So I recently upgraded from a 2003 MINI Cooper, to a 2007 MINI Cooper S. Which I must say, is an amazing car. My biggest concern is the ticking noise is tends to have at idle. Is that the sound of a turbo? Just a MINI thing? Or, am I in for trouble.. Any advice, and knowledge is welcome! Appreciate it guys and gals!

 

Does it still do it when the car is fully warm? If so it's likely just the direct injection. Nothing to worry about.

 

Yeah, it does. I'm glad to hear that! Thanks!

 

Mine ticks too, and I recall reading somewhere that it has something to do with the injection, as mentioned above.

Spridget

 

My 2008 has that tick too, especially when cold.
I took it in to be checked by the service department and in less than 2 seconds the service manager said "That's what they sound like."
I asked him to check because I didn't want the engine damaged and he laughed and said ignore it.
So I try....but it still makes me nervous at times.

 

You think MINI DI systems are loud? My first DI engine (06 Audi A4 2.0T) sounded like a diesel at idle. I think DI systems are just a bit louder, though now that Hyundai is selling a million Sonata's a month, I bet they get more quiet so as not to scare consumers.

 

Quick question, is the ticking noise pretty rapid? Like.. equiv to maybe the rpms of the car? I've had my '11 S for a week and I hear the noise too. I've been reading that its normal but I wanna make sure mine is the same ticking sound

 

The noise many are describing is the sound of the combustion with a direct injection engine like the R56 S has. It's not a "cold start" sound. You'll know the cold start sound if your engine starts to sound like a diesel.

 

The injectors on the r56 are pretty loud but, hey it is letting you know that it is running.