It appears you have to cut the stock piping to install an aftermarket exhaust....

When I had an E39 M5, I remember there was an actual BMW part to slip the stock exhaust back on, but i don't remember the diameter and/or part number....

so is there a part number for a pipe clamp/sleve that could be used to put the stock mini exhaust back on?

 

should be one, the JCW cat-back requires cutting and uses such a clamp.
realoemparts.com or something like that

 

There are sleeves available in the aftermarket that can allow you to put the OEM system back on. Might require a bit of trimming to both pipes.

Let me know if I can help in the future.

 

Would you happen to know what size sleeves?

 

No cutting required with the Quicksilver exhaust (provided you do not require the second cat). I guess the same could be said of other systems if you weren't interested in keeping the cat, but I'm not super familiar with all the other systems on the market.

 

how does the quicksilver exhaust sound??? any soundclips by chance?

thanks

 

Welll every state of the union requires a second cat. So best to cut even the QS system in my opinion. We should all motor and mod responsibly!

 

It's got a deep growl to it that is nice, though it can be a bit intrusive above 80 mph (on a closed course, naturally). I don't have any clips of mine but if you search on posts by oasist he posted some of his.

 

Very true, which is why it's nice that your system is set up as it is. In my short time in the MINI community it seems that people are a bit more environmentally responsible when it comes to things like this.

 

so i guess i shouldn't ask where i can purchase a de-cat pipe?