E46 M3 Exhaust

[MercuryRises]

Gents I'm after some advice,

My M3 went in to BMW for some welding to be done in and around the boot floor and rear subframe, whilst it was there I received a call from BMW to advise me, in technical terms, that my exhaust was rusted to fk.

I figured this was a ploy to get me to spend some cash (the welding work was all being done for free) however, BMW have also told me that E46 M3 exhausts are on worldwide back order and that they can't get one, and can't advise when they will be able to get one, they've welded up what they can.

Car is due an MOT next month (well, January, but I won't be about so it's going in early) so I need to get it changed really.

Any advice as to where to go for a pattern part/s?

There's a few bits and bobs on Ebay, but they all seem to be DeCat stainless steel jobs (which my Insurance company count as modifications, and they don't cover modified cars apparently, though I'm due to renew my insurance in January too)

[andyiley]

Obviously thet aren't, but I would have thought they would be full stainless like the e36 Ms are!

VERY surprised!

[ady702]

Looks in fairly decent nick, thats if need a backbox...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181238295099

[blondini]

Could this just be the very common rusting out of the mild steel flanges at the join to the backbox? If so there is an easy fix using Peugeot clamps.

[The Restorer]

blondini said:

Could this just be the very common rusting out of the mild steel flanges at the join to the backbox? If so there is an easy fix using Peugeot clamps.

This. The exhaust is stainless, the flanges aren't. Welding is one option as done by my MOT station themselves and using Peugeot flanges is another.

[MercuryRises]

Cheers for the advice lads, I haven't managed to get under the car as yet (being a fat bd I'm not so sure I will either!) as I got sent back to work rather rapidly.

I'll take a look when I get back and see if it's the pipework or just flanges, it sounds more like it's at the front end of the car though.