Looking at picking one up, I have looked around for reviews and opinions on it but I can't find anything helpful. I like deeper sounding exhausts and I have heard that it doesn't sound that bad. I also heard that installation is difficult but I shouldn't have a problem with that. Thank you

 

We did a bunch of testing and even used the Magnaflow for awhile. It made good HP, but not torque. It also droned really bad so we don't recommend it.

Would recommend our Stratmosphere or Milltek as they made the best torque numbers while not droning.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/stratm...3-hardtop.html

 

What about the Borla exhaust?

 

Some info here, the one good thing is today is the last day for the Milltek sale if you want to jump on one of those. I really like the Milltek or the factory JCW exhaust sound. Milltek linked also.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...haust-r53.html

Some other comparisons: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...or-my-r53.html

Good video clip here:

 

Daughter has the old Magnaflow on her 2002 R53 (the one that looks like the exhaust tubes come together and the outlets are welded on perpendicularly). Kind of loud, not too obnoxious, no drone on the highway but DEFINITELY noticeable. Sounds good, but not subtle. She loves it. She's 26. I think it's a bit much, I'm a motorhead and a kid at heart, but also a father of grown kids. Your mileage may vary.

Borla is slightly more subtle than that (race or street, with Race being ever so slightly more aggressive but not obnoxious), I had the Race for a while, definitely the best sounding Mini exhaust IMHO if you want to be heard but not go deaf. Nice growl at 2000-2500, then mellows out at highway speeds.

Best performance/sound/no-drone compromise is the JCW, very very close is the Milltek and Stratmosphere (essentially very similar). I have the JCW, built a kit to remove/replace the resonator so in summer it's a little aggressive (still "quiet" for a performance exhaust, and in winter with the stock resonator in it's only slightly more aggressive than stock.

I helped develop the old G4 exhaust for the R53, essentially a straight-back with (2) in-line glass packs, and we never could get rid of the 2850-3200RPM drone right at highway speeds without resorting to a Heimholz Resonator (perpendicular pipe of about 31" length), which aded weight and complexity. We did find 10+ hp, but at a dost of near-deafness after a drive of any length. Sounded GREAT at full chat, however!

There IS a complete thread on exhausts somewhere here on NAM...

 

Thanks for the reply, so you're saying that the Borla would give me a good sounds but not be as good as the Miltek/Strat when it come to performance?

 

Had a MagnaFlow cat back installed on my 06 MCS vert and loved it (neighbors not so much). No drone and deep throaty sound. Now have a 16 MCS with JCW exhaust and tune. Not as loud as MagnaFlow, but still a nice throaty sound accelerating, zero drone and nice pops and crackles lifting foot off at 5k rpm or so. (JCW exhaust includes dealer ECU tune that gets you 20 more horsepower.)

 

Borla is better for sound and less drone than the Magnaflow. But we always find them leaking and cracks on the welds so don't use them. Also less torque than the Strat or Milltek made.

We offer the Borla if you want it
https://www.waymotorworks.com/borla-...haust-r53.html

 

Way, do you recall if it was the Magnaflow 3.0" Performace Series or their 2.5" piped Touring Series you tested ?
Thanks in advance!

 

I have a Magnaflow. It's not droney on the highway. It sounds great with lots of pops and burbles in the cabin. I don't think it's too loud for those outside the cabin but my neighbor did ask if my exhaust was stock. Total earporn imho.

 

Good to know, so you have 1st gen ?

 

Yup!