You seem to be in the minority here, that's for sure, but that isn't surprising, given that this is a thread for those experiencing the problem. Perhaps we need a survey; the only one I have seen on Mini2 resulted in over 82% of respodents claiming to have the issue with their R56 MCS, and at least one of those who said they didn't experience the problem had an R53.

I only personally know one other R56 owner in my area, and he has the issue as well, but that's hardly a good indication. Given that a very small percentage of Mini owners post in these forums, and given that a smaller sample of those reside in colder climates, and given that the R56 has only been available for a year, I'm actually surprised at how many posts there are with people experiencing this issue, with new ones posting every week.

 

Is this on the 07 only or 08 also. Thinking about ordering a MCS soon since drive on the Volvo C30 was bland.

 

As others have pointed, may not necessarily be related to temperature. I had the issues a few times, but lately when it's been in the negatives, it hasn't come back up. It would be interesting to see how many others experience the problem in warm weather.

 

It will probably be an issue with the 08 as well since it will have the same motor...don't let that discourage you tho...you can always get a non S (the non S doesn't have that problem)

 

I want to order a new Cooper S, but I am waiting for the cold start clatter issue to be resolved.

I am not interested in the base Cooper.

BMW - fix this issue so i can order a new MINI.

 

BMW knowing it's keeping them from making sales will make more impact than people they already made the sale to complaining .

 

Huh??

 

Thats what I said !

 

Okay. Clearly, there is a noise problem. Equally clearly is that nobody is sure what it is, or whether it is harmful (although my presumption is that IF it is coming from the engine's innards, it is likely to be, at least in the long run). I would like to know (1) If anyone has actually had an engine failure which has definitively been related to the noise and (2) how many R56's it has actually affected. Perhaps a thread should be started to specifically address those two concerns??

 

I think he means if more people stop buying the Cooper S then BMW will work A LOT faster to find a fix than just worrying about the people who already have their S

Basically if people stop giving them money, they will scurry to find a fix

 

Well, they have done that ---- they've dropped the Prince engine venture. The question is, what are they going to do for those who have the Prince engine and develop a problem?

 

The engine is going to continue in the R56 until the next generation is out. They haven't 'dropped' the Prince, they've just agreed not to co-develop the next gen engine (which is the same thing they did with the Tritec).

I've worked as an engineer in the automotive industry, and I've worked with BMW as a customer. Trust me, they ARE scurrying to find a fix, but they won't implement anything until they are very comfortable that it will work. They're VERY pragmatic.

 

i had the cold start problem and i took it to Rassmussen MINI, they diagnosed it after it had been sitting, and it came up with a code. I think there is enough people complaining about it. Anyway they updated the software and said they couldn't reproduce it. so cross the fingers.

 

My service advisors states in my case that there's too much ethanol in my gas...20% vs 12%? Anybody have any ideas? I was also told (by someone else it could be water in the gas). They replicated the problem and said there is nothing they can do about it until the gas is fixed first. Once I've brought the ethanol down to proper levels, then if it keeps doing it, to bring it back?

The SA recommended I run out the tank and use good gas...I've filled no less than 5 times since this problem appeared and always use 91 from a reputable place (Chevron, Shell, etc.,.).

Anybody have any other ideas?

 

This might be the answer you all have been looking for

 

Does it sound like this?
Cold Engine Rattling Noise
DESCRIPTION
Some customers may experience an engine rattle noise under light to moderate acceleration with engine coolant temperatures below 65 C (149 F) and engine RPMs between 1000 and 2900 RPM.
The noise is the result of the intentional swirl effect that is generated when the Variable Tumble Control System (VTCS) plates in the intake manifold are closed. Swirl accelerates the burn of the air/fuel mixture which reduces emissions when the engine is cold. The noise does not have a negative effect on the engine, and disappears as soon as coolant temperature reaches 65 C (149 F). There is a counter-measure to help reduce the noise in order to improve customer satisfaction.

Different car, similar issue, easy fix at dealership

 

Now that I think about it, the latest negative temperatures happened after I changed my oil with 0w-40 and I have not heard the sound lately. Interesting..

 

I will keep driving mine until it blows up.

 

Sounds like some good theories coming out of late.

I've got my car back... new engine installed and starting my break-in once again. My only complaints about the install: the JCW engine plate is GOA... "on order" from MINI.... and my air box top is scuffed up a bit. Minor annoyances, but after two months at the dealer I expect perfection .

Running fine so far but I gotta say my overall confidence level in this car is non-existant right now. I'm about 1/3 of the way through my warranty and have no assurances that the new engine will not develope the same problem over time... In fact, I'm aware that it most likely WILL!

I sincerely hope a permanant fix comes sooner vs. later. I would really like to get back some of those positive feelings I had towards my MINI. It seems like ages ago...

 

This might be completely out of the ordinary. But I had a 68 camero that used to do the same thing. (It was a 1996 Block so don't worry about old engine) Would make that god aweful noise when the temperature got cold. I did manage to fix it though by simply changing the weight of my oil during the winter months. Could this be a simple resolution?

 

If you read through the Michigan MINI thread linked above... that's basiclly the suggestion there: go to a 0-30W full synthetic oil. So, yes, maybe.

 

The R56 is supposed to use full synthetic oil only, anyway.

 

It's not the "synthetic" part thats important... its the lower viscosity.

 

Which is supposed to be 5W-30.

 

Actually in Europe they recommend a 0w-30 for the MCS. Check out Castrol UK. It doesn't have to be a "5w-30" to be a full synthetic.

I still think this "problem" is blown way out of proportion.