Is it worth spending $700 on a Milltek exhaust for my 14 year old, 45,00 mile Mini Cooper S ?
So, at what point do you stop upgrading the fun little car that is slowly getting older ??

What are your thoughts ???

 

My philosophy, living in the Northeast, is to ask myself if the car Is worthy of the modification, am I replacing something that has worn out, and how easy will it be to install. What is the general shape of the car? Do you plan on keeping it for another year, two, or more? How easy will it be to install? For my car, a Milltek exhaust would $1,100... So, my answer would be “hell no.”

 

That or the JCW exhaust. If you will keep it, they sound great. My R52 has almost 300K miles and i will still mod it. Milltek https://www.ecstuning.com/b-milltek-sport-parts/v-mini/

 

Side by side... same catted downpipes....same model/year....I found the Milltech to be louder than the JCW.... and too loud for my tastes... but then again... I don't really like 'barking' exhausts on a little car like this.


.

 

I removed a JCW system, because I couldn't find anyone to modify (remove) the flattened section of the stock JCW center tube. I'm gonna try that at a later date.

I bought a complete Milltech system for my 05, JCW.
I installed the "cat back" section. Mine has the front resonator-muffler attached. While it is louder than the JCW exhaust, it VERY LITTLE louder. I can't compare to the stock system, as my car had the JCW system on it when I bought it. Overall, the Milltech system is well done...EXCEPT...for the "Y" section, splitting the center tube to go to the mufflers. It is poorly done for a smooth flow. At least mine is. I tried to make it a bit better, didn't get very far..!

The header is "mostly" also nicely done. BUT...the flange is the same as the OEM header. That is, smaller than the JCW cylinder head exhaust port..! I opened the flange to just shy of the stock gasket size. I haven't installed the header yet.

Why... When I installed the back half of the system, it leaned the fuel management (ECM mapping) farther than I thought it would. To the point that if I install the header, I'm afraid that the fuel mapping would be too lean.
The JCW exhaust tips were always black (rich). After installing the Milltech back half, it leaned so far as to even after several hundred miles, the Milltech tips...are still nice and shinny. Hardly no signs of exhaust residue. I'm concerned that the header, being of better design than the OEM header, will ALSO...lean the fuel mapping, causing it to go too lean. I need to find someone that can adjust the fuel map to accommodate the better flowing exhaust system.
JUST installing the back half, did remove a "flat spot" in the acceleration around the 3000rpm area. Or...I don't "feel" the flat spot any more. So...that's a very good thing.

Your ECM / engine system, may react different than mine.

Mike

P.s. - The Milltech is also lighter than the JCW ,and I'd imagine even more so than the stock system.

 

I've been installing and using Millteks on the R53 since 2004 and I can hands down tell you it's a good investment. It is the best exhaust available for the R53 as it is lighter, fits right, flows better, sounds better, and makes more power. Including we dyno tested it to prove it made the most torque out of all the exhaust.
You don't have to worry about running lean from install as no cat back will ever change the air fuel to do so.

The pros for sure out weight the cost, plus you can always resale it later if you decide to sell the car, or let it add value to the car.
With the sale right now (which ends Monday) it's a great time to get one.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/millte...w-exhaust.html

 

Most buy exhausts for the sound. Got a big V8? Go ahead and install long-tube headers because it can be worth 25-30hp and only cost a few hundred. However, the performance increase on a 1.6L engine is going to cost you $165/hp. $1,000 for 5-6hp has never seemed like a good investment to me. I spent $90 on a one-ball modification and with my tune I get a nice little burble with no droning at highway speeds.

 

Of course, why do you think we all dislike electric cars?

Seriously though, get the exhaust if you like the sound, or you can justify the purchase when the exhaust needs to be replaced.

 

id spend it in a heartbeat if I knew there would be no drone...

 

Friend of mine bought a ebay exhaust system , he ended up buying new hangers as it would not fit
it sounded horrible and stupid loud , he bought a silencer plus the labor of welding it on , we get it in it and it drones like a **** ,
save money,time and stress and buy the Miltek

 

I have an 03 R53 and got the Miltek last year. Love it! I experienced quicker and more responsive engine and I can’t tell the drone effect others talk about. I did have to add some spacers on the rear hangers in order to keep it from touching the rear bumper cover though.

 

Imo 700 for an exhaust is pricey ..
mine was only 250 brand new and I LOVE IT..( pace setter ) very minimal drone but yet pretty loud with all the pops n crackles you'd want . I love the loud pops between gear shifts or when I rev it up and let off the pop and burbles. I'm so far the only person i seen on here running a pace setter and idk why .. it's a name brand exhaust at ebay dollar prices. I've used pace setter befor on one of my v8s I had too back when and liked it too. Though it always seems to be a louder option, it's very good sounding . I get ALOT of compliments of my exhaust actually .
and looking at the kit and the blow thru style mufflers/ resonators it uses , imo it looks like a very efficient flowing exhaust and I can say it for sure on my butt dyno made a difference vs the one ball mod ( which sounded like a hive of pissed off bees )

 

I just replaced my stock exhaust (R53 '06 S less than 100k miles on it) because I was tired of replacing rusty parts in these Michigan winters. The Milltek won't rust and the sound is wonderful. Plus, the previous owner added a cold air intake and pulley so I just increased my hp. So, I won't have to replace this exhaust again, it sounds great, and I have more power. . Win win win