I am looking to install a nice exhaust. I would like to know everyone's opinion.
I have a Cooper S.

I don't want the rice burner sound that's for sure. I want that nice sweet autocross/racing sound while looking good as well.

Thanks.
Jarrad

 

Borla race/sport. Easy install. Great aggressive louder sound. Good power increase. 1,000,000 mile warranty.

-joe

 

there is an ultimate exhaust thread here on NAM and on Mini2 posted by ABTsportline, do a search for "ultimate exhaust" or something along those lines and it should come up.

 

Scorpion isn't nearly the rip-off that most of the other systems worshipped here, and it was easy to install.

 

>>Borla race/sport. Easy install. Great aggressive louder sound. Good power increase. 1,000,000 mile warranty. :smile:

 

hello all, I just recieved and installed a Borla race system on Brutus... sounds f-in badass. Go to ebay and search for "mini cooper borla", if your interested. I got mine for $630. shipped 2nd day for free. motor on!

 

There's a thread on here listed as the "2004 Dragon exhaust Shootout" that has sound clips from about 10 different systems. You'll find it in the National events forum.

 

>>I am looking to install a nice exhaust. I would like to know everyone's opinion.
>>I have a Cooper S.
>>
>>I don't want the rice burner sound that's for sure. I want that nice sweet autocross/racing sound while looking good as well.

jdemaria,

This is a common question for both MC and MCS owners. Recently I asked the same question for my Nissan Maxima since my stock exhaust sorted distintegrated after 108,000 miles. Probably it fell apart a long time ago but I'm hard of hearing now from blasting my MCS custom audio system so I thought the Maxima was fine until I looked under the car after a hard track day event.

It all boils down to your perception of what you want. The factors are-
Price-Prices range from about $500 to $1200 (supersprint). Most are in the $700-$800 range.
Muffler only vs Cat-back system- Most of us do cat-back systems since they are simple bolt ons and can be done by a shop in one hour for about $70-80 or by a handy mechanical person with jackstands (takes longer about 2 hours).

Exhaust note at Wide open throttle- Can be moderate (UUC, Milltek, Quicksilver, Borla Street) to really loud (Magnaflow, Borla Race) to quiet (stock, JCW kit exhaust)
Exhaust note from the interior as you drive- This is an important one because often people mention if an exhaust drones or hums with a low tone constantly at a given speed or throttle setting. Droning drives some people nuts but it is just a resonation of the tone of the exhaust at a given speed. Exhaust know to drone more are Magnaflow, Boral race, Quicksilver. UUC and Milltek to a small extent. Borla Street , stock and JCW kit-no drone.
Exhaust note at idle- Can be moderately loud (magnaflow, Quicksilver, UUC, Borla race) to quiet (Milltek, stock, JCW kit)
Exhaust noise extras- Burbling happens as you decelerate- most do burble except for stock.
Quality/Warranty-most cat-back systems are of higher quality but fitment on the MCS can vary a bit with some pipes that are offcenter or tilted/crooked.
Real power gains- Probably there is less power to be gained than claims would suggest. About 5-6 HP and 6 lb-ft of torque as an average. Magnaflow, Borla Race and Milltek are a bit more with UUC and Quicksilver close behind
How does it fit with your other mods- If you do only intake and exhaust then it doesn't matter if you choose a restrictive exhaust (quicksilver, JCW kit exhaust, Borla street) or a more free flowing exhaust (magnaflow, Borla race, UUC, Milltek). If you do the reduction pulley and larger intercooler/throttlebody and exhaust header then you'd want a free flowing exhaust for better breathing of the entire system.

Looks- Very subjective from single vs double muffler systems vs tips vs Stainless steel or not.
Weight- Single sided systems are about 20-22 pounds which is half the stock MCS weight for the exhaust. Most double sided aftermarket systems are about 32-34 pounds.
Do it yourself mod- The so called "One baller" is a simple $80 mod done by a good exhaust shop to chop off the pipe that leads to the muffler that lies after the first right handed turn after the resonator (right rear tire area). The center pipe is then welded with a new left turn pipe to the remaining left hand muffler (near the left rear tire area).
This effectively removes the right rear muffler and pipe and you loose weight and it may help the exhaust note a little and maybe affect power a little but don't expect much. HELIX13.com does sell the stock MCS exhaust already modded like this done on a jig with a mandrel bend for the new elbow but it is almost $300.

