never had a strange noise from the engine - but my steering wheel sometimes gives a noise as it moves to driving position from full retract at startup - otherwise I have not experienced anything you describe in either the '01 or '06

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Mark _______________________________
2001 X5 4.4i topaz blue/sand Sport, complete Dinan S2 , hitch, V1, tint, BSW Stage 1, Alpine INA-W910BT
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