325 touring catalytic exhaust system

[JM2020]

Hi guys,

I have an e30 325 touring registered 11 sept 92.
The center section (two pipes between cat and back box) of my exhaust is shot where it goes in to the back box. Appears to me to be a stock cat system with a scorpion back box on it.
Can I get a stainless steel center section from anywhere?
Where do I stand regarding removing the cat etc and just having full ss exhaust put on?

Any recommendations for places in UK with good exhaust choice / options?

Kind Regards,

Jon

[Brianmoooore]

Hi guys,
Where do I stand regarding removing the cat etc and just having full ss exhaust put on
Jon

Your car was registered after 01/08/92 (just) so is tested to the newer emissions limits. It also has to have a cat. fitted, since an exhaust system without one would be a 'major' fail. Whether or not the tester would be able to tell the difference between a cat. and an expansion box on a 28 year old car is open to question.
In practice, it'll be the emissions levels that matter, rather than if the cat. is there or not.
There are ways around this.
1) Change your engine for one that is the same, but at least a few weeks older. You will need proof of this, so the V5 of the donor car is useful to have, with the engine number on it.
2) Change your engine for one that was never fitted by BMW to a touring. This can be the M42 from an E30iS, any M4x engine, except an M40 newer than 08/92, any M5x engine, or the more exotic converions.
3) Convert your engine to run on LPG as well as petrol, although there's no requirement actually run on LPG, apart from while it is being tested.

If you do any of the three above, the car is emissions tested to the older standards, which any E30 in decent condition should be able to do easily. If running on LPG, it's quite likely you'll meet the limits for a post 08/92 car, even though you now don't need to.

[JM2020]

Thanks for the response Brian.
Unfortunately none of those are options for me so I guess that leads to the other part of my question..
Are there any recommendations for places with good exhaust choices for my requirements? Ideally stainless steel, whether just center section or center and box if needs be. I have an mtech2 bodykit fitted if that makes a difference on exhaust tips positioning.

Kind Regards,

Jon