so, its time to replace the OEM on my R50. I was hoping to go with OEM again but I cant find one online other than thru the dealer or bimmerword for over $1300. Any suggestions on aftermarket? I had at one time put an OBX catback on it but wasnt too happy as it was too loud for our taste as there was no resonator (not sure if that was why) and went back to OEM. Anyways, I also dont want to spend mucho dollars for something like a Borla....

 

Any other exhaust on the market is going to be cheaper than the $1300 OEM exhaust you found. Look for a used JCW exhaust, it won't break the bank and it's not overly loud.

 

Eh, I dunno. I made my own exhaust using 2.5" aluminized piping, a Pypes M-80 muffler, Vibrant UltraQuiet resonator, and Magnaflow tips, and it's too loud for my fiancee.

I saved quite a bit of weight since the OE exhaust is so damn heavy (rear end actually lifted a bit), but if I were to do things over (or had time to), I'd had gone one-ball.

Just keep a lookout in the classifieds for someone selling their OE muffler, buy it for cheap, and take it to a muffler shop to get installed.

I do still have my OE R53 exhaust ...

 

thanks to you both. unfortunately, a jcw and an r53 wont work. they are both dual muffler systems. mine is a single muffler with a tailpipe that exits on the right side rear, not center rear...

 

I have an R50 as well and have been shopping around for a new catback. Mine is getting some rust spots.

I have potentially snagged a Borla on the marketplace which is very popular although a new one runs almost $700 at OutMotoring.com. They also carry the Megan, I believe, which is very popular and under $400. WayMotorWorks.com carries a few as well.

 

There is a thread SOMEWHERE on here dedicated to info on Non-S exhaust but I can't find it for the life of me. However, here is a decent, recent thread with some opinions on R50 exhaust options. Megan seems to be the favorite.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...or-my-r50.html

 

I recently bought the the stratmosphere exhaust for my r53. I love it. Definitely more power than stock and no annoying droning sound. Just my opinion.

 

I like my Milltek, but they're as pricey as the Borla and no longer readily available in the States.

I'd say go for the Megan - it looks like a good, durable (stainless steel), not-too-loud (resonator)
design for less than $400.00.

 

There are JCW exhausts made for the R50 MINIs. Though not as common, I figured it would fit your needs if you could locate one.

 

Find an exhaust/muffler shop that is willing to work with you, if you can find a jcw muffler then alot of shops can simply fabricate the rest for you, i got a dual exhaust borla system for my old mustang fabricated from borla stinger mufflers for only $80, sounded amazing.

 

does anyone have any insight to this:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk.../BO291671.html
or this:
http://www.discountexhaustsystems.co...es-Quiet-Flow3
and/or what do you think?

 

That Bosal is what I'm probably going to go with when the time comes. I can't comment on fit or sound on the MINI, but I have used one on a BMW, and was happy. I'm hoping it retains use of the stock tip, though. Makes sense that it would.

 

The Megan will last a lot longer being made of stainless steel, has a resonater,
looks better, and is not that much more expensive. It's probably a little louder
at WOT than the Bosal, though.

 

If you really want something cost-effective, buy a universal Magnaflow muffler (or "backbox", to use modern anglicized parlance xD ). If I recall, the part number is 11366. It's a 9" long body, so it will fit where your muffler was originally.

Take the muffler to your local mom-n-pop muffler shop and tell them, "put this on, and make it a cat-back, Jack."

Bet ya $5 they'll do it for less than $200. :D

 

Actually called Bosal. Talk about amazing customer service. The guy was very informative, very helpful, and based on such a great experience I am going with the Bosal. Additionally its available at Autozone stores and Autozone.com for $248 and they send me $30 in store credit for the purchase for a net of $218 and they ship to my house for free and it has a lifetime warranty.

 

Please keep us updated. I wasn't aware of the lifetime warranty. The Bosal is an appealing and cost effective choice for those insistant on staying stock.

I'm both a fan of stainless, and of hearing my car. On my Plymouth Duster, I have a Pypes stainless system with two chamber mufflers. The thing with my R50 is that I'm frequently using the upper rpm range simply to get me through traffic. Besides not wanting to sound like I'm driving a 115hp car, I'd rather not advertise when I'm intentionally driving fast. I know the Megan might only be a little louder, but I really like the near silence I now enjoy. Oh, my friend had some type of sport muffler on his R50, and it really did sound good. Just my preference for this car, which I'm currently putting 300 (rapid) miles on per week.

 

I would be *very* interested to hear how it works out for you- living in Maine anything but stainless is a waste of money- it wont make it five years.
I'd love to stay stock, but not as much as I'd love to have something even quieter! Is the Bosal stainless?

 

Bosal is aluminized steel.

 

frankly, I actually dont mind what its made of with a lifetime warranty

 

Does the warranty cover the broken bolts, and a day under the car? :p

It doesnt seem that any of the local auto parts stores carry a factory exhaust for the '02 S- r53 I think. Did you happen to notice anything for the S?

 

Doubt that the warranty would cover that netman86, but still, seems worth it. Didnt look into the "s". Autozone is very helpful at the local stores but I bought mine on their website since it had free to home shipping (and the $30 autozone money card). I would call Bosal directly, like I said, they were extremely helpful. No one carries these in stock, they all order it and can have it in a few days Bosal's number: (973) 428-9822

 

I bought the Cat Back from Megan Racing about a year ago, I'm very pleased with it still til this day. On low rpm's it has a nice growl but it does tend to drone out a little on the highway. Here's a link to my exhaust so you hear for yourself.

http://youtu.be/p0wYgGZdTtA

 

So, the Bosal exhaust is in and overall I couldnt be happier. My only hiccup was the pipe just after the front muffler must be cut at about 3" back and the Bosal slides over the pipe and gets clamped. I didnt realize this needed to be done. I had forgotten about the front muffler and just expected the Bosal to bolt right up behind the cat...no biggie though. The price was great and my mechanic only hit me for $60 to install which gives you an idea how easy it was to put in. If anyone else is looking for an OEM replacement without going louder or spending mega money from BMW this is the one.