Can someone breakdown the E28/E24 exhaust/muffler setup?

[HotWaterMusic]

I've had my E24 for 7 days now, and already have a laundry list of things to do on it--one of which is replace the exhaust. Now I know this is the E28 board, but it is by far more informative and responsive than any E24 board I've found so far and the two cars seem to be close enough that what works for one works for the other. Am I right on that?
Anyway, when going through all the receipts that came with the car I noticed that it's had 4(!) mufflers in 25 years, counting the original. And now, as you can see in this picture, it needs another.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68989061@N ... hotostream
That seems excessive to me, but I am new to these cars (came over from another German brand that shan't be named).
So how does the exhaust set-up work on these cars? I see they have "resonators", cats, and mufflers, correct? What exactly does the resonator do, and does it go bad as quickly as (apparently) the mufflers do? What all do I need to replace when the muffler has a hole like this? What else should I look at in the exhaust system? Who are the better muffler makers out there for these exhaust systems? I know I have more questions than you guys are going to want to answer. I tried searching first, but couldn't get an exact answer to my questions. If there is a definitive "exhaust/muffler" thread I'd be very grateful for a link to it. Otherwise, if anyone is willing to give a quick M30 exhaust system 101 course, I'd be much obliged! Thanks!

[John in VA]

Fill in your car's info here and go to "exhaust system" to see the various components:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?ki ... E24&arch=1
Perhaps the car was only driven short distances, not allowing the system to heat up and leading to internal corrosion/rusting.
Factory systems have the right fit and sound, and usually last long enough to be worth the premium cost, I feel.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Fill in your car's info here and go to "exhaust system" to see the various components:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?ki ... E24&arch=1
Perhaps the car was only driven short distances, not allowing the system to heat up and leading to internal corrosion/rusting.
Factory systems have the right fit and sound, and usually last long enough to be worth the premium cost, I feel.

+100

[C.R. Krieger]

Perhaps the car was only driven short distances, not allowing the system to heat up and leading to internal corrosion/rusting.

+200.



And, FWIW, E24 and E28 exhaust systems are essentially identical.

[HotWaterMusic]

Perhaps the car was only driven short distances, not allowing the system to heat up and leading to internal corrosion/rusting.

+200.



And, FWIW, E24 and E28 exhaust systems are essentially identical.

Yes, I figured they were identical, that's why I knew I could find some answers here. But I still don't know what the "resonator" is/does and what the best or "suggested" muffler replacements out there are. Is there a muffler/exhaust sticky on this site I can read over?

[Blue Shadow]

But I still don't know what the best or "suggested" muffler replacements out there are.

Did you read the responses to your post.

the best muffler replacements are BMW parts from the BMW dealer.

The rest is last a couple three years crap or stainless steel stuff that is too loud or doesn't fit right.

You have given us very little information to work with here. No last 7 digits of the vin that you were supposed to plug into the link that John posted for you.

You need three big chunks available in two pieces, maybe.

Catalytic converter, resonator and muffler. The resonator tunes the exhaust to make it sound right.

[HotWaterMusic]

But I still don't know what the best or "suggested" muffler replacements out there are.

Did you read the responses to your post.

the best muffler replacements are BMW parts from the BMW dealer.

The rest is last a couple three years crap or stainless steel stuff that is too loud or doesn't fit right.

You have given us very little information to work with here. No last 7 digits of the vin that you were supposed to plug into the link that John posted for you.

You need three big chunks available in two pieces, maybe.

Catalytic converter, resonator and muffler. The resonator tunes the exhaust to make it sound right.

Haha, yeah I read the responses. I plugged the VIN in. I saw the exploded views. But it did nothing in explaining what a "resonator" is or does in an exhaust system. Thank you for explaining that. It also didn't tell me if I need a new resonator every time I get a new muffler. Or if I need an entire new 7 feet of pipe every time I get a new muffler. That's why I came here, and I thank all the responders for the help.
It looks like I'll be getting the Ireland engineering SS exhaust set-up. It seems like a good upgrade over stock.

[D.]

If the resonator doesn't have a hole in it, I wouldn't replace it. It lasts longer because it's hotter.

[wkohler]

Stock Boysen stuff is the best. Buy aftermarket exhausts and you'll soon understand why the factory stuff is the best. You don't need to tweak the factory stuff to fit and it sounds great.

