at first i chalked it up to lsd 'noise' as documented here. but i'm not so sure now. what i've got is not a groan, it sounds like a grind. like brakes past due for changing. unrelated to clutch position. i hear it whether i'm coasting or under power, and with or without brakes. i can feel it sometimes either through the pedals or the wheel. can't tell if it goes away over ~ 20 mph or i lose it in the road noise.

and i don't hear it at all in reverse. backwards, it's smooth and silent, like a new $30k+ car should be. but forward, it grinds like a car 500 miles into the backing of some worn out pads.

just passed 1800 miles, and i'm on vaca 800 miles from home, but i'm thinking it's time to let the SA take a look at it.

is this like anybody else's lsd issues?

 

It is the LSD groan.. it only happen in low speed turns < 20mph.
At the very begining I've reported I have the LSD groan, and now my MCS past 11k miles, seems like the groan disappeared. No longer hearing any groan when I do a low speed turn in the parking lot. (Given I didn't went to the dealer to have them replace the LSD fluid).

 

What is LSD?

 

LSD = Limited Slip Differencial

 

It makes you feel high while driving!

 

The noise is normal with the type of LSD we have; if you'd like you can stop in while your still under warranty (you candecide when) and MINI has since changed the LSD fluid (there is a TSB on this) used and the new fluid is supposedto make things quieter. Nothing is "wrong" but it can be quieted (upon owners request). Oh and for those confused LSD is the most fun item on the car if you know how to use it, highly addictive.

Anyone know how often is good to change the fluid? I'm at 32k and I feel it lock a little more than I used to when entering a corner; but think MINI claims its "lifetime" fluid.

 

Had them change the oil in mine and now the groan is gone. The groan in mine got worse over time and that's why I had them change the oil.

When I had my pulley put on our local shop recommended changing the tranny oil every 40K miles or so. Said the oil looked like crap when it came out.

 

I get the same groaning noise in my '06 MCS at low speeds, but it is not very noticable.

 

mine's an april '06 bulid. wouldn't it have the new spec fluid? i read about this b4 i bought it, but i thought the change in fluid (additive that makes the lsd work more quielty, iirc) would be in the factory build by now. those were old threads...