Hi, I am a new Mini Cooper owner, have just purchased a 2003 model with 31000 on the clock, one owner (an old lady) from new, never been thrashed or abused and is in excellent condition. BUT when I drive it I find the engine to be a bit noisy, especially when in gear and slowing down in gear...is this normal? Is it supposed to be a really quiet engine or not? I never noticed anything during the test drive, and it drives spot on, and I am coming from a Toyota Celica, which was pretty quiet. Am I being paranoid, the noise is not a rattle or any sort of knocking, just a kinda droney rumble, which goes when in neautral. Thanks

 

has the exhaust been changed ??? leak ???

 

I don't think the exhaust has been changed, and that was one of my thoughts, wrang the dealer I bought it off today and its going in for them to look at it on saturday, I still think I may be being paranoid and that they are supposed to sound like that.

 

the S has a rumble the regular not so much

 

The more I read on forums the more it sounds as if its the gearbox thats the problem...and these forums have terrified me into believing the gearbox is on the way out, taking it back to the dealers garage tomorrow for them to look at it, its under some sort of warranty. I like driving the car, but I am now paranoid about it breaking down as this gear problem seems to be very, very common.

 

The dealers mechanic had a look at it and confirmed that the diff bearings are making the noise, so its a gearbox job, I really wanted a Mini Cooper but I am now starting to regret it...

 

thats the way that just about everything is going these days. Order a new one and core the old one. Ends up being cheaper on the labor. This goes for lawn mowers, computers, etc.