Mini One Engine Knocking

[motormatt86]

I was driving my partners 2008 (57) Mini One 1.4 Start/Stop this morning, it was only running for approximately 5 minutes when a sudden knocking started coming from the engine. There are no warning lights on the dash. I pulled over and opened the bonnet, it sounds like it is coming from the block itself? I thought it might be either timing related or misfiring? It isn't down on power and as you rev the car up the knocking becomes louder and faster with the engine. I have a video recorded - please see the link below:

http://s642.photobucket.com/user/danc505/media/Min...

Any ideas? The car has just been checked over by BMW and passed an MOT - they told me the car was perfect! Obviously not that perfect

Please help!

Edited by motormatt86 on Wednesday 23 April 10:19

[motormatt86]

The oil is full. The car was in with BMW for a general check over and MOT no longer than a fortnight ago. The car has done barely 100 miles since.

I spoke with them yesterday - they said it could be the tensioner, waterpump, or something in the bottom end 'off the top of their heads'...

I asked if the tensioner problem was only on the R53, and he said that the N18 (the engine I think is in this mini) is also affected by it. I just can't understand why they wouldn't change this as goodwill if it is a non-serviceable part? How exactly are owners supposed to protect themselves against this? The car has Full BMW History apart from a single service that was done by a BMW specialist in High Wycombe (TCS Autos) using BMW Parts!