Post '97 Cooper S. Quiet, sharp high freq' tapping !!

[Blakeyspost]

Hello, hoping for a little advice. I'm in the market for my first Cooper S. Having looked at a few now I've noticed a high pitch tapping from the top of the engine on a couple of cars. The sound could well just be a tappet. Is this a common occurrence with these engines and should I be worried before I buy.

Any help appreciated. Also, and I've tried to do some homework on this, which would people consider best. A low mileage supercharged Cooper or a higher mileage Turbo ??

Thanks again

[Siko]

Hello mate, I have a 2012 MCS and it has the same noise. I took it back to the dealers after a week and it was all checked out ok, apparently it is a very tappetty engine anyway. If you YouTube "Mini Death Rattle" you'll hear the difference between tappetty and terminally fooked

Good luck.....btw one of the most fun cars I've owned, hope you find one.

[DEANO87]

Check the oil level, they get very tappy when a bit low on oil or haven't been serviced for ages.

[ollywhite]

Go for the R53 every time.

[Blakeyspost]

Hi guys, thanks for the input. Having heard the "death rattle" on Ulube the noise I was hearing doesn't sound close. I wonder as a percentage how many of the 56engines actually suffered. Any how's, I'm edging towards the 53, infact viewing one tomorrow. Fingers crossed