So your best bet is to go out to a MINI event and listen to the exhausts in person. They do sound, look , and cost different. Think about your budget and what you are going to use the MCS for- street (quiet), commuting (no droning) , autocross (more mid range RPM power), or track events (more high rpm power). Look at the video or sound clips but they aren't always accurate. Fortunately I don't think any of the major choices in MINI exhausts are like a Honda.

Some ideas for you. If price is no problem then look at the UUC, Milltek, and new Rspeed.com MCS exhausts.
If you like loud, free flowing and powerful then Magnaflow and Borla Race (also known as Borla Sport) is worth a look.
If you like light weight then single muffler systems are- Quicksilver and Alta
If you like quiet with just a bit more exhaust note and more power then -Borla Street and Milltek are good.
If you want the most flexible design for track use then see Supersprint from Promini.com

The JCW kit exhaust comes with the $5500-$6000 JCW kit and is now available separately for over $1000.
You can buy a used one sometimes for less. It looks really nice but doesn't give that much loudness nor power.

The newcomer is the two MCS exhausts from Rspeed. Check those out.
Have fun.



_________________
Aloha Hawaii

 

This thread moved from Interior and exterior mods to Performance Mods.

 

>>hello all, I just recieved and installed a Borla race system on Brutus... sounds f-in badass. Go to ebay and search for "mini cooper borla", if your interested. I got mine for $630. shipped 2nd day for free. motor on!

We are going to have to compare my Magnaflow to your Borla Race when we meet. My car should get here sometime between June 6th - 15th. Mods should be on at the latest June 31st. Then I must meet Brutus!!

 

>>
>>The problem with the Borla is that it only comes witha 1,000,000 mile warranty while others come with a lifetime warranty. I guess Borla doesn't think there is as good or will hold up as long. :smile:

I can give you a lifetime warranty on anything.........You call me when it brakes and I come and kill you

Actullay if they give a million mile warranty it will probably last two million miles.

Earl

 

check out the sounds that are on this site .
they realy have done all your work for you, you can listen to about 7 deferent exhaust system.........
i have brola race (sport) very happy...........

 

I love my UUC and it's definitely one of the loudest (and the best sounding, IMO). But it's kind of expensive. If cost is at all an option and from what you're looking to get one for (autocross, etc...), I'd recommend the Borla Race also. My brother has one and it looks great and sounds good as well.

 

Thank you all for the great input especially minihune for the very nice response. Helped me secure a decsion to go with the Maganflow.

Thanks.

 

burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble burble

Mmhmm....

 

>>Borla race/sport. Easy install. Great aggressive louder sound. Good power increase. 1,000,000 mile warranty.
>>
>>-joe

I will second that. And if you add the Miltek header...WHOA...does it sound good. Problem is that everyone will know your WOT

 

Anyone combined a Milltek header with Magnaflow cat-back? is it even possible?

 

in case no one else pointed it out, the "exhaust reference thread" by ABTsportsline is a sticky at the top of this forum..... good read!

 

Don't forget the Milltek for sure. From what our customers are saying, few systems avoid cabin drone while commuting. Heck, even the OEM system does a bit. We keep these in stock and so does Webb Motorsports (headers too!). -Pete, Stratmosphere. Toll Free 1-866-533-1777
www.stratmosphere.com/milltek_mini.htm

 

Go with the Magnaflow, you will love the sound...it's addictive. You will end up driving with the radio/cd player off and the windows down.

 

Now, if they would just do something about those tips...

-joe

 

There IS a plus side to those tips... and thats when you see it, you KNOW its Magnaflow.

 

I think most of the systems are overpriced and not worth the money. The ones that don't seem like rip offs are the Scorpion and RSpeed. I think the best set up is an inexpensive straight through exhaust. Eliminating the battery box and running a small light weight battery is required. But there is substanial weight savings and puts the weight in the centerline of the car which eliminates swing weight.

 

>>Anyone combined a Milltek header with Magnaflow cat-back? is it even possible?
Not only possible, it is wonderful. Mellows the sound of the Magnaflow and raises the pitch slightly. Smooth sound, still loud.

 

go with the 'flow it's the schweeeeeeeeeeetest sound you'll hear coming out of a Mini!