I get a creaking noise from the drivers door when I drive over semi-rough pavement. It sounds like plastic pieces that are shifting against each other. None of the other doors seem to make the noise. Anyone else get this or am I going crazy?

If it's not from the rear, that rules out the parking grommet issue. Since it's a squeaking, and not a rattling, that eliminates the possibility for the striking plate and the door hook mechanism "rattling" (another issue).

The only thing I can think of is that it might it be your window squeaking against the rubber seals. I have heard that if these aren't lubricated (there is a product available at the dealer for maintaining the rubber on our cars) that you can get a squeaking noise...

Thanks for the reply. I have tried applying a silicone spray to the rubber - no help. What about the striker plate and the door hook? Is there an adjustment for that. I had that in the back of my mind, but didn't think about it til you brought it up. Maybe my "creak" is really a "rattle".

Thx.

Check this re: the rattle: http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e38/forum.php?postid=3386356&page=1

And this re: the rubber "lube": http://www.z3bimmer.com/OffTopic/E24Bimmer/Gummi/

Good stuff - I'll give it a try.

Check out the E39 boards as this is uncommon with E38s but very common problem with 97-99 E39s (540i or 528i)

The cure(s) varied from: new door gaskets, adjust the striker up and/or waxing the door anywhere it comes into close proximity with the door opening surfaces on the body.

I've had the same problem, but it sounds like more of a clank than a creak. I was wondering if it was the striker or something else in the door latch. Some day I'll have to work on it.

The way you describe this sounds exactly like the issue I had, and it drove me nuts.

Anyway, loosen the bolts on the striker plate A LITTLE BIT and then move the striker plate back towards the interior of the car. Make sure the rubber gasket moves with the plate, mine did not so I took a small pocket knife and slid it around the gasket to loosen it. DO NOT move the striker plate back to far or it will cause you to have to SLAM the door to get it latched.

This was a trial and error fix for me that I screwed around with a few times to get it perfect, but it worked. See pic and let me know if you have any questions.

My creaking or squeaking on my '97 528i was solved with Vasoline along the seal on the top of the driver's side door. It's too bad we can't hear the problem. The Vasoline has to be applied about weekly.