After market mufflers... non S cooper
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 6
From: Bay Area, CA
I was at a charity car event yesterday and took part in the sound off. The level detected from the exhaust (while revving) was 102.1 DB. The winner was a vintage VW bus that got 117.5. About half of the cars that participated was below 100. I guess my exhaust is louder than average, even though I don't feel that way under normal driving conditions.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Exit 9
I was considering a Milltek but was wondering how much louder is it than stock? I wouldnt mind it sounding a little throatier, but not much louder.
Also, is there any improvement in performance and/or mileage with a Milltek?
Also, is there any improvement in performance and/or mileage with a Milltek?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Exit 9
I just checked out their website and it seems to be a very good alternative to the Milltek IMHO.
I had been exploring my options for an exhaust upgrade down the line (my Justa is only a year old so I want to get some more use out of this one before I take it off) and was really put off by the Milltek's ridiculously high price tag.
I had been exploring my options for an exhaust upgrade down the line (my Justa is only a year old so I want to get some more use out of this one before I take it off) and was really put off by the Milltek's ridiculously high price tag.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
My VIP shipped on Cinco de Mayo. 
$600 is still a lot for what it is, but I could only justify the Milltek if I were going headers back. For now, I'm hoping I like the new exhaust note and since we were never able to get ANY kind of video, I'll post one up. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks. It is supposed to arrive on 5/12.
$600 is still a lot for what it is, but I could only justify the Milltek if I were going headers back. For now, I'm hoping I like the new exhaust note and since we were never able to get ANY kind of video, I'll post one up. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks. It is supposed to arrive on 5/12.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: pleasanton,ca
My VIP shipped on Cinco de Mayo. $600 is still a lot for what it is, but I could only justify the Milltek if I were going headers back. For now, I'm hoping I like the new exhaust note and since we were never able to get ANY kind of video, I'll post one up. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks. It is supposed to arrive on 5/12.
$600 is still a lot for what it is, but I could only justify the Milltek if I were going headers back. For now, I'm hoping I like the new exhaust note and since we were never able to get ANY kind of video, I'll post one up. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks. It is supposed to arrive on 5/12.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Did my exhaust today - 2 hour job without the old man yappin' too much. 
Before
After
Love the sound - raw, but not too raw. Nice mellow burble and with only the sunrooff tipped and the windows closed, it can be heard. I was most surprised with the new sound when it decelerates - it used to have nothing...
Had it up to highway speed briefly and no drone, but I want to see what I think about that tomorrow.
Install was not bad at all with a lift and a good pipe cutter. Good directions and nice clean fit. That exhaust tip is tight at the exit but there is room up top and on both sides; it also can be adjusted side to side which for all I know could be normal for after market exhausts but I thought it was sharp. These guys did a great job putting together what is essentially a Magnaflow muffler, pipe to fit a MINI and a monster exhaust tip. Love it so far!
I'll post a video in the next week or so.
Before
After
Love the sound - raw, but not too raw. Nice mellow burble and with only the sunrooff tipped and the windows closed, it can be heard. I was most surprised with the new sound when it decelerates - it used to have nothing...
Had it up to highway speed briefly and no drone, but I want to see what I think about that tomorrow.
Install was not bad at all with a lift and a good pipe cutter. Good directions and nice clean fit. That exhaust tip is tight at the exit but there is room up top and on both sides; it also can be adjusted side to side which for all I know could be normal for after market exhausts but I thought it was sharp. These guys did a great job putting together what is essentially a Magnaflow muffler, pipe to fit a MINI and a monster exhaust tip. Love it so far!
I'll post a video in the next week or so.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver
I'm so torn between resonator delete or muffler delete. I was thinking resonator delete until i saw these two clips.
Now i'm thinking resonator delete doesn't sound all that great...
I'm booked next week to get chopped at a local shop...help!
Now i'm thinking resonator delete doesn't sound all that great...
I'm booked next week to get chopped at a local shop...help!
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: pleasanton,ca
VIP Exhaust video. FINALLY!!! I'll make this short. I love this exhaust.
VIP Exhaust - Gen 2 MINI Cooper non-S - YouTube
VIP Exhaust - Gen 2 MINI Cooper non-S - YouTube
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Quieter than stock? That's a direction I didn't see coming. Since most people are looking for a deeper, throatier tone I'm doubting that a company would go in the direction of quieter.
Prius? Just kidding, man!
Prius?
Just kidding, man!
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 0
From: Sumter SC
Yeah I have the Miltek, it is quiet and provides a nice low bass note that does not rumble, on another note my K&N filter fell off of my DDM intake awhile ago, put stock system back on thats why I can now hear the exhaust. 
Neutral
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Albiecrazy...
No VIP, but I have the Milltek cat-back system now. The system starts after the primary cat just a bit below the header base as the pipe makes the bend to head under the engine and toward the back of the car. It eliminates the secondary cat in the first 1/3 of the OEM system, reduces the size /restriction of the resonator in the final 1/3 of the system, and has a free flow muffler at the end.
I understand our cars cannot pass (NY and MA) emissions tests without the OEM primary cat in place.
By the way, with the DDMworks intake, the Milltek exhaust, the SprintBooster, the Auto Sport Button On, the NM torque arm bushing, the Helix short shifter, plus the suspension mods and wheel/tire set-up, it is hard to believe this is the same Straight Cooper I drove away from the dealer a year ago...
It feels more like a modern wide track '72 MGB with Webers and a mild cam rather than a 2011 Little BMW Smooshie Mobile. Very "crisp"/tight.
(And now for a "tune", or maybe not.... Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z, snore, snore...)
Take care Buddy.
No VIP, but I have the Milltek cat-back system now. The system starts after the primary cat just a bit below the header base as the pipe makes the bend to head under the engine and toward the back of the car. It eliminates the secondary cat in the first 1/3 of the OEM system, reduces the size /restriction of the resonator in the final 1/3 of the system, and has a free flow muffler at the end.
I understand our cars cannot pass (NY and MA) emissions tests without the OEM primary cat in place.
By the way, with the DDMworks intake, the Milltek exhaust, the SprintBooster, the Auto Sport Button On, the NM torque arm bushing, the Helix short shifter, plus the suspension mods and wheel/tire set-up, it is hard to believe this is the same Straight Cooper I drove away from the dealer a year ago...
It feels more like a modern wide track '72 MGB with Webers and a mild cam rather than a 2011 Little BMW Smooshie Mobile. Very "crisp"/tight.
(And now for a "tune", or maybe not.... Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z, snore, snore...)
Take care Buddy.
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