Mine started this squeeky rubbing noise about a month ago as well. Off to the dealer as soon as some other stuff comes up.........Will keep you posted.

The heater valves are also making an interesting noise as well. A noise which only occurs when the vehicle temp is around
70-74 degrees and the ventalation fan is on. Turn the temp down to 68 the noise goes away. Up to 80 it goes away.

We (the dealer and i) isolated the noise to over active noisy water valves which makes sort of a drone humming sound. These are going to be
replaced as well. Interesting stuff for sure.

Noises are the most interesting and irritating kind of problem that can make you look dumb if you decide to memic the sound.
So i just wait until i can isolate what it is then i don't attempt to describe it. I just find it first then point it out asking
"what's that noise"....Of course my next line with a blank look on my face is "I don't need to hear that" It get's fixed. :thumbup:

Thanks Zulu95. Hope I will be able to get this problem taken care of at the dealer. I noticed that the noise gets louder as the car warms up, after I have been driving for a little bit. I drive around for a while before I drop the car off, so the noise is loud and clear. :rolleyes:

Keep us updated Quicksilver, I noticed that quite a few people have experience this squeaky, rubbing sound.

Rubbing Noise
 

I too have the good 'ol rubbing sound coming from my steering wheel. It almost sounds like rubbing denim jeans together. Is this what yours sounds like? After calling my private BMW mechanic, it sounds like clockspring/slipring is the culprit. If replacing this is the action you took, could you please let me know how much you spent. I was quoted somewhere around $800. Many thanks.

My steering wheel is making some noise as well... but it sounds more like a swishing sound...let me know as well what part you used to repair this or how much you spend at the dealer to get this fixed...that sound is starting to annoy me...

part number is good!
 

excellent! thanks for the part number. i was looking for that piece in the parts catalog and was having a hard time finding it. with the part number it was easy.

the official name for the part then is: "Switch unit steering column"

and can be seen here: http://bmwfans.info/original/E53/

I've got this issue too. When I take it in to the dealer for some other warranty work ill report back with the results. Hopefully they change out the slipring for no charge..

I had an independent mechanic check out the noise, and he said it was the clockspring. I will be taking the car to the dealer to have some other things done, and so I will have them take a look. The independent mechanic that I went to quoted me about $250 to fix. I called another mechanic, and was quoted around the same price. $800 is way over price in my opinion.

I had this same problem on my 2005 4.4i a couple of years ago. I took it in for service to look at it and they couldn't find the problem, however, driving home that same day from picking up my car, suddenly my steering was lost and we almost crashed. Turned out it was my steering box that needed to be replaced. Whether the two issues were connected or not, the service department said they couldn't say but thought there was a pretty good chance it was. The sound went on for a couple of weeks before I took it in. I would suggest further researching the steering box issue and see if there is a connection to the squeak and it going out.

Should also mention that the dealer replaced the slip ring that day only for me to leave there a have a major issue with the steering box.

I have not had my clockspring replaced yet, and noise seems to be getting louder. Is it important to replace the clockspring, or is more of a cosmetic issue, i.e. the sound? Thanks.