I just installed a Milltek catback on my 2006 R53, and I'm trying really hard to not regret the decision.

I needed to replace the stock exhaust, and started looking for something that would be only slightly louder than stock. After watching several dozen YouTube videos and an untold number of forum posts, it was clear that the resonated Milltek catback was the closest to stock, with a nice deep burble, no drone and a decent little power boost.

Armed with this knowledge I pulled the trigger and ordered it from Outmotoring. Waited two weeks for the delivery and had my mechanic install it. Go to pick it up. Looks great.

And it sounds awful. There is an intense buzzing/droning from just off idle to about 4000 RPM. It sounds like every single body panel is resonating.

I tried to tell myself it sounds fine, but multiple drives in, the reality is inescapable.

What is going on here? Everything I read about this system led me to believe it would be a big improvement, and now I feel like I've ruined my car. Help!

 

Firstly can you articulate what big improvement are you expecting. Most folks install aftermarket exhaust for louder and sportier sound. If you want a quiet car, you probably should stay with stock, or do a one-ball mod.

Your vibration and buzzing may well be caused by poor installation and some part of the exhaust touching something. It is very easy to do. Lastly your part may have a loose internal baffle which is not unheard of.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I was definitely looking for a sportier exhaust note. If I wanted it to be as quiet as stock, I'd have replaced it with an OEM system. I wanted a deeper tone, a bit louder than stock but not obnoxious. I read a number of online posts where people complained that the Milltek was too quiet, but I figured it's better to err on the side of too quiet than too loud. So yes, I like the deeper tone; it's the buzzing and booming that's the problem.

I went ahead and put the back end up on ramps to see how the installation looks. All in all it looks pretty solid, but it does look like it may be touching the bracket/brace just aft of the resonator (photo follows). Is this the source of my problem? If so, what's the best way around the issue?

 

Whose yellow ramps look like the one I have in my backyard.

Your photo does not show well where it is touching. Exhaust touching anything is the cause of the worst kind of experience, unless you want you car to ride and sound like a race car.

I chose non-resonated as I want to avoid potential interference/touching in the tight exhaust tunnel of the Mini.

You might try to lossen some of the clamps and re-align the pieces to get the best clearance. If that fail, you can always do without the resonator. The is the risk with any aftermarket exhaust. They rarely are built to the tight tolerance of the OEM's. I have yet to receive mine.

 

Good old yellow ramps.

 

I swear I didn't heist your ramps!

Maybe this will help illustrate the problem. It looks like the pipe is bearing on the brace-- the little red lines show where they appear to be contacting.

 

behind that steel panel there are two silicone support for the muffler pipe. Check to see if they are tired or not engage the hanger bars of the Miltek properly. To do this you can unbolt the six (rusted) bolts at the parameter and lower the bracket. The two bolts closer to the center are for the two silicone rubber hangers.

 

Hmm, I don't recall seeing anything above that panel-- I wonder if they are even installed. What should the silicone hangers look like?

 

I can see they are there. I have x-ray vision.

 

I wonder if he installed the pipe/resonator upside down.

 

the resonator may be installed upside down - i.e. 180 degree flip; you can design foolproof, but they always make better fools

 

Crap, that is a distinct possibility. Of course, now I'm wondering if he rotates it so that it's installed correctly, will it just vibrate against the heat shield?

 

What does that steel panel do, anyway? Is it there to support the midpipe? Does it contribute to chassis stiffness? This may sound dumb, but would there be a harm in removing it?

 

i believe there are some exhaust hangers attached to the plate.......

 

I just replaced my exhaust with a Borla unit. There are 6 hangers, 2-midpipe on the bracket, 2-rear inner and 2-rear outer. I replaced all 6 with new hangars. No vibration or resonance. Worst case is there may be a problem with quality of the unit. Just read pnwR53S posts on his new Milltek with the bent flange, sorry you're having that problem, that SUX!!

 

You replaced all 6 hangers? All except the two double donuts ($10 each) are $30 apiece. There is a cheaper non OE that is black, and I wonder if it is any good and if made of silicone rubber which is a must.

 

Yes, I did replace them all. The rear inner mounts were back ordered from a vendor so I was forced to go to Mini and pay $38 each for the 2 inner rear mounts. It's not something I wanted to have to deal with down the road. I knew my mounts were shot, I had to use hoses to wrap around the mounting stems on the exhaust to keep it from rattling around. I got the New exhaust for $625, spending and extra $100 on the hangers were well worth it.

 

You got the exhaust for a great price.

ECS sells both MINI hangers as well as the black cheaper alternative. I cannot tell from the photo is it is silicone rubber not seeing it in person and touch with my hands. May be ECS can chime in and tell us the quality.

1/3 the price of MINI


MINI

 

To OP. I now have the Milltek. Base on your photo the resonator is installed correctly as I can tell by the upward bends towards the rear end. You should check all your hangers as suggested. They are likely tired or torn and can be the cause of the pipe rubbing and vibrating against metal.

 

Ones from HJS whom does a bunch of OE hangers and Cats. Cats for milltek also. Just a different color and a better price. Replace the hanger is the stock exhaust is saggy a bit. If the hanger rubber is cracked at all replace them. Otherwise when you get the new one on the tip will be lined up lower then what you see in most pics.

 

Thanks. Will buy them as add-on items. It is just rubber hangers, not rocket science or shuttle booster rocket o-ring.

 

Soon to be installing a Milltek system and thought it a good idea to go ahead and get new hangers too, but JAYSUS! they gave me sticker shock when I saw the price!

The cost is rather staggering when you consider that they're just a bunch of rubber moldings.

This is one of the most irritating aspects of MINI ownership for me, that numerous small bits/pieces/trim need replacing and in doing so you get nickel & dimed to death, except that it ain't 5¢ and 10¢ but $100-$200+ a pop and it all adds up very quickly.

I like to try and support my local dealer whenever buying OE parts and they have competitive pricing too, plus it's easy for me to drop by for picking up the parts, but I'm balking on these items because it makes me feel like I'm getting seriously gouged by the BMW parts cartel.

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I'd love to have the red OE hangers and know that quality would be high because the originals have lasted numerous years, but I just cannot bring myself to pay the exorbitant price.

So,
I agree with pnwR53S that these things ain't rocket science and will go with the HJS pieces which slash overall cost in half, just hoping they are decently made with good material.

Anybody here happen to use the HJS hangers, and if so, could you please give your impression of quality?

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Question though,
ECS has the HJS donut listed as 18201176013 which I think is for earlier cars?

I need 18207535665 -
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/18207535665/

Are 18201176013 and 18207535665 the exact same thing dimensionally but just different part numbers for some reason?

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/18201176013/ HJS says its the same. MINI likes to assign different part number for the same part physically.

 

Can we hear from the OP, furrowedbrew? What was the outcome? Inquiring minds want to know...Don't leave us with an exhaust hanging in limbo!
Well, 4 years later and no recent posts, I guess we'll never know. :(