I'm about to buy an exhaust system for my 03 MINI and I want to hear some feedback. I've searched some message boards on this sight, but most of the forum responses are a few months old and limited to one or two brands. I'm leaning towards ALTA, but I want to hear some new info. I want a little noise(want to hear my stereo w/o drone) with some HP gain. Borla leans to the high end $$$ and I'm not going that route.

 

I highly recommend a Milltek catback. It has some of the highest hp and torque gains of any name brand after market exhaust. It is as quiet or possibly more quiet than stock exhaust during freeway driving, but has slightly increased sound ("throatier sound") during accelleration. It's cost is just under $700 for an MCS exhaust. See Webb motorsports for a complete comparison of most major brand catbacks available.

 

If you want "just a little noise and no drone" that definitely eliminates the Magna Flow from your list of choices.

 

I have the Borla Race....that being said, it can be pretty loud and can drone a bit. The Borla Street maybe a better way for you to go. You almost need to hear sound clips or find someone that has what you are considering purchasing. I Bought mine at AMVIV last year from Mike at Seven Enterprises in Auburn and saved about $150 off retail / no sales tax / and discounted install $. But like Peter said, go to Randy's Webb site for more info. I have the JCW and the JCW catback was a wee bit too quiet for me...not throatie enough for a 210hp sports car.....ended up selling the JCW cat for almost what I paid for the Borla.....Love my Borla....but then it is all subjective.
Peters Milltek sounds pretty good too.

 

sando4552 - I have the Milltek (installed about 50,000 miles ago) and would not trade it. As said before - the noise level is quiet at crusing speeds but, once you put your foot into it, the sound is awakened. Increase in HP is also nice.

T

 

Sando4552,

You have heard mine, its Borla "Sport" Catback exhaust with performance header. This was furnished by Minia Mania. Love the sound, not very quiet.

 

Invidia, try to contact Jonathan at www.worldoneperformance.com , he cut me a good deal, i highly recommend it, it is the hottest one right now, wayyyyyyy better than Milltek, they say, i don't, because never owned one, but drove one that had Milltek, Invidia sounds better, and fit and finish is a little better.

 

I went to their site since I never heard of an Invidia... seems the only MINI S exhaust they now sell is the Alta - no links or info on the Invidia.

I would still look at Randy Webb's comparisons... he tested them all and dynoed a lot of the more popular systems.

 

This is what Randy Webb has posted on his site:

"Which exhaust do you recommend?

This is a question I hear a lot, and there isn't an easy answer because many variables play into the question.

There is an easy filter up front - which year is your car? In '04, MINI changed the orientation of the rear exhaust hangers. That made most of the aftermarket exhaust systems non-compatible with the newer cars. Since then, several manufacturers have caught up to the change, and the '05 cars use the same system. Here are the systems currently compatible with the Ô04+ cars:

• Borla
• Milltek
• UUC

If you have an earlier car, you can get any of the systems on the market. So, back to the initial question.

I start by asking what kind of volume you are willing to accept, or may even want. If loud is your bag, than the Magnaflow or Borla Sport is the system for you. The UUC sneaks in on being a bit louder, but it ranks below these two thunderers. The Borla Street and the Milltek are both conservative noise-wise, and make fine daily driver systems. Of these two, the Milltek gives the more authoratative sound, with the Borla being a tad raspier. The UUC gives a sound that is again between the two extremes.
I don't like the single sided muffler systems as much - the Alta, the Mania NRP, the Quicksilver - for a couple of reasons. They don't split the flow, which is more restrictive, and you just can't get the things to hang right! They melt the rear valance and rattle at idle as they hit it. They are usually non-offensive in sound, and they are definitely lighter than the twin muffler systems, so they are not all bad.
Based on power as the major consideration, the Magnaflow and the Borla Race are at the top of the heap. Based on torque, the Milltek is the champion. So again it boils down to what you want out of the system.
All around, I think the Milltek is the best choice based on the non-intrusive sound that still emits a deep note and the highest torque available. It is only two horsepower down on the big boys for horsepower as well, and the price point is smack dab in the middle."


If you look on Randy's site you can do direct comparisons of hp and torque gains.

 

Hey thanks for all the input. I'll start checking and narrowing my choices down. Anymore posts on my topic are welcomed.

 

I'm getting the QuickSilver cat-back. I recently found a U.S. supplier that has a few of each (02-03 and 04-06) on order and also has the QS headers in stock. I don't know what the price for the cat-back alone is, but they quoted me $1,050 for the header AND cat-back. I've decided to just get the cat-back so I can stay in G stock.

The C-B is very nice. I saw one at MOTD last year and really liked the look and the sound of it. You can get different tips, but the large single oval looked awesome. It's stainless, has a single muffler on the right, and will save you 21 pounds compared to the stock exhaust.

Here's a link to the manufactuer.

http://www.miniexhausts.com/

There's a sticky all about exhaust here on NAM, but if you can make it to MOTD 2006 you can see and hear every exhaust availible first hand.

As soon as they reach the U.S. I'm going to try to get a group buy going. Stay tuned.

 

Stephan,
Are you going to be joining us on our February run? if you get to Suisun early you can talk to those of us there and listen to the tones... I suspect there will be at least 30-35 cars by the time we meet for lunch and you can repeat the process there.

If you are going to AMVIV3 this year, Randy will be doing installs (including some exhaust installs I think). He is now marketing a special designed exhaust from Webb Motorsports as well as the other major brands. You will have to sign up on his site though to grab a space.

 

I have the Borla Sport myself. I wanted the noise and got it.

 

I'm planning on joining the clubs on the Feb. run-I'll be out of town thurs-sat. I'm trying to decide which place of the two meetpoints to show up. I'm about 90% sure I'll be there. Good idea about listening to others exhaust systems in person-that will solidify my decision.

 

Hey guys this is Jonathan from World One Performance!

I actually have not had a chance to touch our website and put up the newer products for the minis such as the awesome Invidia exhaust system! I will have it up soon for you guys, but in the meantime please feel free to IM, PM, email or call Contact info listed in my signature BTW you will not be sorry with my favorite catback for the MCS!!

Cheers all!

Jonathan

 

I'm pretty happy with the One-Ball exhaust mod. It is a very affordable option, and if you are not happy with it, you can proceed with the pricier options listed. Just my $.02

 

I one-balled mine this week and am very happy so far, quiet at idle. a little louder at cruise, no "drone" in cabin. Nice growl under load.

Less than $100

I need to get some dyno time to see what I have ended up with