our RX300 was great in that regard until it was about 4 years old. My GS400 had various squeaks and creaks partly self-induced by adding suspension parts.