BMW 1 series

just been to look at a BMW 1 petrol (40k miles) for my son, started it up from cold and you can hear a tapping sound, like tappets, after a few minutes it was quiet, apparently its "normal" as I wouldn't trust a car dealer as far as I could spit, should i walk away or is it normal.

Not sure if the BMW 1 Series has the same engine as the Mini, but my sons Cooper is always very metallic after starting. The timing chains are at the front of the Cooper engine and are prone to chain tensioner or guide failings.

I would look at a couple of others to see if they have the same noise.

The timing chain problem on R56 MINI's is infamous, but the 1 Series has a completely different engine.

They would be hydrolic lifters on a bmw 1, they need the oil pumped up to prime them, when they tap there dry and when there quiet down they got oul in them

cotton said:

They would be hydrolic lifters on a bmw 1, they need the oil pumped up to prime them, when they tap there dry and when there quiet down they got oul in them

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That was my thought, but would it take a few minutes for the oil to circulate to quiet them down ,if so would that not lead to premature wear on those components.

We had one on a 58 plate that did the same
it was ok after a min or 2
think its normal, although would never touch one again it was useless slow crap in bad/wet weather

It is quite normal but that doesn't mean its ok, it's another piece of german quality engineering.
Walk away find one that does'nt rattle or go and buy a decent car.

Check out the handling on Top Gear - Clarkson completely lost it on the straight in the rain......he wasn't happy....

oldskool said:

it's another piece of german quality engineering.

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Actually, that engine is built in Hamms Hall, near Birmingham, along with all the other BMW 4 cylinder petrol engines

However, despite that piece of good news, I still wouldn't want one

Tigger said:

Actually, that engine is built in Hamms Hall, near Birmingham, along with all the other BMW 4 cylinder petrol engines

However, despite that piece of good news, I still wouldn't want one

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Im liking your Avatar

My Mini Cooper didn't have drybollick tappets ... But there again it was one of the original proper ones

Spunka said:

Im liking your Avatar

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Thanks Spunka! Only just changed it this morning

Tigger said:

Actually, that engine is built in Hamms Hall, near Birmingham, along with all the other BMW 4 cylinder petrol engines

However, despite that piece of good news, I still wouldn't want one

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does'nt matter where its built if the design is ****e it will be ****e.