Are the R56's (turbo in my case) known for valve chatter when they're cold? It's not really loud and definitely not a death rattle, but coming from the world of modern pushrod V8's I'm not used to hearing valve noise. It pretty much stops once warmed up, but it's definitely there when cold. Could it be attributed to simply being a DOHC with a plastic valve cover? Currently just shy of 7500 miles and will be getting the first oil change done at the dealer in the coming weeks if that makes a difference.

 

How's the oil level? How certain are you of your reading?

 

Oil level is full. I'm certain of the reading. I had to add a half quart at about 3500 miles but it has been fine ever since. It may just be a normal sound that I'm not used to. I don't know anyone with a Mini so I don't have anything to compare to.

 

MINIs are noisy at idle especially when cold. It took some getting used to for me as well. More so with my old justa Cooper than the new JCW as the exhaust does a good job of masking it.

I walk by some peoples cars and they are so quite when idling!

Post of vid of the noises on youtube if you want some feedback from NAM to help figure out if it is normal or not.

 

Here is the explanation.

 

It took some getting use to the noisy engine for me too. I came from the US V8 truck world where those engines purr quiet. Now I have had my R56 for a while I can tell when it's down on oil from the change in engine/valve rattle. Still wish the engine was quieter tho. On Honda you can barely tell when it's running it's so quiet.

 

That pdf helped alot thanks. I am getting a little rattle noise too that goes away when it warms up. I thought maybe it was something from where I had the resonator removed but sounds like it and the valve noise are normal.