OK, first thing first, I do want to change to a better looking and sound exhaust system.

My heart is almost set on the Q300...however, when I started checking out pics of the Q300, it seems that the tips aren't that much bigger than stock...appearance is part of the reason I want to change the exhaust.

Which aftermarket exhaust has the biggest tips? I wish I would flush the diffuser area perfectly...

 

My stock tips fits inside the Invidia tips, Invidia is a lot bigger trust me. I havent seen anything bigger unless is custom made.

 

^^agreed. Yes they really fill up the exhaust opening area in the rear bumper.

 

The Invidia tips are huge. They fill up the whole cutout.

 

there are a few post regarding the magnaflow custom setup. DUAL 4 inch tips... they just barely fit underneath the bumper.

this is GHOSTHOUND's mini with his 4 inch magnaflow tips

 

My Alta Dual Tips fill up as much as the the 4" Magnaflow tips. Should be some pics on here, if not I'm sure Alta has some.

 

I have a few photos of our systems:









Hope that helps! If not let me know and I will see what other shots I have lying around.

Thanks for asking!

 

http://lylesvinylstyles.net/benji/exhaust%203.JPG

dual 4 inch tips on mine - custom setup though.

 

Wow, those 4" tips definitely look great...it's unfortunate that I don't want to bother going down the custom path...I wish there are exhaust systems out there that came with 4" tips out of the box. Looks like Q300...

 

Thanks for saving me the work of uploading the pix! haha.

Here is a better angle to see how it fills up the bumper




Really though, i dont see why you wouldnt at least consider the custom route... its a lot cheaper, you get exactly what you want, and most shops back up their work 100%. Find an aftermarket exhaust that give you a 100% warranty that doesnt require you to pay huge amounts of money to ship back the exhaust system.

 

Scroll down on this site and you will find something really large.

http://www.vipcustomparts.com/minicooperparts.htm

 

Hey ghosthound,

I guess I am a little reluctant to take the custom route because of a lack of experience in that space, as I normally would just order aftermarket parts that receive positive reviews for build quality and minimal fitment issues.

Can you share with us what exactly did you order or custom for your exhaust system? It does look so great that I got me thinking about the custom route, still I have no idea what I need to order, or what I need a shop to do for me to take the system to finish line.

Thanks.

 

^^ i completely understand. I actually made a thread about my exhaust. From what i remember, many other people went this route and are very happy as well.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=magnaflow

 

Tip envy?

 

We are using dual 80mm tips on our new system. I believe it's the correct size. Of course I'm not the ultimate judge. We also use 2.75" pipe for performance reasons. Pete, Stratmosphere. 1.866.533.1777.



http://www.stratmosphere.com/mini_exhausts.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Mk4oAjFHc

 

Hey ghosthound,

Thanks for your help again. I confess that I did not read all 8 pages of posts.

Now, looks like I will be ordering for the following



What's exactly next?

Find a local muffler shop to weld the pieces together and get it installed? Somehow I don't know if I am complicating the issue or not. Thanks for your patience.

I am very excited about this!! Huge tips, good sound, and save $$. Can't beat that.

 

I have the Invidia, and from the pics they look like they are about the same as the Magnaflow. The Invidia's are huge! I love the look. The magnaflows look nice too, but for me what it boiled down too is the sweetness of the sound.

 

You are not helping me... I am torn between my two options. Well, let me get more details from ghosthound first...

 

Thats another NAM'r that had the same setup, he actually did it before me.

What i would do for the next step is go to different exhaust shops and ask them for install prices, and the price for parts. Shop around, find the best price from a trustable shop. I was able to get my shop to match the lowest install price PLUS they were able to match that online price for the parts and have them in the next day.

I cannot stress enough how happy i am with the magnaflow... it was more than half the price of other catback systems i looked at, looks and sounds better (obviously subjective), and if i have any problems down the road, the shop is local and they back there work 100%.

Just think, if you had a problem with an aftermarket premade exhaust, you would have to take it off the car, ship it back ($$$), and then wait for it to come back, all the while you probably wouldnt be able to drive your car since you cant just stick the stock setup back on. It just makes so much sense to go with the magnaflow.