[NOTE:
As of March 13, 2008, I am volunteering to take this reference thread over for the previous owner who is no longer active. I will try to add new exhausts, and correct any information that is not right or out of date. Additional postings with new information are much appreciated. Kudos to the original poster, ABTSportsline, who is no longer a MINI owner for putting up the original posting back in 2004.
Scott Portis, smportis]
************************************************** ******
TABLE OF CONTENTS
************************************************** ******
- Introduction
- New Information
- Updated Information
- *New* Exhaust Survey Results
- Help Needed
- Exhausts R53, R52
- One-Ball Exhaust
- Milltek
- Alta Sportone 2.5", Polished, Stealth
- UUC
- PlayMini/Scorpion
- Magnaflow
- Borla Street & Sport
- QuickSilver
- SuperSprint
- B&B Triflow
- NRP
- Ireland Engineering
- Mini Madness - Madness V2
- Megan Racing
- JCW Exhaust
- Invidia Ti N1
- Webb Motorsports
- Skunk 2
- Exhausts R56 - Coming soon
************************************************** ******
NEW INFO
************************************************** ******
- July 28, 2009 - Mini-Madness v2 videos added
- August 21, 2008 - Exhaust Survey Results added below, at top.
- August 21, 2008 - Added Webb Motorsports videos (see #17 below)
- August 21, 2008 - Added Invidia videos (see #16 below)
- August 21, 2008 - Added JCW videos (see #15 below)
- April 20, 2008 - Megan Racing Catback (see #14 below)
- April 20, 2008 - MINI-Madness V2 Catback (see #13 below)
- March 13, 2008 - Ireland Engineering Catback (see #12 below)
************************************************** ******
UPDATED INFORMATION
************************************************** ******
- August 21, 2008 - Thanks to bee1000n - Added/Updated video/audio from this post for a whole boatload of types (from a post later in this thread)
- August 21, 2008 - Updated video/audio for Megan Racing and for IE Catback (thanks AutoXCooper.com)
************************************************** ******
Exhaust Survey Data
************************************************** ******
In 2008, we took a survey and got > 250 results from R50, R53 and R56 owners on their exhaust preferences. The results from the survey are here:
Survey PDF File (Page 1 - Cooper Results. Page 2 = MCS Results.)
************************************************** ******
HELP NEEDED:
************************************************** ******
From looking through the last 4-5 pages of the thread, I need to add:
- MiniSpeed
- Volt
- OBX Catback(?)
- Palo Uber
- TCS Sportline exhaust
- Coast to Coast titanium cat back system
************************************************** ******
Exhaust Reviews
************************************************** ******
Below are pics and clips of most major exhausts for the MCS that I have been able to acquire over the last couple of years. The video/audio files are all Right-Click Save-Target-As style... the video files are all different types... wmv, quicktime, mpeg... If you see something here incorrect, please tell me so i may fix it. I obtained my information from various vendors and websites.
Thanks to Randy Webb, OutMotoring & other mini owners for the pictures. Thanks to many mini owners for taking the time to record the video/audio clips!
1. One-Ball Exhaust
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $50~$275 (50 bucks at your local muffler shop, and up to $275 for Helix's professional & recommended
mandrel-bent replacement system.)
Composes: One-sided, Two-piece System
Power Gain: 2~3hp, 1 lb/ft torque
Piping Diameter: Same as stock: Stock pipe size at the cat is 2 1/4". The pipe connecting the resonator to the muffler is 2 1/2" (thanks
rl48mini)
Weight: ~25 lbs.
Description: The "One Ball" is a slang term for taking the stock exhaust system and removing a muffler. Slightly louder than stock, but serious weight savings are a plus. Very popular with the track racers and autocrossers. Not big on power, but big on budget!
Video & Audio Clips: 
2. Milltek Sport
Review Last Updated: 8/21/08
Fits: R53, R52
Price: $899 - 945 at various sites
Composes: double-sided 3-piece quick-fit system.
Power Gains: around 9 horsepower and between 7-9 lb/ft torque
Piping Diameter: 2.5"
Weight: 31 lbs.
Website: http://www.millteksport.com/
Description: All stainless, provides greatest gains in hp & torque of any system available as of March 2004. Almost as quiet as stock system but lower tone. A well respected UK producer of exhausts for multiple auto manufacturers for after-market customization.
