My exhaust system just started to sound like im running without pipes. Now, i appreciate the loud rumble of my engine, but It sounds like a fanboy tuner Honda right now.

I say occasionally....because it doesnt always do it! I can start and drive it without any extra noise.. and sometimes it will kick in and roar again.

Conversely, i can be running it with the rumble and suddenly the rumble starts to go away.

Now when I say rumble, i mean full open pipe sound as if the exhaust has come undone.

I havent gotten under it yet because snow is still on the ground.. but is this common for a 70k mile car??

 

have you checked to see if everything is bolted down tight on the exhaust?

 

I'm pretty sure you have cracked the weld at the bottom of the pre-cat. It can be repaired without pulling the header off, but make sure you replace the lower engine mount or it will crack again.

 

I had a 30mph drivers fender T-bone crash a year ago that may have knocked it loose.

 

Like the Northeast here in Chicago area we see many MINI's with 70K Plus rusting out, some can be fixed other need to be replaced.