Noisy Tailgate (and other problems)!
 

I have an '07 3.0si with 19K miles on it now. I had the tailgate latch problem and the dealer replaced the latch. The noise is slightly less but defininatly still there! This car is making me crazy! I'm trying so hard to like it and feel good about my purchase. Unlike many of you, I drive a car for much longer than average. My last car, a 2000 528i, I drove almost 8 years! The only time that car saw a dealer was for oil service and brakes! My son drives it now, it looks and runs like brand new!
This X5 on the other hand, has been to the dealer more times in the first 6 months than the 528 has ever been in 8 years!

Besides the tailgate noise, the rear entertainment DVD was replaced because it was "sticking", now the speakers buzz if you play DVD sound through them! Suspension parts replaced for excessive noise and banging sounds, the plastic on the steering wheel is starting to peel. The door panels have been removed and "realigned". Just a bunch of things. All the while, I REALLY want to like this car!!

My apologies for the rant! The question I intended to ask is if anyone knows a fix for the noisy tailgate. If your sitting in the backseat it sounds like the tailgate is not closed all the way, just squeaks and rattles!! Should I take it back to the dealer or is there a DIY fix?
Thanks so much!

i have the rattle as well. will have to bring it to the dealer so they can fix it.

I wasn't sure where in the tailgate it's coming from but I'll go take a look at the latch and see if that's the problem.

I think a lot of us experience the tailgate rattle. it's really a shame for a BMW

I have a rattle back there also. Still haven't figured out exactly what it is, been there since day 1. Strange rattle because it happens more on turns then on bumps. Sounds like the tailgate, but still trying to figure it out.

Sounds like 1st-model-year problems unfortunately. Parts don't fit quite right and electronics acting up a bit. I've kept from openly saying this but I warn of anyone buying 07s used unless thoroughly tested.

So are you saying that the '08's have no issues ?

^ am I saying the 06's don't either?

Of course not. I'm saying what should be apparent - and why people tend to stay away from first-year-runs. And 08s have been a lot less problematic because the company learns from issues/mistakes... they adjust factory settings, parts re-done, firmware released, etc.

But this doesn't solve the OP's issues which is why I don't just blurt this out in every single '07 thread. People need to consider these things though.

Yes, I too thought about the first-year-run. But... the car had been driven by the dealer GM, 5K miles on it and every conceivable option except rear heated seats! Given the lack of problems for 8 years on a previous BMW, I just sort of assumed.... It was too good a deal to pass...or was it??!!

i don't mind having the 07 but if i had a choice, maybe i would've opted for an 08 without these relatively unimportant yet annoying problems. If the 08's have the same rattling problems, etc then I definitely would still go with the 07 and have the car a year earlier.

I have the 08 X5. I'm also having a little sound coming from the back, especially when I'm turning in low speed, and sometimes when going over bumps. I thought it was coming from the suspension, but didn't think it was coming from the tailgate. I don't have an automatic tailgate though. I was also observing the problem so I could report it to the dealer. You've gotta be really quiet to hear it though.

My 07' was a total lemon (literally!). While the 08' is better, it is still the most problematic car (besides an 06' Range Rover) that I have ever owned in my 20+ new cars. I always hear people saying that my old 5er, or old 3er was the most problem free car ever, while I never hear that my 07' or 08' E70 is totally problem free. :dunno: