[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deanliv (original)

I feel that this problem is getting closer to being resolved for other Mini owners.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Doing the cam-chain tensioner has worked for me, at least tempararily. I'll suggest lifters to my dealer if the problem returns with any frequency.

I just pray they get it sorted once-and-for-all within the warranty period. It's such an awsome car otherwise...

[Bishamon]

My car made a similar noise this morning, but not right away at start up. I hadn't driven since last Thursday, and the temperature in the garage was around 3 celsius this morning (barely above freezing). I started it up, and it sounded normal at idle. Backing down the driveway it sounded normal, but pulling away as the engine hit about 2000 rpm, it became very loud and noisy. Keeping it at very low revs it sounded fine, but again in second gear it became loud as it hit 2000rpm. I have had quite a few mornings so far with similar temperatures and not had any issues, but the weather has been getting colder, and will hit much colder temperatures regularly as we head into winter.

I'm not sure if I should be overly concerned yet; my previous vehicle (a 2002 Toyota Corolla purchased new and owned for six years) used to get a little loud when it was cold (though not quite as loud, and at slightly higher engine speeds). It didn't even have to be this cold and it would become noisy around 2500rpm until the engine warmed up, and then it would go away. Apart from that issue, my Corolla was completely problem free for just over six years. Tomorrow I will let the Mini warm up for a bit before starting to drive and I'll see if I have any unusual noise, but the weather is actually due to warm up several degrees over the next few days, so I may not have an issue regardless.

[caesar]

Bishamon.......Had exactly the same problem with my July 07 MCS when I parked on the driveway overnight, instead of in the garage (see my earlier threads on this topic).

The driveway slopes down towards the garage at an angle of approx 30 degrees. To stop it occuring I let the engine tick over for 2-3 minutes, then gently reverse up the slope.

I suggest you try this, and also check the engine oil level as per the Owners Handbook.

[brgc00perboy]

hello all

I have an April 2007 MCS and over the past two months numerous problems have occured, the two main ones being the gearbox/clutch grinding problem and the tractor type noise during cold starts form the engine.

A month ago i took it to the dealer (Elms MINI Cambridge) and they changed the timing chain tensioner as per PUMA recommendation. This seemed to solve the problem for a couple of weeks (although there was still a faint knocking when cold) but unfourtunatley the sound has returned.

In my experience it has occured when the car has been standing outside on the drive instead of the garage coupled with cold and damp/wet conditions.

Now I'm wondering what to do. Could it be that the tensioner has started to fail again. I'm not so sure that this is problem and it is kind of weird that it occurs only when wet. The vibration as stated in earlier replies to this thread occurs at the 2k rpm level. Could it be heatshield related?

Looks like I am going to have to book her in again for a another few days which is great. I really love all the time i have to spend trying to get these problems sorted NOT.

I am definatley going to remember to mention the lifters as possible problem as stated earlier in this thread. So far after the first vist for three days to Elms MINI Cambridge three weeks ago:

1. storage compartment rattle - replaced and fitted
2. gearbox grinding and difficulty selecting 2nd from 1st and 3rd - bedding in for clutch carried out but still not fixed in my book as its is still diffult to select 2nd
3. chatter from clutch trust plate bearing - not fixed
4. tractor noise from engine when cold - timing chain tension changed but noise has returned
5. noise from top of windscreen - windscreen re-fitted

I then had to book her in again because the wind screen was not fittled correctly. Got her back and noticed that the roof rainfall rubber above rthe drivers rear quarter were all pushed in from replacing the windscreen. Then over the past week the dash has developed a nasty rattle post windcreen replacement. The car is now due in on the 27th next week to get the rubbers and rattle sorted.

So after this week I will have to book her in AGAIN for the forth time to try and get some of these major mechanical issue sorted. How many chances to these guys need as I am really getting hacked off. Its such a great car but I want a drivet rain that sounds like its going to last the disatnce and not just 20K

Here is a video of the engine noise problem

YouTube - R56 Mini Cooper S Engine Noise When Cold

Pablo

[caesar]

brgc00perboy.........that video of the engine noise is very distressing, no wonder you are worried.

