Hi Everyone !
So, this is my first post here as I am a recent owner of a 2008 MINI (non -s) R56 , hatch with just about 56,000 ( 90,000 km) I purchased my car from the previous owner who took great care of it ( she kept up with all required maintenance, oil changes, water pump replacement etc). Due to the fact that Im living in Munich, Germany at the moment, im owning th euro-spec version which might help some of you answering my question.
I've noticed that recently, on cold morning that the MINI rattles when I accelerate out from my parking structure. its happend 2x already ( both mornings were cold) I recently performed an oil change and made sure the oil was topped off, so there is no reason to believe the oil level is low. After about 250 miles after the oil change, it rattled again ( accelerating out from my parking structure and then at the next 3 red lights) As I drove to work the noise went away . Lets say this : the noise didnt stick around but still its concerning me ! PLEASE let me know if I need to have the car inspected for the Timing chain ????? Thanks again everyone !!!!

 

Did you recheck the oil level?

 

I thought ours was also the timing chain. The wastegate in the turbo had gone bad and began rattling. If it only rattle a little bit then that is fairly normal, but if it rattles a lot even at idle then it is most likely getting worse. It will be fine to drive until you start getting engine malfunction warnings due to the turbo not making boost pressure. Our car had 107K miles on it when it failed.

(Nevermind I thought you said "S"... my bad...)

 

Is it only when you go from a dead stop? Do you hear the rattle in any other gear? Have you determined it's coming from the engine bay? Maybe an exhaust rattle or heat shield? If you can catch it on video for us it might help.

 

Hey guys !! Thanks for all the suggestions ! I made sure to re-check the oil after I got out of work today, I took out the dipstick and left in laying near the gas pedal so i wouldn't Forget! When I rechecked the oil, it was just north of the 2nd bump ( the highest of the two) . Oil level seems to be ok. The sound has only appeared once before ( also on a cold morning without a proper engine warm up)
The sounds only comes in the 1 and 2nd gear... then it goes away . after the engine warms up, its completely, gone ! Again, its not a recurring issue,,,, I just noticed this sound a few weeks back so, now its kinda worrying me ! When you accelerate from a red light theres no rattle. Ill try to capture the sounds on video so you guys can hear and decide thanks again !!!!!!!!!!