Rattle on idle and sound proofing, FL VRS

Having picked up the new vrs this week I'm really pleased with it (as wrote in another thread). But have two slight issues.

1) In neutral there seems to be a bit of a rattle. Dipping the clutch doesn't change it. Moving the stick down a bit, as if your trying to put it in gear without the clutch makes it go away. So I assume it's something to do with the selector. Anyone else had this? I think my petrol vrs did this but being petrol it didnt vibrate as much so didnt make itself known.

2) The usual complaint, road noise. The new car seems noisier than my prevous vrs. Its an estate which probably doesn't help. It's fitted with continental sport contact 2 tyres, these known to be noisy? How easy is it to fit sound proofing (such as brown bread). Do the wheel arch covers (in the boot) come off easy enough? Any suggestions on where to put sound proofing or things to try? I'm thinking under the boot carpet and the wheel arches. Any other spots that sound be covered?

Otherwise the car is great.

Ta.