It would be a good idea if you could send a copy to BMW Mini.

As regards the noisy windscreen, had the same problem with my July 07 MCS when driving at 70 mph or higher during the summer. Since the cooler weather it has stopped, I have posted a few threads on this titled "Wind Noise" and other owners have the same problem.

[kegsclan]

Sorry if I go over previously discussed points, but this morning I started my 56 mcs with 9000 miles on the clock and as usual I got the tractor noise for a while again as in previous threads its around 2k rpm in damp or wet weather. However as I started to pull away the noise did not subside as usual if anything it got worse and as I pulled out my driveway onto a main road the engine died but did not stall and had no pull at all and would not move or rev. I had to stop the engine and restart, even then there was no power even though I was reving the car, I was just getting the loud tractor noise. I then slowly put the car in reverse and limped very slowly trying not to stall back into my drive way. However with in a couple of mins the car was running fine! Is this just my mini or has anyone else had a similar problem?

[Bishamon]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

Bishamon.......Had exactly the same problem with my July 07 MCS when I parked on the driveway overnight, instead of in the garage (see my earlier threads on this topic).

The driveway slopes down towards the garage at an angle of approx 30 degrees. To stop it occuring I let the engine tick over for 2-3 minutes, then gently reverse up the slope.

Well, the weather has been right around freezing over the last few days, and I've been giving it a couple of minutes to warm up and haven't had any problems. When I had the noise, it was only when driving; while sitting at idle the engine sounded perfectly normal. I'll see how things go as temeratures hit 20 below, as they are apt to do from time to time throughout the winter months.

[brgc00perboy]

After my last post last night when i put the car away I was interested to see if the noise was there this morning and to my dissapointment it was - perhaps even worse!

YouTube - R56 Mini Cooper S Engine Noise When...

[caesar]

brgc00perboy

The engine noise in the above video sounds as if the timing is out of sync. That would explain the lack of power and noise.

[DerekH]

Cooper Boy i think it's time BMW got taught a lesson about not treating this with respect we have the gear problem noise and car away for third time engine only once did that noise thank god , i have given them one last chance to fix it or they can have it back i am fed up taking it to dealers total disgrace and BMW will be told and may not buy another Desil beamer if they keep up this silence on the poor product they have produced for some owners.

[brgc00perboy]

hi derek

yeah been winding myself up over these issues - am going to email Elms Cambridge Customer service tonight and then I am going to get up early and I will be waiting at the delarship at 8.30am to have a stern chat. The car is supposed to be going in on Tuesday for the ratles and trim issues but now I am goign to tell them to cancel this and book the car in as soon as poissble and say that the follwing issues need sorting before I will take the car back.

Dash Rattle
Roof rainline trim sorting after windscreen replacment
Engine noise when cold
2nd gear selection (clutch bedding worked temporarily)
Thrust plate noise on clutch when warm

Hopefully I can get a loan car for this period however long this may be. I am so annoyed! I have lost a lot of time at work because of these repeated trips to the dealer. Offically this will be their second chance to solve the defects and I will make this clear. After this they have one more shot but what do you do after that . The car is over six months old and has 10K on the clock so I'm not sure what my options will be post third trip to the dealer.

In reponse to your post ceaser - the MCS has variable valve timing right. So could it be the electronics controling the valves when cold or the timing chain slipping (the tensioner has already been replace once. Its interesting that this problem only seems to be occuring on MCS engines and not coopers. Do coopers have VVT?

Pablo

[Den W]

don't want to tempt fate to much but we've got 2 R56 MCS's mine - 56 reg- does the death rattle in the mornings when it feels like it but our other car - 07 reg - has NEVER done the noise in 7000 miles - I wonder if there is an electronic gizmo that actuates tthe valves or whatever and we've all got dodgey ones?
just a thought

[Washy]

Started my car up on Saturday morning and yep I now have the noise too. Has done it every morning since. Aug 07 build with 4000 miles on the clock.....

