Hi guys,
My 2004 Cooper manual has developed a loud exhaust noise.

Once warm at idle, you have to get out and walk to the back to notice any noise, and it is better when warm overall, however it has reached quite a droan at highway speeds- boomy and disruptive.

I am wondering if I should go ahead and replace the muffler and pipe from the cat back or if I should first try only replacing the gaskets and hangers as they are rubber and more likely to have worn over time than a muffler which should be a lifetime item.

I'm at 91k original miles and plan on keeping him forever. Only now are some little maintenance things popping up like this. I'm also hoping to do this with my dad and avoid the cost of the dealer or a shop.

Any input?

Thank you!

 

The muffler is not a lifetime item on the mini, it is actually prone to rust in places where they salt the road. Yours sounds like you have a rust out hole.
First find the hole and then you can decide what to replace. The stock parts are expensive, now might be a good time to get an upgrade for something aftermarket for a better sound and slight power gain. Consider a "one ball" or regular two piece like a Milltek.
You can definitely add a new system yourself to save some dough.

 

Well first off get it in the air and see where its coming from. Then we'll talk. Plus are you looking to buy "replacement OEM parts" or after market? That will also be playing a huge factor.

 

Replacement OEM. I know there may be a few more horsepower to be had with a less restrictive exhaust, but I'm fine with the OEM balance of noise and power. If I need the muffler too, then DIY is a better choice.

Will I need a lift or are ramps enough...

Thank you for the help.

 

Ramps should be fine. A lift is always the "ideal situation", which of course not all of us have easy access to. But all you really need to find is where exactly the actual leaks are happening (since it sounds like you want to just replace the leak only), and if its as loud as your stating, then this shouldn't be too hard to find. After that, if you want to go OEM, then you might even want to search ebay/craigslist, because OEM parts can get just as pricey as aftermarket as usual. But even checking the marketplace on NAM here, I'm sure you'll find someone out there - one of those places, that has went aftermarket and might be willing to part with some of their stock exhaust parts a little cheaper than ordering them straight up..... Just My Opinion, but trying to save you a couple bucks.....

Good Luck, and get that bad boy back on the road!!

 

$10 says its your catalytic converter.

 

Jack stands work well enough...

 

Get the "sports tailpipe" (JCW stainless catback) while it's still available. If not that, then the factory exhaust. Nothing else is worth the money. But if money is an issue, I'd consider the Bosal setup. Quiet Flow SS will cost you more than the factory setup in the longrun, I think. Walker's version of stainless is not as long lived as the factory setup. I've had both. I'm now running the JCW, and am loving life.

 

I've got a loud-ish factory 03 R53 MCS exhaust that flows into the passenger muffler, then over to the drivers muffler, then out the twin tips. I'd like to have a more quiet system where the exhaust splits up through both mufflers and combines back through the tips. Where is this JCW system that you speak of?

 

the stock exhaust is the quietest system available as far as I know. You could probably have a muffle shop add a resonator somewhere in the piping if you really want it quieter, but wanting a quiet exhaust just seems weird to me are you sure you're a car enthusiast?

 

I am trying to understand, what does being an enthusiast has to do with wanting a quiet exhaust?

 

It's just that most enthusiasts I know of want to hear the car they purchased because they enjoy the sound.

Good ahead and flame me with your punk-*** popcorn eating smiley.

 

Not to flame, it is just interesting to see other people's opinions on other people's properties and their preferences.

Don't try to smile your way out, LOL because your maturity shine right through.

Flame on mate!

 

I don't mind being called immature, I don't think anyone expects an 18 year old to be mature

 

I figured your age group.

18 is old enough to be tried as an adult and treated like an adult in the court of law.

There is a saying, treat people the way you want to be treated.

I am not sure if it is a business of mine to tell you this but IMO being mature than your age group will set you apart in many ways. There is no reason to retard yourself to fit in. Acting stupid and "I don't care" attitude are not cool any more yet some still sport them like the 80s.

 

What exactly is your relevance in this thread? Sniper Detailing's question was not directed at you in any manner. So you just decided to come in here to try to start **** with him? And on top of this proceed to call him immature? Hmmmmm.....

 

Might I remind you that you're the one who prompted me to "flame on". I feel as though I'm not the only one in this thread being immature. I also feel that being mature is knowing when to be mature and when you can act immature. I don't think that a MNI enthusiast forum is a place that requires me to be mature all the time. One might also consider taking a writing composition class, or simply proof-reading one's work for elementary grammar mistakes before calling another immature.

