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BMW Factory Muffler Clamp
Not cheap but effective

A look at the factory solution for attaching a new muffler to an E30 M3

The subject often comes up: when you get a new or aftermarket muffler for your E30 M3 how do you attach it to the catalytic converter section (or center resonator if you are that way inclined)? From the factory the muffler is attached to the catalytic converter section through the use of pressed on clamps. They are not really intended to be reused but with a little persistence they can be used a second time. I managed to do so by using a BFH to get the new muffler inside the clamps.

But this is not a desireable solution, it is merely doable. The right way to attach a new muffler or new center section is to employ reusable clamps. The factory actaully makes such a clamp and they are very nice. Fabrication is entirely out of stainless steel - even the bolts are stainless. The BMW clamps are shown here to the left.


The new adjustable clamps compared to the existing pressed on ones

The really nice part about using these adjustable clamps is that it allows many more degrees of freedom in aligning your exhaust so that the tailpipes are centered in the cutout in the rear valence. This not only looks better but it also prevents the tailpipes from melting the expensive plastic bodywork!

The only bad part about these clamps is the price, which may seem a little high ($62.25 each list). But I feel they are worth it:

45 mm Exhaust Clamp
p/n 18 20 1 315 019

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