Mini Cabrio Oil Pressure Issues

Low oil pressure in a modern diesel like your Mini Cabrio is never a good sign, especially at nearly 200000 km. The oil pressure warning lamp is a serious red flag. You mentioned loud mechanical noises. Are they constant, or do they change with the engine speed? I had a similar issue with my old Passat, and it ended up being worn engine bearings, a consequence of low oil pressure over time. Have you checked for any obvious oil leakage? Also, when was the last oil change done, and what type of oil was used? Did you also check the oil pressure sensor?

Thanks for the quick response. The noises do seem to get louder as the engine revs higher. I did check for oil leakage, but couldn't spot anything obvious. The oil change was about 8000 km ago, and I used the recommended oil type. But I am wondering, how did you confirm it was the engine bearings in your Passat?

Okay, if the noise increases with engine speed, and you've ruled out obvious oil leakage and the oil change is recent, then the oil pump or, unfortunately, the engine bearings are prime suspects. In my case, with the Passat, the mechanic confirmed the bearing issue by dropping the oil pan and inspecting the bearings directly. Honestly, given the symptoms and mileage, I'd strongly recommend getting it checked out by a workshop as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Continuing to drive it could lead to a much more expensive repair.

Just wanted to give an update. You were right. Took the Mini to a workshop, and it turns out the oil pump was failing. They're replacing it now. The total damage is gonna be around 755€. Thanks a lot for the help and advice, I really appreciate it!