Hello All,

We picked up our 2009 Clubman S a couple of months ago and for the first 1800 miles no major issues. Minor ones not worth posting here.

About 3 weeks ago I start the car and while it started fine, it sounded like my 1997 Ford diesel pickup! The rattling from then engine sounded just like diesel injectors. I drove the car about 150 feet and stopped at a neighbors. After short visit I got back into the car it started and ran fine as usual and went on my way.

All was fine for the next couple of hundred miles of at least 20 starts until yesterday. We started it and.... it's back... This time I let it run for about 15 seconds, killed it, and restarted and it ran fine.

Anyone have this same issue happen to them? This is just seems like a software problem and stopping and restarting resolves issue.

Here are facts about the car to date:

1. Car is in Austin TX and garaged. Each time it was over 70 degrees outside so I don't consider this a 'cold' start issue.

2. I changed the oil at 1500 with Mini filter and 4.7 qts of Mini oil.

3. Oil level reads fine.

4. Gas is Shell 93 octane, no 10% ethanol here yet! I can get 93, 89, or 87 octane so I go with 93. I do not believe this is a gas issue as my wifes Vette and Crossfire both use the same grade from the same station and have no problems.

Dealer is about 100 miles away so I am not going to take it to them to be told 'no problem found'.

Just a heads up. I am not too worried as it is under warrenty and we bought the car as a commuter and have no plans to keep it past warranty.

If someone does know about this issue I would like to know what is the root cause.

Thanks,
George

 

Sounds like the "normal" and dreaded cold start chatter......

You know, on my previous 07 MCS, that noise didn't start until I changed the oil at 2,500 miles. I ended up changing the oil twice within a week because I had that noise crop up right after the oil change using Mini oil. I ended up using Mobil 1 5w-30, that particular weight got rid of the chattering and knocking. What oil weight did you use?

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/...issue-exposed/

 

I wouldn't call it normal. There are thousands of members here who have r56s (including me at 11k) who don't have the problem. I'm not saying it's not a problem, just not normal.

 

I know it's not normal but that's what many Mini owners have been told... There are lots of threads here on NAM about that noise, get a good cup of coffee, relax and do some reading, it'll help you to be armed with as much info as possible when you visit your dealer... Here's a good link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-database.html

 

All,


Thanks for feedback! The oil I used was Mini branded synthetic 5W 30 and I still have the receipt when I bought the oil from the dealer.

Not what I wanted to hear but will document my situation and try to work it out with the dealer. If they start giving me the deer in the headlights look I will refer them to the information documented by others.

Best I can do is to document everything, give them a chance to fix it, stay calm when dealing with them and if it is not fixed within a reasonable time the go on to plan B.

George