Fitted it today took all of an hour I struck lucky with the two bolts not seized.A good tip was the mole grips to help lever the rubbers off.
Is it louder than the original, that I cannot answer but it is deffo up on the decibels with more bass than the cheap aftermarket replacement that was on it 
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo217/ngapsley/IMG_20170329_0728451_zpsxpmm4kgw.jpg
Just had fitted , very pleased
Update on mine - well run in and makes nice burble from cold without annoying the neighbours but certainly louder than stock. Love it on full throttle .
Looks great from behind , you don’t see the back box as you do with std one , just a lovely upswept stainless pipe
Not posted for a while but think this is time I did about the new cat and cobalt single exhaust fitted to my 96 1.8 auto. Burbly at mid range without going into “hold” mode, reasonably quiet when cruising and like a scalded cat on full throttle. Whether it suits an unmapped auto and I should get that looked at the power really picks up after initially seeming a bit flat from the off. One pleasing thing as a daily driver is improved mpg - could also be the new bargain stainless cased cat (cats2u) but now getting 5 days driving rather than 4 from a tank of fuel. The tailpipe is also nice looking compared to standard. I hope it (and I) last as long as the standard exhaust which has only just given up after 21 years!