Are you sure it's not the infamous VANOS ring rattle? Harmless, but is known to start around 2k and sound similar to that sound you describe.
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I can’t be 100% sure, but I’m fairly confident it isn’t the Vanos rattle because it doesn’t occur if I’m just revving. It only happens if the car is in motion. Plus it didn’t start until after the clutch was replaced.
However, I’ll admit I didn’t buy the anti-rattle pieces when we replaced my Vanos seals.