Hi everyone,

I bought a 2005 MINI Cooper S a few weeks ago (first one), and I'm really enjoying it. It had a few issues which needed replacing right away as I was informed at the pre-sale inspection by a trusted mechanic (crankshaft damper, and control arm bushings replaced with polyurethane ones), but it has been running great since then. I've been purposely taking the long way from work to enjoy the driving!

The only thing that is sort of bothering me is a slight wheezy, nasal sound when I step on the gas. It's hardly noticeable, but I test drove a couple of first-gen MCSs before I bought this one, and this sound wasn't there. I only notice it at low rpms when I step on the gas -- at higher rpms the revs and the supercharger drown it out (). The mechanic didn't think there was anything unusual about the engine sound. Maybe this is typical for an '05 MCS with 67,000 miles on it. FYI, the other MCSs I test drove were also '05s, but they had around 30,000 miles on them.

Not sure how to describe the sound other than it's a little wheezy/nasal sound as soon as I press the gas, which remains there until it's drowned out by the engine revs. The other MCS I drove had a clearer, crisper sound -- I'm sorry to be so vague!

Does anyone know what I am talking about, and if something can be done about it? Thanks!

 

Might be hearing different sounds due to different intakes....

 

Does your AC work? I got a wheezy type sound from my vents when my AC went out.
If not from the vents, where do you hear the sound?

 

Thanks for the responses! The A/C works great actually, and it happens regardless of whether it's on or not. I'm not sure exactly where the sound is from, I think it is from the engine area, not from the vents, or the exhaust.

It crossed my mind that maybe the car I test drove had something done to it. In fact, that car is still up for sale, and there's a picture of the engine on the internet. Here it is.

Can you tell if anything was done to that car? I also felt that it was very, very slightly (but noticeably to me) quicker than mine, so that might make sense. If it was an intake, I'm definitely getting one!

Edit: Doing a little of my own research on google images, it doesn't look like any aftermarket intake was installed on that car. But let me know if you see any other clues from the above image.

 

Just occurred to me that I might also describe the sound as "hissing," and a search with that term turned up this thread, which seems to be the same exact problem:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-a-dragon.html

Doesn't look like a solution was documented there, though. Any help appreciated.