Need new cat. Any recommendations?

Lolvoguy · Nov 30, 2018

My stock cat on my 88 325is has finally bit the dust (after 30 years of service, I'm not too surprised).

Been shopping around and noticed Bosal seems to make a decent setup that looks pretty similar to stock (I'd like to keep it as close to stock as possible). Part # BOSAL 0615010. Oh and my muffler tips are looking pretty crusty too (OEM BMW muffler replaced back in the late 90s). Wouldn't mind replacing everything from exhaust manifold to tail pipes.

Any other recommendations? I'm looking for something comparable to stock as everything else is mostly stock on my ride.

thanks in advance!

nthach · Nov 30, 2018

I haven't heard of anything good or bad about Bosal. The only other option is to get a cat welded in but from past experience(my stupidity driving a car on 4 cylinders), never again but CARB and OEM cats are $$$.

If I had to get one welded in, a Magnaflow CARB cat just so there's more washcoat.

StevieC · Nov 30, 2018

Where are you in Canada?

shanneba · Nov 30, 2018

Have you looked at Magnaflow?

It looks like they offer cats and exhausts for a 1988 325Is

https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=16535
https://www.amazon.com/MagnaFlow-16535-Stainless-Performance-Exhaust/dp/B0031I2MN6

https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=23554
https://www.amazon.com/MagnaFlow-23554-Catalytic-Converter-compliant/dp/B000JKJAEI

https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=94007
https://www.amazon.com/MagnaFlow-94007-Universal-Catalytic-Converter/dp/B000COVGA2

Donald · Nov 30, 2018

I like black cats but tabby ones are nice also.

DuckRyder · Nov 30, 2018

For a BMW Bosal has a chance of being decent.

You might cruise the BMW specialist websites and see what they offer as well, though I'm sure getting it to the great white north complicates it:

https://www.bavauto.com/exhaust.html?p=1

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/

Are both ones that I've dealt with extensively with very good service.

andyd · Nov 30, 2018

In E 28 circles Bosal was known for being ill fitting and short lived. My experience included. It weighs 1/2 what the OE Boysen weighed. Price wise too.

maxdustington · Nov 30, 2018

Straight pipes! Forget the cat!

zrxkawboy · Nov 30, 2018

Adopt from your local shelter!

StevieC · Nov 30, 2018

Originally Posted by maxdustington
Straight pipes! Forget the cat!

It's illegal here to do that, but I did ask him where in Canada he is because depending on the province he might not have to fix it because of the smog testing being cancelled in Ontario in April of next year.

slacktide_bitog · Nov 30, 2018

For your 325is, you might as well get Magnaflow, since the Bosal one costs almost as much. Plus, Magnaflow's cat has mandrel-bent pipes

The cheapest one I saw is from an eBay seller in Canada.

Malo83 · Nov 30, 2018

Magnaflow

silveravant · Nov 30, 2018

Bosal exhaust is aluminized steel. They don't last very long.

JeffKeryk · Nov 30, 2018

Before our Governator changed things, you used to be able to go to any muffler shop and get a generic cat welded in for like $80.
Good luck.

exranger06 · Nov 30, 2018

I've had a Bosal on my Accord for the last 5 years or so and it's still working fine as far as I know. (No downstream o2 sensors and no more emissions testing. So for all I know, it's not doing anything. But I passed my last emissions test with flying colors, which was about 2 years ago.)

I also installed a Bosal cat and midpipe on my CR-V earlier this year and it's been working great with no catalyst efficiency codes.

spavel6 · Nov 30, 2018

I'm just surprised your interior has held up to 30 years of a cat living in the car..

Linctex · Nov 30, 2018

I'm with Stevie C .... you may not even need to buy a new one if it isn't require where you are.

xxch4osxx · Nov 30, 2018

Originally Posted by StevieC
Originally Posted by maxdustington
Straight pipes! Forget the cat!

It's illegal here to do that, but I did ask him where in Canada he is because depending on the province he might not have to fix it because of the smog testing being cancelled in Ontario in April of next year.

And rightly so! That Drive Clean program should have been axed years ago!!

maxdustington · Nov 30, 2018

Originally Posted by StevieC
Originally Posted by maxdustington
Straight pipes! Forget the cat!

It's illegal here to do that, but I did ask him where in Canada he is because depending on the province he might not have to fix it because of the smog testing being cancelled in Ontario in April of next year.

It's perfectly legal as long as your emissions is valid past the end of testing, WOOOOOO!

StevieC · Nov 30, 2018

Quote

(3) If a motor or motor vehicle is manufactured with a catalytic converter, no person shall alter or cause or permit the alteration of the motor or motor vehicle in a manner that permits exhaust emissions to bypass the catalytic converter. O. Reg. 86/99, s. 4.

(4) No person shall operate or cause or permit the operation of a motor or motor vehicle that was manufactured with a catalytic converter if the catalytic converter, or any replacement for the catalytic converter,

(a) is not capable of performing the function for which the catalytic converter was intended; or

(b) is disconnected, removed or otherwise altered so that it is not capable of performing the function for which the catalytic converter was intended. O. Reg. 86/99, s. 4.

Check your province/state. This is mine. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/980361#BK6

Need new cat. Any recommendations?

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