Stratmosphere. http://waymotorworks.com/stratmosphere-catback-exhaust-r53-hardtop.html The US version of the Milltek for a lot cheaper, and overall better product. Sounds amazing too IMO.
Depends on the sound level or loudness that you want. I have the Milltek on my 06 MCS and it is a little louder than the JCW. I had the Borla Sport on my 03 MCS and really like the sound/loudness. The Borla Sport is louder than the Milltek. However, the Borla can drone on the highway at certain RPMs/Loads. No drone with the Milltek but also not the great sound. It is a trade-off.
FYI, i have the Milltek and a buddy has the Strat. Both sound exactly the same, but the welds and piping look sooooo much nicer on the Strat. Just throwing that out there. Also, seriously consider the "One-Ball" on the exhaust. If it were for the stock ugly tips, and the insane deal i got on my Milltek, i would still be on that one-ball.
Another suggestion is our system . It's a straight back system that is battery box friendly with plenty of ground clearance. Stainless steel Magnaflow designed . Weighs less and produces more HP. Mark
Borla also makes 'non-sport' which I have on my R56. Matter of fact I think Borla is discontinuing the sport, Not sure how it translates to the R53 but on a R56 it has a very nice growl at load and not too bad on the highway drone wise
They start at $839.00 + shipping from KY.. We have them for R53s, R56s and yes Clubmans :crazy:. Mark
Maybe one of the R53 guys can chime in here but on a R56 a Cat Back exhaust without a high flow downpipe is a very expensive noise maker with no net performance gains
Find a used JCW exhaust on the cheap and get an RMW or Mynes header. :cornut: Great sound, more performance than a cat-back alone....
JCC, no pictures yet as we are just finishing development on the R53 system. We want them to be right before bringing them to "Prime Time" . As soon as the weather clears here I'll take a picture of the system on my '03 "S" and post it and I'll get one from Wayne's '08 R56 and Russell's clubman. Mark
Every time you have a big bend in the pipe you lose HP, also the dia. of the pipe and length need to be "tuned" for proper flow. This sample is a stock R53 to our 2 1/2" I.D. computer tuned system designed by a Magnaflow engineer :idea:.
OK..thats enough... This thread is to help a member decide on an exhaust, not a sales thread for Group4. Mark, use the sponsor areas to introduce and promote products please.