Welcome to R56MCS.COM 
Dedicated to solving the R56 Mini Cooper/Clubman S engine noise* fault
Why have some owners had 'top end' parts or even full engines replaced, whilst others are being told this noise is 'normal'?
Would you have bought your new Mini Cooper/Clubman S if you had heard the cold start engine noise on your test drive?
Why are some dealers telling us this noise normal?

News: My R56 Mini Cooper S, Towed away on the 16th of February 09. With an engine so badly damaged that it has to be replaced! Cause? A snapped timing chain. More..

Udate 20TH December 09: The Clattering is back! 10,000 miles on my new engine More:

If the cold start engine noise is a “characteristic” of the R56 MCS ‘Prince’ engine, as many BMW/Mini dealers are reported to be telling their customers.
Why:

1.    Doesn’t the noise occur in all R56 MCS engines?
2.    Does the noise mostly start to occur after several thousand miles?
3.    Is the noise intermittent?

*Please note: The 'noise' we are referring to here, is a disturbing knocking/rattling sound (as in this example), which is very obvious when It occurs. And not the characteristic ticking/tappet noise, inherent in most direct fuel injection engine designs.

This site is dedicated to finding the answers to these questions and more..

Like most of you no doubt, we love our Minis. And we're sure most will also agree that BMW / Mini provide excellent service and support for their customers. It is not the aim of this site to attack the BMW/ Mini brand however; this dreaded engine noise issue seems to be a bit of a problem. In part I suspect, because of the intermittent nature of the fault. Making it very difficult for technicians to troubleshoot. This also makes it difficult and awkward for the customer. First of all, you have to hope that the noise will occur whilst the technician has his/her head inside the bonnet/hood. And even then, is the tech going to conclude that the noise is normal or will he/she order the same parts many of you have already had fitted?

The fault has very distinctive features: Happens when car has been stood, always during cold start, lasts for a few minutes then engine sounds normal and quiet, noise is worst between tick-over and 2000 rpm. For those who wonder what we mean by ‘noise’, Imagine the sound you might get if you started your new engine with no oil inside! Imagine a diesel tractor engine! Not our descriptions.. But quite accurate we believe. Try Googling 'R56 Mini Cooper S engine noise' then sit back and watch the ever growing list of videos of the fault on YouTube?

Please register, then detail your account of the fault on the cold start engine noise fault register.
We'll collect and compile as much data on the fault as possible. Then together, we can help BMW / Mini to resolve this issue..

Once this fault has been rectified we will dedicate R56mcs.com to MCS owners and the many fine features this vehicle has to offer...


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