Good evening All - I have an 05' R53 with 182k miles with the original muffler.

I took it to a muffler shop and they said mufflers are rotted which the cause of the loud noise and funky gas/exhaust smell. Can someone give me any good recommendations or point me in the right direction on any aftermarket mufflers brands that will not break the bank?

Any direction, recommendations would be appreciated. I normally frequent to ECS Tuning an Pelican Parts.

Thank you.

 

What is rotted just the cans or the the pipe system as well and are you capable of doing any wrenching as a salvage yard may be a answer.

 

The pipe and the cans are rotted. One of the cans have a hole in them.

 

You need to be more specific what not breaking the bank for you mean. My bank breaks easily, but I went with Miltek. If you are on tight budget, finding a low mileage and not in road salt area (like Rhode Island )stock muffler (cat back) from someone upgrading to "performance" cat back is your best bet. The stock cat back are good quality, but I would not buy them as replacement as they are very pricey. Very good cat back can be have for ~$650 shipped. Of course you still have to install it.

 

We see these failed more often lately. So we would recommend replacing the system with either our Stratmosphere or Milltek systems. They will both fit right and be lighter, not too loud, and increase your torque.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/stratm...3-hardtop.html

https://www.waymotorworks.com/millte...w-exhaust.html

 

Aftermarket exhaust systems for Minis are quite expensive for an unknown reason, cost is why I'm still running the factory exhaust.

If you are handy you can try an ebay exhaust. They are cheaper but notorious for fitment issues that have to be worked out when you install.

 

If you're in the $800 range, Borla is the way to go.

 

Really like my Borla exhaust but they can be hard to find. Keep an eye on the marketplace here, something may pop up.

 

Love my WMW/Stratmosphere catback!

 

I installed the Magnaflow on my '05 MCS. It was the best priced stainless performance catback exhaust system in my area. Love the sound not overly loud, no drone and easy installed. Highly recommend.

 

 

Hi, guys. I just added a '05 R53 to the fleet. This is my first supercharged MINI, so I'm having fun comparing it to my turbocharged MINIs/BMWs.
SO, the kid I bought it from straight piped the exhaust, which wasn't that big a deal, although it does drone a bit. But, I was reading a little bit about it, and read something about staight-piping pushing the power band up into the 5000 RPMs or so. The car is a little sluggish at the the beginning of each gear, but not terribly noticeable.
My question is this: I think I should put an exhaust/muffler package on. I think it should add some torque back into those lower RPMs. My kid likes the sound (burble & backfire), but I told him he can have good sound and that low-band torque, Am I right?