I bought my MINI about three months ago, and I've decided I want to put an aftermarket exhaust on it. I know that I don't want one that would require cutting the stock system, and I want to be able to pass emissions (thanks Illinois). I've looked around to see what's available, and I think I've narrowed it down to the Magnaflow Catback, the Quicksilver Sport Exhaust, the Quicksilver 'California Edition' Sport Exhaust (I honestly can't figure out what the difference is), and the Alta Catback. I've heard people say that the Alta system is a bit overkill since it's a 3" system, but I don't know enough about exhaust systems to be able to tell. If anybody knows anything about these systems or has suggestions for other ones, I would love to know. Thanks!

 

The "California Edition" retains the second cat, according to the Quicksilver website. Other than that, I have no experience with any of those systems. I have a Remus PowerSound on my 2011 R56S, and really like it. I also eliminated the stock resonator. Even with the stock exhaust, eliminating the resonator made for a better sound, in my opinion.

 

If you plan on upgrading your turbo in the near future I would recommend the Alta 3' exhaust system! It may be a little much for the stock turbo's; however, it will be a blessing with a larger turbo installed!

 

Is it easy to remove the resonator from the stock system? and if so, is there a thread that explains how to do it? You've got me curious now haha!

 

I simply took my car to my exhaust shop, and said "cut out my resonator, and weld in a straight pipe". All done for about 40.00.

 

I had an exhaust shop remove the resonator and second cat.

 

with catless dp and second cat removed, i really liked the sound...was almost to loud for me though i was going to put another small resonator in place of the second cat.

I bought the alta downpipe back system...not so much happy with the fit.
i've mentioned the issues before but mostly the hangers are clocked in the wrong places and the vband clamps are used just to hold two flared ends of pipe so they dont seal that well and have a tendency to rotate causing the exhaust to lay on the heat shield and vibrate/sound like hell. I've spaced the center brace and the muffler hangers down to keep it from hitting but i would like to eventually have someone weld it all up solid from the down pipe back (like oem) and correct the hangers. otherwise it does stay tucked up under the car pretty nicely for being 3" and the sound is definitely different

 

I have Both Cats deleted and kept the resonator..because was too loud for me...

Now it's perfect Resonator and Magnaflow Muffler with single exhaust tip..

 

I took my car into the dealership a few weeks ago and looked at it up on the hoist, and noticed that - at least from what I could see - the furthest back break in the exhaust is before the 2nd cat a little after the downpipe. Now, the exhaust systems have been saying that they are "no cut catbacks" which has be confused since there doesn't appear to be a break after the cats. Is there a break I missed, or are the sellers lying, or does the 07 have a different exhaust without a later break? If anybody knows, I would love to know.

 

The stock exhaust is two pieces: the downpipe from the turbo to under the engine, and the rest of the system (flex pipe, 2nd cat, resonator, muffler). The joint is just in front of the engine, everything else is welded together.

To remove the second cat and/or resonator from the stock system, cutting and welding is required. The pipe is straight, so it is pretty easy to do at almost any shop.

 

Am running a ddm work's race exhaust full 3' with a k04 turbo/ with a 2.5 miltech down pipe. love it

 

so if I get an exhaust kit that says it's a "bolt on catback," it is truly bolt on and removes the 2nd cat (by bolt on I mean that I don't have to cut the stock system)? Will the car still pass emissions without it (other than in California, I know it wouldn't there)?

 

The second cat isn't monitored by the car, so removing that will not throw a check engine light. Look at the picture of the cat-back systems, most should be about as long as the car, and they should specify that it is a bolt on system.

Mike

 

fJCW exhaust is my suggestion. Noticeably louder and deeper tone vs stock S exhaust but not drony. MINI dealer installed it for me for $100 labor. It's basically just the muffler so I think the dealer had to cut the stock exhaust and clamp this one on? Not exactly sure.