Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Help on choosing an exhaust.

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by MCS02, Nov 15, 2015.

  1. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Yesterday my long suffering wife and I took my mini to visit one of the kids at college. My exhaust is VERY loud I can not stand it! Part of the problem is the resonator has a crack but still it is a too loud. At highway speeds conversation is imposable. I am trying to chose between the Milltek and Stratmosphere.
    Does any have any experience with either of there?



    Genik approved this post
     
  2. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    When I altered my R53, I considered the two you mentioned along with the JCW. I opted to go with the JCW exhaust, sans the resonator. I really like the tone it has and it's never made the dreaded reverb sound inside the cabin. I'm very happy I made that decision, as I'm well beyond being able to tolerate the sound of an obnoxious exhaust system.

    ..... I love you're newly developed postscript!
     
  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Where did you get yours? I did not see that as a choice on our vendors. I have not checked eMiniparts.
     
  4. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Milltek. I have a magnaflow up front, and the jcw twin cans in back; someday I'd like to put the milltek split cans in back--they are more flush underneath, and it's 2.5 diameter all the way back.

    One thing I'll never do--I'll never try a straight through exhaust again....
     
  5. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #5 Firebro17, Nov 15, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2015
    I found my JCW by pure chance, while cruising the internet. A guy in Colorado had it and a friend of mine hauled it out here on a trip through the Denver area. I only had to give 350 for the whole thing and it was pristine.
     
  6. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

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    On my 2006 JCW GP, I have had JCW, JCW without Resonator, Borla Sport, and finally Milltek. I like the Milltek for the little extra sound but still very nice in the cabin when cruising. I thought the JCW was too quite. The JCW without Resonator a little to ricey. The Borla Sport too much drone in the cabin. Milltek just right.

    From what I understand the Milltek and Stratmosphere are very similar. Get whatever is less expensive.

    I you just want a nice quite exhaust the JCW is good if you can find a lightly used one at a good price but it is hard to find a good used one around because the R53s are getting old. A new JCW exhaust will cost about $900.
     
  7. Eric_Link

    Eric_Link New Member

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  8. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I don't want an exhaust that is quiet, but I don't want one that drones at highway speeds. The exhaust I have now was droning so loud at 80mph that you could not hear the music or talk. Thats too loud.
     
  9. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Sounds like it's gonna be a Milltek then...
     
  10. Eric_Link

    Eric_Link New Member

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    Yeah, the challenge drives at a couple off speeds but at most I can hear the radio fine. It's quieter than when it was first installed. Our maybe I'm losing my hearing. :)
     
  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Yes I believe I will go with the Milltek. I will let you guys know when I get it what I think. Thanks for the help!
     
  12. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I just LOVE the Milltek on my R53! It's not loud but it sounds great, and the burble is most satisfying!
     
  13. fridayxiii

    fridayxiii Member

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    I'm late to the party, but if you haven't bought one yet, you might consider the Invidia N1. I've had it for nearly three years now...totally love it. Louder & deeper tone than stock but no drone at all. The price was also cheaper than the Milltek or Strat.
     
  14. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Thanks I will take a look at it!
     
  15. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

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    A month late, but Milltek all the way, I get compliments from others,when I pull into gas stations. It's not loud and has a decent sound for the car.
     
  16. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I thought I would update this thread incase someone els is looking for an exhaust.

    I planned on the Miltek but after talking to the guys at Detroit Tuned went with their recommendation of using the Stratosphere.

    I could not be any happier! My old exhaust was very loud and droned so load that I would have to have my radio up a little over half to hear the music. This is with a Alpine head unit and a sub!! My hearing is bad, (soon to get hearing aids they are the price of a RMW stroker I need to rethink my priorities), so I had a lot of trouble having conversations in my car. On long trips the Mini was painful.

    The Stratosphere has a good note and NO absolutely NO DRONE! I can now hear conversations and turn the music way down.

    It was easy to install. I did it late one afternoon with little daylight left. I know this was not smart but I had a lot of peer pressure, you know who you are. The exhaust tips touched the bumper. once I had daylight I climbed under the car to see what I had done wrong. I called DT and was told some time you have to bend the hangers on the car down a little, duh, I felt like a idiot for asking. So I reached under the Mini and bent them by hand, perfect fit.

    The unit its self is very well made and comes with every thing you need to install it.

    I want to once agin thank DT for all their help. I know I could have ordered this system direct but I wanted to support the people that supports us. Chad works his but off at the Dragon and has help me a few times there.

    We have several other sponsors here that really support us so if someone is reading this to buy an exhaust, or other part, I would ask you use one of them
     
  17. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

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    Thanks for the update. Glad it all worked out.
     
  18. MiniKar

    MiniKar Member

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    How many hours for removal of the old system, and then how many hours for the install of the new system ???

    Glad you posted, as I was thinking Alta as it looked like an easy install but the sound clips are way too loud for me and I don't like giving a reason to the police to be stopped because they think its too loud.
     
  19. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    It took about 40 minutes to get the old exhaust off because a couple of the rubber hangers gave me a fit sliding them off. The install was fast, maybe 30 min.

    I would not go with the Alta
     
  20. CHKMINI

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    Quoting and agreeing with our favorite curmudgeon "It ALTA work....but it doesn't."
     

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