My friend is looking at an '08 Sidewalk but ther is one thing giving us pause. It makes a 'grr' sound that he described as like a cat's get away from me sound. It makes the sound whenever the engine is running. It doesn't change with acceleration or turning the aA/C off. This is an S without the JCW pack stuff.

One person just passed on it because their mechanic said it was a bearing issue.

Thoughts?

 

It makes this noise at idle too? Or just when moving? Is it coming from the engine bay?

 

At idle too and yes from engine bay.

 

Maybe if you post a video of the noise it may help. I'd recommend taking it into a MINI indy shop to have a pre-purchase inspection done on it and then they should be able to tell you what the noise is or if it should be of concern. That way you know what may or may not need to be fixed ahead of time.