Presently I have a 2006 MCS with all the usual mods/tune. It has the Borla

race/sport exhaust. I will be selling it next year to get a new R59. My

question is what aftermarket exhaust has the best sound. I have heard the

Borla race for the R56 and was not too impressed. What else is out there

for a good sound and of course more HP. Thanks.

 

factory jcw is the best

 

Looking for noise and power? I'd suggest DDM werks and Stratmosphere.

 

I've said it once and I'll say it again, I think you're better off getting a custom fabricated exhaust from a local hot rodder. It'll fit perfect, you can pick whatever muffler you want, and it will probably be cheaper.

I have the DDMWorks and it is very nice, but if you want to lighten up your ride you should check out Invidia or Stratmosphere. Both have 2.5" piping instead of 3". The only reason I chose 3" is because I needed something right away for my daily driver.

 

Like countryboyshane said, go with exhaust and you will not regret.

Based on my own experience. I went to whole custom exhaust line for my R52S (header and exhaust). The header is 4-1, high flow cat, with heavy duty flex (enable to hold 500hp) and 2.5" tube to exhaust. The exhaust is 2.5", 18inches Hushpower II resonator, split in two with 2", 2x Vibrant Ultra Quiet resonators.

2 last weekend ago was the Formula1 GP in Montreal. The 1st night (friday), I went there by walking and I saw many super exotic cars (Ferrari, Lambo and Aston Martin) and many "ricers" on Ste-Catherine street. Next day, I picked up my MINI from the exhaust shop (they just made me the header). So, I wanted to test the sound of my new custom header with my custom exhaust. In evening, on Ste-Catherine street, I let passed in front of me a JCW R56 (a MINI dealer wanted to promote his car) and he started to raise the rev. of his engine to let hear his exhaust sound. Behind him, I did the same. He did again it. And I did it again. I saw his reaction in his R56. He was like "WTF, is it a MINI behind me doing that!!". Few corners later, he changed lane and we were at the same level and we chatted. 1st of all, he said: "Man, I love your MINI. What's the brand of your exhaust? It sounds so nice and loud." He was surprised when I replied to him all my exhaust line (header+ exhaust) was custom made by a local shop. Also, walking people and people in cars turned around their heads to try to find where that exhaust sound came out. I guess they tried to search for a super exotic car, but there werent around. Then they realised the sound came out from my MINI: They were like "WTF". Later, a Ferrari F430 fly-by next to me and rev. his engine, I did the same too... and I found out the exhaust sound of both cars could sound similar, but mine was a tone louder.

I don't have any sound clip for now but I will make some soon.

I like my custom exhaust line and I wouldnt go back!

Here is the link for pictures of the exhaust line:
http://www.rawtekinc.com/Mathieu%27s...ooper%20S.html

 

You are not going to get an extremely loud exhaust for an r56/r59 because the turbo is going to suck up a lot of the sound. A manifold, downpipe, and exhaust will definitely louden it up.

 

So many delicious sounding aftermarket exhaust systems..

I'm leaning towards the borla aggressive and the alta 2nd gen, but only because I like the crackle and pop it makes.

 

Agreed. It's just awesome, can't enough of that sound but it's not cheap either.

 

Just say no to Alta buddy. They are only getting bigger, looking for cheap suppliers, and smoke to blow up your ***.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh2GK...eature=related

 

Thanks for the misinformation Countryboy. I am guessing you meant to say just say no to ALTA. We actually haven't changed our material suppliers for our exhaust EVER (same since before 2000). If anything our exhausts have only been getting better. Redesigning the hangers, increasing the thickness of the downpipe and changing the resonator to ensure a perfect fit. To this day we still use V-band clamps to ensure a great gasketless seal. Most companies use cheap slip fits, and others use slightly more expensive flanges and gaskets. NOBODY else uses this expensive type of connection. To say we are using cheap suppliers is just nonsense. We have been more price competitive in recent history, but that is not to say we are "cheaping out". Our cost in this system have gone up since its inception, but we have not transferred this to the consumer.
PS here is a video I made of our turboback exhaust on our JCW!

 

I will commend you on your marmon flanges. But gees how long did it take to get that giant resonator fitted and sized right?! I remember when I had mine how many hours I spent trying to bend the heatshield just the right way to avoid all the ruckus.

 

I'm not sure what marmon means but thanks for the commendation. We started to change out the resonators in mid 09ish. We can dwell on the negative of the old resonators or praise the new ones...I think positive is better!

 

A marmon clamp is another name for v-band.

 

Heavy metal,your exhaust system looks sweet.Wish all the shops could do beautiful work as the one that did your.

 

I wish I had a sound clip but I just had a local shop fab up a catback with a magnaflow muffler. The muffler I chose had the twin tips on it already so it looks stock, the tips are a little bigger though. Sounds perfect in my opinion, nice tone to it and it is loud without being annoying.