Mate i drive around a BA xr6 with 18" and subs and i have not once been pulled up. If you attract attention then you will get pulled over. As long as you drive the car according to the limit and not skid around corners you should be ok. As for the exhaust i personally think the factory one is loud enough but i wouldnt go much louder. Im from melbourne and never get any problems with cops. I've even had a cop wind his window down and complement me on how my car looks.

Haha nice work. How is it? Eyy whats the difference on the mk 2 to the mk1, besides the price?

I think the mkII is just where they have fix most of the problems the mk1 had

definately get the MKII, MKI had brake shudder issues amongst a few other things that got sorted in the series 2

my xr mkII brake shutters but prob just not as bad. BF is the way to

yeah but they cost more. It's gonna be my first car, and ill be buying within the next 12 months or so. I don't want to be spending too much money on my first car, and im still saving towards it. Plus I'd also like to get a good gas system in one aswell.. the prices start adding up...

im on my red P's in vic, and ive got pacey extractors mild cam, 2.1/2 exaust with rear muffler removed and exposed open pod filter, all you have to do is drive smart when round cops, and if u think ur gonna b targeted go a shopping center or sumthing always a nice place to go. i been pulled over lots of times yet never lost a point or nothing... luckily i have no idea how, had car safety checked including looking under hood, i think our cops here just have no idea especially with a massive exposed pod in engine bay and bright blue extractors they didnt say ny thing. guess it all depends on ur region but usally exausts dont get checked unless to loud or dont seem to comply with emmisions.

My old EL had full system, rims, loud stereo, and some other mods. (Police knew this)
Most I ever got pulled over for was lisence check and random breathos.
Now have a BF XR6 and will be going in for a full new exhaust this week or the following.
Yes being on P's its illegal but if you don't drive around like a tard, dropping revs, music way up and taking off flat out I highly doubt you will have a problem with the police.
As said put the heatshield back on if your a little worried.