It's time to replace the OEM Mini exhaust and i think i have decided on a "Milltek" cat back system but looking for feedback to help identify my best bet..
- must be stainless, mandrel bent, etc..
- must look great & sound great
- must not create a 'drone' inside the car when crusing to work, etc.

also curious on best price source to purchase..

Thank You!

You might want to look at the Stratmosphere cat back. It's made to the same specs as the Milltek, but costs $50-$100 less. Love mine. Milltek is an excellent choice as well.
WayMotorWorks has both and Waylon is a great guy to deal with. http://www.waymotorworks.com/02-06-c...mance/exhaust/

Invidia has a good clean sound as well...listen to some clips on youtube

Just installed my Milltek catback 2 weeks ago. I have a pre-facelift, so significantly less "pop and blurble" than those with a 05-06, but the sound is PERFECT for what I wanted. At idle, barely louder than stock. Up to 3000RPM, mature in it's tone, but very sporty. At 5000RPM, it's pretty aggressive. Never ever tinny, and no drone on the highway.

I think its a very "refined yet sporty" solution. I think Way mentioned having a used one a little while back. Might still be around. Give him a call– incredibly nice guy.

what changed in the facelift to give more pop and burble?

Thx for the great feedback!

ECU upgrade...thats what accounts for the extra +5HP as well

thx submitaweasel!

tell me more? a chip or is the ECU re-flashed? If the ECU is reflashed wondering who near by (Saratoga Springs, NY) may be equipped to help??

Check out the scorpion exhaust as well. Bavauto.com is the only u.s. supplier. It has a great sound to it with no drone at all. When just cruising through town you don't hear it all but give the pedal a little nudge and it wakes right up

For pleasant sound w/o drone or aggrevation, build and material quality, MILLTEK is hard to beat. All three of ours have 'em.

I honestly do not know exactly what it did, but when I first got my R53 I found an article explaining that the "pops and burbles" in the facelifted MINIs were "computer controlled" and due to an "ECU upgrade."

Milltek is the way to go personally. I've had mine for almost a year and I love the sound of it. Sporty and ALWAYS get a head turn from just crusing down a street or on the highway. It also really fills out the back of the car.