[spencer29]

As many of us want to make our M235I louder but are on a budget or the car is leased (no cutting of pipes allowed). We ask the question how do we make our car louder.

I have seen this done before but I would like further explanation since I am unsure how exhaust systems fully work.

I believe from the engine the first pipe is the (1)catalytic converter followed by the (2)resonator and then the (3)muffler.

If you see the attached photo you can see what I believe is the catalytic converter bolted on on one end. I was wondering what happens if you remove the catalytic converter and if the bolt is just on one end or if it slides out of the other end once loosened up.

My overall question is if there is anyway to make car louder without removing the whole exhaust system or cutting the pipes but rather going the route of just removing bolt on parts.

[spencer29]

pics

[Hasser]

that's just an expansion joint not the cat

[Kolyan2k]

You can cut pipe on lease cars

[wntrsnowg]

Cat could be replaced with a high-flow cat or cat-less downpipe. These are bolt on parts. However you run the high risk of getting CELs which would tip the dealer off that something is modified, maybe causing problems with the lease contract?

[beMtroubleYou]

Originally Posted by spencer29

As many of us want to make our M235I louder but are on a budget or the car is leased (no cutting of pipes allowed). We ask the question how do we make our car louder.

I have seen this done before but I would like further explanation since I am unsure how exhaust systems fully work.

I believe from the engine the first pipe is the (1)catalytic converter followed by the (2)resonator and then the (3)muffler.

If you see the attached photo you can see what I believe is the catalytic converter bolted on on one end. I was wondering what happens if you remove the catalytic converter and if the bolt is just on one end or if it slides out of the other end once loosened up.

My overall question is if there is anyway to make car louder without removing the whole exhaust system or cutting the pipes but rather going the route of just removing bolt on parts.

No there is no such way.

Edit: To clarify. No you cannot make the car louder by not doing anything to the exhaust. Your picture is as someone mentioned the flex-joint to allow movement. On your picture, tucked to the left is the cat, and on our car thats also the downpipe. Only way you can make it louder and not cutting is by removing the cat by going with a catless downpipe, and this will trigger the CEL.

[bryan_G01]

you can cut anything, change anything you want on a lease, just need to be able to put it back when returning.

Any downpipe change, muffler change, or even delete can be removed and put back to stock very easily. Not sure where you got your information but its incorrect.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

you can cut anything, change anything you want on a lease, just need to be able to put it back when returning.

Any downpipe change, muffler change, or even delete can be removed and put back to stock very easily. Not sure where you got your information but its incorrect.

This. But to give a quick approach that's budget and lease friendly - pick up a used MPE, install it, then put stock back on using same clamp and sell the MPE at turn in. You could probably get into this for what $600 and out for not a whole lot less.