UPDATE TO CREAKING - Solution Inside

So, I never really told your guys the truth. I recently purchased a 5.0 and was going to use the car as my DD to the city. I mentioned to my wife that the 5.0 really didn't get better mileage due to traffic than the Denali I traded in and she mentioned she wouldn't mind having the car as her car was getting a little long in the tooth. I said OK. The 5.0 is really not good on gas especially when you throw in bumper to bumper. I was averaging 13.x as compared to 12 with the Denali. To make a long story short, I gave the wife the 5.0 and I picked up a 3.5 Sport. We have 2 2011 X5's.

Mine starting creaking within 2 weeks and I brought it in to the local dealer to do the lube job(did not buy the car there) and while I was there I ordered a new tow hook cover. Mine was not attaching properly and for $8 I ponied up. So the lube on my car worked great (so far) but over the last week my wifes car starting creaking. When I went to pick up the tow hook cover I was talking to the parts guy and asked if they sold anything that I could use at home to stop the creaking on the wifes car and of course if and when my car acts up again. He confirmed that BMW no longer sells Gummi Fledge as that have bulk containers now and if out of warranty they charge labor and materials to lube. He then proceeded to look over both shoulders to make sure nobody was listening and told me to go to the local walgreens/CVS or similar and buy petroleum jelly (Vasoline) as its the same stuff they have in bulk. Wipe the seals with a damp cloth to clean and put a little on your finger and work around adding more to your finger as you go completely around the entire door for maximum affect. I can confirm it works. The parts guy is also a tech so I trusted his advise.

Just wanted to pass along the information. It's a real pain for me to go to the dealer and welcomed the suggestion as I did it in my driveway in 20 minutes. Hope you find this helpful.

Nice - Vaseline fixes every friction problem!

FYI - bavauto.com sells Gummi Fledge if you find it too embarrassing buying Vaseline in large quantities at the local CVS!

Rob

I have been to dealers where, instead of Vaseline, they use Anal Lube.





On the customers, not the cars.

Originally Posted by quackbury

I have been to dealers where, instead of Vaseline, they use Anal Lube.





On the customers, not the cars.

Just be happy the use Something!

Originally Posted by Michael_s

So, I never really told your guys the truth. I recently purchased a 5.0 and was going to use the car as my DD to the city. I mentioned to my wife that the 5.0 really didn't get better mileage due to traffic than the Denali I traded in and she mentioned she wouldn't mind having the car as her car was getting a little long in the tooth. I said OK. The 5.0 is really not good on gas especially when you throw in bumper to bumper. I was averaging 13.x as compared to 12 with the Denali. To make a long story short, I gave the wife the 5.0 and I picked up a 3.5 Sport. We have 2 2011 X5's.

Mine starting creaking within 2 weeks and I brought it in to the local dealer to do the lube job(did not buy the car there) and while I was there I ordered a new tow hook cover. Mine was not attaching properly and for $8 I ponied up. So the lube on my car worked great (so far) but over the last week my wifes car starting creaking. When I went to pick up the tow hook cover I was talking to the parts guy and asked if they sold anything that I could use at home to stop the creaking on the wifes car and of course if and when my car acts up again. He confirmed that BMW no longer sells Gummi Fledge as that have bulk containers now and if out of warranty they charge labor and materials to lube. He then proceeded to look over both shoulders to make sure nobody was listening and told me to go to the local walgreens/CVS or similar and buy petroleum jelly (Vasoline) as its the same stuff they have in bulk. Wipe the seals with a damp cloth to clean and put a little on your finger and work around adding more to your finger as you go completely around the entire door for maximum affect. I can confirm it works. The parts guy is also a tech so I trusted his advise.

Just wanted to pass along the information. It's a real pain for me to go to the dealer and welcomed the suggestion as I did it in my driveway in 20 minutes. Hope you find this helpful.

Sorry if I am missing it but do you mean your creaking was coming from the rubber frame door jam seals and that is what you clean and vasoline?

Originally Posted by quackbury

I have been to dealers where, instead of Vaseline, they use Anal Lube.





On the customers, not the cars.

You must have a loving and caring dealer...


But seriously, I'm not too impressed with the answer being to smear grease around the door jambs for dust to collect and for it to get transferred onto you clothes.

Originally Posted by quackbury

I have been to dealers where, instead of Vaseline, they use Anal Lube.





On the customers, not the cars.

Most don't.

Originally Posted by ard

You must have a loving and caring dealer...


But seriously, I'm not too impressed with the answer being to smear grease around the door jambs for dust to collect and for it to get transferred onto you clothes.

ARD- I agree 10000% but the alternative is to wait at the dealer or have it creak. The vasoline is really an easy fix, but certainly a PITA!

I am not sure vaseline is a long-term solution, it might do some damage to the rubber!

Fellow Forum members

I have said this in many of the other threads on this subject.......

It is a design issue, apparently on a lot of the BMW vehicles.
That is not surprising as they will have a Body Closures team that obviously still believes that their way of designing the seal closures, and the materials they use, is the correct one.

Now either they (BMW) are not reading the Warranty claims on this issue, or...
We as customers are NOT taking our vehicles back in enough numbers for rhem to react to.


If you go off and fix it yourself, with Vasoline, or any other grease, or whatever,
BMW are conceited enough to believe that they do not have a problem.

Originally Posted by alexmish

I am not sure vaseline is a long-term solution, it might do some damage to the rubber!

This may or may not be the case as BMW uses the same or similar product. However, I rarely keep cars more than 4 years so I am not that concered. Now if I was keeping my car longer I would share the same concerns.

From my past history and research, vasoline IS NOT a good idea. It contains petroleum which is not good for rubber. I had the same problem when I had a MB and research a lot for this. It is indeed a design flaw and the only fixes are temporary like gummi pledge or 303. But I would not use vasoline . . .

I would try this, rather than petroleum jelly:

http://www.jigaloo.com/us/e_products_jigaloo.php

Not having the creaking problem, I cannot say this product would solve it. But I have used the stuff on lots of other things, and it has worked quite well, without leaving any oily or greasy residue to rub off and stain clothes.