Ok Im looking to get and exhaust and intake with software for my 03 cooper S. I was thinking of all Dinan as thats what I've always wanted, but I still have yet to find someone to tell me about it.

I want an exhaust that is not all rice like (civics are all that crap) I just want a mild to moderate purr and a growl when I really get on it. What would ya'll reccomend?

Thanks in advance

 

I haven't heard on in person but the Miltek seems to be the preferred exhaust for the MCS if everyday drivability is wanted. It's not much louder than stock while cruising but opens up quite nicely when you get on it. It also makes the top of the chart in hp/tq gains.

 

I'll second the Miltek. Although I don't have it, I was behind someone with it at a Phil Wicks event and it sounded great! For smoothness you might also consider the JCW. You can get a resonator replacement pipe from myminiparts.com that gives it a bit more bark at WOT, and the nice thing about it is the pipe matches the rest of the systems stainless steel constuction.

Here is an excellent sisde by side comparison of the stock vs. JCW exhaust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK4MXJfZ9pc

The only reason I'm plugging the JCW so much is that if you are looking for an all around nicer sounding exhaust that is not too loud and sounds very refined without any drone, it'sa great setup and it doesn't cost more than some other systems.

 

very subjective topic... I have the Milltek.. Love the sound.. Its a distinguished sound.. not a boy racer noise. It adds character to the car and has similar sound levels compared to stock when driven normally. Does sounds nice and racey at WOT and when pushing it hard. A compromise for normal cruising and those times when you want a nice low tone performance sound..

 

Just installed the Milltek last Friday. Absolutely amazing sound but not too loud. Very easy DIY install.

 

i like the Altec sound, not loud at all, just throaty and a single sided exhaust so it's also less weight

 

I love my Blue Flame... probably more due to the uniqueness of the exhaust than anything. Although, I must admit, the sound at WOT is pure adrenaline, especially when screaming past 7k RPM. I know some people might find it too loud, but I can honestly say I'd rather listen to a throatier exhaust than any extra rattles/squeaks that the exhaust might be subduing.

GotMINI

 

I think the answer is too subjective. It would be best to hear the exhaust in person to decide. I don't think anyone would say that their exhaust sounds bad. With that said, I vote my Invidia sounding the best!

 

I have a miltek and the sound is perfect. Not loud when cruising, but wakes up under load. sounds deep and pops and burbles when coming off the throttle.

Another I've heard, but dosen't seem to be well known up there is the jetex. That sounds like the miltek, but a bit deeper (!!). Sounds beautiful IMHO:

http://shophost.net/shop_j/product_i...roducts_id=922

 

I'd say check out the Invidia exhaust. The ones I've heard in person were extremely smooth and clean sounding.

 

As someone else mentioned, you really need to hear for yourself. Be sure to drive around a bit with the windows closed and opened to get the full effect. Others like the Milltek but it's not for me. It does drone on the highway, no getting around it, and gets tiresome after awhile when it's on a daily driver. I have to admit though, the sound is nice.

 

I've had the Milltek for a couple of months now and I don't think it drones at all (daily driver), but I would think that varies with the setup of the car (rear seats or not, header or not, intake or not, etc.)

Any catback will have some drone at highway as a result of the MINI's somewhat high revs at cruising, it's just how much or how little. I think the Milltek's drone, other than the JCW or stock setup, will be the most subtle drone you will find.

Since we are being totally objective here I would go for the Milltek .

 

Ditto.
For looks, sound & $$$ spent the Invidia is worth a look, I like mine & I don't see many other Mini's with them. And my wife likes it.
The real answer is much too subjective. There are many good choices......

 

Milltek!

 

i had the borla race for a while (almost a year). Although I loved the sound, very smooth, it was on the loud side. And I expirienced some drone in my car. And since I want to add a header, i decided to trade it locally for a Milltek... I couldnt be happier.

outside volume is down, inside volume is way down.

only down side is , I notice many less burbles which I loved before.

Im hoping adding the header will bring some back

 

The short answer from me is that the JCW is smooth, the Milltek is smooth with a growl when you want it, and the Dinan is a growl with a roar when you want it. None of them are "rice" in my opinion. The BEST all around sounding one I've heard/driven is the Milltek.

mb

 

i use the Borla performance cat-back exhaust, it has a very nice sound.

 

I have had the Milltek catback for several months now, and I love it.

Before I bought, I got a chance to hear a one-ball (I don't know if they are all the same) a Milltek and a Borla sport (non-race, the 'milder' one) in person, and I did not think the one-ball sounded similar to the Milltek at all. I picked the Milltek. I thought about the Alta, but everyone agreed at the time, that it was noticeably louder than the Milltek. I have driven a JCW-exhaust-equipped MCS, and I did not think it was much different from stock. I have neither heard nor driven an Invidia or, to my knowledge, a Magnaflow. I have heard that the Magnaflow is louder than the Milltek, also.

 

I have had the Borla sport with the OEM header, the JCW with the OEM header, the JCW with the Milltek header, and the Milltek with the Milltek header, and my choice is Milltek on Milltek sound just great to me and no drone and just wonderfully sweet above 5K RPM range on track.
So I have the best of both worlds nice throaty sound on the street and race car sound at the track.

 

I use the Alta Sportone, not too loud, sounds good.

 

Milltek

 

I'm going for the Milteck but would love to know what kind of price people have paid for one.

 

You don't really need software if you add only intake and cat back exhaust system. If you add a reduction pulley then software would be worth a look.

Any intake will do but some are louder than others (alta foam/ silicone hose) and some are more expensive (M7) while others are more basic (piloracing.com or Hot air intake mod). As long as you can live with the loud sound at wide open throttle then a foam or cone air filter is fine. Some owners prefer Dinan or JCW intakes but they are costly.

Exhaust for the MCS are varied and everyone has an opinion. The only opinion that matters is yours. You need to go to a MINI club event and check out the various exhausts in person and listen both inside and outside the car. Go for a test drive and see what you think. It is completely subjective.

Rough cost of a Miltek MCS cat back exhaust system is about $695 plus shipping (various vendors on NAM). About one to 1.5 hour install. Can be done yourself but you'd save some time using a lift.

Miltek exhaust works well with both stock header and with Miltek header.

 

I just installed a DDM air box and am getting ready to install a 17% pulley I got for Christmas. Wife gave to go ahead for the Milteck. So with these two parts, air box and pulley and now exhaust that I should be looking into software ? Oh god, How am I going to get this past the wife . Any recomendations on the software ?

 

I test drove a MCS with a Borla race (louder type) and liked it. I rode in a MCS with a Milltek and it didn't do much for me. I was leaning toward a Borla for my car. Then I won a Magnaflow on their website survey. I love it on my MCS. It may be a bit loud for some, but, to me it sounds like a big cat purrrrr!