Exhaust Install
First major project complete: new exhaust! There's a neat DIY garage here in LA called "Your Dream Garage" where you can rent a lift by the hour, with a full range of automotive tools included. I had been wanting to go try it out, so installing this new exhaust was the perfect opportunity.
The car came with a pretty interesting aftermarket exhaust installed on it (Glasspack + SuperTrapp muffler), which actually did sound really cool. It sounded great out on the canyon roads, but the noise level was a little extreme, especially for any sort of city driving. Plus I really wanted the classic look of the S-shaped tail pipe exiting the back. Ireland Engineering makes a ton of really high quality performance parts for 2002s and other BMWs, including this bolt-on stainless steel exhaust kit designed specifically for the car. I also went ahead and installed their ceramic coated stepped header to go with it for peace of mind. The car did already have a really nice wrapped Stahl header on it which I felt bad about pulling off, but I'm definitely going to keep it for the sake of being able to compare the two once I get to know the car a little better.
I haven't had a chance to stretch it's legs too much yet, but so far the new exhaust feels like it's just what I was after! It has a nice deeper tone that revs like a proper classic sports coupé, yet a more civilized gurgle at lower speeds and idle. I'll record a video eventually, after I work out a couple of rattles...
