Hello, all! I've noticed that in my brand-new 2011 MINI Cooper S, the automatic transmission seems to deliver one or several thumps when braking, usually under 40mph, only in Sport mode. It's a low-frequency thump that can be heard and slightly felt as the car downshifts, and it seems to come from the rear as opposed to the front. Almost a muffled click, but it's from a low position in the car, and the vibration carries through the chassis. Not very loud but quite noticeable. It doesn't seem to be affecting the car, its handling, or its performance in any negative way...but no car I've owned previous does this.

I've found a few threads about suspension or drivetrain thumping, but often more around the Gen 1 MCS platform, and I didn't find much consensus as to whether or not this was normal, expected, or unusual. Does anyone have any thoughts on this behavior?

 

and heat insulation, in case smething is making contact. As drivetrain loads and unloads, it may be moving the exhaust up and down a bit. And yes, as you mentioned, look (or have dealer) at things like suspension bolt up points, motor mounts, etc.

 

I had suspension and a short shift kit installed today and mine does the exact same thing. Almost like really muffled backfiring... I didnt notice it prior to this, and it only happens when I let off the throttle.

 

I'm highly embarrassed to report that I've been hearing the much-ballyhooed "pop and burble." I had heard about this but had no idea it would sound so percussive in the cabin. How embarrassing to have a service advisor tell you the classic, "it's a feature, not a bug." It's totally normal and a feature, of course, and now that I know what it is, I do like hearing it now...

Sorry for the n00b moment, but like 11cooperS, without being told beforehand, I had no frame of reference for what I was hearing. Anyway...motor on!

 

The pop/burble is the best part of the car IMO. I can get mine to sound like a loud pop sometimes hehe!

 

dont tease us! We die for that sound and cant get it!

 

TSB SIM18021 N18 – Cooper S Exhaust Popping Sound

"exhaust acoustic feedback" hahaha