1989 325i Sport - standard exhaust rear box recommendations?

[StuB]

Hi All,

After a couple of years off the road, I've been working on getting my 325i Sport back in good working order. Whilst adjusting the handbrake at the rear passenger side wheel, I noticed the rear silencer looking a bit grim.

Basically the two pipes that feed into it from the centre box are very corroded where they join the rear box, and look beyond reasonable repair. The rest of the rear silencer is pretty rusty so I would like to replace it. I've now removed it from the car.

What I need to know is the silencer on this model the same as all 325i models? Where would I track down a good used standard rear box, or a new one if they aren't ridiculously expensive?

I don't particularly want an after market item as the car is completely standard in all respects and I'd like to keep it that way really.

On a related note, the middle box output pipes which I dismantled to remove the rear box and pipework have one pipe slightly longer than the other and with a removable flange. Is that standard or has it been messed with previously? I should have taken a photo under there when I took it to bits really to explain.

Thanks for any advice or pointers towards a decent secondhand item

Cheers
Stu

[Chris_B86]

I'm not sure how easy they are to get hold of, I know a standard one comes out diagonally and doesn't suit the kit, as the one fitted to mine had the tail pipes chopped and welded back on to come out straight. In all honesty though, I don't think a stainless aftermarket would detract away from the OEMness as it were of the car, as long as it was a good quality trusted brand one

[StuB]

Thanks, Chris. The angle of the tailpipes was something I'd noticed too as otherwise something like this one for ECP looks right I think?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... fe4&000536

Using the discount code 'websaver25' would get that to £113, which I suppose isn't that bad. Eberspacher is a decent make isn't it?

Noted on the point about a good stainless one, and I agree but the rest of the exhaust is in good nick so I'd rather just change this bit for now

[Chris_B86]

Try these, same company as Euro but cheaper, may have to confirm it with your reg as seems to be a different part, although mines a sport ant thats what came up with my reg, £75 less £10 for spending that much with the discount code, so £65 delivered

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/B ... cc2&000536

[PG325]

You need to determine if you have a 2 or 3 piece exhaust system, I would guess 3 going by the OP description of connections.

The parts linked above are different, the ECP part appears to be be from a 2 piece system and is Eberspacher, I believe one of the better OEM alternative, whereas the ECP part is from a 3 piece system, considerably smaller, hence much cheaper and what looks to be a crap aftermarket supplier.

If you can, call ECP get the correct part numbers for a good system, then but if from CPL.

[StuB]

Thanks for the replies.

Chris - the link you posted shows a different rear box to the type mine has, but Car Parts 4 Less to appear to have the correct one, the same part number as the Euro Parts one I linked to earlier.

It says it's out of stock and to email for details, so I have, but with their discount code comes out at £98 - a good saving!

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/B ... 459&000536

PG325 - Thanks, yes - as above that link Chris posted is to a smaller type rear box. I notice that CP4L don't seem to put manufacturers on their parts, but the same part number at ECP is Eberspacher which I thought were decent quality too.

I'll see if they reply to my email tomorrow and go from there but any further suggestions much appreciated in the meantime

[Morat]

Eberspacher are the OEM supplier to BMW, good quality kit. I'm very happy with mine

[Chris_B86]

CP4L are cracking much cheaper than euro even though its the same company. I got a pair of Lemforder control arms and pagid hand brake cables, should have been £200 on euro, £121 with CP4L and when they were delivered they were packed with euro tape and packaging

[StuB]

Eberspacher are the OEM supplier to BMW, good quality kit. I'm very happy with mine

Thanks for the reply - that sounds like good news, much appreciated

CP4L are cracking much cheaper than euro even though its the same company. I got a pair of Lemforder control arms and pagid hand brake cables, should have been £200 on euro, £121 with CP4L and when they were delivered they were packed with euro tape and packaging

Excellent - I will remember to check them in future for bits and pieces as I also have an E36 and a VW T4 to maintain so need parts quite regularly...

[csl]

Morat wrote:



Eberspacher are the OEM supplier to BMW, good quality kit. I'm very happy with mine



Thanks for the reply - that sounds like good news, much appreciated

Boysen were also fitted from new. My Sport is still on the original 23 year old exhaust.

[StuB]

Boysen were also fitted from new. My Sport is still on the original 23 year old exhaust.

Thanks for the info. I think the one I just removed may well be original, it certainly didn't seem like it'd ever been off before!

[Morat]

Interesting about Boysen - is it straight pipes or angled?

