How much noise does your Mini make. Mine is 3 weeks + with 800m.
I have a ticking-tapping sound from the engine bay. An HVAC fan noise, and a new sound from the drivers side dash. I'm glad it's a new Mini...would hate to hear an older one. What goes on with yours when the sound system is off.

 

I have about a 1000mi on my 2010 justa and you're right; it's definitely not Mercedes (or even Volvo) quiet. My last toy car was a Miata and the Mini definitely has more engine noise but less wind noise. The car is basically an econobox that you can dress up to luxury car standards but there's still an econobox underneath all those expensive accessories.

 

Absolutely no noise short of drivetrain noise, at 69k. Mind you, Drive train noise now includes a whistle, a darth vader breathing noise, and something that could be described as a "lady Chaterly crisis".


I must have a different definition for Econobox. To me an Econobox is an IQ or Smart, something with the same motor as a washing machine or hair dryer. MINI is more of a Hot Hatch.

 

MINI an econobox No they're not a Lexus(cough...Toyota) or Mercedes(cough...Chrysler) or Volvo(cough...Ford) and THANK GOD they aren't. It sounds like you folks should have stuck with your appliance vehicles.

 

Don't get me wrong; I really like my Mini but it's not an exotic sport coupe. It's good, honest transportation with a little extra style. If I wanted sporty, I would have bought another Miata.

 

Of course it isn't, Its a Hatch >.>

 

I would assume you are not a candidate for a loud exhaust system. I am hard of hearing so none of the MINI noises bother me. I don't feel like I'm driving an Econobox either.

 

I traded my Guards Red Porsche Boxster with 9K miles in for my MINI. I know sports cars feel, but now I drive anywhere without worry or attitudes from others. I prefer the MINI.

 

Every car I've owned has had a few squeaks and rattles and I've driven plenty of random cars in the past and they have all had squeaks and rattles too. The MINI has as many as my Dad's A5 and the C-Classes I used to drive for work. It also has far fewer noises than my Girlfriends Hyundai Accent and the engine doesn't sound like my washing machine motor.

The MINI has so many noises that I would consider character noises - the ticking sound from idle, the popping as the revs drop quickly, the slight turbo whine etc. That they drown out the slightly noisey interior sounds. Either way, I'll take it over the car that Jeremy Clarkson likened to "sitting in a bucket of warm wallpaper paste." Lexus/BMW/Mercdes/Audi/Volvo make some great cars, just not ones that I would spend my hard earned dollars on!

And for the OP - the ticking tapping sound is the turbo wastegate opening and closing (I believe) as the engine idles so nothing to worry about.

 

Meh its loud it makes noise but hey thats becuase of the suspension. It is so hard that it rattles the car. The ticking and tapping you are talking about is probably just the injectors becuase they are really loud. As long as it isn't the death rattle of the timing chain.

 

IMHO MINI's are a fun to drive, unique, slightly eccentric, quirky, dare to be different cars. I like the buzz of the exhaust, the "woof" from under the bonnet when you get on it, etc. I don't mind the occasional interior rattles etc because I didn't buy it with the impression that it would be as comfortable as my elderly mother's Lincoln Townhouse, and I paid slightly less than half what I paid for my Mercedes SLK320 that fell apart within the first 18 months of ownership.

 

Hey this is great news. I'm not alone. I really like my Coop and this is not a Complaint thread. If the noises are not unusual and common to the Mini I can live with them. I was just being sarcastic saying it's not a Lexus. As far as aftermarket exhausts go...the louder the better. That is usually the first thing I do to a performance car. I bought the MCS mid June...I'm thinking of trading my SSR and buying JCW. The Coop exceeded my expectations. I had no idea what driving & owning would be like. I bought it on looks alone.
Thanks for your replies...I was just curious about Mini's characteristics.
In no way is it an econo box.....The Coop has a great Sporty feel to it accelerating and handling wise. My only regret is I did not get it 2 years ago when the thought of buying one started. However it is never too late to enjoy a great car. Everyday seems like day 1 with MC. Have fun with yours. I'm lovin' mine. Frank 63yo

 

Every time I'm near an R56 MCS with the bonnet up I'm surprised by the ticking sounds, but that is just the direct injection that the S engine uses.

Your MINI is a drop top & when they cut the roof off of any car they compromise the rigidity of the body structure. That contributes to some rattles & squeaks. MINI did a good job of adding structure back in, but it will never be as rigid as a tin top.

I have an 06 R53 & it is pleasantly devoid of rattles. The only one I have is if the rear seats are folded down. Since I don't fold them often I can live with that.

IMHO the R56 MCS has a soft suspention, at least comared to my R53. Going to a 16" tire will buy you a smoother ride if that matters.

 

OK I surrender; it's not an econobox. It's a nice compact with a little extra style. Sport suspension was one of the few options I specified on my order but it still has more body roll than I would have preferred. It's certainly sportier than a Yaris or Versa but not really a sports coupe (or hatch).

 

Tell that to this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhqNt_tESmI

 

Nice video...

Not to dis a MINI, but that video proves nothing. It's a very well driven GP, but if a driver of equal ability was driving the Porsche it would have blown the doors off the MINI. At track days you will find large differences in driver abilities.

As the owner of a MINI & a Miata I'd say both are on the sporty side. If I could take both cars to the track & have a go I'd say they'd be close with the edge going to the MINI, by a wee bit. Mostly because it has a load more horses under the hood.

Just my .02.

 

"Mercedes(cough...Chrysler)"

Chrysler never owned Mercedes. Daimler bought and then sold Chrysler to a group of private investors headed by Dan Quayle.

"Lexus/BMW/Mercdes/Audi/Volvo make some great cars, just not ones that I would spend my hard earned dollars on!"
But, of course, MINI is owned and manufactured by BMW.

I agree the MINI isn't a typical econobox but it IS as cheap as one, which was the point.

 

I realize, but that doesn't mean I bought a MINI because I wanted a BMW. Personal prefence, BMW make some great cars, but just not for me.






Although if I had the money I'd have one of everything!!

 

But they obviously do make one for you.

 

Here's the kicker...I hear these noises while idling. It's fairly quiet Vert when driving.

 

Oh yeah, Its got nothing to do with passing the porsche. Just a clip to show how "not sporty" MINIs aren't.

 

But only because I had to. Otherwise I wouldn't have everything

To somewhat relate this to the rest of the thread... I'm sure they have noises too...

 

My Clubby is tight and rattle free at almost 19K, however with the auto trans I think the engine in my S sounds like a base Nissan - nothing like the smooth sweet sound of my '03 JCW - it's the only disappointment I have with it. It's also easily cured, if I roll the windows down so I can hear the exhaust!

 

I'll Hijack the thread for a sec. I never drove a Porsche and will never buy one...Not for me. I would not have ANY more fun than I'm having now. And I'll bet if you parked side by side at a car show the Mini will get the Looks. I cannot compare the Mini to anything. It's in it's own league.
OK...back to the Noise R Us Mobiles. Know what else...the little sucker has a good horn. My Rubicon & Cube's horns are a Joke. This is big stuff.

 

If you can hear the squeaks, the stereo's too low and/or you're not motoring "spiritedly"