Originally Posted by r56mini

Why are MINI exhaust systems so expensive regardless of the manufacturer? Aren't WRX or EVO systems under $1000 including the down pipe?

Originally Posted by marksmith

My JCW tuning kit #62 was installed this week. As a 2X former Works owner (03' & 05" R53) my initial impressions are in context:

-R56 Works kit (air box, filter, software and catback exhaust) cost $2150 installed. Thanks to the very fine folks at Moritz Mini North Texas, great job. Very fair price. And also many THANKS Sherri at Mini of Dallas for snagging the Kit! She is the best!!

-Good news: Works car has great feel & driveability. Very real and dynamic synergy of components w/ the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts. The throttle response, turbo boost, quickness of RPM spool up and drop off and basic QUALITY of driving experience seems more focused. Fine-tuned, messaged or refined, whatever description works best, the R56 WORKS tuning kit is very much a sharper tool and a more seamless work of engineering. Not sure the general Mini public would spend the additional $2000+ for this extra margin of refinement but the Works car has it in spades.

-Sports mode and steering (yes, steering.) Sports mode is a bit more livable w/ less hyperactive throttle/pedal response and slightly more servo-electric boost to make steering feel more lively. In both "regular" and sport mode the steering is less heavy and dead on-center.. The Works software reflash seems to be changing the steering boost (more boost at low speeds) w/ just enough added play at low speeds that the car now has a snappy steering feel more like the R53. Just a tad lighter to throw and more limber (a point one of the Morttz folks observed.) Throttle response is more direct and immediate in both R and S modes .

-Power gains: It would be an overstatement to say the Works tuning kit "transforms" the R56 but there is more pull, more grunt and much smoother power delivery than the stock R56. The effortless and powerful feel of the R56 Works kit is very impressive and the passing ability is simply amazing. At all speeds the Works car delivers an instant & effortless blast of turbo boost. Sorry to say the best performance results are at jail time speeds.

Descriptively the Works tuning package seems to "unleash" the car and brings out hidden or hinted-at virtues. It more a matter of squeezing out the best performance and doing it w/ real class & BMW-like polish.

-Exhaust: moderately louder, deeper and nice rich tone. It is easier to hear shift points and enjoy the aural feedback of the car. One interesting note, the JCW exhaust attenuates the natural resonance of the powerplant and the result is a terrific Purr & gruff at all speeds. It's like the car is speaking to you. The Works exhaust is not going to be loud enough for some but I think it's just right for daily driving & better than the R53 Works exhaust in it's tone & volume.

Bottom line: I have enjoyed all of my R53 Works cars but this is the very best of the lot and it is a faster by a good margin. It is a refinement of an already great car & one that is well worth the expense. As it now stands I have no plans to do other mods to my car, very happy as is.

PS: I do have 17", 14lb Enkei & very good Bridgestone non-runflats to top it off.

Originally Posted by marksmith

RE050A 17's. Fast turn-ins, great high speed stability, generally grippy tires. Very nice for day to day driving. Good except when the outside temp dips below mid 30's. Not too often here.

Originally Posted by going4speed

Alta is under $800 I have never seen a wrx or evo setup with cats under a grand.