Alright, who wants to take a wild guess on a noise that I try to describe? I've got something making noise somewhere in front of the passenger compartment (engine or wheel area, I think). It sounds a bit like something plastic being dragged under the car, but there's nothing dragging. It's most noticable when accelerating in 2nd or 3rd gear around 3000rpm. If I accelerate but then let off the gas and slow down, the noise continues. If I put in the clutch, it stops. It doesn't seem to be 100% engine speed dependent (it doesn't change in sounds as the rpms change) It doesn't seem to make noise when highway cruising. It has been barely noticable for a while, but this morning it was very obvious.

Some possibly useful information:
It has been cold (below zero farenhiet) for a while. A warm day has highs around 15 F.
I'm driving through snow fairly often and on salt covered roads every day.
About 8000 miles
5 speed '03 cooper

I'm calling the dealer tomorrow morning about this and to see if the new engine software is available to (hopefully) fix my cold engine stalling problem.

velvet,

I'd check the power steering fan considering you've been in snow.

I'd also check the gearbox if I were the dealer.

I think taking it to the dealer would be a good idea.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Randy

Going to the dealer tomorrow - gearbox has been running through my mind too, unfortunately.

And the winner is: gearbox