Mini One - loud road noise?

[defraine]

Hi all,

I'm from the UK and have a standard Mini one 2003 model. I've done 17,000 miles in just over 2 years and at the weekend I noticed what I can only describe as an increase in road noise whilst driving over 40mph. I thought my exhaust was blowing or cracked so took it to my dealer whom did a health check and said all was fine. As helpful as they are not, they said nothing more letting me leave still concerned. Anyone else had this noise? It isn't consistant, sometime louder than others at various speeds, sometimes not at all. I clutch it when it happens and the noise remains the same, suggesting not engine/exhaust? Think it could be the condition of the tyres getting worse? I have checked pressures etc, all fine, they will need replacing in a few months though. Any ideas or experiences much appreciated.
Cheers, Sean.

[KenL]

Could it be a wheel bearing? Is it a droning noise that varies with speed?

[defraine]

Yes, but more of a roar than a droan. But I'm getting no vibration or looseness etc. I'm off to the dealer on the way home to cause havoc. Could it be early signs of wear you think, 17,000 steady miles?? Thanks.

[Martyn21]

Could be just to do with the exhaust carbon build up? This I would assume cause the car to sound different over time?

Or I could be talking crap

My GF mentiones that hers sounds a bit troaty every now and then hers is a 2003 ONE with only 11500 miles on the clock!

[KenL]

See if you can take a tech out with you to demonstrate.

[defraine]

Booked in for 08:30 Monday. They started to believe when I showed them a printed copy of this http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-mini-tuning/34030-driveline-noise.html which is my problem exactly. Result = Faulty wheel bearings. Watch this space!! This has to be the best forum I have ever registered for. Cheers all, will update you all Monday. Sean

[Widgey]

Knowledge is power

[defraine]

Tech came out for a drive this morning - it's only the wheel bearings!!! Booked in for fixing tomorrow morning. Strange how they all said "nah wheel bearings never go that quick!!"

Lets see if they get the right bearing!!!!

[defraine]

Right, my noisy mini is no longer. 1 wheel bearing replaced and all back to normal.

Dealer (Victoria MK) even got the right 1. Still never easy, took it in, they called me at the end of day, they didn't have a free ramp to use so was looking at being finished hopefully just b4 closing, I offered to leave it there for the following day, very helpful they said. Day 2, I called them as they didn't call me! to ask if it was ready, oh yes, sure was. So I went to collect, it was ready and fixed, although after the valet it was actually more dirty than when it went in! Wash your shamy leathers once in a while chaps.

Anyway, thanks to all whom offered advise and I hopefully wont need to go back very soon.