I'm one of those guys who are perpetually looking at the MINI as a future car. I've only recently gotten to a dealership to get some seat time. I noticed that the doors on the new generation seem louder, a more metal-on-metal "clank" sound than what I remember on the 2001-2006 models. Same happened when I looked at the Clubman. Could be just my memory of the first generation car.

It's really quite unimportant, but has anybody else noticed this?


I also took the time to look at BMW's 135i in the adjoining showroom - definitely sounded more solid than the MINI, but it was also $10k more.

 

I'm not sure I'm hearing the same thing you are. When we 1st saw the MINIs at the Portland Auto Show that was the first thing I noticed...how the door sounded when closed. Definitely a more 'solid' feel than most other cars we've looked at. Ever closed an Escapes door....TINEY!! Even my '01 Durango doesn't sound as solid. Mind you I come from the American Line of Cars...Molly is our first Hi-Performance car, so I may be in the "White Trash Line".

 

I noticed this too, although I have never had a 1st gen model to compare. But my R56 definitely has a clank, metal to metal sound. It's a quirk you just have to get use to. I lubed the door latch and it made no difference. Best sounding door closing I've heard was a 69 VW bug. Very solid.

 

that was likely the sound dampening provided by all the bondo holding it together

seriously, my Mini has extremely solid sounding doors, no clanking.. If you're hearing a metal on metal sound while closing you should mention it next time you take yours in for service. make note if it's happening w/ the window up or down as it might something like the rubber guide having fallen out of the window track..

 

This is up to each person's ears I guess. Every Mini (dozen or so) of the R56 variety I've closed a door on makes this clank sound. They were all cars on my dealer's lot execpt for my friend's 07. I doubt anything is wrong, both doors sound the same.

The Beetle was all original before it got recycled earlier this year. No bondo, the body was still rust free.

 

Have you checked where the seat belt fastener was when closing the doors? In my seat position I've noticed it usually ends up in the path of the door unless I move it out of the way myself. The clank sound might be the door hitting the belt fastener.

 

It's not the seat belt. Just the normal door closing sound, which to me, sounds like metal to metal, clank.

 

A different car make/model and door shape will cause a different sound.
My last car was a BMW and the Mini does sound different, but I've forgotten since I picked up my Mini.l

 

When I got a Z4 years ago, I noticed that the doors had more of a "clank" rather than the more solid "thunk" I was used to from the two 3-series cars I had before. It sounded cheaper. But I don't think it was any less solid or safe. I think BMW just put less sound deadening material in the Z4 (at least those earlier models) to keep it light - and yes, possibly to keep the manufacturer costs low. I think the MINI is the same. But compare it to a cheap (American) car and you'll find that it is a pretty solid sounding clang.

 

The R55 and R56 no longer have a rubber weatherstrip on the bottom of the driver's door. It was deleted by MINI last fall. While not a door "seal" per se, the rubber weatherstrip does contact the outer sill plate, probably making a more "solid" sound. It's an inexpensive part that's easy to add. No one knows why MINI deleted it, or why it's still on the passenger door side (!).
Do a thread search for "door seal" and you'll find a few discussions, and part numbers, etc... I did not add it myself, the closing door sound doesn't matter much to me one way or another.

 

I like the clank sound better. It adds to the character of the car.

 

Mine thunks. Not a super heavy thunk but there's no metal on metal sound.

 

Mine clanks, sometimes, lol.

 

Mine is a solid, resounding, clunk.

 

Yeah, mine definitely "clanks" when shutting the doors.
Funny, I thought it didn't do this when I brought it home, but I was wrong. I've only got 800 or so miles on the car.
I guess I don't mind too much as long as they all do this.

Tony

 

750 miles

Mine still thunks, never clanked

 

Mine gives a good solid Anglo-Saxon thunk.

CROC 411

 

My 05 clunks. Sounds like the heavy door in my E150 truck, which I find amusing since the truck door is MUCH heavier.

 

You should hear the hood close on my 1969 coronet. BA-CLANGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!