I'm down to 2 choices for exhaust for a standard Cooper.

Just seeing if I can get some advice and comparisons from people who own these exhausts.

Thanks a bunch.

 

i wish there would be a writeup on borla/uuc/super spring/magnaflow and all the other ones that people have, so we could comparsion shop easire

 

jivanivan,
I've got the Borla, and love it. I've written the details of why I love it so many times, though, that I'm not quite up to doing it again.

Try doing a search of the forums; there are some great previous threads that talk about these two exhausts. I started one called "exhausts for the non-S crowd" that I wish had stayed active; a lot of that info has since been repeated.

Good luck in your decision,
Chris

 

>>i wish there would be a writeup on borla/uuc/super spring/magnaflow and all the other ones that people have, so we could comparsion shop easire

One of the things that makes exhaust info so hard to sort through on this site is when the S info gets mixed up with the Cooper info. With all due respect, S people, if someone is asking for info on Cooper exhausts, please refrain from complicating things. Thanks.

There have been great write-ups about nearly all of the available exhausts on this site; you just have to search for them.

 

Just to balance out chrisnl's comments... I tried the Borla and didn't love it. Search on my username and borla and you'll find a thread on my experience. The main problem was some cabin resonance/droning in the 3-4k range under throttle. Otherwise the sound was great. Less important, I didn't love the tip design of the Borla - it didn't seem to fit in with the MINI's rear end very well, but that's totally subjective.

I've sold mine and am back to stock for now. I'd still like to find a system that adds some aggressiveness to the exhaust note without the annoying resonance. The RSpeed and Remus are the leading contenders, but after my experience with the Borla, I'd like to hear them inside the car and out before buying.

Hope that helps.

 

Have you seen the Remus dual exhaust for the cooper? Way cool. It requires some body work on the rear skirt, but you would be unique.


Andy

 

chrisnl is right about the searching. This is only a guess, but I think the reason you're not getting a lot of responses is many of us have already commented a few times on MC exhausts. I had the Helix and now have the RSpeed and I've written quite a bit about both on other threads.

Don't mean to blow you off but there's already a lot to read on both the Borla for MC and the RSpeed. I bet you'll learn more if you spend some time searching.

 

just installed Borla on my MC and its two days old give me a a week and ask me i've read that it takes a few hundred miles to break in so i won't comment good or bad just yet, i'll try to let you know in a week

 

surfing here for information on exhaust systems. i spoke with jim b at minimania and he suggests the NRP exhaust. i don't have first hand experience but i do know that landrovers enthusiasts have used them for years. i made the mistake of having a magnaflow installed on my landrover and it sounds terrible, like an old delivery truck. well, it is an old landrover... hope this is helpful.undefined

 

From the research, I've done it seems that all of the Cooper exhaust choices will give close to the same power gains, about 5hp at the wheels. So the critical issues for me are the sound and appearance. From the clips I've heard and comments here, there is quite a bit of difference in tonal quality. From deep rumble to ricer raspy. In Db level, from close to stock to setting off car alarms loud. And in tip design, from stock looking and very discreet to cofee can large and in your face. Some of the suppliers have pictures, dyno charts and sound clips to help with the decision, re: Helix & RSpeed, while the rest want you to buy in faith and hope for the best, re: Scorpion, Borla, Quicksilver, Stabro, Magnaflow, Magnex, Play Mini, SE. Exhaust suppliers, you need to step up with the info we need to give us a reason to buy from you.

 

RSpeed has the info on their site, and I am more than willing to let anyone near the Hampton Roads area listen to, ride in, or drive my car with the RSpeed exhaust. The exhaust is of very high quality, both in materials and workmanship, makes my MINI sound like a proper sporting car. (Any Miata owners out there the RSpeed exhaust is higher quality than FM Duals).
I am biased, as I consider Joe, Peter, and Hector friends, since I placed my first order with them three years ago.

 

RSpeed it is!

Thanks so much for all the help. Seems like RSpeed exhaust owners are more happier with the sound than th Borla and their 'break in' period. I've heard nothing but complaints over the Borla's sound. I don't want to attract too much attention. Didn't someone win using a Rspeed exhaust?

Now, what intake would go best with the RSpeed?

 

>>RSpeed it is!
>>
>>Thanks so much for all the help. Seems like RSpeed exhaust owners are more happier with the sound than th Borla and their 'break in' period. I've heard nothing but complaints over the Borla's sound. I don't want to attract too much attention. Didn't someone win using a Rspeed exhaust?
>>
>>Now, what intake would go best with the RSpeed?
That would be my car with a much better driver than me. The driver that won the Petersburg ProSolo is Ed Raymundo.

 

Install Borla system on MC either tuesday or wednesday of this week and have put on about 300 or more miles since at first i thought it was to loud not so much outside but inside and i was thinking of taking it off but the more i drive the more i like. You definately know you have an after market system on especially during acceleration but at cruising speed 60, 70, or even 80 i find that its just a little louder and i found that yes it did tone down a little since the install . i have noticed a that the engine seem a little more open and i even had my son drive it to see if he noticed a difference and he and he said he felt the difference too, the more i drive the more i like this system.

 

>>I've heard nothing but complaints over the Borla's sound. I don't want to attract too much attention.<<

Not from me! I absolutely love it, and it has mellowed to the point where I haven't gotten a comment about the sound in months! It really doesn't intrude into the cabin much at all. I'm fussy about being able to hear my music without blasting it, and the Borla causes no problems.

This really seems to be an install issue - protrusion beyong the valence, etc. I don't think that subjective opinions can account for the vast difference between my experience and XAlfa's. Mine was installed by a BMW race shop; perhaps some less performance-oriented garages don't get it quite right? I know it's just a bolt-on system, but the Borla does have a lot of parts.

 

Well, I installed the Remus single system on my MC, I have had it on for about 1000 miles.

First the install was very easy, I did have to cut the exsisting pipe but that was big deal. Install took about 2 hours as I did a couple of test fits to make sure it was the way I like it.

Now for the system, performance is better, (I run a K&N drop in filter on the intake side and with the Remus I have much exhaust flow) I get off the line faster and my overall acceleration is better. The sound of the system is perfect, not loud but not stock either, no drone at speed and with the A/C on I barely hear it. I also like the look at the tailpipe.

IMHO - I think the REMUS is a good system and provides additional power. The cost for the single system is $399 which I feel is a good price also. REMUS is built in Austria and has big following in Europe.

I looked at the other system and heard them and they had to much drone or costs alot more.

Dave
MINI-Rolls