Yeah, Mugen tax is real for sure. After having the HKS for 15 years my ears are happier switching to the Mugen.

 

Had a long search for a Mugen. Found one here. Worth it.

Car felt dialed in perfectly with the Ohlins and Mugen. That lasted about a month and now I’m trying to sort out a random misfire that new coil packs, plugs, a MAP sensor cleaning and ECU reset haven’t fixed.

Looking at injectors next.

 

I love my Q300. It really adds to the car experience. Mine doesn’t drone with the Berk HFC. I just fitted a Toda exhaust to another S that I own. Haven’t driven it enough yet to pass much comment. It will be slightly quieter. The finish quality is fantastic. I went with a 60 mill version, my Q300 is 70 mil. It’s a burnt blue finish on the tips the Invidia has the SS rolled tips, which is almost an OEM look.

Very happy with both. I just didn't want 2 exhausts the same. Also thought the Toda was a bit JDM too

 

Just shows how this is all relative to our exhaust sound preferences. In the case of my Q300 that's best called noise as there was nothing pleasant about it other the bit of burble when backing off the throttle. 2.2L engine, Berk 63mm high flow cat. Hear it inside your car or one just like it. YMMV.

-- Chuck

 

Unfortunately they attract too much attention. I don't think the S needs that sound personally, it falls into the late night street club sound for me. Definitely the Q300 reacts to full bark and reasonably quiet not under load. Definitely a preference thing. In the hills it's fantastic but not in the streets.

 

Slow and subtle round town, WOT up in the hills……..that’s how to drive with a Q300

 

For the same reason, we all go out with different girlfriends!

 

CAI noise on stock exhaust for me is the best ingredient for the car. But as you say, we all like different things.
Parpy drone is very Max Power and it's an age thing. When I had my Q300, the younger lot in their souped up Golf R's and whatever the late night street club drive nowadays (aka Boyracers) were slavering at hearing it. The amount of times I was asked to WOT at the lights - eagle eyed sods knew it was an Invidia.
Grin factor yes, I have to agree. But it wears off - eventually
Milltek do something more subtle

 

On a couple of Ctr’s I had a larger bore mid pipe fitted without the centre box, no drone but awful popping when driving in heavy rain? Just wondered if only one had ever deleted the centre box from the S2 system?

 

I went for Miltek 2 years ago and really happy with it. It does drone on cold startup but i let it idle for 10mins before setting off and it settles down. It gives great sound when driving without sounding chavy IMO. It has oval tips too which looks OEM although they are larger then OEM tips. Heres pics of mine.

Purchased from Tegiwa about £900...