Well folks, I am thinking of getting a new cat-back exhaust for my 05' MINI cooper S. My signature below lists my performance mods....basically a CAI, 17% reduction pulley, and JCW 380's, and I'm getting a tune very soon!!
Yes, I have listened to the sticky thread and seen/listen to a few recordings....But I want real-life feedback, how livable are they for a daily driver!!
I was planning on waiting....but I am getting itchy to get it done, perhaps before spring.
Any suggestions?
I would like some opinions.....here is what I am looking for
1) Sound not too more more than stock, a deeper tone would be great!!
2) No drone....this is very important to me....I spend a-lot of time on the highway, cruising around 70-80MPH....and I have a wife and daughter who will not be happy if my car sounds like a muffler fell off!!
3)HP gain....would be nice...I know that generally the louder it is, the more gain you get...so anybody think I should just skip it?!
4)Price is always a concern...but I guess you get what you pay for...less is better, but I don't want to have to buy a new one in a couple years!!

My choices are not limited to the following, but these are the ones on my radar.....


1) Scorpion stainless steel performance exhaust system -have been sought after by tuners the world over. Now these free-flow, stainless steel systems are available in the U.S. from Bavarian Autosport! They have been engineered to deliver a horsepower boost yet not be quite as loud as other free-flow systems. And they're built to last using the best 304 stainless steel. - TUV certified.
BAV-AUTO is selling it for a very attractive $549.95, Free for me to pick-up. Currently the leader...but not much info? Any thoughts? Quality? Sound? Fit?

2)stratmosphere-catback-exhaust ------The most beautiful exhaust on the market in every way. The look, the sound, the fitment, the craftmanship. You get dialed-in fitment with hand-finished components by the builder topped off by double-chrome stainless Stratmosphere tips. This system is extremely easy to fit very quickly and behaves with a sound that everyone will enjoy. Systems are fully stainless inside and out and have been tested and verified at our USA headquarters.

Built to the same specs as the Milltek, just a cheaper price. A cheap Chinese knock off of a Milteck I think....last one Greasy (My local MINI guy) installed I understand did not fit very well, maked mw wonder about declining quality..... about $850+shipping...

3)milltek-high-flow-exhaust- The one I like best...but priced kinda High IMO...might be just out of reach....but lot of people like it!!
Developed on the dyno by Milltek Sport you have the best system we have ever seen for the Mini Cooper S.

The smoothest flow possible, larger mufflers to keep the sound level down but flow up. Your choice of tip styles. A must for anyone serious about improving performance on their Mini Cooper S with a genuine UK-manufactured system.
about $950+shipping.....OUCH!!!

4)ONE-BALL....about $50-100, cheap, simple, almost no performance gain/very little, but a bit of weight loss....I am not enamored by the sound...sounds OK (a bit tinney or hollow)...but I worry about the Rattle that many seem to have or soon acquire.

Have I missed any? Any opinions?? I have kinda stayed away from the one sided exhausts due to the drones some have.....even though their prices are VERY attractive.

Which Exhaust should I get?! Any opinions/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

I have the Scorpion from Bav Auto. I'm very happy with this system. I have gotten a few compliments on it. One guy even said it was the best sounding exhaust for the R53 that he heard. there is no drone on the highway and I cruise at 70-80 as well. It does bring out the burble though Fitment is very good as is build quality. the only thing to make sure of is that you get the hardware with it. Since you would be picking this up that'd be easy for you to do. If you'd like to hear it in person maybe we could arrange something. I'm in lower CT.

 

zip check out top of page . that sticky has some good reviews i think .

 

i like my magnaflow...its got a nice deep bass to it and even when you put your foot into the throttle it doesnt get raspy or ricey...

 

I got a Dinan and love it the only other exhaust I'll get is a JCW but it's $$$

 

[FONT=Arial]I’ve got a CAI, 15%, OBX header with stock CAT and a new Stratmosphere catback exhaust on my ‘06S. All my mods were done by me in my garage (when my wife was out of town ). There is no drone at any speed. It’s just a little louder at [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]cruising[/FONT][FONT=Arial] speed and get loudest at about 4K when it’s floored and than the intake noise is as loud to redline. I also got the GIAC 15% flash a few weeks ago. Much smoother and the hesitation taking off from a stop is gone. My wife hasn’t been in the MINI since I’ve done the exhaust mods. I had her drive it yesterday and she didn’t comment at all about the noise. Were in our 50s and not looking for attention getting noise. I think I’m done with mods, anymore power and I think I’ll need an LSD.[/FONT]

 

One word.... MILLTEK.

