I'm looking to upgrade the exhaust on my 2006 R53 (I've done a few mods but nothing huge) and I found a JCW used exhaust and the price is negotiable.
Are there any fit issues I'm going to run into with the hangers? In my research it looks like it should bolt right in???
Is there a pre-facelift version and and post face-lift version of the JCW R53 exhaust?
Save my money for a Millteck?
I'm also considering the one-ball mod as a smaller step?

All input is much appreciated.

 

I'd say save your money for a Milltek or similar. I almost fall for the JCW hype when my one-ball kept dislodging from driving on the track due to hi-temp and I ran into Milltek fitment challenges. In the end I am very glad that I didn't fall for the hollow JCW MINI/BMW branding. JCW is lame for Gen 1 Mini and you pay with your hard earned money to get little in return.

Milltek's name is a bit of turn off, as you wonder FTW? Mill as in flour mill or textile mill. Remember, many of Japanese automotive companies started as textile mills.

If your are a foodie, you will know there is a lot more than milling the poor grains than in the modern fancy food processors that promise to solve all your kitchen's challenges.

 

That is the late JCW exh and it will bolt right on your 06 S. But I would suggest going for the Milltek as it will give you more sound and gains. As you can see with that JCW it has a huge crush in the pipe that was meant to clear the cabrio exhaust that isn't good for flow.
The price on the Milltek is pretty good right now.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/millte...w-exhaust.html

 

I removed my JCW because I could not find a shop to splice in a "round" piece of tube at the crushed section, and I don't have any stainless wire for my MIG welder.
Don't let anyone tell you that, that flattened section does not affect flow. Just let them go on thinking that..!

I put a Milltec exhaust on my JCW. Not a huge increase, but enough to notice. It got rid of a flat spot at about 3500, with mild throttle increase. Smooth now. A little more roar out the tail pipe, but again, just a tiny bit over the JCW exhaust.

Mike

 

Thanks everybody, I appreciate the input. I think I will let the JCW exhaust go and save my pennies.