[CC07ERS]

There a couple of guys on :: NEWMINISCOTLAND :: that have had the noise repaired by the same dealer

[caesar]

"In response to your post ceaser - the MCS has variable valve timing right. So could it be the electronics controlling the valves when cold or the timing chain slipping (the tensioner has already been replace once. Its interesting that this problem only seems to be occurring on MCS engines and not coopers. Do coopers have VVT?"

If the timing chain is very slack, then it could in theory jump over the sprockets - this would cause a lot of noise and loss of power as the valve timing would be incorrect.

The MCS and Cooper and possibly the Mini all have VCT (variable cam timing) as do most modern high performance engines. If the Cooper engine is not having this problem as you say, then there must be a difference in design.

BMW must be aware of this 'noise problem' and should be able to cure it

[Mr Gary]

I have a R56 Dec 06 build , Jan 07 Delivery. I now have 20K on the clock and have had a catalogue of faults from day one. There has not been a month that has gone by that my car has not been in for some reason or another. I have had the same rattle "engine death" noise from new and I have had various fixes etc. Mini are now looking into it with Elms of Bedford (who have heard the noise first hand). It is not incline, temp or oil level related as it has occured on my car all year and in various parked positions. The worst thing is that just when you think it has gone away... it strikes. I have also had it occur after a long run when the car was very warm in the summer. Strange

I am awaiting a fix and will let you all know the outcome.

[brgc00perboy]

Hi Gary

Thats interesting news. My R56 MCS is going in on the 12th Dec for three days to try and rectify the noise for the second attempt (plus other issues, see above posts)

I really had thought that it was related to cold/damp conditions. When I asked Elms Cambridge via email about whether they had a fix the contradictorily response was:

"I have spoken to our workshop controller, who believes we have sufficient information to get your car repaired. We do not have a fix for the engine noise until we have looked at the car again. Obviously I shall keep you informed of any updates during the period your car is here."

With quite a few people experiencing problems on this forum, I can't believe that the dealers/BMW/MINI cannot get their heads together round the table and make a concerted effort to sort this issue out. BMW can build the most amazing 507bhp V10 Sports saloon in the world but cannot sort what seems the be an inherent mechanical problem with the MCS 4 pot.

If they do know what the problems is how long can they keep it from us and why?. In two years of prototype testing - surely they must of experienced the same problem.

If a design fault is to blame, was it too late in the day for a redesign? Begs the question of whether all R56 MCS sold have experienced the problem at one time or another and only 2/5% or owners (mechanically minded maybe) think that its an issue.

Would love to get an independent authoritative view on the noise from third party organization before contacting trading standards/what car etc.

At some point I think that we should get a group together who are experiencing the same issues and approach What Car for a double page spread .

Get the media train rolling then BMW can't ignore us!

Pablo

[DerekH]

Hi Pablo totaly agree with you we seem to be like Mushroms always in the dark and the Dealers service teams are great at telling tall stories to people with little knowledge of cars, I love our car but the gear noise has ruined the whole Mini adventure , its a pain

[MandyB1971]

We have a MCS Built in May 2007 and we have exactly the same problem. It sounds quite agricultural and infact two people have commented that they didn't know that the MCS was a diesel!!! lol Not funny really when youve paid all that money for a car.

Dealer says it's a characteristic of the engine and nothing wrong with it!

Certainly seems to be a common problem. Perhaps we should have a mini adventure of our own to protest to Mini HQ in UK!

Amanda

[Vitesse]

Quote: Originally Posted by MandyB1971 (original)

We have a MCS Built in May 2007 and we have exactly the same problem. It sounds quite agricultural and infact two people have commented that they didn't know that the MCS was a diesel!!! lol Not funny really when youve paid all that money for a car.

Dealer says it's a characteristic of the engine and nothing wrong with it!

Certainly seems to be a common problem. Perhaps we should have a mini adventure of our own to protest to Mini HQ in UK!

Amanda

When my R53 MCS was in for some work at my local dealers. I got a lift back home with one of the guys on the service desk reception.

I said to him that I had heard the R56 MCS engine was supposed to be a bit noisy? He had bought an R56 himself, even he said that it was so noisy at tick over, that it was almost embarrassing to be sat in traffic at times. Which seems to back up what a lot of dealers are telling people, that it is a characteristic of the engine?