i heard/read about the cold start chatter, but my car makes a loud chatter noise all the time, dadadadadadadadadadadada doesn't get worse/better just that noise the entire way..... normal?

 

No, take it to your dealer. Sounds like warranty time.

 

great, it make this noise on day one i even said something to the saleperson....

 

Sounds kinda like normal Direct Injection noise (Like a diesel maybe?).

If you're getting chatter from the valvetrain that usually has something to do with the rockers or the chain tensioner.

 

I am having the same problem. At first I thought it was the "Cold Start Issue" most people are talking about, but I realised when I depressed the clutch the noise went away. I beleive it may be the realease bearing in my clutch. Try depressing the clutch and see if it goes away. MINI is sending a tech rep next week to check it out.

 

My MINI makes three different noises. Noise #1, which was present at delivery w/ 5 miles is the "normal" engine tick of the injectors. It sounds like a little tiny diesel, all the time.
Noise #2 is probably a throwout bearing, it comes and goes w/ the clutch when the engine is cold. Dealer can't hear it.
Noise #3 is the cold start death rattle that only happened a few times, so of course the dealer didn't hear it. It's very different from the other noises, sounds like a semi that just started up cold.

 

I have been reading about cold start clatter for quite a while. Came across this article that was revealing. http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/...issue-exposed/

 

I've reported all my noises to the service department , they do nothing ,now I never start the car without a CD in turned up loud enough to drown them all out !

 

A continuous Noise is not right, I dont have any chatter , cold or hot on my car. Maybe its because it is a straight Cooper. ( i think the valve system is different than in the S).

 

I have noticed that the Mini is quite noisy compared to all my other cars, sounds like a injector tick only a lot louder. Is that the sound that you get from direct injection? I have always wondered about it but never had the chance to find out.

 

My 07 MCS does the same. Reminds me of the gearbox/clutch rattle of my Ducati twin. The release bearing is not likely to make that noise when free of any load. If this really is gearbox rattle at idle I would think it is just cosmetic (acoustically).

 

Have had my 08 MCS for a week. Thank goodness it is not just mine. Probably the noisiest car at idle I have had.
But I love it!