I'm curious if installing a custom exhaust from a fabricator would diminish the overall value of my car at resale.

I've got a very nice 2006 R53 w/JCW package and 36.5K miles. Unfortunately the combination of gravel roads and salty upstate NY winters has put an end to my exhaust. The dealer tells me I need everything from the cat back and is willing to sell and install what I need for more than I can afford at this moment. I could go aftermarket with one of the usual manufacturers, but there is a local fabricator who has a good reputation who can fabricate and install a new system for me at a far more reasonable sum. My big concern however is what would be the financial impact of installing a local fabricator's product on my car rather than another JCW exhaust or a known aftermarket manufacturer. Would it make it harder to sell the car in the future? Would I take a substantial hit to my asking price?

Thank you for your help.
M

 

I think you could go this route, but there are some things to consider. A custom built exhaust isn't tested and be worse for the engine than the stock or 3rd party system. They also may use lower quality steel that can rust and corrode faster then a system with stainless steel. Main thing to remember, generally, you get what you pay for.

Having said that, depending on who you sell it to, they may or may not care what it's got on it other than does it pass emissions and sound good.

 

My biggest worry right away would be the effect on the engine. Even installing an aftermarket cat-back system could have some bad effects. Also consider warranty on the exhaust and etc... I would love to support a local shop like that but these are highly computerized and expensive engines unlike a some simplistic old V8 in some hot rod. But Id love to hear your desicion.

 

Thank you very much for your thoughtful replies, folks. I still haven't made a decision but your concerns about the fabbed system harming the engine is an issue I had not considered. I guess I will need to give this more thought!

Thanks again.

 

Might be ok, might not...
Just depends...you get a good feeling from the place...
Custom may be better....but the one problem with custom over prebuilr is the outcome unknown till it is built/installed....
The sound with an aftermarket exhaust is usually key...
some sound great, some pretty cheap...buzzy/ricey.....
If the shop is willing to work with you a bit if the sound is subpart it might be worth the effort to save a few $$.
I would not worry about $$$ in value loss...if salt/corrosion has taken its toll on an exhaust (what else under the car is rusting/rotting), the car is not a collectors item, and is valued based upon condidion, not orginolity.