My daughter's 2002 r53 MCS has an exhaust that is more rust than metal, so I'm looking for recommendations to replace from the cat back. This is for a daily driver so it can't be obnoxiously loud, and she drives it in the winter so rust resistance is an issue.

Options seem to range from factory stainless steel ($$$) to aluminized steel from a number of distributors ($). Then I stumbled on a number of performance stainless steel options at ECSTuning that seem to be mid-priced between low-budget and factory. Has anyone tried the resonated cat-back systems from Milltek or Scorpion? Or are there better options for a stainless exhaust for a daily driver?

 

Milltek is nice and on sale right now. Resonated if you dont want it to be super loud. Nice tone and sound. Scoprion is a good option, but not in stock here at ECS right now. I would go milltek because its on sale right now. Good luck in the search,

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-...t/Performance/

 

There are a lot of options, I chose the Gravity Performance mostly due to the Carbon tips haha. They fit in nicely with the look I am going after with my R53. I swapped it with a JCW exhaust, which I experienced as too silent for the character of the car.

Good luck with your choice!

 

+1 for the Milltek resonated. Just installed one two months ago.
Post #216 for more of my thoughts on the Milltek.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4571186

 

Thanks for the input! Does the Milltek exhaust use the stock rubber bushings on the hangers in the back?

 

Yes it does. BUT you will probably need new ones.....
use REALOEM.com




There are two #6. You can get the exhaust hangers (bolt up to the frame/sheet metal) from WAY, ECS or Pelican...
Also you may need to bend the rear hangers slightly. Mine was pressed right up against the rear bumper plastic and it need to come down.
Heat and a vice did the trick.

****One more thought for someone who knows more than me....Are the mid hangers the same as the rear hangers??? (number 6 and 14?) I only replaced the rear hangers #14, my mid hangers were fine.

 

Milltek gets my vote too, but don't waste your money on the resonator.

 

Thanks. It looks like on my early car I use 4 of #13, and on 2004 and later cars they use 2 #13's and 2 #14's.

 

I just put a slightly used invidia on mine. I’m pleased with the reasonable tone.

The mid pipe and rear hangers are significantly different.

 

Agreed on the Milltek on my 05, JCW also.
Fit without problems, sounds good, not too loud at all. no highway drone. Actually fixed a mid-rpm hesitation, or better soft HP spot over the JCW, cat-back exhaust.

Mike

 

I did the milltek, with the resonator, sounds nice no droning and no loud crackling. Everyone with an automatic, stock ,non performance car around me has the non resonated exhaust, not for me, My02- E

 

And+1 for getting new hangers when doing the exhaust... don’t ask how I found out old ones were brittle and broke...🤦🏻‍♂️

 

Thanks, I ended up ordering the resonated Milltek. Plus all the rubber hangers, for exactly the reason you implied.

 

Glad you went with the Milltek it is the best choice, and even better you got it during the sale. It's pretty much the only one we recommend in our shop anymore.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/millte...w-exhaust.html

 

Another vote for the Miltech.
Fits well, easy to install, and sounds fairly good, if a little on the quiet side, and made of stainless steel.

Mike

 

Made a new video not too long ago for the ones seeking for something else