Hello everyone, I am new to this forum but I've had my MINI since fall 2002. It is a 2003 Cooper S, Indi Blue w/White. I am looking for a moderately priced exhaust system. I don't want that drone noise inside the cab nor I want the coffee can in the back... you know, those huge mufflers on Hondas that it looks like it can suck a baby through them . Anyhow, I am thinking about the Magnaflow or the AltaMini Sportone. Any suggestions?

My car has the 15% reduction pulley, Shark Injector computer flash, Cold Air intake, Magnecor 8.5mm cables, Iridium Plugs... It runs great. It also has the front and rear upper strut bars, Helix 13 slotted rotors, RedStuff Pads, SS brake lines, 18" Nex-O rims with Yokohama Paradas. The cars runs awesome! After the exhaust, I'm getting the suspension and more candy for the engine...

Papalugo
(Currently in Baghdad, Iraq... US Army)

 

I love my Magnaflow! Some people seem think they're too loud. Not me.

 

I have heard the Invidia is a nice sounding exhaust, not too much louder than the stock. Also the price is pretty decent. I plan on going Borla (aggressive) or Magnaflow since I want it pretty loud.

 

i dont have an exhaust. i like having stock..for now that is.
but dunno if you checked this thread out. but here you go. it's a sticky
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=23789

 

I haven't ever heard a stock exhaust on a mini cooper s, but the JCW one is very nice. No droning and plenty of burble. I'm sure you can pick up a great one for half the price though.

 

I have the Magnaflow; it's a bit loud, but IMO, sounds great. If you want something a bit more civil, consider a Milltek or the 3" Alta...

 

The Milltek is refined and britishy sounding—the best of the lot.

 

We've have a JCW exhaust and I'm very happy with it, no drone (which I hate too) and it has broken in with a nice deep tone at WOT - whenever I hear the SO drive away I am very pleasantly impressed with how nice it sounds. If I hadn't gotten a good deal on that and didn't want to stay OEM I'd probably look into Supersprint as I heard one that sounded great, or the Milltek since I've gotten a good sense about it from the board; I'm not interested in it being super loud fwiw.

 

I have the Milltek also and love it! I'm an old dude too so anything too much louder than stock would be annoying to me, great exterior throaty sound but quiet inside! they come up from time to time in the NAM classifieds, good luck

 

I'm in the say boat as you, I'm in the market for an exhaust. I have similar mods too. Since you mentioned that you were looking of a moderate priced exhaust, that would rule out the Millteck and the JCW. The last I saw both are in the $900+ range. When I talk about moderate I am looking at less than $650. Here is my list of exhausts:
Ireland engineering $425
Scorpion $550
Megan $550
Alta $620 (ebay)
Good Luck

 

Contact Chad at Detroit Tuned and ask him about his Volt exhaust. Looks very similar to a magnaflow, sounds great and a much better price. Picked mine up at The Dragon for $375.00.

 

Interesting! Is it a loud exhaust like the Magnaflow? Have pics or maybe a sound clip?

 

I have Magnaflow...am an Old Fart...and love the deep throaty sound despite a slight drone at 70 MPH.

 

I agree the Milltek is a perfect sounding exhaust

I would find a couple Mini's with with the different exhaust options and make your decision based on that. Everyone likes something a little different.

 

#1 Save up your money and get a Milltek. It's exactly what you describe! Might be able to find a used one....

 

I have a Remus on mine. Really like the tone and burble. No drone either. Pics in my gallery.

....Les

 

But used or even new take offs can be had for much less, that is how we got our JCW and it was not in the 900+ range

 

I don't have any pics handy right now that I can upload, but will get some. It can be loud, but to me it is a very pleasant sounding exhaust, but it will also let you know that it's there. The big difference that I have noticed is that it doesn't drone. When I am cruising on the highway commute to work, I sometimes find myself turning down the radio to hear it, rather than having to turn it up to get rid of the drone.

Just my 2 cents.

 

This information is great! I really appreciate it. As soon as I get back from this hell hole (Iraq) I'm purchasing the exhaust... now I gotta convince the boss (wife)!

 

I'm proud to say that I've driven CHKMINI's car (that's "CHECK MINI", not "Chick MINI" -- don't mess it up) and I can tell you that the Magnaflow is indeed hawt. Makes me happy in my pants, yesireebob.

But then agian he's not really an Old Fart... coronologically he's somewhere north of "young-adulthood", but mentally he's just a big kid.

 

there's also the MinSpeed, nee MyMini, zorst for the S at $570. That had gotten a favorable review here on NAM. My understanding is the Megan is discontinued and being sold off through various distributors. There are fitment problems documented here on NAM as well. Bavarian Auto discounts the Scorpion every now and then by 10%. And there is the "One-ball" - very cheap, but not as pretty as the others.

Motor on!

 

MILLTEK!!Sophisticated at speed,angry when you step on it,and wicked burble when you let off gas!

 

I have the NRP exhaust, came with the car. Nice sound not too loud, no drone.

 

I hear that the Invidia n1 is nice. ultrarev.com sell it below 600.00 range...i love the blue tips... but i will be installing a JCW exhaust tomorrow... and a helix 15 % pulley... can't wait!!!!

 

Yeah... let us see some pics. I'm about to call Chad now but need some picks.