The best aftermarket exhaust I've seen is SuperSprint, but it's $$$$.

[LA]

Stock Boysen stuff is the best. Buy aftermarket exhausts and you'll soon understand why the factory stuff is the best. You don't need to tweak the factory stuff to fit and it sounds great.

The best aftermarket exhaust I've seen is SuperSprint, but it's $$$$.

This is the only issue known to mankind where wkohler is possibly not right...I will not go so far as to say wrong out of respect for his following.

BUT - the Metric Mechanic Sys 300 (I think they call it) only has one pipe and it looks better , sounds better, is lighter, and ADDS 173.3 HP at 6200 RPM.

I really do prefer the look and sound of the MM system. I agree your car saw many short runs that did not bring the exhaust up to temp. Hmmm, too bad it had twice as many pipes as needed so you can have twice the rust!

[wkohler]

The MM system is overpriced for what it is, so I'm still right.

[LA]

The MM system is overpriced for what it is, so I'm still right.

Even if a guy collects the various parts himself and then combines them on the car? (I think it is a 524 TD muffler...)

[HotWaterMusic]

The MM system is overpriced for what it is, so I'm still right.

So Supersprint, Boysen, Ireland Engineering, and now Metric Mechanic....who else makes an exhaust system for the M30 E28/E24's? I like having options, and a simple google search doesn't turn up as much info as one question here does. What exhaust set-up would one suggest if the priority list looked like this:

A.)Long lasting
B.)Light
C.)Sound good (louder than stock, but no 2k drone)

[wkohler]

Stock.

Of your three options, it's going to be pick two. Obviously cost is an issue too. A SuperSprint system is $1200 and it sounds amazing, and is lighter than stock, but it's not stainless.

Billy Boat and Ireland could be long lasting (Ireland hasn't been around enough to know and it's made in China), but the Billy Boats crack. They both have an annoying 2k drone and take some work to fit. They're cheap (used Billy Boats are usually about $400, which is about the price of the new Ireland).

Metric Mechanic is just a td muffler - not even a Boysen, I don't think. Not sure if you can still even get the system.

Then there's the Ansa and Bosal stock replacements which are lighter because they're crappier, though the Ansa is better than the Bosal.

[HotWaterMusic]

Stock.

Of your three options, it's going to be pick two. Obviously cost is an issue too. A SuperSprint system is $1200 and it sounds amazing, and is lighter than stock, but it's not stainless.

Billy Boat and Ireland could be long lasting (Ireland hasn't been around enough to know and it's made in China), but the Billy Boats crack. They both have an annoying 2k drone and take some work to fit. They're cheap (used Billy Boats are usually about $400, which is about the price of the new Ireland).

Metric Mechanic is just a td muffler - not even a Boysen, I don't think. Not sure if you can still even get the system.

Then there's the Ansa and Bosal stock replacements which are lighter because they're crappier, though the Ansa is better than the Bosal.

Thanks, that's great info to know. One last question: Is there a model of Magnaflow, Dynamax, Flowmaster, etc. type muffler that's known to fit with little modification? Has anyone put any of these brands to good use on an E28 chassis?

[wkohler]

Magnaflow 12646.

[Danus ex]

3-4 years is about all I can get out of a BMW factory muffler here in Minnesota, even if I coat it with high temperature paint or other corrosion preventative. I decided to try Bosal this time. Luckily, I've only had to buy one cat.

[D Unit]

I know this is old, but since the 6" round Magnaflow 12646 will fit, is there enough room to squeeze a 7" version in there too?

[mooseheadm5]

I know this is old, but since the 6" round Magnaflow 12646 will fit, is there enough room to squeeze a 7" version in there too?

If you install the factory dents you can make it fit.

[rmorin49]

I have been trying for 3 months to get the OEM parts for my M635 Euro. BMWNA is making it very difficult for Euro car owners to get parts out of Germany. If I am unsuccessful, I may have to resort to an aftermarket system.

The two that I am considering are:

1. Fritz Bits - made in the UK from SS. Quality looks good but fit, not so sure. Also, they may be a bit loud.
2. Supersprint - Nice looking. Also available in SS. Pricey.

I am soliciting feedback from any E24/E28 owner who are running either of these systems on their car.

My car has no cats so I will only be using the center resonator and rear muffler components.

PMs or emails are fine: rmorin49ATgmail dot com.

Thanks.