My 06 MCS has, since the day I brought it home, emitted a strange popping sound from the exhaust when I am decelerating, similar to a backfire. My dealer says this was deliberately built into the MCS from 04 on, in order to make it sound more like a sports/race car. Do you other MCS owners out there experience this and is what the dealer says true? I don't mind the sound, I guess, as long as I know it's supposed to be there. Thanks for any input.

 

this is 100% normal behavior.

read here:

http://motoringfile.com/2005/06/28/exhaust_popping/

Enjoy!

EDIT: our 06 MCS pops & burble a LOT more than our 05 MCSa.

 

Motoringfile.com: Exhaust Popping Comes Standard

 

...no, I would take it back to the dealer and have it looked at....that sounds really odd, that it would make a sound like that to make it sound like a sports car. Take it back and insist that it be looked at and don't let the dealer blow smoke up your shorts.

...I have heard MCSs before, and they don't sound like what you are describing. Mick

 

Do not drive it and take it to your dealer immediately!!!!

Just kidding...it's supposed to do that. It gets discussed regularly here. Some like it, some don't. I for one have driven many sporty cars and the sound is like an old friend.

Enjoy!

 

Dont take it in. It is very normal. Its is meant to be there and sounds amazing if you ask me and many others

 

Totally normal sound! This is one of the reasons I love my '05 MCS

 

Thanks for all the quick responses, that eases my mind. I noticed in the comments on the Motoringfile article, several people said that along with the popping, they also hear a metallic ping or rattle, which I also have. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

This sound rocks... i decelerate in 2nd alot just to hear it!!!

 

I subscribe to the belief that some of us throw away the stock exhaust and spend lots of money on after-market exhaust systems just to hear that popping sound louder and deeper! The whole reduced weight and increased HP thing is just rubbish 8-)
cheers,

 

I think the MA should mention this to all MCS owners. I also heard this since day 1 and I'm glad I found the answer here on the boards.

 

My 05 MCS dose the samething But mine is more of a tinky POP, I wish it was more deeper than what it is, but I'm the same as coopercrazy , some times when sitting at a light I rev the engine to about 3000 RPM and then let go of the gas to get it to POP , if you go over 3500 it dosn't POP .

 

Yep, it's engineered to sound that way. Most Love the sound other don't.

I think it's great.

 

The exhaust popping sound was introduced as part of the "significant changes" for the 2005 model year.

I used to have a '04 MCS with the stock exhaust and you could barely hear it. No popping noises either.

 

Is the popping more noticable while sitting in the back seat? My mom rode in the back a few times and when I asked her what she thought of my MINI she said: "it's very nice but what's with the exhaust making all that POP POP noise?"

 

When I first got my car, I couldn't tell whether I had a pop or a rattle or both. I, too, was unaware of the pop, but found the posts here. My rattle, if it was actually there, has disappeared. The pop remains the same.

 

I have yet to hear it in my '06 MCSCa, and I have listened. Sometimes I think you are all pulling one over on me because I am not wanted in the "Cool Kids Club" where they tell you it was all a joke.

Just like those stupid Minds Eye pictures.

 

you've got a double whammy against hearing it. First, competing wnd noise (although having not ridden in a mini convertible, I can't say for a fact how much of a factor that is) and second, having an automatic, you won't have nearly as much engine braking which will translate to less popping.

 

The 98% of the popping is not there on an automatic. You have to really play with the paddles to get anything remotely close to it actually.

 

It should not make a big difference, as far as convertibles go, this one is less windy then many. I can try with the window down and the top up...

Good point, but I can force an engine break with the sport shifters. I'll give that a try and report back!

 

I've got an 05, when you let off the gas in second gear when it is cold it will really pop, likes that sound myself. It is in the owners manual somewhere, that it was designed to make the popping noise...

 

My vet says my black lab's gasseous problem is "normal", but it keeps sending me back to the vet trying to find a way to stop it....

...okay, so maybe I was never meant to have a MCS ...with all those extra sound effects, I'd become a mechanics's hyperchondraic. Mick

 

I actually like the popping in my 06, although it seemed like it shouldn't be there when I first picked up the car...it was something we did to our old cars, but putting small holes in the tailpipe. This popping is cute, though, and now it makes me feel like it's just one more part of this great car that I love!

 

I love that sound! Mine doesn't do it often enought though. I'll have to work on it
Annette

 

Rev the engine past 3K RPM and let off the gas pedal...you'll hear it and more so with the windows open.