R56 GP knocking

[Brainpox]

For a few weeks now my GP has been making a couple of different knocking noises.

The first was pretty loud and has been sorted by replacing the rear ARB bushes, as I saw this is a really common problem with the R56 model in general.

There is a second slightly quieter knocking noise that I'm struggling to pin down. I've tried to do further reading but struggling as the unique suspension setup on the GP means it could be that the dampers need refurbishing - but it could just as well be anything else from where I'm sitting.

I am hoping to avoid a wild goose chase (i.e. replacing everything) and wondered if anyone had any ideas where the knocking could be coming from.

It is only noticeable under 20mph, it doesn't happen until after the car has been driven for a few miles, and seems to only be caused by uneven ground (if I go over a speedbump straight on there doesn't seem to be an issue, which I assume means it isn't the Bilsteins??). I can feel it pretty strongly through the clutch pedal when I have the clutch down, it feels like the car is falling apart to be honest...

I've tried to capture the noise on video but it's tricky. This is probably the best one I managed but I don't know how useful it'll be, there's a few smaller knocks and then a bigger one at 23 seconds: https://photos.app.goo.gl/aVFXTiinsmABL92g6

Any ideas?

[E-bmw]

If you feel it through the clutch it is likely to be an engine/gearbox mount.

[MDifficult]

What you’re describing is 100% damper refurb required.

How am I so confident?

Your description of low speed and only happening after 20/30 minutes. That’s exactly what happened on mine and countless others I’ve spoken to. Only happens when dampers get fully warm.

If your car is low mileage and fully-serviced by MINI, try for a goodwill gesture before you jump to refurb. They might pay for new dampers and you pay for the labour.

Hope that helps.

[mikeyb1987]

I'm currently battling with various knocking noises with my GP. So far I've had replaced:
- Rear spring (snapped)
- Rear anti roll bar drop links
- New clips on the engine sump tray/cover

Intererstingly, apparently the engine tray is carbon fibre reinforced plastic, whereas a standard R56 is not!

Not related to any of the knocks, but a front spring broke, leaving me stranded. I still have a knock and the symptons described above are exactly what I'm suffering (mainly right hand turns at slow speed).

My mate is a Mini Tech so he is looking at it for me soon. I might get him to replace the lower engine mount too as per MDifficult's readers car thread, seems to bring a big general improvement).

[Brainpox]

Thanks to MDifficult's confident response I have booked to have the dampers refurbished. I hope it cures the problem. Lohen's website also mentions play in wheel which I've picked up on also but difficult to appreciate given how crap the steering is in the first place.

If that's not the issue then I'll move onto engine mounts!

[MDifficult]

mikeyb1987 said:

Intererstingly, apparently the engine tray is carbon fibre reinforced plastic, whereas a standard R56 is not!

That’s right, they’ve got a whole bunch of extra air ducting in them for cooling so I think they went with CRP to keep them rigid. However, they used the same rust-tastic fasteners which is why I’ve heard tales of the under-tray making a permanent bid for freedom at high speed. I’m tempted to swap mine for genuine Dzus motorbike fasteners or even cable-tie.

mikeyb1987 said:

I might get him to replace the lower engine mount too as per MDifficult's readers car thread, seems to bring a big general improvement).

Glad it was helpful - it’s actually just an insert rather than a replacement and you can do one end or both ends. I just did the larger end (like most) and it certainly brings a little more vibration but a much more ‘connected’ feel for only a few minutes work.

[MDifficult]

Brainpox said:

Thanks to MDifficult's confident response I have booked to have the dampers refurbished. I hope it cures the problem. Lohen's website also mentions play in wheel which I've picked up on also but difficult to appreciate given how crap the steering is in the first place.

If that's not the issue then I'll move onto engine mounts!

It’s such a pain in the arse to replicate the issue for any tech because you’ve got to go for a 30 minute drive every time in order to just-about-hear/feel it.

Didn’t fancy giving MINI a try first? I got all-new shocks and top mounts for the price of a couple of hours labour.

