2002 Mini Cooper S R53

There are several $2-300 replacement exhaust systems on eBay.

Does anyone have any experience/ knowledge/ information about these?
Do they fit? ! Noise level? Droning? Anything else?

Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net

 

what are you looking for?....something that sounds like the OEM exhaust?....or an aftermarket exhaust with more tone?


install for all exhausts is about the same, you typically have to cut the old exhaust off after the CAT, then you clamp (or weld if you know how) the new one on.....takes about an hour or so with friends to help.

if you post some links to the exhausts you are lookging at we can give you a bit more help.

 

You get what you pay for. Don't expect much from a cheap exhaust but noise, poor fit, and substandard materials.

If you're looking for a stock exhaust and can get to Charlottesville, VA you can have the one I just off my '04.

Free.

 

Thanks for the quick responses.
First, I'll need to replace the rear boxes anyway in the next few months.
Second, the stock system seems more restrictive than it needs to be & pretty expensive from BMW.

I don't want LOUD! but something more sporty would be nice.
Links below.

Any other thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400575976693...84.m1438.l2648


http://www.ebay.com/itm/190908130711...84.m1438.l2649



http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-DUAL-TIP-STAINLESS-RACING-CATBACK-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-02-06-MINI-COOPER-S-HATCH-R50/181286344364?_trksid=p3984.m2048&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D31%26meid%3D3579691611153939324%26pid%3D100022%26prg%3D1187%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D190908130711%26
Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net

 

Racing implies VERY LOUD....
Gen1 exhausts Unbolt from the cat....no cutting needed like gen2.
Cheap eBay ones are a crap shoot....
One that I heard, the m2 was cheap...looked pretty good, sounded pretty good...but needed some serious fitting ( think a pro on a lift, a big hammer and a torch) and adjustment to make it fit...was by no means a STRIGHT bolt on...
One tip....the hanger locations for the exhaust changed in late 2004 to get ready for the cabrio ( same basic shape, but one extra crimp to pass a new bracket also)...so sometimes some modification is required to make some exausts fit anyway...

 

If you dislike your stock OEM one then you might want to check some videos of a JCW exhaust for the first gens. It's way more sportier and delete the resonator. You'll get exactly what you're looking for.

 

The first exhaust system from e-bay, I have never seen such an inexpensive system?

 

I don't now how loud you want to get but the JCW exhaust sounds really good. We carry all the JCW components.

#8 , #9 and #10 JCW tips . Then you just need #11 and 17 for the gasket and center clamp



+1 on watching the hangers as they changed in 1/2004. You can find some video and sound clips of the R53 JCW exhaust around.

Good luck.

 

Id pass in the eBays my friend went through two. They just didn't hold up and the fitment was crap. Go for a scorpion if u want a cheap quality exhaust. Bavauto sells them for under 600. Which is pretty cheap compared to most systems out there. The Megan racing is also in the same price range.

 

what exhaust can I install to get a deeper "throaty" sound...somthing with some grunt? anybody heard some good exhaust systems like that? Not too interested in all the resonator delete stuff as well as messing with the other parts of the exhaust..I feel those components are there for a reason