Im Pretty new to this site. I havent made a posted yet to be quite honest.. but im having trouble picking a cat back exhaust for my 2006 cooper s.. sound and proformance are key for me..
(Borla and mini madness M7 exhaust have been on my mind)

 

Do a search on this topic, you will find pages of information.

 

And a thread with several hundred samples of sounds!!
Some are getting very rare...
As with any car that is out of production, your oprions may be limited by what remains on the shelves...
Remember, custom is always an option, as is the stratosphere/Milteck exaust, amount the best sounding, and best performing IMO without a highway drone or "ricer" sound!!

 

ALTA Performance recently re-released their exhaust and its one of my favorites
http://www.altaperformance.com/produ...Exhaust-System-

 

When I bought mine it had a Borla Street exhaust. It gives the car a nice euro sound, not the fart cannon. It is not too loud at idle yet you'll hear it when you punch it.

I've heard the stock vs Borla and it seems much to be a much better sound. What ever you decide keep as close to the stock setup as possible. Changing to a single muffler or getting rid of the resonators will give you the fart cannon. But you can buy a cheap honda for that... lol

 

Exhaust is a trade-off of loudness verse interior drone.
I like the Borla Sport for sound and performance but it can drone at certain crising RPMs. I like the Stratmospere/Milltek for better sound/performance than stock with no drone. However, Strat/Milltek does not sound as good as the Borla Sport. Strat/Milltek are louder than JCW exhaust but quieter than Borla Sport.

 

I had the Milltek and loved it, great quality and sound with no drone.

 

I made 262whp with a one ball exhaust. Cost of $40 bux.

 

Excellent point you brought up - The Dreaded DRONE..

I too, am looking for an R53 exhaust. Wondering if the JCW exhaust drones??? On a muscle car I owned, I had a Flowmaster catback exhaust system. The drone at highway speeds (2500 - 3000rpm) was unbearable. I would avoid driving the car for highway trips, just because of the drone Couldn't use the cell phone on speaker, couldn't think....just couldn't..

The stock R53 is whisper quiet inside - lol - want to keep it quiet inside. Any ideas anyone???

 

Give the one-ball some credit!
Oneball-cheap alternative that gives sound and 3-4 hp
Catback-If you wanna spend the money and get more sound, more hp

 

Do the one ball first...if you don't like it...then the catback.

 

Dude get a MAGNAFLOW!!! you wont regret it..... if you want sound get that.

 

What other mods do you have?

 

Thanks for all the help.. YouTube videos offer decent sound clips but you can't determine if theres drone at cruising speeds..

 

If I were buying a catback, I would go with the Stratmospere or Miltek from WMW. Not having a loud drone at highway speeds is very important to me.

 

Hope you find what you're looking for in an exhaust.

The highway drone is a deal-breaker for me. Yes, I'd love to have my MINI sound like the one in the JCW showroom vid, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abjPk...B76BA&index=11 but right now, cruising in 6th gear in my MINI is oh so pleasant.

 

I'm with you on the highway cruise!

 

any body with the miltek have problems w. Too much popping?

 

any body with the miltek have problems w. Too much popping?

 

Rmw head,19%, rmw race cam, stock ic, one ball, 440injectors, rmw street header. I had a magnaflow before and it was too loud that is why I went to a one ball. Dyno tuned it and lost very little tq.

New magnaflow is 600bux plus.
Do a one ball for under 60 bux. Cam for 500 installed.pulley for 300ish installed. Intake cone from pep boys for 30bux. Don't waste 200 unless you want it to look nice under your hood. Tune it for 350 plus dyno time and you will be much happier then just an expensive exhaust.

 

Nice modifications! Your MINI must be FUN to drive.

 

Thank you. Its an blast.

 

That is a good place to start. Talk to Way at WMW and think about your priorities on what you want from the exhaust.

Miltek does not excessively pop. It's fine.

One ball is cheap but basically just reduces weight by making the dual exhaust into a single sided one.

Borla can be pricey and has many clamps and pieces which makes fitment and leaks more to watch for.

Ebay has some MINI exhausts to look for, some used. Selection varies.

Best is to go to your local MINI event and listen to some exhausts in person.

For a power upgrade exhaust is not a really big source or gains. More likely you will reduce weight as the biggest advantage.

 

Hands down go with the Stratmosphere or Milltek, they are the same system, just the strat is cheaper. And actually we have the Strat for $750 right now so it's an even better deal. But more so the fit and finish is also top notch. This system will make great torque and NO drone. Ask anyone that has one you won't find an unhappy customer. And it will install much easier than most other systems.

 

I have a JCW exhaust and haven't noticed any drone...