My mini gets noisy to let me know when it's low on oil
 

I have an 06 R53 and had an 03 R53

Both have had a bit more engine noise at idle when the oil is lower. I'm talking about just barely being on the dipstick low. Not dry or anything. Both engines have a very distinct tapping or noise at idle that goes away when I fill them back up to 3/4ths up the dipstick.

Weird but neat. I'm obsessive over listening for noises on my minis.

Anyone else notice this?

My 05 does the exact same thing. Like to keep her w/a "full belly" so I don't hear her complain. Lol. Nice to see other pple cherishing their R53's.

you are hearing valve train noise, not good. you should be checking it more often than waiting to hear a noise.

you are playing with your cars life!

You are not "cherishing" your Mini by letting your oil get that low, not good at all.
You should keep it toped off to the full mark and never let it get below half way down the dipstick without adding more oil if you truely love your Mini.

Unbelievable

If you're going through a lot of oil, you may consider changing the brand. What oil are you using?

As well, you may want to become obsessive about checking the oil rather than letting the valve train tell you.

That's like relying on the TPMS to tell you when you need air as oppose to checking tire pressures periodically. Just Sayin'!