I recently purchased a 1 owner 2009 R56 with 127K miles. Documented maintenance history and oil changed every 5k miles. I turned on the car over the weekend to clean some stuff and noticed almost a valve clatter type noise with a shake that is almost a bad engine mount. I do not remember hearing the noise before. I know the plastic tensioners tend to break on these units. I knew that was going to need to be changed sometime. Checked forum and since I did not have anyone available to rev the motor I could not test to hear if the noise would get worse or change. Car had been running only for 5 mins. Oil level was almost at the max fill mark. No CEL either.
I checked many websites for videos and symptoms from Death Rattle, bent exhaust valves, vacuum pump noise. Closest sounding thing was possibly death rattle but since I could not have someone rev the motor to confirm the rattle I am only able to go by idle. Either my hearing is crap or my brain is fried from work to narrow down the issue. Attached are the idle video of the noise. I kind of do not want to crank it up to test again if something is already going south.

https://streamable.com/nby4n6

https://streamable.com/qcrpsg

 

I can’t tell from those videos if anything is wrong or not. Sounds like every other N14 video I’ve seen.

At 127k miles, if the timing chain hasn’t been replaced recently, its time. I would replace the timing kit, and go from there.

 

Sounds fine to me, however I think I hear a slight knocking, most likely from a tired vacuum pump. An 11 year old mini will need new motor mounts, new plastic cooling bits. Thermostat housing on the N14 seem to not last very long.

I hope you got it for almost free, as parts are going to add up quick...