I think they made the popping and gurgling less aggressive for 2020. MY 2017 Countryman S FWD in sport mode popped like firecrackers going off when I downshifted. My new 2020 Countryman S.. No pops or bangs at all in sport mode, just a little bit of a gurgle sometimes, and the ASD gets louder. Mini said it should be the same - but I talked to the sales lady and she said the 2020's with the new DCT don't seem to be popping in sport mode. The JCWs are a different story. Maybe they have a different engine tune for the DCT transmission? On the plus side, for some reason the gears seem closer or quicker with the new DCT. A little more fun of a transmission.

 

got a 2020 JCW and exhaust seemed VERY tame first 500 miles, opened up a bit around 1500 miles but now at 11K miles.. is alive!!! i feel as we put miles on we 'wear' out the new EPA filters and in turn my exhaust is getting better and better!! but JCWs def do have a diff tune and engine. how many miles you at?

edit: also.. i can get a pop or two but have to be around 4K to do the ole gas and let off pop.. def get downshift pops when going from about 3800rpm to lower gear (goes up to about 4100rpm and then will pop.. ) however in park.. sport mode and revving.. CRAZY POPS and runoff!!!

my clyde at around 6,500 miles