Can anyone tell me how bad this rust is on my muffler, if it's just a heat shield or the muffler itself, and what i should do about it?

R52 2005 mini with 67k miles on it.

thanks!

 

The outer shield tends to rust and then works its way inward. I replaced my stock exhaust and I would check the clamps . If the exhaust is getting bad the clamps are soon to follow. As long as you don't have any protruding exhaust leaks, or hear a louder then usual noise or would see black residue. I have seen people sand and heat paint these in the past for a short term fix.



Check your clamps also.



Bottom Clamp: #10

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/18201490024/

Top Clamp #11

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/18207520245/




I upgraded to a JCW Sport exhaust for a better sound and look, has built in hangers. Fits R50 R52 Base Cooper.

Number 3 in diagram

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/18100399689/



If you go with a stock replacement we have those also.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/18307537083/




Thanks and hope that helps.

 

If it leaks or it starts to sag, replace it....
But the outer heatshield seems to rust pretty bad....even fall off, or get a few holes, but the exhaust system can still be airtight. The stock system is stainless, but seems to rust out pretty fast for a stainless steel system....my other non mini has 200,000+ on the stock stainless system...still in good shape!

 

good excuse to get an aftermarket exhaust, or custom build one.

 

Many people just wait until it fails and then take the opportunity to buy an aftermarket cat back I know an r50 with a borla system.

 

I don't care to go with any upgrades, just want to keep things going stock, especially exhaust.
No new noises, I don't think there's a hole in the muffler yet..

So can I get away with just replacing the shield and possibly the clamps?
Is it a difficult job?

 

If you go with a stock replacement we have those also.

The shield is bonded to the exhaust muffler. You can see it in the stock exhaust.

The clamps just hold the exhaust rear section to the body of your MINI , they rust on the top and bottom clamp and then your exhaust hangs down a little. When the rear rust on the outside shows up the clamps are rusted usually also. I would check them first. If you replace the exhaust all together get the new clamps. The clamps don't technically repair the shield problem , the help with the dropping of the exhaust.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/18307537083/



Thanks

 

No its not worth replacing the shield when this happens the clamp and then the muffler itself fails with the right socket extensions the clamp can be replaced without removing the exhaust. The muffler itself will eventually need to be replaced and with oem costs many people go aftermarket.

 

ok... So muffler/shield, upper and lower clamps, and gasket? Anything else typical for this work?

What's the DIY time/complexity for a novice? So far, I've changed the oil pan gasket, done brakes/rotors, PS fan... Not too much...

thanks!

 

The oem exhaust on my 05 R53 rusted through from the inside out and it only had 54k on it. It developed a 8" crack on the seam of the muffler and for a while I could only hear my exhaust through my wheel well.

My guess is that the previous owner mainly drove it for short trips, and never gave the car a chance to fully warm up and burn up the condensation within the system. I was fine with this, it gave me a good excuse to go aftermarket

 

my 1995 Miata is still on the original exhaust system . . . and a daily driver

that's one heck of a car . .

 

Most aftermarket exhausts bolt up in sections to make shipping simpler...
Your biggest issue will be getting the old one off....hacksaw can cut the pip to drop it, but you will still need to get the bolts off on the flange just behind the CAT.
If you have done an oil-pan gasket, I bet you COULD do it, but exhaust work tends to need more bluntforce, or cutting tools/torches....
a QUALITY aftermarket should bolt up ok..be tight with jack-stands, but doable. Since the locations of the stock hangers varied a bit (at least on the S) due to changes made to accomdate the cabrio, some new exhausts need modifications of the hangers to fit....

 

Bought my 2006 MC new and got the JCW exhaust. Looks way cooler than the stock exhaust, sounds cooler, and I believe has better stainless steel in the thing. No corrosion at all so far. Was installed by the dealer. Included a different air intake and filter along with a code load for the engine. But it also (according to contemporary literature at the time) boosted gas mileage about 1 mpg, which at 100k miles so far, has saved about $300 in gasoline expense. I paid something like $1,100 including installation for it, and it was money I feel was well spent. That would be a lot as a maintenance item if the car has a lot of wear on it already. But if you intend to keep the vehicle it is an option worth considering, especially if you live near a reputable Mini dealership.

 

Looks approximately like my exhaust on my 04... When I bought it preowned, it still had the shiny "shell" on the exhaust. Maybe it had been attached with adhesive or something to increase the appraisal, I don't even know if that's possible, but the outer layer it fell off within a week or so, revealing the much less attractive, rusty inside. Since then I've had the unsightly thing hanging off my MINI's butt; probably the only glaring flaw in her appearance. Been trying to replace it with a Borla 140030. Looked cooler than OEM and it's supposed to sound great too... Looking forward to completing that DIY.

 

my 2005 R53 exhaust rusted after only 100000km (60k miles) on the passenger side. It was getting to the point where holes were starting to appear.

I just replaced the exhaust with a custom build one like most people do

GL