No low power issues or that? I think it's probably the flexi as you suspect but if there's any power loss it could also be the pipe for the egr especially if the bracket is missing because they can crack.

 

Yeah I have noticed power loss, however only in 5th gear!

 

I would get a small mirror and torch and have a little look around that egr pipe for any black sooty marks, also worth checking the ccv too as the engine fumes from it can smell similar sometimes.

If they both check out then I would suspect the flexi on the down pipe. Mine looked fine but it was definitely leaking and I also got a bit of exhaust smell once in a while when stopped.

 

Awesome thanks seatman!

 

My 2004 Jetta has the same issue. The bracket was missing. You could see the black soot at the cracked area looking up from under the car. After 3 new pipes at the dealer, I looked the issue up and found a recall to replace the egr cooler and add a bracket. Called the M6 EGR Campaign. The large steel bracket on the cooler was cracked from not having the bracket which caused increased strain and vibration to the egr pipe. (I didn't have time to look, that is why my wife to dealer to get fixed. Prefer to do myself.) Then spoke to dealer about the missing bracket, they had NO clue, I sent them the bulletin and then they fixed it properly. Charged me $235, don't know if they should have charged me anything, egr cooler price is higher. Then the MAF sensor got contaminated and had to change that out also along with the new air filter that I just put in.