Video & Audio Clips:
(Links below added 8/21/08, thanks Bee100n)
3. Alta Exhaust System Polished R53 & Stealth R53
Review Last Updated: 8/21/08
Price: $675 for Polished, $850 for Stealth
Fits: Fits ALL Cooper S models 2002-2006
Composes: single-sided system, 2 pieces.
Power Gains: around 8 horsepower, between 5-7 lb/ft torque
Piping Diameter: 2.5"
Weight: 22 lbs.
Website: www.altaminiperformance.com/
Description: All stainless. Tips come pre-treated to resist discoloration. Oval Tip and dual tips available. Older units had some fitment problems (around 2004 timeframe when hangers were changed). Also, older units reported discoloration of tips due to flow problems. Alta has claimed to have fixed this.
Video & Audio Clips(*Added 8/21/08*)
Alta Exhaust System Polished R53
Alta Exhaust System Polished R53
4. UUC
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $875
Composes: dual-sided system, 4 pieces.
Power Gains: around 6-7 hp and 7-8 lb/ft torque
Piping Diameter: 2.25"
Weight: 34 lbs.
Website:
Description: All stainless, said to be one of the most beautiful systems on the market. Noise is not as loud as the Magnaflow, but not much quieter. Definitely runs up there with the loudest systems.
5. Playmini / Scorpion (exhaust is the same rebadged for UK/US)
Review Last Updated: n/a (* Note: 8/21/08 - Data for Scorpion is outdated. Website below appears incomplete and for Europe only *)
Price: $550 (US version)
Composes: dual-sided system, 3 pieces.
Power Gains: unknown
Piping Diameter: unknown
Weight: 32 lbs.
Website: (UK)
http://www.scorpion-exhausts.com/Car...?model=116#bot
Description:
Not much is known about this system, and there is a debate as to the design. After the Y, the piping diverts the opposite direction for the flowing gases. No Dynos have yet been published for this system as of March 2004. System seems to be very popular in the UK.
6. Magnaflow
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $550~$600
Composes: dual-sided system, one piece?
Power Gains: between 8-10 hp, torque unknown
Piping Diameter: 2.5"
Weight: 34 lbs.
Website:
Description: All stainless, loudest of known exhausts.
Video & Audio Clips:
(*Added 8/21/08*)
7.1 Borla Street
7.2 Borla Sport
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $650~$700
Composes: dual-sided system, 6 pieces.
Power Gains: (Borla claims) 5 hp, 8lb/ft torque
(Borla Sport: 9 hp, 8 lb/ft torque)
Piping Diameter: 2.25"
Weight: 34 lbs.
Website:
Description: All stainless, the Borla system is closest to stock sound. The Borla Sport system is as loud as if not louder than the Magnaflow.
Video & Audio Clips
(*Added 8/21/08*)
Borla Street:
Borla Sport:
8. Quicksilver
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $750~$850
Composes: single-sided system,
Power gains: around 7-8 hp, 5-6 lb/ft torque
Piping Diameter: 2.25"
Weight: 20 lbs.
Website:
Description: All stainless, single or dual tip designs available. Seems to be the most popular of the single-sided systems. Loudness is more than Borla Street and Milltek, but less than UUC and Magnaflow.
9. SuperSprint (Both Street & Sport)
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $1200~$1500
Composes: dual-sided, 4 pieces (if you keep your straight pipe, or 5 without)
Power gains: unknown (one dyno run shows 19 hp with header and cat)
Piping diameter: unknown
Weight: unknown
Website:
Description: All stainless, this system offers a stunning array of configuration options. 5 different tips styles are available (Viper, DTM, dual-round, dual-rectangular, and Promini-RS). Mufflers are at an angle - not straight-facing. System is by far the most expensive available. Not the prettiest of the systems, but from one of the most respected companies.
Video & Audio Clips
(*Added 8/21/08*)
10. B&B Tri-Flo
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $870~$1100
Composes: dual-sided system, 3 pieces
Power Gains: unknown
Piping Diameter: unknown
Weight: unknown
Website:
Description: All stainless, this system is available in 3 tip designs: DTM, dual-round, or single 5.25" oval. Not much else is known about this exhaust, and not many people (if any at all) ever post any information or user feedback about this exhaust.
Video & Audio Clips
11. NRP
Review Last Updated: n/a
Price: $650~$700
Composes: single-sided system, 2 pieces
Power Gains: 7 hp, torque unknown
Piping Diameter: 2.5&
Weight: 22 lbs.
