I've been lurking for a period reading valuable posts; this is a wonderful site. I have an '06 R53 with about 8K miles and it's developed this noise which basically sounds (at the point of ignition) like a card hitting spokes on a bicycle. The noise disappears when you engage the clutch. There's a secondary noise which I've become convinced is part of the same problem but you can only hear it around 3K rpms in 2nd and 3rd while maintaining a constant low speed....this sound is more like a rasping or light grinding noise. This is the 2nd time in the shop, the first time they told me it was some valve associated with the A/C and they replaced the part (sounded like bs to me) and this time they are telling me that they'll have to replace the tranny. I live in Santiago de Chile (I'm from Houston, Texas). This is my 2nd Mini, the first was an '04 R50...no such problem with that one. Forgive me if this has already been discussed ad-nausea...Any confirmations out there?

 

the noise that goes away when you depress the clutch - thats normal. Under warranty, dealers will usually change the flywheel (source of the noise) so it becomes quieter again. (my 03 MCS did this rather loud, and my 04 MCS sometimes has this symptom).

 

Same thing happended with my 06, they replaced the clutch but the noise is back. I contacted the dealer and he said it wont' hurt anything just that I should have it checked when I come in for my next service.