I would say that this is the timing chain hitting the timing cover. It is a well know fact that the tensioner for the chain has been updated to eliminate this problem.

What happens is the tensioner depends on oil pressure, and when there is no oil pressure, there is a lot of slack on the chain and on startup it will hit the timing cover. The updated tensioner works like a ratchet, so once it is tightened, it will stay in the same position and eliminate this.

If it is not the chain, it could be valve noise. I had this happen when my car was running on cheap gas. Switching to a higher brand fixed it right away.

xp

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1985 190E 2.3L - a constant project.