My 2007 Mini was missing the black underbody plate that goes under the exhaust. I picked up another one, but now my exhaust pipe annoyingly rattles on it, steel to steel. Is there supposed to be some insulation to prevent this, or is my muffler misaligned somehow?

 

Pic is NOT of my own car, btw.

 

Is it a stock catback exhaust? Maybe your exhaust hangers are sagging.

 

As far as I know, it's stock.

 

Is it hitting at one of the bends, or just laying low and hitting on the top of the brace?

The exhaust is held up by two pair of rubber mounts, one pair in front (just behind the engine), one pair near the muffler. Make sure that these 4 rubber mounts (oval pieces about 3" long, 2" wide) are still in place and not broken.

Have fun,
Mike

 

The exhaust must be misaligned. But if there is no way to adjust it you can remove the stffener plate and hammer flat where cotact happens.

 

Had the same problem with mine after installing CNT Racing exhaust system. Loosened clamps, adjusted pipe and re-tightened. Problem came back after a month, but not as severe. Next time I loosened, adjusted, tack welded joints and re-tightened clamps. No problems in the last 4K miles.