I am looking at an 06 S convertible (private sale) with 18k miles, but when I let off the gas I hear a little popping/boom sound. Not quite a backfire but still concerning. I am guessing this isn't normal? First mini I have ever drove. The tank was full or I would have put high octane in, any other thoughts? I plan to pull the battery cable on my second test drive.

Also the passenger window wont go up, it clicks inside the door, but I am guessing from what I read it is a controller and/or motor. I hit the door above the speaker and nothing changed.

Thanks in advance.
-sm

 

The popping you hear is normal. They did that for a reason, which I wont go into details about, anyways I love the popping it makes. As for the window I would say it is the motor that has gone.

 

Does the car have the OEM or an aftermarket exhaust? Believe it or not, BMW/MINI engineered the car to HAVE the popping/backfire sound, even with the OEM exhaust - and it can be even more pronounced if the car was fitted with an aftermarket exhaust, a not-uncommon modification. You really notice it if you rev the engine and let off the throttle quickly...

However, the passenger windows are supposed to go up!

 

Thanks for the quick responses, nope standard exhaust from what I can see. Just one last question: To clarify, it seems to be worse when in gear (1st or 2nd, in a curve) and I let off the gas, than when I let off the gas and push in the clutch, almost to point of a backfire when in gear but not quite. I am guessing this is normal as well but it sounds like the 15 year old honda with 187,000 miles I used to drive in college.

Thanks again.

 

The window motor contacts may just be dirty, there can also be a speaker crossover in the door that may have come loose from its mount. I was told I needed a new motor by the dealer, I took the door panel off put the crossover back on and all was fine.

 

Now that I read the responses and spent some time trying to figure it all out, I am not near as concerned. interesting! The mini burble...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...w-upgrade.html

Thanks again!