The convertible was launched in the US more than 1-1/2 years ago, and there are still relatively few aftermarket cat-back exhausts made-to-fit the convertible. I thought I'd compile a list of the known ones so that MCSC owners interested in upgrading won't have to sift through the massive number of exhaust systems available for hardtops only. The ones I'm aware of are:

- Borla Street or Sport
- Milltek
- Larini Club Sport
- One-ball (DIY)

Are there any I've missed? If you have one made for the hardtop that you've modified to fit your MCSC, how did you go about doing it?

Edit 4/6/06: Added Larini Club Sport exhaust, removed Webb Motorsports exhaust

 

Thanks for that info. I'm thinking of getting the Borla.

 

Of all the manufacturers of aftermarket exhausts, I have only seen Milltek specifically indicate that they have an exhaust fitted for the Cabrio (and they charge an extra $100 for that statement ). Does Borla make the Cabrio claim or has it just been shown by others that it can be done?

(Isn't the one-ball just a DIY mod?)

 

The $100 price delta is ridiculous - I almost got a Milltek, but the outright price-gouging infuriated me. I understand they had to do a little R&D in order to make the cat-back fit the convertible, and perhaps utilize a few different parts, but to me, $100 is not a justifiable delta for that kind of work.

I wasn't aware of it myself until a rep from Mini Mania informed me a few weeks back that they have been carrying a Borla with bends in the pipe that fit the convertible - click to see product.

Personally, I love the sound compared to the Milltek, but I dread the drone.


Fair enough, if you want to be picky about it.
It doesn't come in a box, but it's certainly an option for anyone who wants a cheap exhaust mod.

 

I put a scorpion exhaust on my cabrio. With no major problems. The exhaust system came with an additional set of rear hangers for the cabrio., but they still didn't fit rite. I just re-welded the two hanger clips to fit better, and other than that no problems.

 

I know the Miltek is extra $ but our Cabrio's are already so loud (no insulation up top you know ). I spring for performance parts that are not much louder than stock or more quiet than the competition but give substantial performance improvement over stock. For example, when I was trying to decide on CAI's I heard that the Alta is loud and that the K&N was quieter but not quite the through put. I went with the K&N and even though it's quieter than the Alta it's still a big jump in sound. I'm sure the Miltek will do the same for sound but that's the price we pay for having Cabrios. With mine being Hot Orange, Lord knows I don't need any more help in attracting the cops attention!

 

Any sounds clips for this?

 

We are running a LARINI SYSTEMS sport cat back exhaust, all stainless steel,
available for $626
see picture

 

Looks great! Have you got any sound clips by any chance? Any modifications necessary with the Larini catback to make it fit the convertible?

 

Just added the sound clips

Please go to our Gallery

these are the sound clips from the manufacturer,
I will add shortly the sound clips from our own Cabrio.

We fitted a regular exhaust to our Cabrio, but had to modify slighty the y pipe.
The exhausts available all have a y pipe specific to the Cabrios.

Thanks

 

Because all of the bracing under the Cabrio plus it's 3" tubing
the WMS will not be released for the Cabrio.
I asked Brian/Randy and they told me so.

I'm looking to get either the Milltek or a JCW.

Maybe I'm halucinating but the Milltek looks identical to the JCW
does anyone know anything about this?


regards,
Charles

 

Victor, can the Larini mid-resonator be ordered separately, say if I wanted to do the exhaust first then add the mid-resonator at a later time? The system is a good price - I'm just not quite sure yet if I like the sound. Thanks for your time and response!

 

What a shame - no love for the cabrio.

 

we got the Milltek and the rear clamp is problematic due to the braces (the reason for the $100 extra cost ). Emails to Stratmosphere and Milltek have not helped yet. The key might be to mount the two rear sections off the car with the rear clamp bolt on top vs leaving it below for fastening.

Any other suggestions?

 

OK, since I am a girl on a serious mission, I called Magnaflow AGAIN today and spoke to someone in tech. They told me back in January the exhaust would be out in 3-4 weeks. Same story again today. So the new plan was to buy the mufflers and have someone make the rest of the exhaust. However, I asked them what the difference between the 02-03 exhaust was and the new one. 2 things, 1 the hangers are in different positions/orientations and 2 on the newer version the mufflers don't come together before the tips, the tips are seperate (if you look at the install sheets on their site you will see). So I asked the guy "If I can get someone to reweld the hangers on the old version for me, it will work on a convert" and he said yes. I had heard rumors that there was an extra bend in the 'vert exhaust because of an extra cross member, anyone know if this is true?
If no one does, this weekend I will be taking pics of the underneath of my MINI and my bf's hardtop to see if there are differences. If not, I am ordering the old magnaflow version and having the hangers rewelded.

 

Meg, the cabrio has some added chassis bracing just ahead of the 'Y' bend. In order for the exhaust system to clear, they added a 'hump' to go over this bracing. If you install the old exhaust design, you will probably get a terrible 'rattle', if it fits at all. You can remove the bracing, but that wouldn't be recommended.

ken

 

Ive done two cat backs on convertibles.Its not an issue of the clamps,its the convertible exhaust has tho rise up 2-3 inches to clear the convertible cross brace.Unless it is designed for convertible it will not fit without spacing down the cross member,no easy task and alot of custom fabrication.Again unless it is designed with the rise it will not clear the rear cross frame.Any questions PM me.

 

It's good, designed for the cab, and doesn't make a whole lot of racket. Looks nice too.

Ok, so it ain't exactly cheap, but there aren't as many cab options and this is a good one.

 

I still love my Miltek! Sure I paid a little extra, but its worth it. Looks and sounds great. For more sounds check here.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...ht=sound+clips

 

We have the Larini exhaust systems for the Cabriolet in stock.

with 2 versions available

the club sport for $656
and the club sport with an additional resonator for $813
Our larini header is $1034

see our gallery for pictures

thanks

 

The larini is second on my list but I am really going to try my hardest to get the Magnaflow. I like its sound the best. I don't want to pay for one thing and then regret it because I didn't get what I really wanted.

 

Hello Meg,

I will be posting new sound clips of our Cabrio with the club sport system by the end of the day

thanks

 

I think I have my problem solved!! I found a place that will build me an exhaust using the Magnaflow mufflers. Mufflers $87 a piece and the rest of the work (using stainless steel pipe) at $550. So it even works out to be cheaper then the Magnaflow system itself. Might be a few weeks before I can get it done as I have to order the mufflers and find 2 days where I don't need my car, but looks like this is the way I am going to go.

 

Meg I hate to point this out but the top appears to be UP on your MINI in your new sig. tsk tsk.

 

It was 30 degrees that day, damn straight the top was up.