I know this has been discussed in detail, but I am unable to identify the noise I am experiencing on my 2011 MCS. It is a "ticking" noise that gets louder with the acceleration of the engine. I am not talking about the overall "knocking" sound but rather the higher pitched ticking sound. The noise only happens on a cold start and goes away after a few minutes of driving. I just wanted to get some insight from other 2011 owners as I don't think this is related to the previous issues with the pre-N18 engine. Here is a video of the sound:

 

With the direct injection system on the S, the fuel injectors are known to make a clicking sound. It's normal.

Dave

 

Any reason the sound goes away after the engine warms up? Sorry, as I am not too familiar with the dynamics of the Direct Injection system.

 

hey there.. my car is doing exactly same sound.. I have 2011 MCS with only 500 miles on it.. was wondering the same.. but now, after seeing your post I am not so worried anymore.. seems normal then.. BUT I have engine light for last 5 days.. car runs just fine.. I am taking it to dealer over 2 hrs away on monday.. hope they will fix it.. also will ask them about my manual shift.. seems kinda hard to change gears sometimes.. I really hope this car is not POS so early..

 

Good to hear you are in the same boat as me. Please let me know your results from the dealer. Feel free to use my video if it will help. After driving for 2 hrs I would not expect to hear the sound anymore...

 

I am going to record my engine sound today or tomorrow morning and post right here as well.. so far the car rides just fine.. but the yellow engine light is still there..

 

This thread title is kinda scary -- on initial link click I was hoping deep down inside that it wasn't an N18 manifestation of the well documented "death rattle" (SIM 11 02 07).

So glad to see it is not.

 

sounds normal, like mine. seems like there r some paranoid owners out there. also, take it to dealer (if u r close to them) and ask. that way you have it documented under warranty.

 

Normal, sounds just like mine at 4500 miles.

 

I am not too concerned about the noise as it seems many others are experiencing the same noise. I would however like to know the exact source of the noise just for piece of mind. I mean if it is "normal" then there should be some explanation as to what is normally causing the noise. Either way, I am about 45 mins from my dealer so next time I am in the area I will raise the question although I never hear it after about 2 minutes.

 

I just received my 2011 MCS back from Nick Alexander Imports here in Los Angeles after 3 days with no resolution. My MCS had about 300 miles on it when I began to notice the rattle when I started it up in the morning. Like others, it goes away once I start driving. They weren't able to duplicate the sound while at their dealership and said all diagnostics checked out fine.

They did acknowledge there has been a TSB for cold start rattles but this year's engine doesn't apply. I have to say although I wasn't happy they couldn't reproduce sound that I hear EVERY morning, they said they will come up with another plan if I feel like it still persists or begins to get worse. I don't mind the sound for the few moments before I start driving, as long as I know it's not doing other damage.

Other than this, I LOVE this car!

 

Ok guys, here is how my sounds this morning after all night in garage.

 

 

Those bozos are not fully informed. They're thinking about the "death rattle" TSB.

If they had an ounce of initiative they would know about SIM 18-01-10. Sounds exactly like your video. Whoever you talked to needs to get off their butt and do their homework.

See attached file.

 

You're right, SIM 18-01-10 explains it to a "T". After sending them my video, they called back immediately saying they were very concerned about the sound and would be sending me a loaner car in a few hours.

Why be so concerned if a TSB like this existed!? You're right, they need to do their homework. They could have saved themselves the hassle of running diagnostics and flatbedding my car to and from my work AND saved me the annoyance of having to drive a silver, automatic Justa convertible (complete opposite of what I bought) for 3 days.

I can live with 20-30 seconds of morning rattle...but not with un/misinformed dealerships. It would be one thing if MINI had a dozen+ cars in their line-up to keep track of, but they don't. Although, I suppose BMW has enough to keep them busy.

 

So wait.. I am confused.. are they trying to fix now something what is supposed to be normal sound of the N18 engine or what? I understand at this point that my engine is making perfectly normal sound? Am I correct?

 

For now I'm going to accept what I hear as the turbocharger wastegate. That doesn't mean I'm not going to keep a close "ear" on how it progresses and notify my dealership (or other in the area) if I feel it is getting worse or may be causing other systems to act up or fail.
At least at this point (650 miles on the odo), my dealership now has a documented work order that states the car was brought under this concern.

@Cub...I don't think they are trying to fix anything at this point. I don't know if dealers are swapping out timing chains, tensioners and guides on 2011s but if they are, it sounds like it's just to pacify the customer. ???

Not new to posting in forums but don't know how to embed a YouTube video...what's the trick?

 

When editing your post click on the button and the tags will be inserted into your post.

Between the tags insert the movie code found when viewing the movie on YouTube.

For example if the full URL to the video is http://www.youtube.com/v/6iv-ZnfSC5s you would insert 6iv-ZnfSC5s between the tags.

 

You're the man! Got it, thanks!

 

ok after 200 mile round trip to dealer.. i got my engine light problem fixed..

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight-club.html


and also got SI M18 01 10 Technical Service Bulletin to explain my concern about engine noise in cold temp... after night.

 

Sorry to drum up an old thread but... THANK YOU!!!!
My car sounds exactly like the vid posted. I was ready for a long dealer fight, but thanks to you, i can rest easy.... on this issue anyway.