[csl]

Boysen were also fitted from new. My Sport is still on the original 23 year old exhaust.

Thanks for the info. I think the one I just removed may well be original, it certainly didn't seem like it'd ever been off before!

They last really well.I have stripped and painted mine once in the past and had replica black outward roll trims made,as the outward roll is NLA.

[csl]

Interesting about Boysen - is it straight pipes or angled?

Mine is a Tech 2 Sport and has the "straight" outlets.

[csl]

The best shot i have with the replica outward roll black trims,as per original fitment...

[StuB]

The best shot i have with the replica outward roll black trims,as per original fitment...

They look good. I had another look at my old exhaust yesterday and under the rust I can just make out 'Bosal' as the make, so presumably not original?

In any case, I've ordered the Eberspacher replacement part now, so will see what it's like when it arrives. I suspect it may need the tailpipes modifying to suit if they are angled rather than straight.

[StuB]

Update on this - I still do not have a suitable exhaust unfortunately. Both CarParts4Less and Euro Car Parts got in touch to say they'd have to cancel my order as they couldn't get the right part from their suppliers, and had no lead time to be able to get it. They really ought not list things on their sites that they can't get!

Anyway, I followed it up at a local motor factors who can usually get anything and they are struggling as the part they list for my car is just the rear silencer, without the two long pipes attached up to the middle box like mine has.

Any leads on where to get one appreciated... is it worth calling the dealer, or will the price (if they can get one?) make me cry...?

[Andyboy]

You may as well try the dealer. It'll be $$$$, but you get what you pay for. Bosal are garbage (and they've gone bust. TiMax, Walker etc are all crap as well.

[parkin10]

i am running my car on a tight budget so when it was ready for a pipe i struggled find some one to supply me with one except the dealers
but i did find this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-Rear- ... 2ec5e6cfff
so i ordered one thinking thats too good to be true at that price it will be a three peace not a two peace or really poor quality
but it fits well enough the box brackets are poor,its a bit noisier at low revs but good enough at motorway speeds
its been on all this winter and its not rusting yet and my cars a daily
i think i will get two years out of it
definitely not bmw quality but a good enough put me on seen as my cars no minter
the pipes exit side ways

[StuB]

You may as well try the dealer. It'll be $$$$, but you get what you pay for. Bosal are garbage (and they've gone bust. TiMax, Walker etc are all crap as well.

Thanks, Andy. I called the dealer this morning, they are able to get the correct part by the sounds of it... are you sitting down...? £380+vat...!

I don't mind spending a decent amount, but there must be a way to get a decent quality part for a lot less than that?

[StuB]

i am running my car on a tight budget so when it was ready for a pipe i struggled find some one to supply me with one except the dealers
but i did find this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-Rear- ... 2ec5e6cfff
so i ordered one thinking thats too good to be true at that price it will be a three peace not a two peace or really poor quality
but it fits well enough the box brackets are poor,its a bit noisier at low revs but good enough at motorway speeds
its been on all this winter and its not rusting yet and my cars a daily
i think i will get two years out of it
definitely not bmw quality but a good enough put me on seen as my cars no minter
the pipes exit side ways

Thanks for the reply, and I agree - hard to argue at that price and it's definitely a good backup plan, even if just to get the car back on the road so I can fix the other bits and pieces on it and keep a look out for a better part.

See my previous reply above, that eBay part is approximately 10% of the cost of the dealer part... and I'd hope it'd be more than 10% of the quality...? Personally, I probably would want a better part on my car longer term, but I am struggling to believe you can't get an OEM quality part for say £150 - 200?

[powelly]

I have a brand new genuine exhaust on my C2 touring, it cost over £800 all in with discount, the only real option though.

[parkin10]

its hard to see how they can make a profit at that price
i could not stump up the dealer money i just did not have it so i took a risk on the ebay pipe and its been fine
been on since august 2012 and its not rusty yet
so i guess i am happy enough
i would much sooner have bmw parts on but !!

[baur320]

I've got a 325 with a 2 piece system and can't get a front section anywhere for less than £285.

Been thinking about swapping for a 3 piece, so watching this with interest

[StuB]

I've got a 325 with a 2 piece system and can't get a front section anywhere for less than £285.

Been thinking about swapping for a 3 piece, so watching this with interest

Ok, thanks - please give me a shout if you do and want to sell the rear section of your current one assuming it'll fit mine

[parkin10]

i think the exhaust manifold is differant between the 2 and 3 piece systems
look in the wiky to make sure