Center Armrest Vibrations Driving Me Crazy!

Tupps11 · 10-28-2021, 07:49 AM

It's so annoying that I'm forced to leave it open (vertical) because at low RPM in 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gears the deep exhaust note makes it buzz non stop.

Only other solution is to put all the weight of my right elbow on it which is starting to hurt.

Anyone have the same issue, and if so, what did you do to resolve it?

Car is M2C manual and i have OEM downpipes/cats, AA single mid pipe, and AA valved axle back muffler.

RD85 · 10-31-2021, 11:15 AM

I have completely stock '21 M2C, and have zero rattle. I'd look at taking it in, but unless you have a nice dealer, they'll just blame the exhaust mods.

You might be able to fix descreetly with a bit of well placed black foam though.

SilverM2_CS · 11-05-2021, 02:13 PM

What's a center arm rest?

hlm2c · 11-06-2021, 08:11 AM

Perhaps the midpipe is making contact with the center brace under heavy load, which is leading to buzzing noises and vibrations into your cabin. The clearances between the midpipe and center brace are tight, so I would recommend re-examining and adjusting your exhaust to make sure you have adequate clearance between the midpipe and center brace.

Finz · 11-14-2021, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupps11

It's so annoying that I'm forced to leave it open (vertical) because at low RPM in 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gears the deep exhaust note makes it buzz non stop.

Only other solution is to put all the weight of my right elbow on it which is starting to hurt.

Anyone have the same issue, and if so, what did you do to resolve it?

Car is M2C manual and i have OEM downpipes/cats, AA single mid pipe, and AA valved axle back muffler.

I have the same setup and no arm rest vibration at all.

M3R1 · 11-14-2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverM2_CS

What's a center arm rest?

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1847498

Tupps11 · 08-30-2022, 10:09 AM

So its been months. I made sure the exhaust has good clearance on all sides.

It's clearly not that.

I basically gave up. Started driving faster and more aggressive. The higher/louder the RPM, the less i hear the noise.

Until my wife gets in the passenger seat on Sunday and notices the rattle/vibration.

After asking what's causing that noise, she very casually reaches to the arm rest, lifts it open, and places her finger down on the stupid wireless charger that i never ever use.

The second she pressed down on it, it stopped!

Now that its diagnosed...how the hell do i get rid of it? Has anyone removed the wireless charger from inside the arm rest?

chris719 · 08-30-2022, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupps11

So its been months. I made sure the exhaust has good clearance on all sides.

It's clearly not that.

I basically gave up. Started driving faster and more aggressive. The higher/louder the RPM, the less i hear the noise.

Until my wife gets in the passenger seat on Sunday and notices the rattle/vibration.

After asking what's causing that noise, she very casually reaches to the arm rest, lifts it open, and places her finger down on the stupid wireless charger that i never ever use.

The second she pressed down on it, it stopped!

Now that its diagnosed...how the hell do i get rid of it? Has anyone removed the wireless charger from inside the arm rest?

There are a bunch of threads on removing it I think. I don't have a link handy but I was pretty sure you can just rip it out. I would check before you do this, however.

Tupps11 · 08-31-2022, 01:58 AM

Once removed correctly, are you left with a hole?

Or is there some sort of part/accessory that fills the gap?

Swish77 · 09-08-2022, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupps11

Once removed correctly, are you left with a hole?

Or is there some sort of part/accessory that fills the gap?

Yes, and this could be what you need.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...gaAonHEALw_wcB

Tupps11 · 09-09-2022, 04:49 AM

Thank you! Looks like a good solution.

Anyone know how to take out the wireless charging component?

Instructions or a manual would be great.

Swish77 · 09-09-2022, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupps11

Thank you! Looks like a good solution.

Anyone know how to take out the wireless charging component?

Instructions or a manual would be great.

Different car but same approach:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1051389

m2c_6mt · 09-25-2022, 09:03 PM

Try moving the armrest to the forward position. I get a creak when it's moved aft, but when I move it forward it's silent...

Toroinu · 09-26-2022, 08:22 PM

Mine creaks if I rest my arm on it. Keeping it forward feels like it’s “too forward” and not natural.

I heard you can apply some dry lube to the hinges. Might give it a shot but for now I got use to it

10-28-2021, 07:49 AM	#1
Tupps11 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 41 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	Center Armrest Vibrations Driving Me Crazy! It's so annoying that I'm forced to leave it open (vertical) because at low RPM in 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gears the deep exhaust note makes it buzz non stop. Only other solution is to put all the weight of my right elbow on it which is starting to hurt. Anyone have the same issue, and if so, what did you do to resolve it? Car is M2C manual and i have OEM downpipes/cats, AA single mid pipe, and AA valved axle back muffler.
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10-31-2021, 11:15 AM	#2
RD85 New Member 5 Rep 16 Posts Drives: '13 Subaru BRZ Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: South FL iTrader: (0)	I have completely stock '21 M2C, and have zero rattle. I'd look at taking it in, but unless you have a nice dealer, they'll just blame the exhaust mods. You might be able to fix descreetly with a bit of well placed black foam though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2021, 02:13 PM	#3
SilverM2_CS Private First Class 103 Rep 116 Posts Drives: M2 CS, 2011 135i Convertible Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Burlington, CT iTrader: (0)	What's a center arm rest?
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11-06-2021, 08:11 AM	#4
hlm2c Lieutenant 290 Rep 408 Posts Drives: M2C Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: US/Korea iTrader: (1)	Perhaps the midpipe is making contact with the center brace under heavy load, which is leading to buzzing noises and vibrations into your cabin. The clearances between the midpipe and center brace are tight, so I would recommend re-examining and adjusting your exhaust to make sure you have adequate clearance between the midpipe and center brace.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-30-2022, 10:09 AM	#7
Tupps11 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 41 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	So its been months. I made sure the exhaust has good clearance on all sides. It's clearly not that. I basically gave up. Started driving faster and more aggressive. The higher/louder the RPM, the less i hear the noise. Until my wife gets in the passenger seat on Sunday and notices the rattle/vibration. After asking what's causing that noise, she very casually reaches to the arm rest, lifts it open, and places her finger down on the stupid wireless charger that i never ever use. The second she pressed down on it, it stopped! Now that its diagnosed...how the hell do i get rid of it? Has anyone removed the wireless charger from inside the arm rest?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2022, 01:58 AM	#9
Tupps11 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 41 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	Once removed correctly, are you left with a hole? Or is there some sort of part/accessory that fills the gap?
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09-09-2022, 04:49 AM	#11
Tupps11 Enlisted Member 30 Rep 41 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	Thank you! Looks like a good solution. Anyone know how to take out the wireless charging component? Instructions or a manual would be great.
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09-25-2022, 09:03 PM	#13
m2c_6mt Enlisted Member 49 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2021 M2 Competition Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Try moving the armrest to the forward position. I get a creak when it's moved aft, but when I move it forward it's silent...
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09-26-2022, 08:22 PM	#14
Toroinu Private 17 Rep 92 Posts Drives: BMW M2c, BMW 528i, Audi RS5 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Mine creaks if I rest my arm on it. Keeping it forward feels like it’s “too forward” and not natural. I heard you can apply some dry lube to the hinges. Might give it a shot but for now I got use to it
	Appreciate 0 Quote