 

The Stratmosphere and Milltek are very similar in sound and quality--they are basically the same design manufactured at different plants. The most important aspects to a cat-back is quality and sound. Both the Milltek and Strat are pretty high quality parts, and both have excellent sound: not boomy, just a nice low sporty tone. I would get the Strat, since it is cheaper than the Milltek.

 

go with the scorpion and the money you save over the other systems will just about pay for the tune in may

 

I had a Milltek-high-flow-exhaust installed on my 05 MCS at Helix years ago after looking at all exhaust years ago. I am glad I got it and have never had a problem with it and it sounds great.

 

I don't have much first hand experience with the Scorpion or the Strat.

But the Millitek probably meets one "deeper" isn't the word I'd use but it's not stock and not overbearing, certainly meets 2, adds a few HP, but with your priority order I'd look for that from the tune, opening up the exhaust will add a little power but it's not huge gains, which brings us to 3 any changes from stock will almost always add power but if you drive it everyday making it too loud wont' be worth that trade off. 4 well the Millitek is pricey, that said a lot of people have been happy with their investment.

And if you apply what Helix said, then that would reinforce support for the Strat as well

One ball is deeper, cheaper, a few DB quieter than stock, and reliability is entirely dependent upon the quality of your technician.

One you should also consider is the JCW, deeper refined sound not too loud, little bit of power, pricey as well, and you can do the resonator delete if you want a little more volume down the road.

My bottom line recommendation is spend the money once, so relax on the urgency and meet up with some local club members if you can, hear the exhausts in person and on the highway a little bit, I think once you sample a few in person you'll hear the details you need to here and know what to do with.

 

Milltek

 

I have a milltek and I say get the strat. Don't get me wrong I love the sound of my milltek, but the quality is a little sub-par IMO. Buddy just got the strat and it sounds exactly the same, but overall build quality is top notch, plus it is cheaper.

 

Go with the Stratmosphere you won't be sorry. The quality is A1, it makes good torque, good sound and NO drone. You can get the milltek, but it will be the same thing just cost you a little more.

The Stratmosphere is such a good exhaust that we keep them on the shelf, it costs us more, but it's better for us to ensure we always have them available.

 

Way, I see from your website that the Milltek fits the R52. If the Statmosphere is the same design, will it also work

 

Powertone

 

Invidia Exhausts seem pretty nice.

But I am going to get a magnaflow when the time comes. Can't been the price.

 

I have the Invidia and it's not loud (even with my RMW header), has no drone, was cheap (around 650 bucks), and provided a decent hp gain I suppose

 

Sorry the Milltek has a bend in it to clear the rear bracing on the cabrio. Stratmosphere doesn't have the bend for the cabrio.

 

so it's been almost 2 months later and what was your decision...i'm currently looking into exhausts myself and the milltek was one that popped out to me...also the hamann and ac schnitzer...i love those sounds but the prices are a little high, but i still believe you get what you pay for

 

Well....to make a long story short...I love the Milltek...but the Stratmosphere is a bit eassier to justify (they so so similar...they are basically the same)....But in the end...The cost of the upcomming tune, the flash tool...(along with a spare SC I picked up for a great price) with the Exhaust added..will just be a bit too much .
The $$ per HP is too high to justify.....just to get the better sound. The others I considered just don't make the cut...the prices are better...but I believe in buying what you want, and buy it once, and be happy. So maybe by the end of summer....it will cost me more in the end with the update to the tune....but at this point, I just don't want to have to buy it unless I have the cold hard cash to do it.
Thanks for the help...and sorry about not updating this thread....I just kept hoping to get som extra OT before the tune to get it done. But as we all know, life sometimes delays our best laid plans. But family trumps the hobby...heck..maybe somebody in my local club will be selling an r53 and reverting to stock...so we can swap some weekend!
Thanks again folks!

 

I plan on attending the tune day at swift. So you will be able to see what the scorpion exhaust sounds like.

 

tune day at swift? may i ask for more info...i'd love to meet some people on here and see/hear what people have

 

In the second gen forums, there is a thread, about a 3 day tuning event beaing held in Norwich CT....has the dates, etc...it is a weekday tune.
I think a bunch of the Massmotoringclub folks will be there...and a few us us NH folks too!
Pete from Greasy's garage should be dropping in to...along with a few others. Greasy's garage just moved to a bigger, better location..he runs a very Mini centric garage...good place to have stuff done in much of mass/nh. He is over in "Wooster"....lol, I can do the accent ok when I type.
I like to hear the scorpian in person again...I just decide it wasn't what I was looking for, but it does have great bang for the $$.

 

Good luck finding one.