Hi,

I get the exact same thing, loud droning coming from my exhaust at 2200 rpm, if I get someone to rev the engine when the droning happens I can feel the vibrations by touching the exhaust tips with the tip of my shoe,

when the car was new the engine was much smoother and less vibrations... the power is still there but just very rough now...

everyone tells me it's normal and not the engine/transmission (automatic S, not CVT)... If I drive in sport mode and keep the revs above 2400 RPM, it's smooths out...

maybe need a new harmonic balancer? belt tensioner? Belt?

 

What mods do you have?

 

After my last autocross and new hanger mounts $60 from my local MINI dealership..I started getting a nasty rattling sound at low RPMs. A trip back to my exhaust shop and found the new rubber mounts were torn again! Ugh.

So I asked the shop what could be done and they said they could fabricate new hanger mounts to solve the problem. Ok, fine, let them at it.

An hour later, the new mounts are made and hahaha---there is a funny thing about people who provide solutions but don't provide the potential "gotcha's" before you do them....ok so he rattling is solved and the costly OEM hanger mounts won't be needed anymore...but now it feels like my exhaust is riigidly welded in place. The new mounts are harder rubber and really don't give at all.

So the moment I revved the engine, I could feel the vibration through my seat. From 2 to 4K RPM, the exhaust note sounds more muted and the vibration is noticeable. Above that, the problem goes away.

I wonder if those experiencing this vibration are due to their hanger mounts??

Richard

 

I think you are definitely on to something! I have gone thru similar steps and thoughts while trying to solve my vibes.

 

Which mounts?

Squarish ones under the center of the car?

Upper Rear?

Lower Rear?

 

Yep, just behind the resonator--under that bolt on plate--rubber hanger mounts slip into notches in that plate.

They were replaced with black rubber mounts. The car feels more alive with this mount, but of course more vibration that can be felt at the seat of the pants. It's not unpleasant for me, but because my car is already so loud and rattly inside, this additional vibration increases that sensation in a negative way--I've been trying to quiet my interior not make it louder, lol.

When the hanger mount was broken, at the same RPMs that I now feel the vibration, I heard the exhaust rattling at low RPMs, not during idle, but in 1st gear. So now instead of that rattlling I hear a hum and feel a tingly sensation, lol.

Richard

 

I have no mods at all, all original, had a couple of vibratin dampers replaced very early due to vibrations, but I wish I had the so called vibrations from 2 years ago, now it's just annoying... car performs well when in sport drive and can still accelerate well... the stress from the engine does make the exhaust rattle, as if it's not well secured...

Cheers

 

So I've now driven about 300 miles and I'm not sure I like the new buzzing feeling. Anytime the engine is stressed, the vibration is super noticeable. For instance, shifting into too high of a gear...is a good way to experience it.

Not much I can do about it I guess except change to the RMW exhaust when it comes out..assuming it will do a better job. I dunno really.

Richard

 

I am probably going to get the rmw street header. So should I expect there to be some "fixing" and searching for sounds after the install? I am going through that now with another "part/mod" on my car and I don't know if I have what it takes to go through that whole thing again, it is driving me insane

Thanks is advance.

 

Yep. The header will amplify any tendencies to rattle your car might already have. Bigtime.

And, IMHO, it is WELL worth the work. A great mod. But knocks your car several notches down the scale from "peppy economy car" toward "modified performance beastie" - and includes all the benefits and issues that go along with moving down that scale.

 

I want a "modified performance beastie" for SURE BUT I dont want a car that sounds like it is broken or has something very wrong with it. I think I may have to take a quick drive to Austin to listen to someone with the header for myself. I want this header badly I am just scared it will sound terrible in my cabin.

Oh, what are some sites that sell this header?

 

Nothing sounds like it's broken in my car. All of my initial buzzing seems to have come from loose heat shielding after the install that has been fixed. I will say though that your car may not sound as "refined" with the header in the cabin, because it makes it's presence known. I kept my original header in case I ever tire of the noise, but if anything, I've gotten used to it and it doesn't seem as loud as when I first got it.

 

Thanks for this post. I am just dealing with rattling/buzzing/kazzoo like sounds from my new exhaust so I am a bit hessitiant to add something else into the mix that may exacerbate these noises. I am still in the process of getting these sounds worked out. I have wanted a new header since I bought my car. I think ill get it and if I cant get live with it I am sure I wont have a tough time finding someone who will like it

 

Right at 750 miles driving around with Jan's race header and his new quiet exhaust, and no rattles at all and I also don't hear any noise that anyone else here say they have. I can add that it is SO much quieter than the megan header/borla exhaust setup I had.

 

coopselt - I saw your car at Danny's a couple weeks ago, but never got to hear the final product. I believe your car is the only one to have the race header (not the TVS header) and the quiet exhaust done so far. Could you post a soundclip/video of your exhaust. Perhaps you could post it in the exhaust thread or make a new thread, so as to not ruffle any feathers in this thread. Thanks!

 

Only Jan at Revolution Mini Works sells the RMW street header. Send him an e-mail, PM, or call him to inquire.

 

You'll be able to hear one in person next week.

 

PM or email and we can arrange for you to get a good listen, up nice and close.

It may be slightly louder than the GF can handle when it's hammer time, but it definitely will not sound terrible.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8egcGDgzuIs

fast forward to approx 2nd min see/hear that watch rattle

also 3rd min,

no vibration, at higher revs/lower gears

sorry its upside down...

 

Hopefully will get my car next week, then I will see what I can do! I did get to drive it around for about 700 break in miles, and I can say that it is way quieter than what I had which was the megan header with a modified borla exhaust.

 

Blimey,

Are you saying the VIP made no difference for your header problems or it made no difference in general... 'cause I have one on order

 

I meant regarding the exhaust vibration. I like the damper.

 

Just got my car back today after discovering that the internals of my right muffler/silencer was kind of broken, after getting it back the rattles are gone and the engine sounds normal again, smoother acceleration and no more tin can vibrations... they included the long pipe with the right muffler since the 2nd muffler that has the two exhaust tips is attached with some kind of pipe insert, it comes apart from the main muffler...

anyone having annoying rattles under low rpm accelleration should get their mufflers checked from broken internals, there was no rust externally.

 

Would love to see if the rattle/vibration noise I'm seeing in my 03 Compares... but your Youtube clip is flagged as private. Trying to sort out my exhaust noises I've been living with (RMW Stree & Milltek Catback)

-...

 

All of my exhaust noises/rattles that I had initially came down to re shaping and tightening the heat shields. No problems since.