As someone mentioned earlier i think around 2009 there was a firmware/ecu patch that got rid of pop and burble and supposably also cut horsepower output... I didnt own my 2009 long enough to even take it in for an oil change. I do remember people venting on the list because they felt like they lost some power...

 

I own a 2013 MCS (N18 obviously) and it DOES in fact have the P&B while in sport mode. I hear it every single time I use sport mode. I have never once heard it out of sport mode.

Just wanted to chime in that it is in fact not been taken out of the new '13's. Maybe on the justa's or JCW... but every single MCS I test drop had the P&B in sport mode as well. I never test drove anything other than the MCS though.

 

When I installed the access port stage 1, the PnB went away. I'm sure when I get a new downpipe it will return.

 

My new-to-me 2009 JCW pops like mad. Prior owner says he went as far as to have the original software re-loaded after a Mini tech accidentally updated the ECU and he lost the P&B. Not familiar enough with the differences between model years to know whether he's full of it or not, but I definitely get some loud pops in mine between shifts, when letting up on the accelerator, etc.