I am Chris. Here to try to diagnose my g/f's mini. Gearhead/drag racer on the weekends with my toy, and supercharged pontiac sunfire.

 

I saw your other posts, what part of AZ are you in? I think you need a second opinion on the issues you are looking at, either dealer or independent specializing in Mini's - at least for what are normal noises. If you are in Tucson, you are in luck because there are a couple of independents as well as a dealer.