I finally received my MCS the other day and haven't stopped smiling. What a great car! To be honest it has exceeded my expectations. I think the build quality is solid and reminds me somewhat of my old Audi TT in that way. The only problem has been the ever popular noise at idle(dissappears when clutch pedal engaged). I researched it to death on NAM and have found that it may be best to just leave it alone, although I must say after spending 28K it's a little annoying. Other than that I love it and will post pic's soon.

 

 

Ah yes, I can see you have become one of us!!! Congrats!

As for any irritations...fix what you can or really need to, but you may find that some things actually grow on you in time. This has happened to me...mostly because I've gotten such outrageous enjoyment out of the car. MINIs, imo, posess a strange and mysterious blend of qualities (and quirks) that really gets under your skin.

 

Hopefully this will be the only quirk that gets under my skin in a bad way.

 

Found this on Motoring File. It was written by a Mini service advisor.


Clattering from Engine Bay/ Driveline
From your questions and my own knowledge, I bet that many of you have had a clattering noise coming from the engine bay / driveline when at idle. If the clutch pedal is depressed and held down, the clatter can no longer be heard. I can speak from direct experience on this issue because both my ’04 and ’05 MCSs have experienced this. On my 2004 vehicle I had the car diagnosed for this problem and it turned out to be a faulty throw out bearing and pressure plate. Both were replaced and the noise was not heard for just about 700 miles before it returned. Seeing many vehicles experience the same issue, many of them with high mileage in the 40 and 50k range, I decided that when the problem occurred on my ’05 MCS I would just let it be. Less than a year later, and almost 14000 miles on the odometer, the clattering has not gotten any louder and the clutch still feels as tight and crisp as it did on day one. One thing I have found is that if you let the clutch pedal out slowly while in neutral the noise will subside, even go away. When the clutch is released more quickly the noise is usually louder. Again this is only when the car is in neutral, not while shifting between gears or pulling away.
Some of you mentioned that the clutch pedal feels tough, even crunchy throughout the travel. I would definitely have this checked out and it may be due to the throw out bearing beginning to fail. Other items may also be the cause such as some type of hydraulic problem that is preventing smooth action. Best bet is to compare it to another vehicle with the same transmission and model year. Similar mileage would be nice too. If both pedals feel the same then more than likely all is well, that or they are both faulty! Schedule to have the Service Advisor take it for a drive with you if time or conditions permit. We see a ton of MINI’s every day, if something is strange I bet your SA will pick up on it.
A louder than usual clunk from 1st to 2nd gear was also mentioned. I assume this is on the MCS and if so, I have been told that this noise has something to do with the way the synchros are set up in the Getrag 6 speed for the MCS but that it is normal behavior. I have also felt this on some of the E46 M3s as well whose transmission is very durable and smooth but not exactly quiet.

http://motoringfile.com/2006/03/02/a...ers/#more-4699

 

Congrats on the car! I haven't had the chattering issue yet, but if I do, thanks for the info!