Purchased new, Friends base 2009 coop has only 25000 miles on it and developed an unusual clunking engine area rattle that shows up 1 minute after being started and usually only when in motion.

Noise is not influenced by turning the wheel and does not seem to affect shifting or acceleration but does sound ominous. Car was low on oil by 2 quarts but adding oil changed nothing. No CELs thrown.

My initial impression is timing chain but remember mostly S coops affected. While the time warranty is expired I'm hoping mini will cover some or all related repair for such lo mileage.

Any guidance is welcome (eg, extended drivetrain warranty info, etc)
Thanks!
Greg

 

Bueller? Anyone?

 

An engine rattle is never welcome. I would advise against driving the car until you have a clear idea of the source. We recently replaced a motor on a non-turbo Cooper R56--it wasn't cheap.

Does the car overheat now? or did it ever overheat?

 

No overheating or anything unusual other than the noise. She's had it on the highway for several hours even and usually drives it within the city and no obvious abnormalities other than noise. Clutch engages fine, shifts fine, turning, coasting, and all other driving conditions seem to have no effect. Brakes and wheel bearings all ok. Something within the clutch, tranny, or engine is all I can guess thus far. First shop gave the mechanics shrug. Tomorrow she'll try another.

Greg

 

At around 6,000 miles our 2013 "justa" developed the cold start rattle that is quitev pronounced for 10 to 15 minutes after start up. Took it to the dealership for a cold start check and were told our Mini sounded "normal". It didn't make all that racket when new but maybe the "Justas" become noisy with mileage.
Ours now has 7,700 miles on it and we really don't feel comfortable with it making so much engine noise, but if the dealership says it's normal what other choice do we have? At least we do still have four years left with the Mini Next warranty.

 

Drained and filled the transmission oil and... no change.
Diagnosis: new transmission needed (6-speed manual).
Additional work: new clutch; new serpentine belt; new engine oil & filter
Total cost for all repairs with dealer/MINI help: $2,000.00 = not great, but not bad either considering it's technically out of time warranty with ~25,000 miles.