[jeho]

Does anybody know if there will be any PENALTY for returning the car with the OEM muffler (section 3) and 2nd cats (section 1) WELDED back to oem MID pipes (sec 2)???

I plan on cutting off SECTION 1 (secondary cats) + 3 (oem muffler) and welding together the OEM mid pipes with Borla (section 1) race pipes and Bastuck muffler (section 3)

[dchen2]

I believe the factory 335i's downpipe to midpipe/secondary cats section is connected by flanges bolted together. So its actually a bolt on. One example I know of is the borla exhaust and secondary car delete combined together is a bolt on for the factory setup.

[jeho]

yeah i know the DP to 2nd cat is bolted on/off..

so it is a 1 full piece from 2nd cat -- mid pipe -- muffler...

I will be changing the 2nd cat to borla straight pipe welding it to OEM mid pipe then slip joint to bastuck muffler...this will require me to cut both SECTION 1 + 3 OFF the OEM mid pipe (section 2)

[jeho]

bump anybody know

[Malek@MRF]

If you are concerned about the least return and about them saying anything, they won't, as long as its back to stock.

Go for it, you are in the clear as far as lease returns.

[tryangles]

Has anyone gone through a lease inspection where they check under the car? I've had 3 lease returns and they have not checked my exhaust pipes for weld marks ever. I highly doubt they will investigate it that far when it comes time for the return.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by tryangles

Has anyone gone through a lease inspection where they check under the car? I've had 3 lease returns and they have not checked my exhaust pipes for weld marks ever. I highly doubt they will investigate it that far when it comes time for the return.

They don't get that detailed with the car. I have never seen them do that personally.

They mostly check for abnormal wear and tear, and if the car has been in a collision of some sort.

[Tim2189]

how do they check if its been in a collision? and do they use that paint depth meter to check if its been repainted?

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by nyc328ci

how do they check if its been in a collision? and do they use that paint depth meter to check if its been repainted?

They have tools to test if any body panel has been repaired, bondo'd, repainted, etc..

Each body panel also has VIN# stickers that are authentic to the car. Some of the stickers are not visible to you as they are placed on the reverse side of the panel.

In some cases, depending on if your dealership contract requires you to return the car to the dealer, if you are on good terms with your dealer, they might not do any of the above checks, especially if you are getting another car from them. Some lease returns require you to return the car to a 3rd party location.

[jeho]

so with your first hand experience, if i do the cat delete with straight pipes and aftermarket muffler, which both require cutting off the 2nd cat and oem muffler
then welding it back OEM together from exhaust shop, the dealer would not care as long as it is in perfect working condition ??