Being new to MINIs I’m asking for a bit of advice from those who’ve been around the block: exhausts.
I find my 2012 Cooper S too quiet: I expect a bit more noise from a hot hatch when giving it the beans. After test-driving a few MINIs ahead of buying, I planned ahead and have an aftermarket exhaust ready to go with my insurance, but I can’t decide which one...
I’m too new to MINIs to know what options to look at. I’ve listened to (more than) a few on Youtube and appreciate there’s nothing like hearing them in person. And – frustratingly for me at least – most videos focus on what an exhaust sounds like OUTSIDE the car. I couldn’t care less what it sounds like from the outside: I want some which sounds better INSIDE, i.e. I want the benefit!
I know it’s very much down to personal tastes but I’m really struggling to know where to start. If I list my criteria do you think folk could give me some pointers about what I should be considering?
Criteria:
* a bit louder than standard (under WOT)
* but not too loud – I’ve got young kids so I can’t go for something daft, plus I’m too old for that sort of sh*t nowadays
* enhancing the current exhaust note/volume – I like how it sounds, it just needs amplified
* characterful – I’m not adverse to a few more pops n bangs
* no droning when cruising
* not keen on idea of having to swap out a decat for MOT etc.
I’ve looked at the JCW backbox but would that be enough of a difference? I know there’s the Challenge exhaust (I see one for sale on this forum – might be sold though I don’t know) but suspect that’s way off the top end of the noise scale for me! I’ve seen comments saying the Milltek isn’t the most tuneful. And it’s hard to know if the likes of the Alta or Akrapovic exhaust notes/volumes are to my tastes or not. Akrapovic far beyond my budget anyway.
First preference is staying OEM as in my head that’s got highest chance of avoiding problems. For info and as guidance, I swapped the backbox on my previous car – a BMW e90 330i – for the M Performance backbox which was absolutely perfect for my needs: louder under WOT but unchanged when cruising, and enhanced what was already a cracking sounding engine.
Any suggestions/opinions and links to videos (inside!) would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.