I bought my 2nd Mini Cooper this past April. 2011 Countryman. I adore it. About a month or so ago I started it and it made a metallic grinding noise that I could feel in the brake pedal. It only lasted for about a second. It is now doing it more often. Is this a sign the timing chain is going to go?

 

That does not sound good. Does it sound like someone engaging the starter when the MINI is already started ? Did you check the oil level ? Do you have an automatic or manual.

 

Oil level perfect. 6 speed. Grinding noise VERY intermittent. Honestly I cant say that it only happens on a cold start. Yesterday I started it after sitting for 8 hours, no noise, drove it for 25 mins, stopped, started again after 20 mins, made sound. She sat for another 20 mins, started and no sound.

The sound reminds me of metal gears grinding and lasts for less than a second, not like someone engaging the starter. And I can feel it in my brake pedal.

Mini also has shown an issue that is present on another thread. The "stumbles when accelerating". Very random and I can not do anything to make it stumble on command.

 

Still sounds like a sticky starter

 

Yes, The teeth on the starter are not smooth or on the flywheel or the starter will not retract. I would have a shop or someone pull the starter and look at the flywheel and the starter teeth. You can get to it from the bottom and side of the car once jacked up or on a lift.

 

Excellent! I will do that. Relieved that it doesn't sound like something more serious. Thanks guys!

 

Yeah, have it looked at sooner than later because if you let it go the flywheel could get damaged (if it's not already) and having to replace the flywheel is a much more labor intensive job.

 

+1 Just replaced my starter a few weeks ago! It would only get stuck into the flywheel and make a grinding noise for a second when it dropped below 70 degrees outside. I put it off for a while because it's so warm here that I wasn't having too many issues. I didn't want to have flywheel issues so that is why I decided to change it out. The starter grind is pretty distinct. If you want, post up a video of it. Otherwise, definitely get it checked out sooner than later. Starters here if that turns out to be your issue.