[Brainpox]

MDifficult said:

It’s such a pain in the arse to replicate the issue for any tech because you’ve got to go for a 30 minute drive every time in order to just-about-hear/feel it.

Didn’t fancy giving MINI a try first? I got all-new shocks and top mounts for the price of a couple of hours labour.

I did phone Mini first after seeing your post, but the car is nearly at 35000 miles, and hasn't always been serviced at a dealer so they said that despite being a known issue, I was unlikely to get any goodwill.

They also said that the coilovers are a service item (?!) every 5 years on the GP and if this hasn't been done then Mini is unlikely to want to help.

Helpfully they did a quote for me for worst case scenario - replacement dampers and coilovers for all four corners - £2600!

[MDifficult]

Brainpox said:

MDifficult said:

It’s such a pain in the arse to replicate the issue for any tech because you’ve got to go for a 30 minute drive every time in order to just-about-hear/feel it.

Didn’t fancy giving MINI a try first? I got all-new shocks and top mounts for the price of a couple of hours labour.

I did phone Mini first after seeing your post, but the car is nearly at 35000 miles, and hasn't always been serviced at a dealer so they said that despite being a known issue, I was unlikely to get any goodwill.

They also said that the coilovers are a service item (?!) every 5 years on the GP and if this hasn't been done then Mini is unlikely to want to help.

Helpfully they did a quote for me for worst case scenario - replacement dampers and coilovers for all four corners - £2600!

Ah, that makes sense. I did it the other way around... got them to confirm/acknowledge the issue with the car on their ramps, and then asked them to explain to me why a perfectly serviced car, with a service pack and only 30k miles might need new front shocks. Cue a call to Germany As you say, it's a big wedge of cash so I was delighted with their goodwill (and, to be very fair, both BMW and MINI have been excellent on both my cars in the goodwill department - enough to keep me very brand loyal).

The other thing that absolutely confirms for me that your issue is the same is your mileage.. seems to be a 30-40k mile issue so you're bang in the middle of that.

[E-bmw]

Brainpox said:

They also said that the coilovers are a service item (?!)

Common & wrong assumption, yes, coilovers are a service item, most seem to think they are fit & forget, they aren't.

[The1Driver]

I also think you require a damper refurb. Those symptoms sound very familiar!

[Brainpox]

Just to update, I had the refurbishment done today (along with rear discs and pads as they were shot) and after a fast four hour drive home, the car is - for now at least - completely knock-free. Thanks for the advice

Edited by Brainpox on Wednesday 5th June 18:58

[The1Driver]

Great news.

And good job going to Lohen. Great group of people there. Its the only place I feel comfortable taking my GP to!

[MDifficult]

Brainpox said:

Just to update, I had the refurbishment done today (along with rear discs and pads as they were shot) and after a fast four hour drive home, the car is - for now at least - completely knock-free. Thanks for the advice

Really happy to help - it’s not often I’d be quite so confident on a diagnosis but the symptoms were absolutely perfect. Enjoy (until next time)!

[Marchutch]

The damper refurb does solve the problem - but don't expect it to last that long. Have seen varying reports over on the GP Owners Club(where I am an admin and long standing member) but the knocking often seems to come back sooner than you#'d hope it would.

Swap to a different set of coilovers if you're really worried. Otherwise just drive it and enjoy it.

[Brainpox]

Marchutch said:

The damper refurb does solve the problem - but don't expect it to last that long. Have seen varying reports over on the GP Owners Club(where I am an admin and long standing member) but the knocking often seems to come back sooner than you#'d hope it would.

Swap to a different set of coilovers if you're really worried. Otherwise just drive it and enjoy it.

Yeah one of the guys at Lohen said that one person who had had the refurb done did a track day soon after, hit a few curbs, and the knocking came back.

I had some knocking somewhere a few days ago but seems to have disappeared again, so doubt it's the dampers blowing again.

If the refurb doesn't do the job for very long it'll be a good excuse to fit a set of Ohlins instead.

I wouldn't be surprised if they let go relatively soon as it is my daily and the country routes around here are awful for bumpy surfaces and potholes.

Edited by Brainpox on Friday 28th June 13:28