I’ve had a rattle for over a year while driving over sudden vertical pavement bumps. The rattle does not change in tone or intensity over the last year so I do not feel anything is loose. But it is a major acoustic irritant. I thought it was just a problem with the rear hatch for months but I discovered that was the Mini cabin acoustics playing tricks because the rattle, which does sound like a partially closed rear hatch clanking, is in the front left of the car. It started about 3 months after lowering the car 1.5” with coilovers. Other front suspension modification added the same time as the coilovers: securely welded alta psrs (which do rattle, especially in cold weather, but it is a much different and now easily identified sound. The welds are not broken either). The exhaust does not appear to be hitting the heat shield and the cross brace has been slotted to allow more clearance. When the car was up on a lift a few months ago to change the oil, it looked like it was possible that the stock left end link might be able to bump into the top of the control arm. The clue is that there was a little dot where the black paint has rubbed off on the control arm below one end of the end link. However, the right end link should also bump and make the same noise, right? Except I am sitting on the left side of the car? End links are tight. The front left end link loosened once so I know the thunk noise created with that problem. I had originally planned to install non-oem end links but returned them to the local vendor after hearing about several problems with the quality from the local Mini club. If I knew for sure the problem would be fixed with raising the coilovers a ½” I would incur the expense of the work and re-alignment but it is only a guess so am not inclined. Any other ideas?

 

you may want to do a thread search as this was a problem noted by others, and may have various causes. I've been having a clunking noise from the same place (diver's side) that happened when going over even small bumps -- ones that would get the whole front end moving up and down-- would not occur going over most bumps soaked up by the suspension. I suspected engine moving in loose transmission/engine mount. Had car in today and dealer confirmed that was it. Now waiting for part. Recommend taking your service tech for a ride to document it- then they'll be more obliged to take time to sort it out. Good luck, and let us know what it ends up being

 

After researching the 1st and 2nd generation strings and talking to people about the rattle for the last year before finally posting today, you are going to laugh at what happened today after I picked up my car at the Mini dealer. I was on bumpy pavement, took a turn, and faced the low winter sun. I fumbled with the sun visor and heard the exact rattle noise I have been searching to find. One visor screw was loose and when I shook it, I heard the rattle. The problem, one foot in front of my ears, was solved serendipitously after I threw in the towel and posted here.

 

ha! Glad you found the root to the problem! sometimes its something we least expect