Hi, my name is Zach. I live in Grand Rapids, MI, and I'm in a MINIac.
I purchased my 2010 British Racing Green R56 MCS on Saturday. This is my first ever mini, and I already love it. No mods yet, but I have a set of RubberTite mats on order.

Here are a couple iPhone pictures from the day I brought it home.

 

Beautiful MINI. Looks pretty clean.
Enjoy your ride!

 

Welcome to NAM and congrats on your new MINI. Love BRG! Thanks for the pics. It looks great.

 

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Slightly disconcerting news:
I turned her over this morning and noticed some new clunking noises coming from the engine bay. I popped the hood to have a closer listen, then compared sounds to YouTube videos and read a few threads.

While the sounds I'm hearing are very similar, I'm skeptical about it being related to the timing chain tensoiner. I will have to take a look at the oil level on my lunch break today.

I dropped the car off with the dealer yesterday to have it detailed and the tank filled (they didn't do this when I took delivery on Saturday). It seems a bit odd that this noise would develop the next morning. Is this engine known for getting noisy when burning regular grade gas? I have a feeling they didn't spring for premium when they filled it up...

 

I just checked the oil: level was good. I then took it for a quick drive, and then popped the hood and listened to the engine. The noise is definitely a match for the "death rattle." I have a call into Sharpe Mini to have it serviced.

I'd hate to go this route, but the dealer does have a 30 day buy-back program.

This isn't the proper forum for this topic, so if I have further updates, I'll start a new thread.

 

Zach, Sorry to hear of your car's troubles. I'm also a BRG in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I'll keep my eyes open for you and hope your Mini's issues are all resolved.

 

ShipM8, do you drive an S? Where in GR? Did you buy from Sharpe? Sorry for the barrage of questions, haha.

 

Zach, I live in East Grand Rapids, and bought my 2012 "Justa" from Sharpe last June. Great car.

 

Sorry to hear that there is trouble so soon with your MINI. Keep us posted.

 

I'm only about five minutes from East GR, just North of the Medical Mile. I was hoping you had an S so we could compare engine noise.

 

I'll be sure to update as things progress.

I'll be uploading a YouTube video shortly as well.

 

This just in: I am an idiot. I popped the hood this morning to inspect the engine noise more closely and take video of it. What was the first thing I noticed? Oil around the oil fill cap on the valve cover. That's right, the oil cap was loose. I tightened it, cleaned up the mess, started the car, and... She sounded as healthy as a brand new Mini.
Of course the motor would be louder with the oil cap just resting on the threads. I was both enamored and embarrassed.
I celebrated by washing and waxing her.

 

Zac you'll have to come to the east side to meet some more Michigan MINIacs!

 

You really know how to live, dudebaker.