Hello All:
Abt 43k miles on my 2007 S. Was almost prideful in that did not get caught up in the cold start noise thing... Until I got caught up in it. When every start brought clatter and chatter - dealer did the full monty - new chain, tensioner, guides and so on. Within a week noise / blatt was back along with intermittent chiming and lighting of low oil icon. Before bringing it back to dealer - added quart of Castrol Edge - and that noise went away.
However, now am hearing a rumbling as car rolls - like a thrumming - what is annoying is that it is speed related and takes away from an enjoyable ride. Is there a differential or final drive ? Has perhaps sound of a failing bearing..
As a general proposition - don't want to be one who drives with both ears to each squeak or faert - particularly when driving a small - light - tossable - such as the Mini - . But, this is annoyable enuf to get my attention. Searched under 'thrumming' but apparently no one else being thrummed.

Barry

 

Have you rotated your wheels regularly? Maybe they're worn a certain way to make that sound.

 

my car does the same with the oil light and a grinding or rattle noise. My check engine light is on as well but I dont have a scan code. I filled up oil now its gone but the noise is slowly coming back...

 

Swosstexmini:
Hi: Sometimes it's hard to keep one's noises straight. When first engaged with cold start rattle (at about 35/40k miles) service writer asked me if I had been checking oil level - this in phone conversation. Given that the computer driven maintenance screen called for my first factory covered oil change at 19,000 miles - I had not been checking level regularly. Though prevailed on Dealer to change oil under warranty after 1 year or 12k miles and thereafter. The other thing with regard to monitoring oil level is need to be careful reading level on dipstick as the coiled design of dipstick can make level a little difficult to pick-up. Once I started getting those momentary low oil signals (chime sound and flash on / than gone of low oil icon - I started thinking about oil level with regard to timing chain and tensioner, etc.
That cold start grind/ chatter seems to be gone after bringing oil level up. Do not over fill w oil.
With regard to rumble - appreciate question re status of tires along with whether I should be rotating tires. Going to look in to that.
Got way layed recently by a sparkling / glowering Lotus Exige S. Parked alongside and examined the two designs - Not often the Mini is the bigger car in a comparison. Nice way to start a Sunday.
Regards,
Barry

 

I had a loud grumbleing noise start last wednesday at about 49100 miles thought it was a tire going bad but after puting on my winter tires for 24 hours i found that the noise was still there. Put Summer tires back on and noise was still there.

Ended up being a bad wheel bearing passanger side rear. So you may want to look at that as well.

Dealer fixed under warranty