you need to think long term about headers,
and the possible combinations....

 

I have a Milltek header/cat with a Magnaflow cat back exhaust. It's rather loud, but with no drone. Have had it since 2003 on my 2002 MCS. I love it - conversation at 70 mph is not a problem. I've had several people compare it to an Indy car sound wise - Ryphile was the first to make the comparison. If burble and pop is music to your ears, this is the setup for you.

 

I am a fan of my alta stealth. the 10whp wasn't a bad thing either.

 

if you want to do something that doesn't cost to much money and that sound pretty cool do this

 

its more expensive, but the RMW it truly the best performance wise, and IMO, sounds the best as well. The exhaust is hand built though, and comes with the header (im not sure if you can jsut get the exhaust) and also has custom hand made mufflers, and runns in the $2k range, btu if i wasnt a teenager withougt a job, its what i would save for and buy.
just listen to it!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz5OobKrG0A
this one is a lil different, but its his latest design, although as i said different because its for the rmw stroker TVS
but you can listen to it at 1:27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFVUv...eature=related

and a few more
not sure if this is the exhaust as well, but i know it has the header
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvgBY...e=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tVGe...eature=channel

 

I have always believed Jeff Ireland to sell performance parts that don't hurt your wallet, yet really work. This is why I went with the Ireland Engineering exhaust. $380 shipped !!! I'm not complaining.

 

and where to get the RMW headers and exhaust from europe?

 

I did have a One-Ball for a while... I guess at the time I liked it but I finally broke down and had Waylen (from Way Motor Works) install a Miltek on my 2006 MCS. All I can say is WOW... It is a world of difference. The Miltek is actually a nice sounding exhaust and I haven't noticed a drone at any speed yet, but when you get into the throttle it produces a nice rich deep tone. Not at all hollow sounding like the One-Ball...

When the Muffler shop did my One-Ball, I don't know why, they took off the hanging hardware and brackets... Waylen was good enough to find some extra and put them back on my MINI. I could only imagine how much they would be if I had to get them at the dealer. So if you do go the One-Ball route get your hardware...

But, for my $.02... Go for the Miltek... It's worth every $.02...

~MD~

 

thanks, i asked to my dealer and he told me that the Alta exhaust is better than the Miltek, i asked for the miltek, alta, borla and JCW exhaust, and he told me to get better the Alta

 

I haven't seen an Alta exhaust up close but I did help Waylen take the Miltek out of the box and I got a good look at it while he was installing it... The Miltek is a little more expensive for a reason I guess... It was really well put together. I have heard an Alta exhaust at the Dragon last year. It's a little louder and not as deep sounding as the Miltek. The Alta that I heard reminds me of a Honda (no offence to any Alta owners...).

Again this is just my $.02

~MD~

 

That's weird, because it's actually easier to leave the brackets on. Hopefully they didn't scam them for another MINI.

 

I wouldn't doubt it... The shop is now closed...

 

Not that I have the money for a Miltek, but I'm not a big fan of it. I really don't care for the sound. The tips on my Ireland aren't that great, but I definitely don't care for the trumpet style tips on the Miltek. I would take an Alta, especially since it is single sided, but I couldn't get past the price. I am, however waiting patiently to see what the boys at IE are cooking up for the the new tip design for their exhaust !!!

 

Was it a custom shop? There's usually lots of custom shops in towns, with only one being reputable.

 

It was. They did a lot of Hot Rod stuff...

 

What is MINIs policy regarding non-stock exhaust ? Will they deny your warranty if it is changed ? Would the JCW system be better to protect it ?

 

I have an Alta 2.5 and love it, no drone, only loud on WOT. Its an everyday driver. Mine definitely doesn't sound like a Honda, and you save weight with the Alta because its a single sided exhaust.

 

I've been told my ALTA sounds quieter and deeper than a Miltek (by a MIltek owner). Never heard anyone say it sounded like a Honda. That is totally laughable. Because you didn't see it up close, are you sure it was an ALTA?

 

A catback exhaust is such a simple mod, that they probably wouldn't deny warranty work on something engine related. However, exhaust related, they might try and throw a b.s. flag at you. When my 2003 Cooper tripped a code, I scanned it. It was a problem with the O2 sensor. The light kept coming on and then it would go off. MINI said they wouldn't do anything about it because it had and aftermarket exhaust on it. I just pulled the O2 sensor off and cleaned it and it fixed the problem. If you go header back, they probably would deny some warranty work. A catback, probably not, but this varies from dealer to dealer. There are some mod friendly dealers out there.

 

Milteks aren't as aggressive sounding as Alta's are, at least not to me.

 

Thanks I'll investigate the dealer friendliness

 

Warranty coverage cannot be denied simply because aftermarket parts are present on the vehicle, or have been used. The warranty coverage can be denied only if the aftermarket part caused the malfunction or damage for which warranty coverage is sought
http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=50096

 

I don't want this to go off topic, I could see them saying a blown engine was a result of the aftermarket exhaust. At some point this year, I want to change Wensley's exhaust but I'm leaning towards the JCW since it will not be something MINI could say caused a warranty issue and it will not depreciate the car's value as aftermarket parts will. I went through that with my Drag car, all that money and parts and I basically gave it away....

I'm not after ultimate power, just want a little more burble and rumble.

 

It is illegal for them say something like that, but if your that worried about it then go with the jcw

 

lol, it just dawned on me, i have no idea why this thread is on here just a heads up, look in the sticky posts and click on the MCS exhaust reference thread. all info and video links are in there for most of the known exhausts.