MOT Failure :-( - Exhaust / Wheel Spacer Question

[helen&tony]

Hi
+1 for the MIJ stainless...I had one mailed here and it's not that noisy...just a tad more than the original...nothing extra-ordinary
Cheers
Helen

[MTBApple]

Thanks again Helen. Input is always gratefully received.

Pierre

[mikeonb4c]

Reading between the lines of posts by ss owners....they're noisier/tinnier, and that's borne out by the few I've heard. At the least, stress to the supplier that you are trying to achieve a result as quiet as the mild steel exhaust, and gauge their reaction. You could fit 2 or 3 eBay sets for the price of ss - are you going to keep the Bongo that long? And the standard stuff is easy to fit so very DIYable on ramps, or low labour cost at garage. I love the idea behind SS, but I'm not sure the cost/benefit quite stacks up. Maybe I'm an exhaust tone snob

[MTBApple]

Thanks Mike

The plan is to keep Freddie, and that's partly the reason for my other post behind a full health check at AVA.

My costings for the system make it only £90 more to fit SS. I'm not mechanically minded and neither dome have all the tools. (Mountain bikes, yes. Not for cars). I also don't have the space to work on it sensibly.

I think I've decided on giving it to a specialist, that's local, that can rectify any problems/warranty issues etc. they can also blank off that winter pack valve thingy as well.

Pierre

[Northern Bongolow]

just to add to the questions, saw a high mileage mij stainless recently and the expansion/flexy was rotting through, so they are not fit and forget. i have even seen them with them not fitted to mij so i dont know hats going on there!!.

ive had stainless by a local company franchise (powerflow) excellent. ive had a gen mazdaspeed (it rotted at the welds) and standard ebay replacements.
i stick with cheap replaceable and easy to get/fit/ replace on mine.
and the powerflow on the wifes is still good after 6 years

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Mike

The plan is to keep Freddie, and that's partly the reason for my other post behind a full health check at AVA.

My costings for the system make it only £90 more to fit SS. I'm not mechanically minded and neither dome have all the tools. (Mountain bikes, yes. Not for cars). I also don't have the space to work on it sensibly.

I think I've decided on giving it to a specialist, that's local, that can rectify any problems/warranty issues etc. they can also blank off that winter pack valve thingy as well.

Pierre

Fair enough, but note what northernbongolow has said as he sees a lot of Bongos. I don't think garage labour charges should be more than £50 as this is a simple and quick job on a hydraulic ramp with pro tools esp if only the middle and back boxes need doing

[MTBApple]

Thanks Mike and Northern!

The local garage to me that did the MOt reckoned about 1.5 hours labour for replacing the exhaust.

So with that, £125 for the full exhaust and then £25 for bolts, gaskets, and rubber thingys. I reckon about £230 for the ebay option. Whereas MIJ will fit a SS for £290.

Choices choices!

Pierre

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Mike and Northern!

The local garage to me that did the MOt reckoned about 1.5 hours labour for replacing the exhaust.

So with that, £125 for the full exhaust and then £25 for bolts, gaskets, and rubber thingys. I reckon about £230 for the ebay option. Whereas MIJ will fit a SS for £290.

Choices choices!

Pierre

Tricky one. I was tempted by ss but like the noise dampening that the lower tensile mild steel seems to be better at.

[MTBApple]

Quick update for all those that helped with advice.

I got my full cat back stainless steel exhaust fitted today at MIJ Exhaust in Walsall. They've done a top job. Full system from the turbo back. Removed the winter pack section and blocked the pipe coming off it. They've fitted a flexi hose as well for the movement that Simon mentioned.

It only has one box now (one nearest the rear). Where the second was is now a straight pipe.

All fittings included and the had to re-weld a few. Grand sum of £294.99.

Very happy with the work and it's got a lifetime guarantee.

[Gasy]

What's the new one sound like tho
Is it boy racer loud ?

[MTBApple]

No it's actually not. Sounds pretty decent and I don't notice it bring more tinny. Then I have been driving with it with a hole in for a period of time!

Still got to see if it's affected mpg with the valve being blanked, etc.

[dom_e]

I went full ss after going through 2 back boxes in 4 years. I've not noticed Any difference in noise and it still looks solid. I plan to keep the Bongo for a good few years (fingers crossed), so thought that the extra cost would be offset by not paying at least twice.

[MTBApple]

Dom_e, I totally agree. As my mum would say, buy cheap, buy twice!

Maybe it's just me, but it seems to be drinking more fuel since the change. Is there any logical reason for this? Or am I just imagining it?

[helen&tony]

Hi
You might be doing as I did when I first had the MIJ system....putting your foot down a bit more to see if the noise is unacceptable....???...It wasn't, and I just drive and forget now
Cheers
Helen