Exhaust Noise/Acceleration question...

[Mints]

Hi All!

I’m a newbie to the site and a definite novice when it comes to cars (Beloved Mini Coop is my first car!). Bit of a worrier too so any help gratefully received!

So here goes for potentially dumb question….

My 52 plate Cooper was serviced (service 2) and MOT’d in Dec 08. Exhaust surface rusting was mentioned in the MOT notes and it looks really rusty (bits have fallen off the outer layer recently). Exhaust brackets were replaced also for the MOT.

Over the past month or so I have noticed a deeper exhaust noise than before and also a lack of ‘oopmh’ (for want of a better word!). When I accelerate from 1st gear (i.e after stopping at junction/roundabout) the acceleration doesn’t seem as quick as before and the car seems to be working harder than normal to gain speed.

Questions are basically..

1) Are the exhaust noise and lack of acceleration linked?

2) Is this an Exhaust on the way out? If so should I take it to the dealer now or wait until the noise gets worse? Reluctant to give the dealer an opportunity to insist on a new exhaust (which let’s face it they will do!) before it really needs it but don’t want to damage the car!

Thanks for any suggestions, and apologies for my lame non-technical descriptions and if I’ve posted in the wrong place!

[nellsbellzz]

hi best way to check exhaust is to hold hand over tailpipe if exhaust holed you should be able to hear blowing ie gas escaping from under car if so can lead to lack of power .
bestbet would be a aftermarket exhaust or try your'e local exhaust centre or try dave at think mini hope this helps