i know the timing chain tensioners are an issue with r53's but figured id ask ive had my r53 for little over a year now and ive put about 35k miles on it, though ive always had some chain noise only at idle i had the chain and tensioner replaced when i picked it up and ive tried a few different tensioners hoping to solve the issue but it still makes noise is there an actual fix for this?? i can get it to stop if i push in the clutch about a 1/4 of the way and let it back out, or if its all the way in it doesnt make any noise, each time ive replaced the tensioner it will be fine for a day then make noise again

 

The issue is probably elsewhere if depressing the clutch makes the noise go away...

 

Agreed, you may have unfortunately been chasing the wrong issue.
It sounds like throwout bearing noise, some Mini's do it worse than others, but it is a well known nuisance item with OEM clutch setups.
And it is just that under most circumstances, just a nuisance, normally doesn't effect longevity of the bearing or clutch.

 

May also be the noise that OE dual mass flywheels make.

 

here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prxj...ature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOU_...ature=youtu.be

 

any ideas?