When I first open any door my 2004 TDi makes a clattering noise from the centre console. This goes on for about 30 seconds and then it settles down.
I've had all both side panels right off, and all three centre panels, and there doesn't appear to be anything there that might make the noise.
It's all very irritating.

Tom, mine makes the noise you talk of... I think it's the vent flaps just fully cycling through their full range of movement in readiness for the car being started. Not sure why they would need to ? Current: Supercharged 06 FFRR in Java Black
Previous: BMW 740D M Sport
Previous Previous: BMW 730D Sport

Still clattering away, bloody thing, but it's mostly my indolence. Does anybody know what the L322 is programmed to do when a door is opened, or the car is unlocked?

When I bought mine 3 weeks ago, this was one of the faults pointed out to me.

I was told it was common on these and is due to some function whereby the steering wheel moves to let you get in easily. I was told it was a plastic gear wheel, part of the steering column, that commonly lost its teeth and so just sits there and clicks.

I was told that it didn't affect the normal movement operations on the steering wheel and wouldn't get any worse.

Hopefully, someone will know whether what I was told was correct. Old 110 2.3 Petrol ???? - ????
Old 110 200tdi ???? - 2004
1996 Discovery 300tdi 2004 - 2015 met fiery end being welded
2004 JEEP Grand Cherokee 2015 - 2017
2004 L322 Td6 2017 -

Billaboard, that sounds very sensible. Everything I've read pointed to a "heater blender motor" near the driver's left foot.
I fished it out and took it apart, cleaned, wipe of light oil, then held it with the wires connected and turned the key on. Same bloody clattering noise while the unit whirred quietly in my hand.
I notice that my steering wheel doesn't get put away, so that's definitely next.

Thanks.