Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this so please forgive me if this is posted in the wrong place.

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper petrol (mileage 67,000). When driving at higher speeds 50 mph and higher I can hear a chugging noise. The cars performance doesn't seem affected. While it was in for an MOT I asked the garage about it and they checked my bearings but they were fine. Other than that they were unable to find a fault and the tyres are all fine. It seems to be a mystery so I thought I'd try posting on here. It has also been regularly serviced.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :D

A bit more info would be helpful like, does it change in volume the faster you get, is it a constant noise of regular pitch, is there any vibration when its sounding, where do you think the noise is coming from approximately?
Sounds like some sort of rotational noise, maybe wheel balance? exhaust system knock, shock absorbers worn causing a wheel to patter, but as its just been MOT'd they should have pick up worn shocks, probably, maybe?
Does the chugging noise stop or reduce if you get up to speed then knock it out of gear and coast?

The sound remains at the same level and pitch when travelling over 50 mph. It doesn't increase the faster you go. There isn't any vibration and you can't tell where the noise is coming from but I would say the front. The chugging also continues if I take it out of gear or take my foot off the accelerator. It either doesn't occur or is much quieter when travelling at lower speeds.

Strange, Has it recently occurred or been like it a while?
What were you doing prior to you noticing it, had anything done to the car then you noticed it? like a service? etc
Has it been getting worse over a period, or just happened suddenly?

Just a thought, youve not got direction tyres fitted have you and ones been put on the wrong side so is in fact rotating in the wrong direction?

....The sound remains at the same level and pitch when travelling over 50 mph. It doesn't increase the faster you go......

Id be having a closer look at the power steering pump - or cooling fan, both of which have been known to make various noises just before failure.
{Also they're not speed dependant so would constantly make the same noise - & the pump a bit louder when turning the wheel}
But easy to check - Any noise at all when you come to a stop & try to turn wheel ?

Just an update on this. I have had the car in the garage as the noise has got worse and is particularly bad when I turn left. They checked the bearings and said that they are fine and that they suspect the problem is the gear box and the repairs to this are going to be £600. They said that it is a common fault on the Mini's.

Just an update on this. I have had the car in the garage as the noise has got worse and is particularly bad when I turn left. They checked the bearings and said that they are fine and that they suspect the problem is the gear box and the repairs to this are going to be £600. They said that it is a common fault on the Mini's.


Hi,

Would i be correct in saying that since you say it only happens at over 50 then you are in 5th gear? A gearbox will normally be noisy on its way out but you can get problems when using only certain gears which would explain your problem.