So i bought my 09 S used and to my understanding theres an exhaust burble when in Sport mode. Switched Sport mode on and there's no burble. Whats the deal?

 

The deal is that the pop/burble was added to the S in sport mode for the 2011 model year. One of the changes that came as part of the mid-cycle refresh.

 

Aww crap. Was there any other changes with the refresh?

 

The tail lights were updated to LEDs and (someone correct me if I'm wrong) the 11+ r55s had a bump up in HP to 181. Those were the biggest changes.

 

I've had the same complaint. There is a 09' JCW Clubman and 11'' CLubman S that come to some of the local MINI club runs and they sound awesome with the burbling/popping exhaust.

I was told it might be possible to update software to later version, but you could potentially damage other modules ($$). In the mean time I"d suggest upgrading the exhaust, the stock one is far too subtle.