Finally got my hands on the Milltek decat downpipe! (Part no. MSM321REP)

I ordered my part via Pumaspeed.co.uk (one of Milltek's main distributor in UK) as this was the cheapest option for someone living in New Zealand.

Part: GBP £145.80
Shipping: GBP £70.00
Subtotal: GBP £215.80

I have to say I was not overall impressed with their service, I specifically asked if the part was in-stock before placing the order on 11th September but it turned out they didn't. So part wasn't available to ship until the 30th...once shipped via FedEx, it reached my door two days later.

Nonetheless it reached me safe and sound, on a positive note, they've done a phenomenal job with the packaging! I mean they even bubble-wrapped my invoice?!









I'm no expert at telling the quality of welds, see photos to judge for yourself.









Next stop I'll get it ceramic coated before installation then stage 2 map, will get before & after dyno figures if I have money to spare after paying my bills.

Stay tuned.

 

Can also make a sound clip if anyone is interested to see how the exhaust will sound with this bad boy fitted on a JCW R58.

 

I am not impressed by the quality of welds at all.
If you like to see the best welds, go to Full Race but they don't do Minis

 

i dont want to knock your purchase but i have seen better welds on ebay headers and test pipes then i have on that down pipe

im sure its fine, just it isnt clean

 

Yeah it definitely ain't eye candy... But not too fussed since it won't be in my vision once its installed, let's just hope it won't be a let down performance-wise.

 

I've been running that pipe for over a year. I had to swap it out recently for a smog check. It went back it the next day. It's solid, works perfectly. Good enough for me.

 

I'm not sure I like the welds on the inside of the mounting plate that goes onto the turbo. That leaves a bit of gaping that heated air can obstruct. May not be a lot, but little things like that would bother me.

 

Just got the downpipe coated in Cermakrome inside-out, be installing it very shortly.

 

Looks a lot better now that you had it coated hiding the ugliness underneath, but hey it's a fully functional downpipe and that's what matters most.

 

Milltek decat downpipe in, MINI downpipe out!

First impression - Loud. Very loud. Very very loud. It backfires like crazy now, but loving the exhaust note!

Throttle response has improved and I can feel the turbo spool up quicker now. Power-wise, without a tune I don't think you'll see much gain... Also my CEL hasn't lit up yet.





Next stop, install the intercooler then stage 2 map!

 

Had another productive day, manage to fit in the Forge intercooler.

Got it second hand from a bloke living in Australia for a pretty good deal, first thing I did after it arrived was a good flush and a couple of leak repairs at my local radiator shop.

I already had plans to get it painted black for a stealth look, but soon discovered something called the TLTD coating (a thermal dispersant coating). Suppose to increase intercooler's efficiency by a little bit, with a black finishing colour. So two birds one stone, I got it coated.

Bumper off, stock intercooler in - Quite fiddly trying to get that JCW bumper off, broke a clip and couple of expanding rivets in the process. Not to mention it took me nearly two hours trying to work out how to get that thing off.



Comparison shots of the stock IC vs Forge IC.







Forge intercooler in, very easy to install, a true direct bolt on.



Also replaced the stock cold and hot side pipes with NM pipes, no photos but note I found the stock cold side a bit tricky to uninstall - well, fiddly more than tricky once again, loads of WD-40 will help.

 

That is so sexy... I can't wait to get my DP and FMIC paired with a new JCW body kit on my 07' S... makes me even more excited just seeing it on other people's stuff lol!!

 

Do it! I guarantee you will not regret doing it. Keep in mind, de-catted downpipes are really loud...I didn't expect it to be this loud, can easily hear me from a kilometre away now...

 

ECU opened up on the bench and stage two map loaded in, thanks to NZ Performance Tuning.


Now just waiting to put the car on dyno to see how much horsepower he's pushing.

 

I'm ok with loud buddy... lol... everything I've heard is FMIC + DP + Exhaust.. is about the only thing bolt on worth money for performance. Well a tune after of course! Looking good by the way.. can't wait to see the dyno run and #'s!