I have a 2004 R53 Exhaust that is going in to a 2003 R53. Will this work? Does it matter if one is an automatic and the other a manual?

I checked realoem.com and the part numbers seemed to have evolved mid 2004 and is different between auto and manual. Looking to confirm the compatibility or incompatibility.

Thanks in advance.

 

What you may be seeing is extra braces were added to the underside of mini's in mid 2004 in preperation for the introduction of the cabrio..cars with the added bracing needed an extra crimp in a spot on a pipe...so you often find aftermarket exhausts fit up 2005...heck even the JCW exaust had 2 different part numbers...from what i understand, the newer parts would fit the older car, but the older part would not fit the newer car IF it had the extra braceing...
Not sure if auto to manual specficly, but suspect catback,they are the same...your 2004 may have the crimp, may not, but either way, it should work on an older car...the reverse might not be true...

 

At some point they changed the hanger locations. not sure what year that happened. easily fixed at an exhaust shop though.

 

Thanks gents. The exhaust will be installed tomorrow. Hope it'll fit as you said

 

The hanger locations didn't change but their orientation did. I found some Honda rubber hangers that work. Honda part 18215-SMG-E11 is a rubber hanger that has the holes perpendicular to each other and works perfectly. Honda or Acura dealers will have them in stock.

You may find you need them. I did.

Rich