2013 R56 John Cooper Works - lack of exhaust pops and bangs

[volvos60s60]

Hi all. I have just picked up today a 2013 R56 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works.

The car seems great, but I have a question. I don't hear much of the often written about pops and bangs from the exhaust. Is that likely because I'm not driving it hard enough (want to get new tyres on it first), am still being a bit lively with it though, or is it likely that a dealer software update might have cancelled it out?

Any comments appreciated

[E-bmw]

I believe they are more evident on the earlier ones & also that there are software updates/maps that virtually cancel them out, so you could be right.

[johnoz]

put the sport button ON.

[Brainpox]

Yep you need to hit the sport button to get anything, and you get more when driving harder/when exhaust is hot. It's not every time you come off throttle like some cars.

[volvos60s60]

Appreciate all the comments so far. Just to clarify, I was driving in Sport mode - why wouldn't you ?

[GaryF]

volvos60s60 said:

Appreciate all the comments so far. Just to clarify, I was driving in Sport mode - why wouldn't you ?

Do you not find that Sport mode turns the steering feel to lead?

"Sporty" steering does not have to equate to being so heavy and stodgy. I can't use Sport mode at all for that reason as it completely spoils the steering (for me anyway).

[moonigan]

Fit the Akrapovic downpipe. Its expensive but you wont be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ky2CAl8xU

[TheAlastair34]

in sport mode lift off the throttle below 3,000 revs and you will hear them with the window down

ive fitted a decat to mine and its great now very loud on cold start but then its fine, get a good rasp when changing gear fast and the pops and bangs are fantastic now

[Brainpox]

moonigan said:

Fit the Akrapovic downpipe. Its expensive but you wont be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ky2CAl8xU

What does that do to interior noise? Do you get much drone?

[GaryF]

moonigan said:

Fit the Akrapovic downpipe. Its expensive but you wont be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ky2CAl8xU

Still saving for the two Lohen packs - I see they now offer either the Akrapovic downpipe (100 cell cat) or Milltek (200 cell cat) as options with the Performance Pack 2. The Akrapovic is £280 more expensive.

I know not what the performance difference/ loudness difference is. The Akrapovic certainly sounded quite vocal in your clip

[CrippsCorner]

Brainpox said:

Yep you need to hit the sport button to get anything, and you get more when driving harder/when exhaust is hot. It's not every time you come off throttle like some cars.

It does on mine... but only after I added a non-res Milltek

[stevemcs]

V Power and a Milltek sports cat on mine, it pops a lot more that a JCW with Evolve cat.

[GaryF]

stevemcs said:

V Power and a Milltek sports cat on mine, it pops a lot more that a JCW with Evolve cat.

Is the Milltek DP as loud as the Akrapovic in the link above from moonigan?

I'd wanted a stage 2 tune myself which requires a DP but don't want to ruin it as a daily driver by making it too loud.

Someone else has asked above about mototway boom inside the car with the Akrapovic. I'd beiinterested in comments on acoustics with either Akrapovik or Milltek DP (with cat) mated to standard R56 JCW exhaust.

[Phil Dicky]

GF has a standard 2011 Cooper S Convertible and it pops and bangs nicely with sport button on.

[moonigan]

Brainpox said:

What does that do to interior noise? Do you get much drone?

No drone whatsoever just adds a nice rasp to the exhaust.

[GaryF]

moonigan said:

No drone whatsoever just adds a nice rasp to the exhaust.

Thanks - that makes me feel a lot better! I want the power and can take some extra loudness / raspiness but don't want a droning fartbox.

[Brainpox]

moonigan said:

Brainpox said:

What does that do to interior noise? Do you get much drone?

No drone whatsoever just adds a nice rasp to the exhaust.

Thanks. I read on a US forum that it can throw up engine management lights - any issues there?

[moonigan]

Brainpox said:

Thanks. I read on a US forum that it can throw up engine management lights - any issues there?

it did but I had the garage that fitted it reset it.