Mini R53 exhaust question
Discussion
Hi all, I'm the proud owner of a nice R53 and have an exhaust query.
It came with a 'cost effective' Malian exhaust - it's loud and although it is quite entertaining the plan is to change it for something slightly more subtle. It'll probably be a Miltek which seems a good compromise in terms of noise.
What I especially need is less pops and bangs, the Malian is the standard version (not race) and I'm not sure whether the manifold is upgraded - will a cat-back change be enough to reduce the ASBO pops?
It came with a 'cost effective' Malian exhaust - it's loud and although it is quite entertaining the plan is to change it for something slightly more subtle. It'll probably be a Miltek which seems a good compromise in terms of noise.
What I especially need is less pops and bangs, the Malian is the standard version (not race) and I'm not sure whether the manifold is upgraded - will a cat-back change be enough to reduce the ASBO pops?
What year is the car? From late 2004 onwards the R53 had the pops and burbles from the factory. Here's the "solution" from the service bulletin released by MINI due to customer complaints of backfiring:
"Measure: Do not attempt to repair or replace any parts, this is not a failure of any driveline components. The acoustic feedback is a standard feature of the 2005 Model Year Cooper S vehicle produced as of 7/2004. This feature cannot be retrofitted to the previous model year vehicles."
An aftermarket exhaust will make them louder/more noticeable, but even with a standard exhaust, the R53 pops and burbles on overrun. The only way to stop it is to have it mapped out.
"Measure: Do not attempt to repair or replace any parts, this is not a failure of any driveline components. The acoustic feedback is a standard feature of the 2005 Model Year Cooper S vehicle produced as of 7/2004. This feature cannot be retrofitted to the previous model year vehicles."
An aftermarket exhaust will make them louder/more noticeable, but even with a standard exhaust, the R53 pops and burbles on overrun. The only way to stop it is to have it mapped out.
[quote=BORNXenon]What year is the car? From late 2004 onwards the R53 had the pops and burbles from the factory:]
True, it's a great feature! I have never been a fan of the tasteless cheap ASBO exhausts although I must admit having one one the R53 has been quite entertaining! But now a November 5th soundtrack following me around is wearing thin so a return to stock pops and bangs are in order - hoping that a cat-back change will fix it?
True, it's a great feature! I have never been a fan of the tasteless cheap ASBO exhausts although I must admit having one one the R53 has been quite entertaining! But now a November 5th soundtrack following me around is wearing thin so a return to stock pops and bangs are in order - hoping that a cat-back change will fix it?
The standard system was mild steel which dampened the noise well, it is also a one pipe system as it crosses over right to left. Milltecks are in my experience of them on minis over priced junk, My R53 had one that disintegrated internally in less than a year, it also rusted pretty quickly as the stainless grade does not like road salt.
Most of the R53's used a 3 silencer option for the stainless items (JCW) and most of the aftermarket ones have a three and two box option because it does make a nice difference to the noise.
The JCW was the nicest option I had on my R53, even with the manifold changed it was subtle.
Here's a good overview of the better options out there from a reputable seller, I've bought parts of Oli for years.
The cheaper Flecther systems are very good for the money, the Piper Systems are amazing and were the ones used by John Cooper Motor Sport on the JCM race cars.
https://orranje.co.uk/shop-by-car/bmw-mini/mini-ge...
Most of the R53's used a 3 silencer option for the stainless items (JCW) and most of the aftermarket ones have a three and two box option because it does make a nice difference to the noise.
The JCW was the nicest option I had on my R53, even with the manifold changed it was subtle.
Here's a good overview of the better options out there from a reputable seller, I've bought parts of Oli for years.
The cheaper Flecther systems are very good for the money, the Piper Systems are amazing and were the ones used by John Cooper Motor Sport on the JCM race cars.
https://orranje.co.uk/shop-by-car/bmw-mini/mini-ge...
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