I just added an Invidia catback to our 05-MCSa. The Invidia has the 02-04 style rear exhaust hangers. My question is on the 02-04 cars are the hanger brackets oriented differently or are the different hangers?

 

Yes, they are different on 02-03. I have an 04 with invidia. Here is what you can do. Just take the car to the muffler shop and have them weld the 2 new hangers...about $30

 

I know the brackets on the exhaust are different. I didn't want to have to weld on new ones. Was hoping the 02-03 hanger brackets on the car were different. Oh well looks like I may have to fire up the welder afterall.

 

I need to crawl under my car sometime.

My installer installed a old style exhaust in my '05. He said it was tricky but he didn't had to weld anything. He also said I could switch back to '05 exhaust with no problem.

 

Cool, let me know what you find. Thank you.

 

Me too, I've got a '02-03' Remus coming for my wifes '04 Cooper (could'nt beat the price, saved $200). I was going to have the two hangers welded together also as a last resort. Could you take some pics?

 

...or you can do this.

 

Has anyone who used the cable-tie method of attaching the hangers had a problem with rattles down the road? Just wondering if a more permanent solution (welding) may be better in the long run.

TIA for your response!

 

I had crazy rattles when my inner hangers were hung with some metal strings.
I cut them off and the rattles seems to be reduced by alot.

Let me know what you find VOID

 

Did the rattles begin immediately after hanging with the metal strings, or did it take some time to develop? Is the inner hanger just dangling free now (i.e., not secured to the rubber hangers at all)?

 

Nope. It was perfectly fine for a few days after installation but then boom
rattles from heatshield, rattles from somewhere rattles everwhere.

and the inner hangers are kinda leaning onto the inner hanger rubbers but nothing tied to it.

 

Does that mean you still have some rattles after cutting off the wires, with the inner hanger hanging loose?

 

Yes.

And I have crawled under my car today (100+ degrees today..)
checking around where the rattles were coming from
and it actually came from the point where inner hangers are rested on the hanging brackets. You should crawl under and start tap the exhaust around and see if you can replicate the sound