 

First of all, I would like to apologize to those who aren't involved in this quarrel for having to endure us.

My comments aren't directed to you either. You **** with me, I **** with you. I proceeded call him immature? How about SnipeDetailer acted immature? "are you sure you're a car enthusiast? " "Punk ***"? Do you just watch when a bully rampages on?

I wasn't taking this seriously until you weasel-ed in, submitaweasel, like a weasel.

In case you haven't noticed, my thread started with a naive question.

See if you can follow.

My contribution here is to let someone know that there are people who may like quiet stuff and she/he can also be an enthusiast.

If you haven't got that, you got a problem reading between the lines. No need to use the word such as "punk ***" when only words are exchanged; it is difficult at best to judge the connotation involved.

We all are here to learn. No need to contest if one is an enthusiast or not, no need to judge if someone likes a louder exhaust or not.

I agree, SniperDetailing. Acting mature does have place and time. You got both wrong.

Your punitive efforts to making come back with my grammar to mask your pure immaturity outshines the limited wits you possess, further embellishes your immaturity and confirms your ignorance. My applause to you!

Go on, let the tard-fest keep you up all night long.

To OP, if the Mini has developed noticeable louder exhaust note in a short period of time, this could mean the exhaust is leaking somewhere. A lot of times, the exhaust hanger that is welded on the pipe rusts through and creates hole. Or simply the bolts that tie the plumbing together can come undone which is highly unlikely but not improbable. Also the gaskets may have been compromised to contribute the increased noise/leak. Sometimes some exhaust manifolds with welding done on them, the flanges welded to the pipe could let go around the pipe and leak.

As metal expands and contracts with heat, sometimes the gap created may decrease or increase, that may explain your situation with intermittent noise. Instead of just replacing from catalytic converter to the back. I would inspect and find where the leak is coming from. The leak maybe coming from much further upstream.

If the leak is developed before cat, sometimes enough O2 can leak through and flag DTC or light up CEL for running lean. This can foul your plugs as ECU will try to compensate. This is not an imminent problem though.

Take that weasel, jack stand works well enough if you know where to put it. Do you?

 

I love dealing with people who can't take light hearted jokes and only contribute when they're called out on the fact that they don't contribute. Yeah I'm such an internet bully. I'M SO ANGRY AND MEAN YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO ME AND RESPECT ME BLAHBLAHBLAH. I've never judged or bullied on this forum (I haven't posted about it at least), I simply asked a joking question and you took it the wrong way.

I'm out.

 

Look at yourself. I love dealing with you who would not listen to a single word a person says yet too busy expressing what you have in mind AND at the same time you expect to be heard. All that single handedly done while self contradicting..

My contribution has been mentioned in my previous postS and I specified what my contribution towards your light hearted joke in detail. It wasn't taken lightly when you started speaking in a punk *** tone and when you recruited your friends to back you up.

Once again, your puny attempts to drag me down your level with your contribution comment, that is just goes to show how low you are.

If it was just a joke, state it as such instead of dragging me down to your level, make fun my grammar and recommend me to take a grammar course.

I don't write. My secretaries do. That is why I pay them for their skills.

LOL bullying?

You want me to just laugh off and take your joke? WTF. Now it is a joke right? I am the sensitive one now, ain't I? LOL

Maybe you should take a "manner" class, sensitivity training, diversity training, written communications class ....

Oh yeah you are only 18, and I am NOT supposed to take you seriously just as you stated. I forgot. My mistake.

I am sorry that I took you too seriously. You are just a joke.

You know I am just joking right?

It was really fun joking with you!

 

I missed all the fun.

It looks like HVYWGHT and I will be replacing our stock mufflers.
I hear mine while in the car at any tempurature.
A coworker has a borla exhaust and mine's louder than his.
I'm tired of hearing the drone at all rpms. Excuse me. Exhausted.

 

Looks like we've got an internet tough-guy on our hands. It's funny how easily you get mad and how your punitive attempts at making fun of those who are simply to stating their opinion make you look like even more of an ******* than you could ever comprehend. You must not have too many friends with a personality like that. I can see how being lonely can make one angry. Lighten up, enjoy life, because you only live one. Don't go around hating on people just because you don't agree with them, *******. Or you can...because as far as I've been able to tell the world would be a better place without you. I look forward to reading your pathetic retort the next time I log on. OMG I'M SUCH A PUNKASS