Rear suspension noise

[der Geist]

One possible thing is that it could be your shock. The sound you are describing could expain it however it usually always sound like it is coming from the same side and does not move around. It is highly unlikely that both shocks went at the same time. Did you look to see if any of the fluid has leaked out of the shock assembly? It will usually be apparent on the inside fender or right on the shock itself. When a shock loses it's fluid it can make a sound exactly like what you saying but whatever it is it sounds like it is related directly to the suspension or something attached to it.

[Rev Den]

I checked again and there is no evidence of any shock leakage. After some more driving I think the sound is only coming from the right rear side. The shock seems to still have good compression when you press down on the rear end. Any other possibilities?

[faheemf1]

It is possibly your rear track arms. Have you had them checked?

[rgriffin]

My car makes the same noise. I had it checked out and mechanic cannot find anything wrong. I heard a similar noise from my 2000 Z3 when it was brand new.
I thought maybe it was just characteristic of convertibles.
To me, it sounds like it is coming from an area between engine and rear seats, possibly low to ground, but I cannot distinguish which side if any.

[JackG]

Count me in as well, it's on the driver's side, behind my left shoulder, but it's hard to tell how far up/down. I had my alignment guy look at it, and he couldn't find anything.

It will pop when it's being jacked up off the ground, and will pop either when it's let back down, or when you sit in it after it's back off the jack. When driving, it will occasionally pop when cornering hard right (and loading up the suspension on that side), and will especially do it if there's a bump in the corner that loads and unloads the suspension.

My noise sounds like someone lightly tapped a solid part of the frame/suspension with a ball pein hammer. Like maybe a bolt is loose, and whatever it's holding can slide around under it's head? But the weight of the car normally keeps it from sliding.

A bad strut (shock) is a good idea. I've looked over the bottom, I'll have to take a closer look at the top of the strut and it's mounting area. I guess it could be internal as well. It's not leaking on mine.