So I've read many threads on this and haven't found a conlusive answer. The question: Is there any reportable drone at any speed with the Invidia Q300 exhaust? Sounds like the Alta has none, but it may not be as good/deep sounding as the Invidia. If there is no droning, it sounds like the Invidia might be the best bang for the buck?

 

Depends on who you ask it seems.

Some people think its the loudest thing ever and that it drones badly.

I was the first one to put on the Invidia and I've loved it since day one. It's only gotten better. In my opinion, its the deepest available, and has good amount of volume which makes it worth your money. Slight kick in performance as well.

There is no drone really. I can see what some people might think is somewhat of a drone, but it only happens when you accelerate...even if you're accelerating to the slightest degree. The tone of the exhaust just has a deep, agressive, resonating frequency. The R56 has a very quiet exhaust, and I think the Invidia could be even louder, but the simple nature of a turbocharged engine prevents that. I've even taken it off for a few days just to see how much louder running an open downpipe would be, and honeslty thats not even that loud. My R53 with Invidia and OBX header was louder than that.

I think the vast majority of people with an Invidia will tell you that they love it and that they recommend it....I know I do!

 

just like thumper, i love the invidia, even though its quiet (to me)

I guess what people consider drone is any ''noise'', but on the freeway there is a slight hum around 75mph, but nothing major. it all boils down to preference and what you consider drone/annoying,

ad btw, putting the back seats up makes it quieter =]

 

Not to beat a dead horse but since you asked I feel I need to defend my position.

The term drone gets thrown around a lot and can encompass many different perceived things. To me it is a constant, loud (ie it distorts my music, and makes it hard to hear myself talk in the car), resonance of sound. In my experience the exhaust is absolutely perfect while it's cold. I get the nice deep aggressive growl without the aforementioned "drone" at speed. Once the exhaust is up to temp things change a little. At highway speeds (around 75mph) as long as I keep the throttle relatively balanced there is no real sound from the exhaust. Once you give it a little gas though a pervasive buzzing invades the cabin and I have to grit my teeth until I'm done passing.

This seems to occur around 3k rpms in 6th gear. The sound is much more enjoyable in the upper ranges and barely noticeable in the lower. It's only around the operating rpms that there is a problem.

what are you looking to do with your car? Do you want a sleeper with a little attitude, or do you want something that will defiantly draw attention to yourself?

Also, it has been suggested that my exhaust just may not be as good a quality as others which is causing my different opinion.

Sound aside, there is better throttle response and slightly more power on the low end (guessing that the turbo is spooling up a little quicker).

 

i religiously use cruise control =] not sure if that helps or anything

 

are you saying the invidia is the exhaust that will draw attention? I probably want a little less noice than that. Thinking the Alta Catback or have a local or exhaust depot build me something to my liking?? Any thoughts on the alta oval tip? can't decide if I like the oval tip or dual. Oval is definitly different.

 

I ordered the chrome oval tip. It's a xmas present though so I won't have it on the car til then. Adam uploaded a bunch of pictures sunday. The pictures are of the stealth version on the car (lloyd).

 

I don't think it draws attention. Like I said, any exhaust you put on this car is pretty quiet by nature, even a straight pipe. I rarely see people looking in my direction when I'm driving in a parking lot or garage or driving by. Compared to my R53, where people would turn their heads when they heard it.

The Invidia has a such subtle sound to me. Listen to the videos, or better yet, find one to hear in person. If you're located in the Los Angeles area, you are more than welcome to go for a ride in mine.

 

i wish i could find someone in Reno that had one, but I don't know anyone who even has an upgraded exhaust. and, it's hard to compare on the internet. I don't think it does sound justice. I'm just a little leary of any sort of droning or loud noise at constant speed due to it being a daily commuter. I want to hear it on acceleration for the most part. Maybe that's not possible to have both. Do you think the alta is too quiet?? It has to be louder/deeper than stock right? But will I at least hear it?

 

..a dual tipped Alta (stealth) after reading the review in NAM Alliance. I got it from Coast to Coast. Good price and local to me. The review description was what I was looking for.

 

Yes, I think the Alta is too quiet. I'm sure you'll hear it, but the ones I've heard are just too quiet. The Invidia could be louder too. But aside from going custom, I feel it gives the best change in sound. I would have gone custom, but I was able to get the Invidia for dirt cheap and seeing how much I loved the one I had on my R53, I had to jump on it. And I'm glad I did...I love it.

My MINI is my daily driver and the Invidia is not annoying at all. I also routinely travel between Los Angeles and Phoenix with it and its not a problem on that long drive either.

 

so thumper...you would of went custom huh? with a magnaflow? do you feel they are louder than the invidia?

 

im having same problem cant decide

 

do what i did, buy know think later=p anyways, its pretty quiet, i just got back from a drive, i didnt notice anything =]

when i first got it the lady friend was "really? you have one of those pipes? I dont believe you" haha

 

exactly. Just buy the thing already!

Yea, one of my "lady friends" did not notice the difference from when I was driving around with a straight pipe, to when I put the Invidia muffler back on. Which I guess makes the case that the Invidia has a bit of volume...but not really:

My parents rode in the car with the Invidia on it, and they said to me "I thought you said you put an aftermarket exhaust on the car??"