Hey all,

I'm a new member here at NAM despite following the forums for some time. However, I'm shopping for a new exhaust for my 2003 MCS and I'm looking for some input. I've got 50000 miles on my daily-driver and have just recently started to modify my Mini. Now I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here because I've seen numerous exhaust threads on here.

What I'm looking for is rather specific input. I think I've narrowed my search to the Borla Street exhaust or the MiniMadness V2 exhaust. I'm looking for info from people that have had direct contact with both of these that can compare the two. I'm looking for an exhaust that has a nice deep throaty tone, but won't annoy the neighbors (ie not ricey and not too loud). Also important are the fitment and of course increased performance.

I've heard mixed input on the Borla, which seems to boil down to not much improvement over stock. If that's true, please let me know, but it seems hard to believe for a $900 setup (and I love the polished look of those tips). I've heard a lot of good reviews for the Madness, but seems too good to be true (and I'm not crazy about the slash tips).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Drive on!

 

The exhaust for the R53 is pretty standard now. Check out the Stratmosphere or Milltek exhaust. They are the best. They make great torque gains, are about 20lbs lighter than the stock exhaust, all stainless steel so it won't rust, and the sound at idle is just a little louder, but when you get in it you have a nice tone not a rice burner sound, and NO drone on the highway. They are basicly the same exhaust, just the stratmosphere is $100 cheaper. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

i love my milltek.. for 5 years now

 

Hey Way,
Do you know if Stratmosphere has worked out their fitment/clearance kinks. I was reading early posts about people having issues with the mid-section hanging down much lower than the stock exhaust posing some clearance issues. Do you know if this was ever addressed?

 

I've probaly sold 30 or so of them and only had 1 guy that had an issue, and I think it was just with his car. Everyone we put on fit fine, there is always a little adjustment to make to get the tips just how you want, but the stratmosphere exhaust is a no brainer GREAT exhaust.

 

I'm happy to hear this since I just ordered a Stratmosphere exhaust from you. Looking forward to receiving and installing it.

Eric

 

Stay away from the madness exhaust. Very poor quality and they have a nasty habit of not supporting their products after the sale.

OBX is another great alternative.

 

and its way cheaper. its less then $300 shipped lol
from what ive read its probably one of the better cheap exhausts for our car. though I have not read anything about hp gains .

on a related note ive always made out alright on OBX products in the past on other cars but i cant speak for this specific exhaust

 

It's already on it's way, please post back on your opinion when you get it.