Hi so basically what I want is a nice exhaust for arou 500 or 600. I was thinking header back or carback, whatever is good I suppose, and I'm trying to go for a non riced sound like a civic, I want something with a little throat to it with some volume but not Droney or screaming loud. Thanks and it's for a 2002 Mini Cooper s.

 

Either the Stratmosphere for $849 or the Milltek

Both are shown to gain the most power, be the most subtle sounding, as well the Milltek carries a lifetime warranty.

We have the Stratmosphere in stock and ready to ship in two different options: resonated and non-resonated, the non-res kit sounds great and is about $50 cheaper than the resonated kit.

Give us a call if you have any questions, we've had hands on experience with near every exhaust kit on the market.

586-792-6464

 

I don't know if any cat back exhaust systems at the $500-$600 price point however I am picking up my '06 MCS tonight after having a few preventive/scheduled maintenance items done.

While having those things done, I opted to install the $849 Milltek cat back exhaust (lifetime warranty). Looking forward to hearing how much sportier/throatier it sounds compared to stock. Any power gains will be icing on the cake as I am more interested in the car sounding a bit meaner and sportier than stock. I'll post my impression of that system tomorrow if I remember.

 

The Invidia is nice, deeper, no drone and a bit cheaper than the others out there.

 

+1. Honestly you're not going to find an exhaust that doesn't sound "ricey" at high volumes for this car. It's a 4-banger. The Invidia is the only one I've heard that sounds a little deeper than stock, but it's quieter than most aftermarket exhausts. There are several more that are certainly well made (like the Miltek as others have suggested), but they don't sound any deeper than stock. There is an R53 at my school with the Miltek catback, it sounds pretty "ricey".

 

I'm a fan of the Invidia N1 too. I've had mine for 3 years or so. Well-made, installation was easy, and the sound is great: no drone,a bit louder than stock and definitely a deeper tone. And the kicker: it's got a nice price ($639 USD at Way Motor Works).

 

If money wasn't a factory I'd highly recommend REMUS: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item0

I've run their product on different makes before. They're also OEM manufacture for AMG exhausts so they know how to make a quality device with great fitment, no drone, and great craftsmanship. Plus, they provide a really great manufacture warranty.

 

Milltek resonated. Hands down.

 

Eh miltek resonated, too quiet. I paid in your price range and it has a lifetime warranty, sounds great too. For $800 I better hear it. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st-thread.html

 

Im running Alta on mine, love it not too loud and not too quiet.

 

^yeah, that's the risk of recommending an exhaust, bav, it's so personal. Okay, I re-submit my prior post:

Milltek resonated. Hands down, if your Eric from Helix.

 

absolutely, which is why it's best to listen to videos and tell us what your looking for sound wise. Also his budget is 500-600

 

He did outline what he wanted, sound-wise...

Hence the recommendation of the Milltek resonated.

 

Ok. Follow up on my previous post. Picked my car up at lunch time and drove it about 15 miles or so to my house.

First impressions: The Milltek cat back exhaust I had installed is a minor let down as far as the sound of it goes. I guess I was expecting a bit more growl although it does sound subtly better than the stock system and even more so as you go up the rev range. It sounds nice and to my ear NOT "ricey" but it isn't as throaty as I was expecting either. I'll have to listen further on future drives for a more complete impression.

I can say however that I felt stronger pick up between 3-5K revs. Again, I'll have to drive it more to confirm that initial feeling.

 

Just announced, 12% off all products, excluding sales items and special order items, through April! Promo Code: CelebrateApril

Hi Russter500

We put together an application guide that should help you with the selection process. http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Cooper...lication_Guide

Our personal preference is the Quicksilver Performance Exhaust.
http://new.minimania.com/part/NME112...-Exhaust-Quick
silver-R53





However, there are several good options available. Please let us know how we can help!

 

yea except the he said 500-600, not $800.

 

Wow I got a crazy amount of responses, thanks guys! I have been looking into the invidia exhaust system it seems to be the best deal I've found for my price. What do you guys think of the scorpion exhaust? And when I said ricey I meant so it doesn't sound like a fart can xD, I know a four cylinder is pretty much always gonna sound like how it is. And thanks for the list I'll check that out. And I did see the quicksilver before but I never looked into it, I'll have to go check it out. Thanks again everyone!

 

BTW, here's a new discount code that has just been announced:

12% OFF.
Promo Code: CelebrateApril
Excludes Sales items and Special Orders Parts

 

Just gonna throw this out there as an option, but have you considered just replacing what you have with the OEM stock exhaust? I don't think that the stock exhaust sounds all that bad, and the pipes and left/right mufflers (2 separate components) can be had for under $550 (+ shipping) if you are careful about where you purchase them.

 

Yes I was considering this for a while but after a while I thoug it would be cool to fancy it up a little bit, if I'm investing that much money into it.

 

So did I read correctly that a resonated Milltec is quieter than a Stratmosphere resonated model ? I thought the Stratmosphere resonated was the quietest in the market.

 

scorpion is a good exhaust a tad on the quieter side, but still a decent one, has a good tone to it, my good buddy has it

 

For anyone who may be interested now or in the future.

Took my Mini out for a quick drive after work yesterday to further asses any difference between the newly installed Milltek cat back system and stock system.

I confirmed the Milltek exhaust sounds overall better and "sportier" than the stock system however it's a subtler difference than I was expecting. No drone at all in the cabin (very happy about that) at any RPM. Only a nice, sporty sound and those cool pops and gurgles on the overrun we're all used to in the S. The system sounds even better vs. stock the harder you drive which I'm also happy about.

During that drive I also confirmed the stronger pull in every gear from about 3K to 5.5K RPMs that I thought I felt while driving it home from the shop. It seems I'm hearing more of the supercharger whine than before also. That whine seems to be more present in the aural mix while driving quickly. Given the limited driving I've done so far with the new system, I can say I'm happy with the upgrade although ultimately, I would have liked just a little bit more growl. YMMV.

 

If you are on a tight budget, look at Ireland Engineering.
I got one 3 or 4 years ago because I couldn't justify the price difference.
The quality seems very good in general, but the tip(s) are not the best if that is big concern.
The sound is good. I think the quality of the sound is great. The volume is a little more than I would like. It's perfect for zipping around town, but on a long trip it gets tiresome. No drone, just volume that increases to the point that at 70-80mph it is a little louder than I'd like.
Now, I'm in my mid 50s and may be less enthusiastic about a loud exhaust than most here (I also get tired of the pops and crackles--everything has that these days), but I can only speak for myself.


I should also note that I had some fitment problems with my system. I worked with IE (who were really great--offered to send a new system or a refund. Ultimately I was able to make adjustments to get it to fit) and they checked and found it was a bad batch. They were going to send them back to the fabricators to be re-done.

 

I bought the IE exhaust last fall when my stock system rusted through and I love it. It grumbles and pops on decel, and is nice and deep on acceleration. Best for playing around or town driving. It gets the loudest between 65 and 70 mph on the highway.

Mine was easy to install, I did it in three hours the night it arrived. The tips are a bit crooked, but that's a problem for the drivers behind me.

I would recommend it to anyone on a budget looking for a fun exhaust.