Exhaust down pipe flexi failed?

[bhodgkiss]

Hi all

AVF B5.5 TDI 4Motion and when I start the car (bonnet up) I see a puff of exhaust soot out of the exhaust flexi just behind the engine! Not noticed that before... (although I don't normally have the bonnet up)

Other symptoms are exhaust smells in the cabin under hard acceleration, a knocking sound over bumps (which could be suspension of course) and the flexi itself looking to have some more play than I'd expect

It's quite a fine mesh flexi (not the course weave) so think it's OEM.

226k miles so presume I need a new one
Where would you recommend please? I think it's integral with the cat but I'll check tomorrow