MK6 GTI - Rattle upon acceleration - Resolved via TPI: 2021062/7

[G-rig]

Interesting letter. You can't really argue that it is a fault, and agree it's a characteristic of this car. Depends how much you try and listen for it i guess, but is definitely not make or break.

[MurphyTheElf]

Interesting letter. You can't really argue that it is a fault, and agree it's a characteristic of this car. Depends how much you try and listen for it i guess, but is definitely not make or break.

It's been clearly established that for many of us, it's not necessary to "try and listen" for the noise - it's there as clear as a bell. Windows up, radio on, it's still there. Considering several "newbies" on the forum have popped up simply to query the noise indicates that they had no idea that it was a characteristic and they were concerned enough and it was loud enough for them to investigate the issue themselves. As for the rattle being classed as a characteristic, what if VW decided that the GTI's open door chime played a Lady Gaga song? Some people wouldn't mind, but most people actually have taste. Therefore it's an undesirable characteristic and I can imagine there would be a lot of complaints. However, I highly doubt VW designed the car to make this rattle - it was an unintentional side effect of the wastegate or downpipe design that they have decided so far is too expensive to address. What needs to happen is for enough people to make the situation undesirable for them to turn a blind eye any longer.

[Corey_R]

Yet there are many that haven't heard this...

Since the people that can hear it say that it is loud enough to be heard over the radio with the windows shut, if you turn off the radio (and maybe open the windows), is it loud enough to be recorded?
A good recording of the sound may make it easier to describe and get concensus from others that they are in fact hearing the same thing.

[MurphyTheElf]

Yet there are many that haven't heard this...

Since the people that can hear it say that it is loud enough to be heard over the radio with the windows shut, if you turn off the radio (and maybe open the windows), is it loud enough to be recorded?
A good recording of the sound may make it easier to describe and get concensus from others that they are in fact hearing the same thing.

I've tried with a cheap video camera, but the microphone is rubbish. It either picks up too much wind noise from the open windows, or amplifies closer sounds. Whilst I can just distinguish the rattle on my recording, it's not convincing enough for skeptics.

[reaction]

I'm currently working on a few ideas to get a recording of the sound.

[ddre78]

I'm currently working on a few ideas to get a recording of the sound.

So am I.

Also I agree with those that say if you have to listen for it, you probably dont have the issue. Its obvious under all conditions.

Since a lot of people test drove the car and didnt hear it, it must be something thats crept into the production around the start of the year.

[Banzai]

In 1500kms I never heard the noise, even when driving next to a concrete barrier with the window down and radio off.

[jwastrel]

Drive in a tunnel with the front passenger side window open, in 3rd gear under mild accelation between the 2400 and 3000 rev range.

The rattle will be loud and clear.

The wierd thing is I also didn't hear it when doing a test drive. It sounds terrible, but at least it is "mostly" harmless. I'm guessing if it didn't rattle the part would last longer however. Mechanically, a rattle usually increases stress on components....

[REXman]

In the 3 GTI's I tested, I never had the rattle sound. Doing about 30km in each.

The last 2 of those times, I was aware of the rattle, and could not recreate ANY sound like that, that people have been talking about.

If it was there I would have heard it.

PS Should I buy a E46 2004 M3 instead.