After a right hand turn on the way home last night, I started getting a pretty heavy vibration when accelerating in any gear. If I coast or put it in gear and give it enough gas to keep it from accelerating or decelerating, it runs smooth. It sounds a little clunky when engaging the clutch now, but the gears still shift smooth. Also makes a metallic grinding noise when slowly pulling into my driveway at an angle.

What say you, NAM?

 

N/M, found it.... Anyone have a good source for axles that cost less than what Mini sells?

 

Looks like it's the CV joint. The rubber boot appears to have failed long ago and water and dirt got in and destroyed the CV joint. The axle may look funky, but it could be perfectly serviceable. But you won't know until you take things apart and make sure that the end that engages with the CV joint is still in good shape.