1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Exhaust Questions - Which to buy?

We heard the Milltek test and were surprised it wasn't too loud at all. We didn't hear him drive away though!

 

I bet it sounded nice.

I have not heard of that one, but I did look around the website. I couldn't find MINI on there.

 

Another vote here for Milltek!!

 

From someone that has sold and installed about every brand you can imagine. I recommend the Stratmosphere or Milltek over all the others. They sound great, don't drone, and make great torque numbers.

 

Look under BMW and you will find it. Some sites consider MINI a division of BMW.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40STKWGQrz8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40STKWGQrz8[/ame]

 

:cornut: My Margi(08 R56 MCS/JCWm) has the JCW exhaust and I like it alot. 78kmi and no problems, she still rumbles/burbles like day one. The only down side is dealer cost. However, we have several sponsors here at MA that sell OEM stuff at much lower prices than the dealer. Honest, check'em out.

Jason

 

Trouble has a 1st Gen and Jason you have and are discussing a 2nd Gen.

Speaking of a 1st Gen JCW Cat back, I run it and it is a nice performance OEM option. Mine is as original, but some like to run them a little louder by removing the front resonator That mod makes the system much more raspy sounding.

You really need to hear one for yourself to make sure it sounds good to you.

Good Luck...

 

I realize this thread is somewhat old, but I was the one who installed the Milltek at the Dallas DIY event. The problem with aftermarket exhausts is quality and fitment. Some of the cheaper ones rub against the undercarriage and can hang crooked. I have seen the rear valance melted from poorly constructed catback exhausts. The Milltek bolted up perfectly when installed on my R53 with no fabrication or adjustment of anything on the car. As for the sound, you are not going to get a huge dB increase from any of them unless you add a header &/or remove the resonator (your wife will complain, neighbors will hate you, & you'll have a headache from the drone). Yes, the thing was expensive, but after having it for a couple of years now, I am glad I spent the extra $. So for me there are only two words to remember,
Mill Tek

 

Yea, near 2 1/2 years old but still a viable information source. I've never seen Stebro mentioned anywhere that MINI and exhaust are talked about together. I had Stebro pipes on my '64 XKE and oh my what a sound. I've considered them for Friskie but...

http://www.stebro.net/html/Default.aspx?PageMenuID=1275

 

I have decided to go with the Megan Racing Exhaust system offered by WMW for the performance #'s that it's rated at and for the cost. It just seemed like the best bang for the buck in a Cat Back system, and for the sound bytes on YOUTUBE. It has just the right sound for a MINI for me.

 

As I understand it, the JCW exhaust for the 2007 (Gen 1 convertible) sounds barely louder than the stock exhaust. Car manufacturers have regulations to follow when making higher performance parts, and noise levels is one of the things that limit them on how loud they can go. The JCW unit is a quality piece, but if you want louder, you should consider an aftermarket brand. The Miltek system is similar to the JCW exhaust, but just a wee bit louder. The Miltek system is a 5 piece unit, so mounting it take a bit more time to get the adjustments right. Once in, I understand they are very good. The louder exhausts might have a tendency to droan at higher cruising speeds.

Of note, the convertibles have an underbody brace that the straight pipe needs to go around in order to fit. Many have simply crimped the straight pipe to get it to fit. Though the actual flow area remains the same, I've always wondered if the change in shape of the pipe would disrupt exhaust flow enough to create a restriction that would negate the actual benefits of a wider exhaust pipe system.

 

I really like the JCW. It has no highway drone. If I had the money to spend on an exhaust it would be the Miltek. :yesnod:

One word of caution. Listening to youtube exhaust clips is not the best way to determine if is the one for you. Best to ride in a MINI with the pipes you want.

 

I'll be curious to know how that works for you. Megan has an awful reputation with the Las Vegas racing community. They were a popular 350Z/G35 exhaust company and the complaints ranged from bad welds terrible fitment. Some folks had issues with the packed material coming out of the mufflers. No one I know will buy them. Also, thier suspension components were not too hot either.

Now, that is anecdotal and only a limited group. Perhaps they are better set for the MINI community.

 

^ That is very a good first step. You may like it, many do. I would have done that had I know stumbled on a JCW at a too cheap to not get it price.

If you get to MOTD there will be many MINIs you can listen to. Best way to find the sound you like.

 

That is the best sounding R53 exhaust I've heard. I understand it also provides measurable gains as well.

 

It does provide some nice gains but the quality of the material used and the welds are excellent. It guess that's why it has a lifetime warranty.

I live in the NE (salt & snow belt) and my Milltek still looks good and sounds great after 5 years.

Milltek prides itself on engineering the best noise-to-torque ratio and producing better torque than the loudest systems on the market. The sound, fit and finish are the best in the industry.

Milltek exhausts feature a lifetime warranty.

 

I would love to be able to spring for it but it will take 4-5 months of savings to get close to that kind of money for me. My medication bill runs $200.00+ a month.

 

That would be nice but won't work on my R53, the JCW Exhaust.