Hi,

Just replaced my stock 2002 exhaust (what was left of it) with a beautiful non-resonated WMW Stratmosphere exhaust.

I do have a question on the fitment though - from what I've seen of other's installs there should be about 1/4in gap between the exhaust and the trim. Like this:
Mine however, seems to be about 1/2in too high, and is impeding on the plastic trim.

I had a muffler shop do the job as I tried this morning but could not for the life of me undo the bolts from the cat (13yrs of rust). From what they and I could see, there didn't appear to be a way to adjust the exhaust to hang lower.

I therefore wonder if my trim is out of whack somehow. I couldn't see much but do have a 1/8in "gap" on the rear quarter panel.

Anyone encountered a similar issue and have any advice?

 

It looks like you might just have to do a little tweaking to get the tips exactly where you want them. Maybe add some spacers, or bend the hangers a little bit. It should be pretty simple to get things were you want them.

 

I have the same issue, put washers or spacers between all 4 rear exhaust hangers to force it to drop more. Make sure the washers are between the hanger and chassis.

 

Pretty easy fix as all MINIs are just slightly different, but we see this pretty common with Millteks, and Invidias too.

Just bend the outer black hangers near the mufflers down a little. Doesn't take much we often do it by hand.
You can also put some washers or spacers on the studs for the hangers on the body as that will work too.

 

Thanks all for your comments.

And thanks Way, I did give a little tug on the hangers, but didn't want to pull too much. I will put some elbow grease into it now.

By the way - I don't want you to think I was questioning the fitment of the exhaust - it is beautiful, and sounds great! I was more worried my bumper was out of position!

Thanks for getting it to me so quickly by the way! Will be coming to you for some suspension next. :D

 

Wow, that sounds great. that might be my ticket when my JCW exhaust finnally givers it up.

 

So, weirdly, the outer (black) hangers aren't bearing any load at all. The rubber hangers are are diagonal rather than vertical, and disconnecting the black hangers from the body gives me no extra play in the exhaust (maybe 1-2mm).

The inner hangers are roughly vertical, and the steel supports for those don't look like they would bend at all. By yanking on the exhaust pretty heftily I did get about 1mm clearance on one tip and barely touching on the other. I also used an exacto to trim away the rear (unseen) of the black trim.

But - any ideas why I don't have any play in the exhaust, even with the black hangers disconnected?

 

If you disconnected the outer hangers and you still don't have it as low as you want you can just unbolt the inner hangers and put washers/spacer between the rubber hander and the body. A stack of 5-6 washers usually works very well.