Hi everyone:

So my 2003 Mini Cooper S started making a loud noise, and I was pretty sure it was a muffler problem.

I took it to Midas (we live in a small city with no MINI dealership/repair shop). I want to make sure what they said makes sense and that the price sounds reasonable to someone who would know. Here's what they said:

There is a break in the exhaust system right in front of the manifold. To fix it, they need to replace the manifold, the "flex piece" (I assume this is a piece of pipe) and the catalytic coverter, and they are quoting me about $1300 for everything, P&L before tax.

AS a temporary fix, they welded it today for $45.00 and it is much quieter. Here's what I'm hoping someone can help me with:

1) does this diagnosis make sense and
2) does this price sound reasonable?

I've been hunting online for a diagram of the system so I can understand this better, so if anyone knows where to find one, I'd appreciate that link.

Thanks in advance,
Ren920
2003 MINI Cooper S Blue/Black
Sweet Ride/Money Pit

 

Try __Real Oem__ And you will be able to see pictures of the parts involved.Will help you make a better decision on what might have to be done.

 

Cost sounds about right because the manifold with cat is expensive.
Here is a link to a picture:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/flashpo...eader-cat.html
You can see the flex joint below the four-tube collector.
It is not uncommon to get a crack in that loaction.
If the crack it is now welded, I would just drive it that way until it breaks again.

 

Thank you both so much. This is just what I needed to know.

 

I just bought my 2004 MC with 99K original miles on it and the MC came with the Borla Stainless Steel from the Cat back - The sound is awesome!! This will last for another 100K miles at least...

 

REN920, just keep your eye out for a good, used OEM header/cat assembly. So many enthusiasts put on performance headers with hi-flow cats, you should be able to find one for less than half what your shop quoted. Shoot, you could even purchase a tuned header/hi-flow cat and still come out to the good.