as the title states, my resonator is rusted out and I was planning on cutting it out and doing the one ball mod. Then i found a used Alta exhaust relatively local for $250. I can weld, so the one ball mod would be almost free. The Alta is stainless, so no more rusting out issues and probably a tad lighter than the one ball. I'm tempted to go for the Alta for those reasons but concerned about how loud it is. I've heard several sound clips and it seems that with the updated (smaller) resonator, it's pretty loud but my ears can't really tell much of a difference over crappy computer speakers. I don't care much about how loud either option is, but my girlfriend is a complainer. I'd appreciate real world insight and experience with the two options. Thanks!

Cheers,
Jason

 

Just because the Alta is Stainless (somehow) doesn't mean it won't rust





That said... it sounds AWESOME I got mine new a WHILE back when Alta had their 50% off sale. I had it installed by my local MINI dealer who had to cut the center exhaust bracket to make it fit (???). I find the sound 2 parts nasty (good) and 1 part obnoxious so take that as you will
Since I'm babbling I'll tell you, I was driving behind an E46 M3 under an overpass and gave it some gas. The kids on the sidewalk initially gave the M3 the until they realized the sound was coming from my MINI

HTH

EDIT: btw, I contacted Alta about the rust and they told me that the reason my exhaust rusted was because the road salt used in Germany was much more ?caustic? than what's used in the US.