On some occasions, when I start my Mini, I smell a strong oil odor coming from the exhaust but not every time. I don't see any smoke coming from the exhaust, only normal start up exhaust smoke/vapor.

I've run back there and sniffed the exhaust just to make sure the wind wasn't blowing the odor away so it doesn't happen consistently. Now, I've been around cars awhile so I know when a car is running rich or burning oil and this smells like oil.

Is anyone else smelling this or am I just getting jumpy since my warranty is about to expire?

 

Check the oil regularly. Report any usage. Don't sniff exhaust fumes.

Some people have more sensitive noses. But, whatever is smells like, if you are not losing oil, and things are running well, I don't see how you can worry.

 

Oh, I worry. How can I not? With the carbon build up thread, the ticking engine, water pump/coolant issues, the new sounds I hear as it gets more mileage...so when I smell oil during startup when I didn't before, its hard not to worry.