Here's the low-down. I first Installed the Mini-Madness intake about a month ago...installation was a snap, < 30 min.......I may have been hallucinating, but I could feel the difference in acceleration. As has been described on this site, a true added bonus is the whine of the supercharger around 5K-6K RPMs. It really is music to my ears. Next up on my list was a performance exhaust to add to the symphony.

My Magnaflow exhaust arrived yesterday. Time for the shameless plug :.....It arrived as expected from one of our favorite GURUs, RandyBMC @ http://www.mini-motorsport.com. mini-motorsport Purchasing from him was easy, worry-free and timely. We are all EXTREMELY lucky to have him and his Colorado buds for all there independent reviews, how to's and enthusiasm. A real pleasure to do business with him.

I tore into the box to be greeted by a bright, shiny, stainless exhaust. "Magnaflow performance exhaust" is etched with style into the stainless "bugle butt" tips ....soon thereafter, on the phone to find a place to install, (would have loved to done it myself, but it's a balmy 5F in my garage here in Wisc.)...I took my car in, watched every detail of the install. It was fast, looked easy and straight forward as described. A real fine system.

I couldn't wait to fire up my car. The new hum of the exhaust at idle was intoxicating, a bit more throaty than stock. Rev it up and a pleasant roar fills the air, not "tinny" like stock. I put it in gear, gave it some gas and WOW.....really nice....a symphony of sounds eminating from my car. It was not loud cruising around, was able to hold a conversation easily with my wife. Give it some gas, and feel the g forces of acceleration as your head snaps back and you are pinned to your seat....(bit of an exaggeration) , ....but you get my point. ....Now my Cooper S, has its intake and exhaust, a perfect combination for a noticible difference in performance.

Motor on

 

Sweet story! Thanks for sharing! It just put a big smile on my face!

 

Great post! What did they charge to install it?

 

>>Great post! What did they charge to install it?
I was quoted $75 from a local muffler shop, but turns out I know a guy, who I did a favor for, who knows an owner of a muffler shop, who owes him a favor...So, it was a freebie....except I brought the guys who installed it some cheeseburgers and sodas when I went to retrieve my stock exhaust...

 

Glad it didn't really cost you to have it installed, as it's a REALLY easy install....even if it's cold, pansy!

I can still remember walking to the bus stop in junior high, middle of winter, Bend OR (high desert), hair frozen, 2 feet of snow.......and I'm in shorts and a T-shirt. Maybe I was permanently damaged. Cold just doesn't bother me.

R

 

TwOMINIs,
I just got the call from my 3 children..... who all have been on duty since early this morning, waiting for the Fedex dude...who just delivered my magnaflow exhaust.

I will also now take the time to give our friend Randy (www.Mini-Motorsport.com), yet another well deserved plug

I to TwO...have installed the mini-madness air intake (solo) ...in the same time frame as you did...under 30 minutes.
The air-intake was an excellent choice as you have stated...and you can actually 'feel" the difference in power.!!!!!!

I to TwO (hope y'all got the pun by now), have a friend who is a mechanic who will install my magnaflow tomorrow AM, and yes it's also COLD here in NY....

To quote Yogi...You must be having deja voux....all over again.

I look forward to tomorrow afternoon...when I will get the chance to be....
MODED & MOTOR'N

Peace,
D

_________________
2002 MCS:PS/B, w/Lapis Int.

 

I soon as taxes and tax season is done, these two and the rear sway are going to be purchased. Seems to be the BIG 3 to get first.

Congrats!

 

Can't wait to hear your report d-mini-ero! I'll probably order the Madness intake right after our meet in bear mountain (so I can listen to you tell me how wonderful it is). I'll probably get the exhaust in the spring. That's my only concern now - finding someone to install the exhaust (that I trust!).

 

greatgro,

i look forward to our conversations...&....the mini meet.
you will be pleased with the air-intake ..i can assure you.
the magnaflow should be quite a fun mod as well ...i'm really looking forward to it.
additionally i had my windows tinted....35% in the front & 15% in the rear...it looks terrific

peace,
d

 

greatgro,

I think the best way to find someone to trust in the area is to contact one of two people (or both): your local BMWCCA chapter, or your local SCCA chapter. Find out who is involved in the club, races, autocrosses, and maintains the local BMW/Porsche/racecars in town. They are usually great people, and are more than willing to handle a new car type.

On a different note - the exhaust (other than those darned rubber hangers) is very straight forward to install. It is a direct bolt-up, so the fit is excellent. On the Quicksilver and Magnaflow there are very few pieces and the alignment of the tips is a no brainer. The Borla is a little tougher because of all the parts.

It shouldn't take more than an hour of labor anywhere.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Randy

 

Thanks for the shameless plugs guys!

 

>>Bend OR (high desert), Maybe I was permanently damaged.

I though anyone from Bend was permanently damaged

 

OK, yet another independent unsolicited review....just picked up my "evil spawn" (9yo son and 5 yo daughter) from school with the new exhaust....."Dad, your car sounds sweet"....and "cool tips"

D-mini-ero...wonder what response you'll get from the kids?

DavBret...That explains it....growing up in Seattle suburbs everyone I met from Bend OR. did seem a bit damaged...

I agree with you wwwebb....next on the list is the rear sway bar....

 

So now tht some of you folks have had some time with the Magnaflow what do you think about the sound.

I can say that the power is there maybe not 18.2 at the wheels but nice.
Is it loud in 6th gear around 75 mph to anyone else? Maybe I need to get some AMPS for my stereo :smile:

 

To answer your query about the sound...Sounds nice, sporty but not too loud...Doesn't sound "ricey, i.e. Honda on steroids" at all...In fact after a couple of days I really don't notice the sound unless my foot becomes "heavy", and even then, its not that loud...I give it a big thumbs up...only sounds better, not intrusive....well worth the investment. The sounds clips posted all over do help in trying to compare to the other systems out there....but sounds much nicer in person. Oh, and cruising on the freeway there is a smooth hum which is most pleasing to the ears...good luck.

 

>>I can still remember walking to the bus stop in junior high, middle of winter, Bend OR (high desert), hair frozen, 2 feet of snow.......and I'm in shorts and a T-shirt. Maybe I was permanently damaged. Cold just doesn't bother me.
>>
>>R

DavBret, you could walk to the bus stop in the middle of winter here in Bend pretty easy right now...it's 50 degrees!! I want the snow for skiing, but I enjoy it for dry road motoring!