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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Are you sure the tips are crooked? Kind of looks to me like to pipe from the resonator to the muffler is crooked. Look where the clamp in the tunnel is and where the pipe is up there way off to the left side. If you loosen the clamp there and the one at the front of the muffler and adjust them it might straighten right out.
Today, some repops of an old-school magnetic sticker I had made in a very limited run came in. Love it!
And my new driver's side lens assembly came in. Before - it's come unsealed somehow and the grunge is on the inside...
After. Much better. Not OEM, but man are those OEM lenses pricey...
The clamps and pipe adjustment was the first thing checked actually. Upon moving to the area, I inquired with people that really know cars about area shops and mechanics that are well known to be very good at what they do. Since I routinely buy, repair, rebuild, sell, and lose a ton of money on Mini Coopers, I always want to lock into a good relationship with the best people in their respective fields. This custom muffler shop has been around for a few generations and they do very good work. They are more than capable of adjusting pipes and clamps. If you can't see the crookedness in the pics, it's probably the fault of the photographer! (That's me!)
The clamps and pipe adjustment was the first thing checked actually. Upon moving to the area, I inquired with people that really know cars about area shops and mechanics that are well known to be very good at what they do. Since I routinely buy, repair, rebuild, sell, and lose a ton of money on Mini Coopers, I always want to lock into a good relationship with the best people in their respective fields. This custom muffler shop has been around for a few generations and they do very good work. They are more than capable of adjusting pipes and clamps. If you can't see the crookedness in the pics, it's probably the fault of the photographer! (That's me!)
You can definitely see that the muffler is welded crooked, but from your pictures it looks like the tip[s are centered in the bumper cutout. I think your options are to live with it, or see if you can get AFE to admit the muffler was welded poorly. I ight be tempted to live with it if the tips are centered in the bumper. Is it really worth your while to put up a stink about the muffler being off kilter? How is the sound?
The tips are indeed centered to the cutout. I realize that this isn't the most expensive exhaust on the market but at $600, it's enough $$ for me to want to expect proper welds and straight muffler tips. If they sold this as a "manufacturing 2nd" or slightly defective exhaust at an even further discount, sure, I'd pay even less and learn to live with it.
Making it right is relatively easy for Afe if they choose to do it. That's what this post is about in all honesty. I tend to search these threads when I'm considering a purchase from a company that I have not worked with before.
I'm giving it a go in terms of trying to get another muffler from Afe. I intend to keep this saga updated here as a way to provide helpful information about their customer service. So far, I've received a reply from Emnotek and he said that he would contact their Afe rep about it.
But Afe has not replied yet. They post a phone number to call but it's straight to voicemail.
We'll see how it plays out.
Regarding the sound, I actually like how it sounds. I've never installed a catback system so it's hard to compare to what I've had before. Haters will react to this but my all time favorite was a turbo-back 3" Alta exhaust on a previous 2009 MCS. It was very deep and very loud. I loved it. to me, it sounded better than any other MCS exhaust that I ever personally listened to in real life. (Whenever I mention this, there is usually at least one person that will chime in about how 3" is 'too much' even though they have never tried it/heard it/know what they're talking about! Just watch! He can't help it!)
This will eventually be a turbo back install but I am waiting to close on a house before installing a larger turbo, FMIC, and having the ECU tuned to something like Stage 2. I'm doing research on the later while I wait. It's an automatic so this isn't going to be something that I have for very much longer. But it's fun for now.
I didn't actually do anything to Dog, but I did receive and place the steering wheel logo cover-up from KillAllChrome (on Etsy) and it's gorgeous - sorry, I don't have a photo, but we all know how that logo gets crappy over time; I bought the black/oil slick color for mine, and it's a perfect fit, perfect thickness, and I highly recommend it.
Plan to make a cargo board this weekend from the long-ago plans that @MINIAC had posted.
Last edited by Harmini_MN; May 8, 2022 at 09:49 AM.
Reason: Added photo
Was a nice morning. Detailed the interior somewhat. Managed to get rid of a couple areas of minor discoloration in my carpet and gave her a good thorough vacuuming. Rained in the afternoon, so that was it.
Drained/measured/refilled ATF with 2.75 liters of BMW ATF 6, and suctioned/measured/refilled rear differential with BMW G3 70w80 GL-5 Hypoid gear oil. Just over 25,000 miles, glad I did it...both were discolored a bit compared to new fluids. Probably don't need to be this fastidious with maintenance, but, I'd like to keep this one running as long as I'm still running. B-)
Detailed the engine bay. Still not perfect, but each time it gets a bit cleaner. I wish BMW had clear coated the paint in the engine bay on these cars - degreaser several years ago took some of the paint. Eventually, I will pull the motor for a full rebuild and will spray and clear coat the engine bay, but that is well down the road - this motor runs like a bull.
Detailed the engine bay. Still not perfect, but each time it gets a bit cleaner. I wish BMW had clear coated the paint in the engine bay on these cars - degreaser several years ago took some of the paint. Eventually, I will pull the motor for a full rebuild and will spray and clear coat the engine bay, but that is well down the road - this motor runs like a bull.
It doesn’t get as dirty so it might not need spraying when you do the engine compartment, but they didn’t clear the hatch jamb either, both the body and roof colored sections.
Springs, shocks, Megan rear ACR, Rota’s, and Tires complete
After some ordeal, I finished up a major upgrade. Special thanks to Mod Mini on YT and his coilover install video. Also, “Bill’s Web space” for his write up. WMW for fast shipping and as always quality parts and the folks at ECS for the support regarding the H&R fitment issues.
Hanging out Rears assembled Fronts assembled Front PS installed Rear PS installed Done
Will take measurements and some better pics.
H&R Lowering Springs
Bilstein B6
Megan Racing Rear Adj Control Arm
Rota RBs 17x7.5 et 45
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500xl 215/45r17
PS: I hate being a car enthusiast in New England! Rust and corrosion kills good vibes!!
No problem at all. I like the offset stripe you've got. Mine is grey as well but in the passenger side. Yours Definitely matches well with the racing number.
Finally got around to putting the summer tires back on. I had my daughter help deep clean both the summer and winter wheels - they look so much better now!
