I've read through the whole exhaust thread as well as several other threads and I have narrowed down which exhaust I want to three:

1. Miltek
2. Alta
3. JCW

and I really cannot pick one of them. I have been contemplating which exhaust to buy for my MINI ever since I bought it well over a year ago. The main thing I am looking for in an exhaust system is : 1) Slightly louder than the stock one 2) a nice sound, no "rice" if you know what I mean 3) I really enjoy the sound of the burble on the stock exhaust so I would prefer being able to still hear that in the new system.


I've listened to each of the three above from the exhaust thread, and still cannot decide. Based on my criteria above, can someone please narrow it down for me? Thanks in advance .

 

i love my Invidia! you should really look into it the quality is amazing and it fits all of your criteria.

 

Any chance you have a sound clip of that one? I just did a little research on it and it seems that one is a favorite of quite a few here on NAM. I also like the blue titanium tips too. Too bad all the sound clips of it are dead .

 

One-ball. All of your criteria, $50.
I'm having mine done tomorrow!
Of course, if you really want to spend the extra $600-700.......

 

i just went from tbe Borla Race -> Milltek

I couldnt be happier with the exhaust. I just want the header to match now too

 

You should really listen to them in person. You need to ride in the car with the windows closed and at highway speeds, do some accelerations, etc. to get a feel for what each system is like. The sound clips don't do much and they are probably all recorded differently in different environments.

 

Out of the 3 you listed, go with the Milltek. One vendor even has them on sale right now I think.

 

I too have the oneball, but it is missing the growl at WOT. Otherwise I am very happy with it.

 

I have the JCW cat back with the resonator removed and it sounds perfect to me. I powder coated the tips black and painted the mufflers black with high heat paint, so it's a little different than your average JCW exhaust.

 

I'd recommend Invidia. I've had two friends here in San Antonio put the Invidia on and I rode in both cars and it really sounded great. I will put it on mine eventually. It's reasonably priced too...usually can be found for about $650. If you post over on www.eurosportunderground.com and are willing to come down to San Antone then you might be able to hear one in person.

There was at least one MINI in the Austin area that had an Invidia too. It was electric blue.

 

Milltek milltek MILLTEK!

 

Way Motor Works had them on sale last week (last time I was on his site)

Out of the three I'd say JCW with resonator has the most refined sound (w/out resonator I've heard it sounds a bit ricey until it warms up and then supposedly can sound even better than the standard JCW).

Milletek was bit quiet for my tastes

Can't say I really remember the ALTA though I have heard it several times.

 

Dont hate. Rice can be nice!

 

I agonized the same things. And, my winner was the Milltek. No regrets or second thoughts ever. Buy it on special on through NAM vendor now ... Happy New Years!

 

your answer is Magnaflow. I have it on my car and it is absolutely the best I have heard. It's not too loud but still has that betifull deep sound that gets better when you increase your speed. It is the wy to g with your MCS.

 

According to your criteria, JCW is out. Its quieter than stock.

I would suggest the Borla standard ... NOT the Aggressive (aka Race). Its barely louder than stock and just as good as Miltek. Miltek has a good rep too.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I think I have narrowed it down to the Miltek and the Invidia. I just wish I could find a sound clip of the Invidia.....hmmm.



I'm not hating, that sound just is not for me .

 

Well, ive been told mine sounds closest to the Magnaflow at wot.

But since mine is straight back and with no real muffling at an idle, it sounds simmilar tomy open header setup at an idle.

You have to remember, a muffler will change the tone, but it wont ever change the sound the motor makes. All our cars sound exaclt alike, they just have little differences in the tone. Every exhaust i've had on my car has sounded exactly alike, just louder or quieter than one another.

 

That's not ricey. That exhaust tip and actually the sound screams "classic Cooper S".

 

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.

 

Got the Milltek today and I am very happy. I commute 50 miles each way and so I didn't want a loud exhaust. The Milltek sounds awesome.

 

hehe, yeah, minus the 5" OD part

 

HEY, CAN YOU PASS THE SALT..

sorry for yelling, but if the magnaflow is quiet to you, you clearly have an issue hearing

 

LOL !!!

 

Just had my Milltek installed this evening. I've been researching and listening to the different exhausts and finally selected the Milltek since it wasn't too loud (however, loud enough when you needed it) and didn't drone.