just bought my MCS... and it's got a death rattle
 

Yup, I'm pretty livid. Picked up my 09 MCS w/ 36k miles Thursday, started it up Friday morning and I'm certain it's got the death rattle. It's still under manufacturer's warranty until August 2013, thank Jesus. I'm guessing the dealership I bought it from had warmed it up pretty good before I came to see it each time. This really sucks, I'm afraid to drive the car and do damage to it. I am not able to bring it to the dealership for another few days and have to go to work in it mon-wed. I'm planning on dropping it off Wed night so they are sure to hear it in the morning. It's been consistently doing it when parked for more than 6 hours in the cold. The noise goes away after the car has been running and gets itself to normal operating temp I guess. I LOVE this car btw, but man, this is a kick in the d*ck.

Anyone have any advice? I saw older threads where the dealerships were fighting with people over this issue but they all seem like they were from years ago. I hope since the service bulletin was issued, its less of a hassle getting the work done.

In the meantime before I can get it in, I'm warming it up like crazy before I drive it. I swear I've been having panic attacks since Friday. I'm wondering if anyone who has had this repair done could give me a ballpark idea of the time it takes them to do it? I know there are 2 possibilities (tensioner alone or the works). Not sure what mine is going to need but I can tell you, it sounds like hell and I have no idea how long it's been going on before I bought it.

take it back and have them fix it

I wouldn't start it again. Have it hauled to the dealership Monday am.

I wish I had a choice. I need to get to work Mon-Wed, don't have another option or anyone to pick me up. I bought it from a Subaru dealership so I doubt the Mini dealership will be giving me a loaner.

I bought mine from a VW dealer. I've had a Mini loaner every time I've needed service.

[QUOTE=mastershake;3639079]Yup, I'm pretty livid. Picked up my 09 MCS w/ 36k miles Thursday, started it up Friday morning and I'm certain it's got the death rattle.

I'm not mechanically inclined but surely someone here will have the info, that you've inquired about.
So sorry this is happening to you and am wondering if by any chance you have a 30 day warranty on the sale. How many miles to work and possibly do some searches on driving that distance, with the problem. I've found emergency answers for a lot of issues, just on Google. Hopefully you can get some calling around accomplished, shops, tow,,etc., from your work place and find rides to help out.
Best of luck to you.

Also wondering about the same thing. Did the BILL OF SALE specify AS-IS, no warranty implied/all sales final??

Thanks for the replies all. I got it from a Subaru Dealership and it was "certified" thru them. It was purchased in Mass so I got the lemon law on my side too. I would rather have Mini resolve it because I don't trust the mechanics at the subaru dealership wrenching on my Mini. I will call my closest Mini dealership (Warwick, RI) tomorrow morning to see what they say. If they say I can use a loaner, sweet, I will drop it off tomorrow before work. If not, it's going to have to wait until Thursday and suffer thru another 300+ miles of driving. Since I got it thru a dealership, I can guarantee there is something in the paperwork stating "as-is" or along those lines. I don't want to return the car anyways, I just want it fixed so I can start enjoying it.

On the plus side, I was hoping if it was ever going to happen, it would happen under the warranty. Just really bummed it was literally right after I picked it up...

Just dropped the car off today. Let it warm up for a half hour before I drove it. It was fine on the way there, not making much racket (was warmer today). Mini of Warwick was great. I got a loaner and they were really nice about everything so far. Said if they couldn't get it to rattle they could use the video I took of it. Sweet. Thanks for the advice all. I will give you the details when I hear back from them.

:thumbsup:

Glad to hear things are going smoother. Do the R56's have the hydraulic timing chain tensioners? I'm guessing that it's not pumping up till the engine oil gets heated up.

Sounds like a good deal. If the car is under the original 4/50K you should have 0 problems.