I'm thinking about buying a 3rd party exhaust for my '06 R53. I've read good things about Borla but do not know anything about them. I'd like to add a little giddy-up, but want to know if there are any issues. Obviously, I want to be able to pass a smog test. Here in California the requirements are pretty strict. Also, I really like the burble of the stock exhaust, will that go away if I replace it with the Borla?

Thanks in advance!

 

I'm not sure of the laws in CA but no problems here in NYS
I have the Invidia cat back and love it my frien has a Borla very nice and loud but it drones



The Borla in the video is without resonator with Megan header I think, the Invidia is quiet inside no drone at all

 

thanks minbx, i'll ask my mechanic on the cost. i've been wanting to do it for a couple of years now, but have hesitated because i don't know how it will perform.

 

Here is a video with very good and complete information about the Borla.

 

i love my magnaflow, but carb regulations im not sure about, any catback shouldnt affect being carb certified, but dont take my word on it

 

I have the Borla Race Aggressive. I love it. Everyone Love's it. At first it takes some getting used to. At highway speeds it does hum the cockpit slightly. It does burp when letting off the throttle and when shifting slowly between gears.

If that's a little to loud, the regular Borla Race (or is it street) is a good choice. Had it for over 40k miles not one problem.

 

I've had the Invidia N1 catback for a year + and am very happy. Super easy install, quality build, and GREAT sound. Louder than stock but not obnoxious, and the burble & pop is enhanced. Cheaper than Millitek & Stratmosphere in price but not quality.

My only qualifying comment is this: I've thought recently about adding a header, which will make the exhaust louder yet. If I'd gone with the Millitek or Strat + a header the overall volume wouldn't be as bad as if I added a header to my current setup since the Invidia is louder to start with.

 

I've got the Borla street version (think they call it Touring) on my 06 R53. Burble is still there. It looks fantastic. No drone. Borla is on the expensive end, but the quality is pretty high. I ordered directly from their website and the customer service was also very good.

 

Thanks rwkeating, I think I'm sold. I watched your video twice, once with headphones.

 

I'm looking something a little more aggressive than what I have now, but nothing that will set off car alarms as i drive by.

 

Fridayxiii, I'll have to look into this brand as well. I haven't heard of it, but you've got me curious.

 

Thx ststein,

Although I'm a guy on a budget, I'm also willing to spend the $$ to get high quality. I've been saving for a while now so I'm doing my research. Borla seems to get the highest praise. So far, I'm leaning towards Borla.

 

I had the Borla street and really liked it until I switched to the Borla race and REALLY liked that one . A little on the aggressive side but that was a plus .


Randy

 

Go Scorpion. Cross had awesome exhausts but they're discontinued!

Cross on my buddy's R53. Japanese quality workmanship, great sounding:

 

I have Invidia and like it. I'd recommend getting one of the cheaper exhausts (~$600) such as Invidia or Scorpion. Magnaflow, Borla, Milltek etc are all nice but not really worth the extra money you pay. The quality is more or less the equivalent and you're really only paying extra for the name. Get one of the more inexpensive brands I mentioned and you'll have an extra $300 to put towards something more useful like a pulley or something.

 

I installed a Stratmosphere catback exhaust from Way Motor Works on my 2004 MCS. The fit and finish are superb and the sound is throaty with no drone on the highway. I highly recommend the exhaust.

 

Wow!!! Nice pics, minsanity!

 

Thanks AndyPWR53, guess I have more homework to do. I had a 15% pulley installed last October, and I love it. I'm going to ask my mechanic what he thinks.

 

Thanks! I vote Scorpion & fab yourself a Dave F. type of CAI.

 

Hooch514 I would also look into the Alta Exhaust. I personally love the way it sounds. Its not cheap nor is it to expensive. Its less then a Borla or a Magnaflow but a little more then a Megan or Invidia. you can go onto youtube and check it out yourself. www.AltaPerformance.com. I am also looking into getting a Cat Back Exhaust installed pretty soon and my #1 choice is the Alta Aggressive Cat-Back.. Hope this helps you out a little..

 

I'd probably pass on the Alta unless you found a deal on it. The quality isn't quite up there with the others (look at the welds, for instance) and its known to have given people issues with fitment. Just my 2 cents

 

Thanks AndyPWR53 I honestly never looked at the welds I just watched a lot of videos and I love the sound it gives. my second choice was going to be a Megan Cat-Back then eventually order the megan headers.. What do you think of the other alta products? I also was getting ready to order they're Cold air intake and they're 17% Pulley

 

I've had my Alta for 5 years. I love the sound. It is loud (that's fine) but drones a bit on the highway (sometimes that bugs me) The one I bought had quality issues. The resonator developed a rattle and was replaced under warranty. After the warranty expired (was a one year warranty at that time) the muffler developed an internal rattle. It comes and goes and I've had to live with it. Last fall I visually inspected the exhaust and it seams solid at least on the outside.

I don't know what their quality is like now. I believe they now have a lifetime warranty (check me on that.)

Next time I buy an exhaust, I would be tempted to go with someone strictly in the exhaust business (like Borla, Magnaflow ...)

 

Most intakes out there are pretty similar. Some look different or have slightly different designs and others may cost more but in the end the amount of difference in power they make between them is pretty insignificant. Alta is loudest because its open topped for instance, but some say this also means its drawing hotter air. However like I said the power difference is very little and I don't think anybody has actually measured it.

Pullies are all pretty similar as well some just have slightly different mounting methods but one isn't necessarily superior to the other. Just make sure you get the size you want.

Personally I bought the alta intake without the hose. I didnt really think it was necessary to spend over $100 extra just for a hose that doesnt really do anything and is a pain to fit. I put the money I saved on the intake towards a pulley instead.

 

AndyPWR53 Can you use the stocked hose for the alta cia? Im not very good with mechanical work but if you can do it that way I migt as well save the extra 100 and put it towards something else. Thanks for the help man I really appreciate it. Mini cooper owners are the most helpful, I used to own a 2002 Mercedes ML500 and on the forums people would hardly help you out lol