Got my Mini back. Apparently my GTspec struct brace was causing my DDMWorks air box to rattle irractically. (So the Tech said). So I removed the strut brace and we will see if the noise does not return. If it does I'll put the oem air box back and return to the dealer.

Vince

 

I was never sure whether I had this issue or not until today, it wasn't even that cold out, only like about 42 degrees and I could def. hear the rattle. It never happened before even on colder days, I wonder if it had anything to do with me parking it downhill my driveway for the first time ever, i always park uphill, it went away in less than 5 minutes thoguh after I pulled away though..

but anywho, I called the dealer and couldn't get me in until nov. 16th, because of not having any loaners available until then.

I forgot to ask him, are loaners free of charge? I have an 09 s, I think it should still be under warranty, I'm pretty ignorant to this stuff..I bought it pre owned from the the dealer with 4.000 miles back in June 09. Now it has about 7,000 miles. I know it didn't have that "Mini Next" extended thingy..I really hope the loaners are free since the Mini is the only car I have.

 

Most likely. That is one of things people do to test for it.

Should be. They are at most dealers.

 

Minis com with a 4/50,000 mechanical warranty so you should be covered.

Vince

 

Free loaner at MINI of Nashville--so long as you booked it in advance.

 

So I took my Mini, they didn't have a loaner available, therefore just ran some codes and check some timing belt? everything came up fine, could not reproduce the rattle mostly due to the fact it was rather warmer by 11am, they said they made a notation and if it should happen again to give them a call to have me drop off the mini over night and have a free(!) loaner so they can do further research...Im sorta satisfied i guess, I mean it was noted,and I'm still under warranty for a while...incidentally enough today it was much colder (30 degrees) and there was no rattle...go figure.

 

the rattle is not limited to cold weather; one of my two hellatious knocks came at 52 degrees. remember: it's cold engine (idle 6+ hours). However, like parking nose-down, in many cases cold weather exacerbates the problem, which makes me (and a SAE engineer who has the same problem with his 2007 S) think it has something to do with the S's variable oil delivery system, something the justacoopers dont have.

I'm just glad that MINI is acknowledging there is a problem, instead of playing the denial game.

 

Has MINI fixed this problem with the 2010s?
I hope MINI is listening because they are losing at least one sale, mine.

 

It appears from the available evidence that the answer is "no." The corporate strategy seems to be focused on quiet, incremental, and not too costly design changes to the timinig chain tensioning system hoping that they will keep the prevalence of the issue below critical mass and broad public outcry.

You are not alone. I know scores of people who are waiting on the sidelines because they'd love an turbocharged R56 but want it for the long haul and don't want to have to worry about major post-warranty maintenance.

Of course, when these folks post their perspectives here they usually get chastised by "the fanatics" for either (1) not loving MINI enough to look past these warts; or (2) giving too much credibility to the reported death rattle occurrences since the online forums only represent a small segment of the total MINI population (when, in fact, logic would suggest it means the issue is even MORE prevalent than what is being reported)

 

Thanks for your understanding.
I sent an email to MINI stating the point I made above, too. I made my decision after a test drive day . When I went to test drive, I asked to drive used 2009/2008 models. I picked two that facing slightly down hill. They both made a weird clanking noise upon start up that disappeared shortly after. My MA, said, with great confidence, "Oh, that's nothing; it's the more powerful S engine." That comment, right there, turned me off. It proved to me the problem is worse than I thought. He could have just said, "Maybe, it's this car. Let's try another"; if the problem wasn't very common.

 

This is a common problem but nothing truly serious at this stage. Meanwhile I just follow my own "anti-rattle" warm-up procedure.

 

I love this car, but not as much as those willing to follow an anti-rattle procedure. I can get alot of very good cars for ~$30K. My favorite, a MCS spec'd out just right, would be my only driver; and, I couldn't bear knowing I'll be facing problems. I know...I know...all cars suffer the risk of failure. This one appears to be destined for it. So, I'll settle for my second choice (I still haven't figure out what that is, yet). I wish I could look past this problem, like many of you. I know how it is. I loved, and still do, my V Dubb. It had constant electrical problems and leaking from it's earliest days and I loved it. But, I'm not doing to endure the same, or worse, frustration again regarding my hard earned money.

 

Just an FYI, starting the engine and then shutting down within a couple of minutes, followed by a lengthy 6 hour sit exacerbates the condition and the next time you start your likely to get a rattle. This is worsened in colder weather, but Ive had this happen after moving the car around the driveway where the engine was on for only a few minutes or less in 70 degree weather.

 

Sounds like your second choice is going to have to be a Honda.

I don't accept the cold start rattle as an acceptable characteristic, and am hoping MINI finds an effective fix. Mine has been in and received the current correction. No recurrences so far, but others have reported recurrences after this fix. So, here's hoping MINI comes up with something better.

 

...under warranty. Brought it in with the death rattle, and they kept it for a number of days to do the job because they had 2 cars ahead of mine with the same problem and only one set of equipment to do the job.

Regardless of warranty though, my SA did advise me that while this is not a recall, they did just recently get a service bulletin about problem this from Mini. So maybe they'll fix the issue regardless of mileage?

 

Can you tell the name/number of that service bulletin/TSA. I like to reference this specific problem at my dealer, prior to any purchase. They might blow off my inquiry if I just ask about the "cold start rattle" on car I don't even have.
MalteseFalcn, I notice your sig says you have an '07. How long until your rattle appeared? Did you wait until the noise was replicated with every start?