Exhaust & Mufflers - What to do?

[coastdog]

I'm hoping for a little advice here. I've been looking for a replacement for the muffler on my 525. At least the forward one, or resonator I think it's called, or maybe both. It sounds like the resonator is shot (on the outside everything looks all stainless-y steel fresh and good) but it's LOUD, especially for rear passengers. I don't want to make the same mistake I did with my pickup and it's "moderate free-flow" muffler (my wife still hates to drive it). I've only had the car since last year, and it's always been loud, so I'm not sure what "stock" sounds like. I've been listening to You Tube clips of Remus, MagnaFlow and others. Some have a pleasant mature rumble, but is that worth the extra $$? Does a "cat-back" after-market system eliminate the forward muffler/resonator (straight pipe from catalyst to the rear muffler) or just the rear muffler and tailpipe? Or does it replace the entire system? Can I keep a stock resonator and replace just the rear muffler?
The last thing I want is to spend a lot and end up sounding like a ricer or a race car wanna-be. Any thoughts?

[six shooter]

Have you taken a look under there to see if you've blown a flange gasket or anything like that.The world is your oyster when it comes to combinations(replacing one and not the other),catbacks generally eliminate the resonator and are 90% on the money when it comes to install and would be the way i would go.I've used many different brands but primarily magnaflow and i quite like them,i've never installed one on a bmw but all the ones i did all had the same qualities,easily throaty at idle and no drone while driving and a bit of a bark if you hammer down,this varies on application.i hate ricey but i'm also not a fan of too heavy growl either.gl

[coastdog]

Originally Posted by six shooter Have you taken a look under there to see if you've blown a flange gasket or anything like that.The world is your oyster when it comes to combinations(replacing one and not the other),catbacks generally eliminate the resonator and are 90% on the money when it comes to install and would be the way i would go.I've used many different brands but primarily magnaflow and i quite like them,i've never installed one on a bmw but all the ones i did all had the same qualities,easily throaty at idle and no drone while driving and a bit of a bark if you hammer down,this varies on application.i hate ricey but i'm also not a fan of too heavy growl either.gl

Yes, everything appears OK underneath. The cat itself is almost new. I'll check around for prices and sound clips and get something figured out. Thanks.