Website:
Description: All stainless and similar to the quicksilver and Alta, this item differs in only that it has less-finished tips (not as nice). And since it is a single-sided system, this means it is tough to hang. Minor fitment issues.
NRP Video Clips
no clips at this time.
12. Ireland Engineering Mini Cooper S Stainless Steel Cat Back Exhaust
Review Last Updated: 3/13/08
Price: $340
Composes: Single-sided system, 3 pieces
Power gains: unknown
Piping diameter: 2.5"
Weight: unknown
Website:
Description: Single sided, 304 stainless steel, polished. Comes in 3 pieces with cat-back pipe, muffler, and twin tips.
[NOTE: As of 3/13/08, NEED FEEDBACK ON SOUND, POWER, WEIGHT, ETC FROM CURRENT OWNERS AND OR IE OR OTHER RESELLERS.]
Video & Audio Clips:
(*Added as of 8/21/08*)
13. MINI-Madness - Madness V2 Catback Exhaust
Review Last Updated: 8/21/08
Price: $849 (Stainless), $949 (Black) At Mini-madness.com, may be cheaper elsewhere
Composes: Two-sided system, 3 pieces
Power gains: unknown
Piping diameter: 2.5" to 3"
Weight: unknown
Website: http://www.mini-madness.com/
Fits: 2002 to 2006 MCS
Description: According to their website: Fully polished stainless steel exhaust featuring a 2.5 inch pipe diameter to 3 inch flow path. System fits all R53 Supercharged MINI Cooper S models manufactured from 2002 to 2006. Excellent deep tone and no drone along with a healthy dose of horsepower and torque.
Video and Sound Clips:
(Images Couresy of
www.mini-madness.com)
Also comes in Stealth Black:
14. Megan Racing 
- MR S Cat Back Exhaust (Model Number : MR-CBS-MC02)
Review Last Updated: 4/20/08
Price: $540 - 599 (depending on location)
Composes: Two-sided system, 3 pieces
Power gains: Manuf claims "6.1Whp & 8Ft-Lbs. gain across the powerband"
Piping diameter: 2.5"
Weight: 38.2lbs
Fits: 2002 to 2006 MCS
Description: OE-Style Cat-Back system that incorporates a Split-Dual Exhaust system. T-304 Stainless Steel exhaust. Weighs in at 38.2lbs. Full of large bends and two large mufflers.
Clips:
NOTE: This clip is for an R50 (non-S) Cooper, but is the only clip at the moment:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1521957226413519553&pr=goog-sl
(Image Courtesy of
www.meganracing.com)
15. JCW Exhaust (*Added 8/21/08*)
Details to come
Video & Audio Clips:
16. Invidia (*Added 8/21/08*)
Review Last Updated: 8/21/08
Price: $650 - MSRP $879
Fits: 2002 to 2006 MCS
Composes: Two-sided system, 4 pieces
Power gains:
Piping diameter: 2.36" (60mm)
Weight: 22-29 lbs
Website: http://www.invidia-usa.com
Description: Attractive product. Titainium tips. Mandrel-bent, SUS304 Stainless piping. From the website "These exhausts are engineered to produce strong mid to top-end power gains, as well as an increase in horsepower and torque."
Video & Audio Clips:
17.Webb Motorsport (*Added 8/21/08*)
Details to come:
Video & Audio Clips:18. Skunk2 (* Added 8/21/08*)
Details to come
Video & Audio Clips:19. Cross Exhaust Titanium
Review Last Updated: 8/21/08
Price: $1700
Fits: 2002 to 2006 MCS
Composes: Two-sided system, 4 pieces
Power gains:
Piping diameter: 2.36" (60mm)
Weight: 22-29 lbs
Website: http://www.cross-na.com/
Description: According to the website: "Lightweight stainless steel with special welded on Titanium Tips. Weighing in just between 22 lbs. this exhaust system is the lightest stainless steel / Titanium model on the market for the MINI. Special technology that is used during production allows Titanium and stainless steel to be welded together that gives the CROSS Sport Semi Titanium exhaust system a sporty titanium look with out the high price. [Although at $1700, I don't know what price we'd be talking about ... ED.]
Video & Audio Clips: N/A
(Image Courtesty of
altaminiperformance.com)
Threaded Mode