[Andrew North]

I wonder if anybody had this issue. I have the very first cooper from new, October 2001 and its done 114,000 miles now. Its had various new parts such as power steering pump at 99k and exhaust rear braket and general wear and tear items mainly the brakes and tyres. Also 1 x steering ball joint, 2 front shocker tops. The best thing is that I am still on the same battery and full exhaust system.I have now got a bad rattle.

From viewing the forums, it seems like its the exhaust, but exactly which area is becoming a big mistery. I noticed this about a year ago and i assumed it was the rear baffles since it only rearly occured over bumpy roads and when the windows are down. Now that summer as arrived and the windows are down again, the noise is very bad. It sounds like a tin raffle against the underside of the car but from under the passenger seat.

I have had it in the garage and they say its the engine coil thats faulty and therefore requires 2 new front shocker top mountings, but these were replaced recently when I had a knocking noise on full lock. I am begining to feel that the dealers, who have first hand knowledge day in day out have no idea or do this to try and make an extra buck.

I am now sure that its got to be the exhaust system, but I do not hear the rattles until I go over speed bumps and bumpy roads and then it sounds like something is about to fall off. I have been under the car and waggled the main pipe and cat and it is really solid not no issues with the fixings. My gut feeling is that the problems revolves around the manifold, heatshield and Cat. I have been told that cats only have a life of about 100K so in reality it may be this causing the problem.

I hope somebody can shed further light on this problem? I have got it booked into the garage on the 19th May for new tires and a run out with a mechanic. So I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Andy