[bpwj76]

I recently purchased a CPO 2015 320i and on the way home from the dealer I kept hearing the same sounds as the OP described. Excedpt to me sounded like it was coming from the center console and thought I'd have to pull it apart to get to whatever it was rolling around. Then I found this thread and thought I'd try what some were saying about the under-seat vents.

Well I found the culprits. Inside the driver's side vent was an ink pen and inside the passenger side vent was a USB charger. Both from the previous owner. Both of those items are fairly large and it would seem unlikely they would be able to find their way into those vents, but they did.

Thanks, guys!

[BMW11]

that vent under the seat that BMW designed to leave wide open was not a good idea, I almost lost my keys in that hole. There was a thread somewhere in the forum that someone made a vent cover out of plastic and/or mesh to cover it up so nothing can fall in there. If I remember correctly I think they 3D Printed a vent cover. I was gonna make some kind of mesh cover but never got around to it yet. I think the E90's had that open vent too IIRC...

I FOUND THE THREAD:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1179127


reference "fix" part: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Interior-Re...72.m2749.l2649

[Zanity]

omg, i must check my under seat vents tomorrow, this noise is so bad, i just lived with it, it sounds like a screw driver rolling forward an inch when i brake.

[IAmATeaf]

I dropped the cap to a usb pen drive down the side of my seat, looked down within seconds and couldn’t find it. Assumed it was caught in the seat mechanism so moved the seat back and forth, up and down and looked again but couldn’t see it.

I did see the vent but thought no way could it be in there but seeing this thread I’ll have to have another look this weekend.

[aberg98]

So nothing in my vent but the same sliding noise. any other suggestions?

[jcortez75]

Here are the vent cover from Amazon: https://amzn.to/33dosX4

[chossy]

Hey this is amazing! I defo. have coins in my vent!! but how does one go about getting them out... I cannot see or touch anything inside the vents, if I tap it for sure there are coins in there!!

Sit Rep. FIXED!

Did the old reverse down a steep hill and bang on the brakes!! coins came shooting out, £1.50 nice one!

Thanks to the amazing members of this forum!!

[B4ndit0s]

hello all,

After reading this thread I thought to share my experience dealing with the noise | sound that was coming from the front passenger area.

initially it sounded as if an object or a loos part was moving/rolling inside the door panel, this noise would come at breaking after moving forward and in reverse, it would also occasionally come when the car turns left or right swiftly.

as per the thread i have actually removed the door panel and foam insulation - and there was absolutely nothing inside - all looked secured and clean.

Then after reading these posts i checked the under the seat vent, and found that slim perfume vial got in and was rolling inside producing that noise

honestly this is such a relief - no more rolling noises....

Regards,
B4ndit0s