Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Help on choosing an exhaust.

  1. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #16 MCS02, Jan 12, 2016
    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
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #19 MCS02, Jan 14, 2016
    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
     
  3. CHKMINI

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    #20 CHKMINI, Jan 14, 2016

    Quoting and agreeing with our favorite curmudgeon "It ALTA work....but it doesn't."
     
  4. MCS02

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    #11 MCS02, Nov 16, 2015
    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!
     
  5. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    #12 wmwny, Nov 16, 2015
    I just LOVE the Milltek on my R53! It's not loud but it sounds great, and the burble is most satisfying!
     
  6. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #2 Firebro17, Nov 15, 2015
    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!
     
  7. 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.
     
  8. MCS02

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    #8 MCS02, Nov 16, 2015
    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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    #9 Firebro17, Nov 16, 2015
    Sounds like it's gonna be a Milltek then...
     
  10. Razone23

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    #15 Razone23, Dec 22, 2015
    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.
     
  11. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

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    #17 quikmni, Jan 12, 2016
    Thanks for the update. Glad it all worked out.
     
  12. MCS02

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    #3 MCS02, Nov 15, 2015
    Where did you get yours? I did not see that as a choice on our vendors. I have not checked eMiniparts.
     
  13. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #4 cct1, Nov 15, 2015
    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....
     
  14. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

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    #6 quikmni, Nov 16, 2015
    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.
     
  15. Eric_Link

    Eric_Link New Member

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    #7 Eric_Link, Nov 16, 2015
  16. Eric_Link

    Eric_Link New Member

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    #10 Eric_Link, Nov 16, 2015
    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. :)
     
  17. fridayxiii

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    #13 fridayxiii, Nov 20, 2015
    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.
     
  18. MCS02

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    #14 MCS02, Nov 20, 2015
    Thanks I will take a look at it!
     
  19. MiniKar

    MiniKar Member

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    #18 MiniKar, Jan 13, 2016
    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.
     
  20. nkfry

    nkfry New Member
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    #21 nkfry, Jan 14, 2016
    Glad we could be of assistance, please let us know if there is anything we can help you with in the future.

    Thanks for the kind words,
    Nick