Hi all,

Just picked up a (new to me) 2012 JCW R56 in manual.

It appears there is some sort of buzzing/rattling type noise from the engine area both when I'm on the move/ accelerating and when i press the throttle (gear in neutral) at a standstill.

Is this noise normal as i have only had the car a whole 2 days.

If not whats causing this?

Merry Christmas all and thanks for the help in advance!

 

It could be anything really. I once put a BSH torque arm on my MCS and the NVH was just too much with it on. I suggest you drive with the stereo and the AC off (or on low) for a couple weeks to get accustomed to your MINIs noises. Hopefully, you are not hearing the so called "death rattle". Go to dealer if you're under warranty. If not, go to a reputable Indy mechanic.

 

Had a similar noise problem recently on my 09 JCW and it was the beginning noise of my turbo going bad. The noise turned out to be the blades in the turbo scrapping inside. Luckily it was covered under warranty otherwise it would have been 3 grand to replace.

 

Fortunately a '12 mini is still under warranty. Take it in..

 

Argh… doesn't sound like good news
anyways bringing it in… hope they don't say its just normal!

 

Probably a loose heat shield somewhere. Have someone slowly rev the engine with the transmission in neutral while you listen with the hood open so you can locate the source of the noise. At some particular RPM the loose part will start to resonate and buzz like crazy.

And as AZdsrt said - you're still in warranty.

 

Take it in. This past summer I finally decided to take my car in for a humming/buzzing noise that was present only when the A/C was on and it was coming from somewhere between the rear of the engine and deep in the dash area. I couldn't really pinpoint the location.

Here's the note on my invoice: "Vibration in the A/C low side line... No vibration absorber is installed on this vehicle. Install vibration absorber per bulletin."

Bottom line, they fixed it with a "vibration absorber" in the A/C system.

 

Thanks everyone for their suggestions.
brought it into the dealer and they say the noise is normal…

ARGH…. its almost diesel like but it doesn't seem to vary with the speed of the car

 

I'd see if you can drive a different one - either at the dealership, another dealership, or maybe a NAM member lives nearby. If you don't hear the noise, then it is not normal and they need to actually make an effort to resolve the issue. Good luck.

 

Or, take it to another dealer.

 

take a video of the noise and upload it to youtube so we can hear it