Kenyee

Can't say I've had that prob w my 2000ML, but can tell hint it may be the starter. When activated, the starter spins pushing a gear into the flywheel teeth which turns the flywheel (at least that's how it used to work). This sliding gear has lube on it which gets thicker in very cold temps. Possible the gear is hesitating sliding back into it's resting position due to grease becoming thicker in cold temp. This moment of hesitation (the noise) is likely the starter getting pushed for a second to a speed it is not designed to spin at - and it's letting you know it.