$350 for a resonator delete? Does that sound right?

[chris82]

Hi all, I got a quote from 2 shops on deleting my resonator and replacing with stainless steel pipe. I got quoted $350 for the work from a custom exhaust shop, and $300 from a local indie BMW shop. I'm surprised it is going to cost this much. I absolutely want it done right, and I'm willing to pay for a better job, but I was not expecting this to cost in the $300 range. What do you think? Does anyone know of a good exhaust shop in the Philadelphia area I could check out? Please share your opinions on these prices! Thanks!

[Taskmaster]

Way too much.

[MarkkyyMan]

Remove your exhaust and take it to someone local who has a solid reputation for welding. In my area lots of mechanics, performance engine builders, and chassis shops have reputable welders who do stuff on the side.

[chris82]

The one shop said $200 for steel pipe and $350 for stainless steel. For the amount of pipe this would take, there is no way stainless steel is another $150. How much pipe do they think this requires???

[MarkkyyMan]

Depends on what grade of stainless steel. 304 SS would be every bit of $150.00 more.

I'd measure the length of resonator then factor in some excess on each end.

[Taskmaster]

You can get a 10 foot section of 304 ss for 40 bucks. You should just keep looking.

[chris82]

I feel like the custom exhaust shop is gouging me because they dont want to do the work lol. Going to keep looking.

[MarkkyyMan]

I think Stig is out that way, might ask for his input and personal preference.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

I think Stig is out that way, might ask for his input and personal preference.

As I said to chris82 via PM, I don't know of any local shops capable of this as it isn't a mod I would ever consider.

[chris82]

I've looked at the SuperSprint resonator delete pipe, but I'm not sure if that matches up to stock piping; it looks like it's designed to match up to the entire SuperSprint exhaust system

[MarkkyyMan]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

As I said to chris82 via PM, I don't know of any local shops capable of this as it isn't a mod I would ever consider.

You or your brother never have anything welded?

[Taskmaster]

Honestly, if you're planning headers I wouldn't do it, it will be too loud. $350 for a sound increase is a lot, another 650 is headers. The other option is to go to Midas and have them do it.

[Taskmaster]

For a few dollars more, you could build an entire exhaust.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

You or your brother never have anything welded?

He had his entire subframe cut out and welded in, but that was closer to $10,000 than $300. It was also quite a bit more than some welding.

As for exhaust tracks, definitely not. The pipe they are using isn't up to our specs and the techniques involved just breed rust down the line. Look at the Dinan mufflers(they just mod stock BMW) if you need a visual of the eventual result:

[cu260r6]

Have you considered a muffler delete/replacement instead of a resonator delete? I tried all of the following options and found the best and quietest modified sound to be the final one, and I've had several compliments on the sound from normal people, not street racers. It added a noticeable improvement in off-idle torque as well.

1. Resonator delete with stock muffler
2. Muffler delete and straight pipe with resonator back in place
3. Stock resonator in place and muffler replaced with a straight-thru resonator (tried two different resonators)

All of that experimenting cost me about $350 including the cost of the two resonators I tried, so your price quote is quite high.

[JS135]

Originally Posted by cu260r6

Have you considered a muffler delete/replacement instead of a resonator delete? I tried all of the following options and found the best and quietest modified sound to be the final one, and I've had several compliments on the sound from normal people, not street racers. It added a noticeable improvement in off-idle torque as well.

1. Resonator delete with stock muffler
2. Muffler delete and straight pipe with resonator back in place
3. Stock resonator in place and muffler replaced with a straight-thru resonator (tried two different resonators)

All of that experimenting cost me about $350 including the cost of the two resonators I tried, so your price quote is quite high.

Exactly what I did! #2 that is. Cost me $180 at a reputable custom exhaust shop in my area. Just straight back to dual chrome exhaust tips (switched it up from black).

[3002 tii]

Have you tried Bimmerworks in West Chester?

http://www.bimmerworks.com

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

He had his entire subframe cut out and welded in, but that was closer to $10,000 than $300. It was also quite a bit more than some welding.

As for exhaust tracks, definitely not. The pipe they are using isn't up to our specs and the techniques involved just breed rust down the line. Look at the Dinan mufflers(they just mod stock BMW) if you need a visual of the eventual result:

Why didn't the rest of it rust out? Was it a different pipe?

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Have you tried Bimmerworks in West Chester?

http://www.bimmerworks.com

I may contact Bimmerworks. Currently getting an estimate from a fab shop in Media, PA

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by chris82

Why didn't the rest of it rust out? Was it a different pipe?

The part that rusted out is the part that Dinan replaced to "make" their muffler. The rest of it is stock BMW exhaust piping. BMW uses some pretty high quality piping from the factory.

Originally Posted by chris82

I may contact Bimmerworks. Currently getting an estimate from a fab shop in Media, PA

Bimmerworks is excellent shop.