So I took my car into the local muffler shop which is known for doing some pretty awesome work. I've been in there a few times myself and they were great. But when I took my MINI in there to get the resonator out, he told me that it couldn't be done without doing some mods to the system itself. On any other car you can cut it out and then it can be welded right back in if needed but he said that's not the case here. He basically told me that it splits in two so they would have to cut the back half off and then re-weld it.

This guy is kind of known for not being the nicest guy, and he's certainly lazy. My gut told me that he's lying through his teeth.

Has anyone had something similar told to them? Should I take it somewhere else and see if they say the same or take his word? I would get under and look myself.. but I don't exactly fit

05' MCS cabrio, 6 speed

 

He is lying.

 

FULL of BS!

I had a custom 2.25" resonator pipe made to fit oem location for $120. Just the resonator would have been less!

 

Thanks! I'll take it somewhere else and have them cut it out!

 

Those shops are idiots. They are setting themselves up for a big fine. It's not only a resonator, but a second cat converter. It's illegal for a person to remove it, and really illegal for a shop.

I'm not saying you can't remove the second cat and have the car still pass emissions, or run as MINI intended, but just that you should know going in that there maybe some consequences. If I had a shop, I'd have to think real hard about risking a $25,000 fine for a $200ish sale...

 

Are you sure? the first cat is usually located after the exhaust manifold and the second down below. I've never know the resonator to be a cat or else the CEL would come on when you take it out. right?