I was just browsing at accessories that I can't afford till next year when I came across this:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=5277

It claims: "n the spirit of racing, the chrome sport exhaust tip designed for the MINI Cooper provides a distinct visual and auditory enhancement. Price does not include installation. This item fits years: 2007-on"


My question is.... if its just a decorative tip then how the heck can it make an "auditory enhancement"? I truly can not grasp that. I've always been under the impression that in order to make such an "enhancement" one had to replace the entire muffler system. Can anyone weigh in?

I was only even looking at it because this is the first car I ever "detailed" and as a result I scratched the hell out of the tip that came with the car.

 

Is that an official MINI product? Looks interesting. Any chance of a part number?

I suppose the tip could have some sort of mesh on the inside, to "cut" through the expelled air and create some sort of additional noise.
This is a stupid example as this car is far removed from the MINI, but still, I assume that stuff is there for a reason.

 

You could get a new muffler for the price of that MINI tip.

 

LOL

 

Well I'm concidering that (a new muffler) as well. Although I'm sure the tip is much easier to install and wouldn't require taking the car to a shop.

Hopefully I'll eventually find someone who has this tip so I can see if it makes any difference in sound. I know of someone (Liquid Yellow on here) who replaced the muffler system in his R50 and its actually really nice.

Thanks.

 

A tip really won't make any real difference in sound as far as volume is concerned. It mostly affects tone, but not even very much in most cases. (I doubt you'd hear much of a difference in sound with that tip.) If you want some cheap volume, go to an exhaust shop and have them take out the resonator. It shouldn't cost you any more than 20 minutes of your time and $30-$50 of your wallet.