Sounds like a diesel
 

I have a Mini Cooper S (07) 24,000 miles petrol which currently sounds like a diesel from cold and when warm, all the time, through all gears. Noise is coming from the engine not gearbox, only time it sounds normal is when I put my foot down. Any ideas what is wrong much appreciated.

some of the second gens are having tensioner issues when cold causing timing chain clatter

Confirm on the tensioner. Mine was fixed twice by Mini - second time replaced.

engine noise
 

I just got my 07 MCS a couple of weeks ago and have been hearing the engine clacking too. When I took it to the dealer this morning, he listened to it, even drove it around, but said that it was normal.

He also told me, which I forgot to notice when I bought the car, was that it had aftermarket pipes. I was wondering why it sounded like jet taking off. Apparently, the previous owner wanted it loud. I don't want to hijack the thread but I think I'm going to change it back to the factory spec muffler.

Most dealers are AWARE of the tensioner issue and they appear more frequently at cold starts ... Leave the car overnight outside at the dealer (especially when it's forcasted to be cold) for an entire weekend is even better , then get the service manager to come out with you and start it , It's VERY hard to deny if he witnesses it himself ... If you take it in hot and start it it might be hard to notice ...

I have a 2007 Mini Cooper S, on lease - approximately 38,000 miles. Saturday, out of no where I heard this clacking, and turned the car off. Tried to turn it back on, would start. So, I had it towed to the dealership. Diagnosis- the timing chain jumped, causing damage so the valves. Here is the best part... even though the car was maintenanced 3 weeks ago at the dealership, they are saying that because at 30,000 miles I missed a preventative maintenance level 1 check up at the dealership (I have only brought the car in for service when the indicator told me to do so) they are refusing warranty repair and wanting me to pay the cost of repair even though my lease is up December 2010. After calling Mini Customer Service and complaining 3 times I got no where- the last service I had 3 weeks ago (the car checked out fine, full inspection, no problems) was 1200 past the maintenance. Has anyone else experienced these types of issues? I'm stuck w/ a car that doesn't work.

Mini Cooper S 2010 Hardtop. 33k miles. Well maintained. I have the identical model number car and engine but because it was a 2010 it was excluded from the class action settlement and I was not notified of any dealer arrangements. The car made a funny noise for about 5 minutes and then died. Turns out it was the timing chain issue and my car is now worth $0. I would like to reopen the class action lawsuit or file a new one. Mini has refused to offer anything other than 30% towards a new engine (approximately $2400 of $8000 repair) and no cash settlement. Prior to the engine being destroyed the car was worth approximately $10k. I need approximately 40 co-claimants to get it certified. Please contact me directly davidvener (at) yahoo.com