Hi All,

The heat shield underneath my 7-year-old BMW 316 is vibrating or rattling. I had this problem about two months ago, and got the car repaired by BMW. Now the problem is back.

Please can you advise regarding the following:-

(1) Is it 'safe' to drive with a vibrating / rattling heat shield?
(2) Is it an urgent repair requirement, or will it keep until next MOT (September 2008) ?
(3) Is a vibrating / rattling heat shield likely to fall off, and if so can a car be driven without one?

Thank you for your time,
Best regards,
James Collett

James Collett, January 2008

it will be the heat shield my e46 is doing the same . anyone know if it will be ok with out it on the car

shaun mac, February 2010

I just had mine removed at a local shop but I wish someone could answer question 3:
"Is a vibrating / rattling heat shield likely to fall off, and if so can a car be driven without one?"

BAVARIA, September 2009

Hi, I had the same problem with my heat shield on my wheel. I replaced my BMW with new alloys and straight away i could hear this noise. I had a local garage have a look at it, it was nothing major but i was told that it is an MOT failure.

Regards

Shaun, February 2009

if got a bmw 330 & mine has been vibrating since i bought it 2 years ago.it might be a metal sheild on the exhaust if thats the case its not a problem,its just noisey.the other thing that rattles in the splash sheild under the engine.again nothing to worry about,neither will fail an mot

bob, January 2008