Exhaust Popping

Sections: Faults & Fixes | Recalls/Campaigns Jun 28th, 2005 68 Comments

One of the many of items that was revised for 2005 model year was the exhaust sound on the Cooper S. MINI not only altered the physical design slightly but also re-tuned the engine management software creating a few entirely new exhaust sounds that hadn’t been heard from a stock MCS or even JCW before. This has caused quite a few owners not aware of the change to ask the now familiar question, “what’s that popping?” MINIUSA relased a official service measure earlier this year on the subject which should, once and for all, answer this question:

Service Measure M 18 200 04 9/27/04

Subject: Model Year 2005 MINI Cooper S Popping From Exhaust

Complaint: The vehicle exhibits an acoustic feedback of the exhaust system under the following conditions: Engine braking in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gear. Increasing engine speed above 3000 rpm while the vehicle is stationary

The popping noise from the exhaust system can also be described as a “backfire” from the engine.

Measure: Do not attempt to repair or replace any parts, this is not a failure of any driveline components. The acoustic feedback is a standard feature of the 2005 Model Year Cooper S vehicle produced as of 7/2004. This feature cannot be retrofitted to the previous model year vehicles.

Written By: Gabe

http://www,shadedbox.com joeytheboxman

love her “backfire” sound as well…but i cant help but to wonder if this is adding a great deal of wear and tear on the exhaust?
Melanie

I would also like to hear someone compare the pops and burbles heard in the stock 05 MCS to the 05 JCW. I have just bought a slightly used JCW exhaust (off of a 05 MCS Works car that the owner put a Borla Street on instead)and am waiting to get it installed.
Please tell me that I won’t lose any of that great MCS sound if I replace the stock exhaust withe the JCW one!
Long Run Nick

Coming from several straight pipe V8′s to my 05 MCS I grinned when I heard the little pops. I needed more. At 1,000 miles addded a Magna Flow and a Pro Mini CAI. Talk about a Harmonic Convergence–the whine of the SC and the Basso Profundo of the Magna Flow “Trumpets”. SWEET. The HK rarely is on.
Goatherder

I will tend to let off the gas in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, purposefully just so I can hear the acoustics. Sure is music to my ears! Wife thinks I am nuts though…..
Scott

My translation of the “official MINIUSA” explanation is….. When we solved the surge/pulsing problem with the 03/04 MCS model years, we never could get the engine management system perfectly right. Therefore, the fuel to air ratio is too rich on the overrun. (i.e. 3000+ rpm, in gear, foot off accelerator, coasting against engine compression). So, we decided to call it an advantage for a bettter fun factor.
The new engine and turbo-charger in the 07 will not have the “feature”; because we can solve the problem with the turbo.
http://www.sleepy-nokkie.com/mini.htm sleepy-nokkie

I love the popping sound .. If I want a quiet exhaust car I would have bought the Accord or Camry. Why nobody complain about the stupid cupholder?
VoiD

Anyone know if a ECU reflash like GIAC will elimiate the noise? then I’m not doing it. :)
Osmodious

How is this noise different from that nifty burbling you get on overrun with certain aftermarket exhausts? I’ve always kind of loved that…
Kaelaria

GIAC and MTH does not effect it, they both retain the timing pull on off-throttle. They could eliminate if they so programmed it though.
LouiefromStLou

My 05 MC Cabrio makes the popping sound. I was told by my MA that all 05s were programmed to make the sound.So I don’t think it’s unique to the MCS.
ramon-from pr

like really who doesn’t want a little of backfire.. please its soi god damn beautiful. jaja. if u dont like it change ur exhaust!
greatgro

I have an 03 and there was absolutely no popping under any conditions. It sucked quite frankly. I replaced my exhaust with an aftermarket UUC one and it burbles so much you would think my exhaust is having a complete conversation!

I’ve test driven an 05 S and I must say I’m glad they added the burbling so you don’t have to get your own exhaust. However, the stock 05 S makes more of a popping noise than a true burbling. I would still probably change the exhaust on a new one.
Lazarus 2025

I for one cannot stand popping or whatever, makes the car sound cheap and defective. I have a 2003 and thank goodness it doesn’t exhibit this. Call me strange but it’s far too boy racer for my taste, and I’m not conservative in the least. :)

Cheers.

J\
garrett

anyone know who sells the “single pipe” exhaust system for an “05 S and how it sounds?
minigolf

I love the sound of the 05 MCS exhaust. I wish my 04 sounded as good!
Motorr

Amen to all those who commented and appreciate the warm and fuzzy sounds of engines performing as they were intended to. Every burble, pop-pop-pop gives me mondo goosebumps and makes me feel ALIVE!!!What’s there not to like?
jon

I’m in the minority, in that I don’t like it. It’s not that it has to be a bad thing, but if anything, I would have preferred a more subtle “burble” than a “pop”. I don’t know if an aftermarket exhaust would address this, but to me, the stock system with it’s popping just doesn’t sound right. As it is, I wish this “feature” could easily be removed.
Beamer
This popping is one of the worst thing mini could have done to a stock Cooper S. Many people including myself think this is childish. If you want to make your car backfire (pop) you should have to upgrade your exhaust or something. I think this is going to be a big problem for Mini in the future.
- Marketing 101 - *Make add ons for any item your selling (mini) *Find your market and what they like (mini enthusiasts, young drivers and many people like the sound) *The option (what to add some horsepower and make your Mini sound like original $1,265)
Sorry, I am just fed up with the popping sound.

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