Well i want to buy a cat back exhaust for my 05 MCC (NON S), but i dont know which,i've have been reading about them and i like the megan and the price, but then i hear its too loud and i dont realy want that, i am a girl and i'm not trying to race and i know it really adds no power its just for looks and sound.
pics and opinions are appreciated.
also y cant i start a thread in the WTB OR SELL SECTION?

ASHLEY.

 

Hi Ashley,
i have a cooper with the Borla exaust for 2 years maybe more and would'nt change it for anything.Fit is perfect no rattles and the sound is almost stock but like somewone turned up the bass,but you will hear it if you press that right pedal.For everyday driving it's just brilliant,it's not cheap but you get what you pay for,surf and see if you can find one used,they have a 1,000,000 mile warranty,so used should be fine.Peter

 

Hey, whether you're a girl has nothing to do with it - I've seen posts from guys looking for an exhaust that's quieter than stock and girls who loved m7's MCS exhaust (very loud). All that matters is what you want.

Sounds like you're looking to change the sound quality without much change in quantity. I think you'll have trouble finding one that isn't at least a bit louder. Most of the aftermarket exhausts are straight through designs with no baffles -- the more gas/revs, the less they attenuate sound compared to the stocker. Some are quieter than others though, of course. From what I've seen and heard, the Borla and Milltek are probably the quietest, esp at idle and lower revs, but they both sound really good.

 

Heres a sound clip of my Megan, http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...553&pr=goog-sl can also be found at http://www.autoxcooper.com/megan.html

I'd say the Megan is the quiet cat back on the market. I've had customers change over from the Borla due to sound levels. The only way to be sure is find someone in your area with the systems in mind and go for a drive.

It's very hard to know for sure how "loud" a system is at speed. Windows up/down, roof open or closed, back seats up/down, shifting at 3K or 6K and driving the speed limit or well above. All of the above change the sound value of any system.

My GF can still sleep on long rides, even short ones, without any issues and I don't have a back seat. I do not need to slow down on the highway to take a call and have not had anyone say they couldn't hear me.

Hope that helps, Dustin

 

Dustin is right, as usual..... I think most of us end up listening to sound clips and then taking a chance. One easier way to make a better choice might be to look up a local MINI club and attend an event where you might get a chance to see and hear some of them in person.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=29291

 

There are two types of Borla exhaust, the street or sport/race. The street version is just a little louder than stock, similar to the JCW cat-back. The sport/race is pretty loud but I loved it on my 2003 MCS. It was a little too much for my 2006 GP with no rear seat or rear insulation. I have a Milltek on my 2006 GP. It is louder than the JCW or Borla Street but quieter than the Borla Sport. If you just want a little louder but deeper tone, I would suggest the Milltek.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the non-S Borla comes in only one version.

 

One version is correct for non-S. I read the original post as MCS instead of MCC.

 

My two cents: Don't be daunted by how loud some of the exhaust are in these clips. I have had my magnaflow since Christmas time, and my ears have tuned out the sound of it, unless I plant it. Originally when it was first installed I obviously noticed it and my friends love the sound of it.

 

I don't know if it's still available, but I have an '06 Cooper and have been very, very happy with the cat-back touring exhaust from MyMini (which is now "MinSpeed" I believe - BMW lawyers strike again). I got the version with the resonator, because I wanted more of a deeper, throatier tone than an increase in sound level. Worked out perfectly and no drone at cruising speeds.

 

It's still listed on the site, but they've dropped the "touring" and "sport" and just say to choose from a resonated front pipe (this would be your touring) and a straight front pipe (sport version). Whether they're still available is still a good question though since it also says "Get one before they're gone!" Closing out? Don't know.

MINI552 - That tip looks angle cut, but is it oval or is it round?

 

Just installed the Borla Sport on my '03 S! Kinda loud! Hope my wife gets use to it!

 

Give it about 1500 miles and it'll be a little louder.....but then again, I was gonna say I think the Borla is quiet compared to say the Magnaflow. Sound is a subjective thing.

 

Yup, it's all subjective, but Borla Sport does have a rep for being on the loud side relative to the most common MCS exhausts.

If you keep it -- and can't get used to it -- you might have to try a bit of sound damping and absorption. I did, back when I was trying to learn to live with my Helix exhaust. It helped, but I got tired of working on it and abandoned the effort when I dumped the Helix for an exhaust that didn't need it (an RSpeed). I got my OBX header installed a week ago and it upped the sound level considerably, so I've now resumed the sound mediation project.