My wife and I both have '08 MINIS. She has a MCS and I have a Clubman S. We love the cars but the engines at idle sound cheap! I am not sure if it is valve train noises or belt noises but they are both not quiet. Who can tell me where the engine noise is emanating from and what suggestions, if any, to tone dowm the tinny sound. Thanks

 

What you are hearing is the direct injection system, this is how the engine is fed fuel, no way to silence it. I kinda like it, gives the car personality.

 

You can drown out the sound a bit with a non-stock exhaust and intake. Direct injection increases power and gas mileage considerably.

 

What they said. Direct injection.

Audi FSI (their direct injection) sound exactly the same. Very much like a diesel. Learn to enjoy it!

 

now i haven't looked under the hood {ever} but i think its the 50 hamsters running the electric motor Ps don't for get to feed them

 

This is true! But, be sure that you don't have the tensioner issue that causes noise at start up. remedy is easy at your local dealer. So verify first.