Engine rattle

prich1115

I own a 2010, John Cooper Works convertible mini--6 speed manual transmission. 75,000 miles. Been running great, but it just started having a slight rattle/noise right when I start it up---seems to disappear once the engine warms up. Doesn't seem to affect anything from a performance perspective---any thoughts on what this could be ? I'm not a 'car guy', so I worry about getting 'sold' when I bring it in for service.

Mr_Shiftright

I wonder (just a guess) if your catalytic converter is falling apart. MINIs like to do that. It's tucked up right behind the engine.

If it's a higher-up engine noise, like valve train, that could be lifter noise.

prich1115

With either of these items, do you have any idea what I'm looking at for a repair bill (even a range would be helpful). And also, just so I understand---if it's the catalytic converter, the noise will be coming from 'lower' and behind the engine (assume that means closest to the 'cockpit' vs the grill. But IF it's the the lifter noise, that's coming from higher up, and more central to the engine ?