Hi All,

For those of you who already have your Coupe (more specifically, a Valvetronic/VANOS-equipped MCS Coupe)... Have you noticed it making a loud noise for about the first 10-15 seconds after starting when it's cold?

My MCS Coupe is making a pretty awful noise when it first starts up in the morning (pretty embarrassing too!). Upon cold start, the idle goes up a bit (to around 1,200 RPM) and the loud noise presents itself. Then after about 10-15 seconds, the idle drops back down to normal and the noise completely goes away, and you never hear it again until the next cold start. It has done this on every cold start since we got it back on 10/26, and it has only about 225 miles on it right now).

I had a 2007 R56 (non-Valvetronic) before that had the typical MINI cold start problem (timing chain/tensioner related), but this sounds nothing like that at all. It almost sounds like an exhaust problem of some sort to me, but I'm not really sure. I'll try and capture a video of it tomorrow morning.

BTW, I live in Southern California, and the car is parked in a garage at night, so obviously it's not ever really "cold", but the noise occurs any time the car sits for about 6-8 hours and then starts up (which I suppose is indicative of the oil draining out of the motor over time).

Just wondering if this is "normal" for the new Valvetronic motors, or if my Coupe already has a problem.

 

Well look what I just found... A Technical Service Bulletin (SIM 18 01 10) from MINI titled "N18 - Cold Start Exhaust Rattle Noise".

That's nearly 100% identical to what I'm hearing. Looks like it's a "normal" noise for the new N18 Prince motors with Valvetronic. That's a relief (knida).

http://www.mediafire.com/?2xqyvmem5bb6fwt

 

The idle revving from 0rpm to 1500 is fairly common.. My car does this even in like 65-70 degree weather.

In fact I've seen other 2011 R56's do this as well in another thread on NAM.

But I'm not noticing any odd noises... Sounds fairly normal when it starts.

 

Here's a video someone recorded of the problem. This is exactly what my Coupe sounds like on cold start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1la4wL9ZouQ

The video was taken from this thread on NAM:

N18 – Cold Start Exhaust Rattle Noise (Turbo Wastegate)

Apparently, it is all perfectly normal for the new N18 engines.

 

I guess that I should say it's a "characteristic" instead of "problem" since I now know that it's completely normal.

Sure is a funky sound though. I'm really glad it goes away after a few seconds. Just be sure you fire up your new Coupe at least 30 seconds before showing it off to your friends when it's cold if you don't want to be embarrassed by the noise.

 

Mine does the something... At first I thought it was the A/C (I had the issues on my R56), but it was still there with it off.

Good to know though.

 

So how come every new car with that engine doesn't make that noise? When did the N18 engine start shipping to the US?

 

2011 Model year I believe

 

Yes, the new, more efficient and completely redesigned, Prince N18 engine with Valvetronic/VANOS (i.e. direct-injection) went into production starting in Model Year 2011 (i.e. August of 2010 and later). The engine is ONLY available in the "S" model MINIs and NOT in the justa or JCW models (which have completely different engines in them). Pretty much if you have a 2011 or newer "S" type MINI then your car should make the noise on cold start. If it doesn't, then maybe the turbo wastegate on your MINI isn't staying fully open as it should (or you're simply not within the stated temperature range)???

 

TheOfficeMaven, thanks for the thread and info. It will save me from freaking the first time I hear it.

 

You're welcome. The first time I heard it, I nearly fell over. My heart sank as thoughts of another lemon MINI danced through my head. I was very relieved to find out that it's a completely "normal" noise for the new N18 engine. Whew!

 

I get this often, but mildly, on my '11 MCS and have throughout my 10 months of ownership. It usually sits in a climate-controlled garage at a temperature falling within the TSB offending range.

Easily distinguishable from the dreaded Stage 4 cancer that is the N14 timing chain "death rattle" by sticking your head under the bonnet and listening. The source of noise clearly originates from the area of the turbo and not the passenger side of the block. Plus, it goes away in 45 seconds or less.

Thank the Maker. Coupe MCS (non-JCW) owners, fear not.

 

Agreed x1000. I tend to have my heart drop to my stomach whenever something goes wonky in my car (I know, a MINI probably isn't the greatest idea for me, lol) but all the info about quirks and expectations helps me DRAMATICALLY. So thanks again for this tidbit.

 

Bump, partially so that those with new deliveries will keep this in mind

It's full-fledged winter weather here in MN. Mine sounds like a Mack truck upon cold start, for the first 20 seconds or so. Maybe it's just the acoustics in the garage but I love the way it sounds. Afterward the RPMs drop and the engine is almost silent.

Itty bitty car, big angry roar. It just might be my favorite quirk so far.

 

Officemaven thank you. I take delivery of my coupe in about 2 weeks and I'd have freaked out upon the first cold start. Good to know. :-)