NEED HELP!!!

[jclass]

Hello peeps!!
I have a 2003 Y34 and have to agree with pretty much everybody... I love this car!! I bought it in 2006 with 36k miles and I have 135k now and it is still running well.
I went to do emissions test in order to renew my tags and came to find out that the muffler on the Exhaust Front Tube (or Y pipe), where the manifolds connect to, has a HUGE leak and emissions test could not be done.

I'm told that I need to REPLACE the whole section and... needless to say, it is EXPENSIVE!!!
The technician at the station told me that I can cut-out this muffler section and add a straight pipe to connect to the center muffler.

MY QUESTIONS are:
1- HAS ANYONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? WOULD REMOVING THIS MUFFLER AND REPLACE IT WITH A STRAIGHT PIPE RESOLVE THE ISSUE (OTHER THAN THE CAR WILL BE LOUDER)?

2- DOES ANYONE NOW OF A PLACE WHERE I CAN FIND THE CARPET (TAN) TO REPLACE THE CURRENT ONE?

3- HAS ANYONE REPLACE SHOCKS AND STRUTS FOR THIS CAR? I have a rattle noise in the suspension. Dealer tells me that I need to replace sway links, other place tells me that I need to replace Tie rods.... ANY INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

4- THE FRONT GRILL IS LOSING THE CHROME PAINT. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

I appreciate all the input.
TO THE MODERATOR/CREATOR (S) OF THIS BLOG.... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

TO ALL MY PEEPS... KEEP LOVING THE Y34!!!!

THANKS

[atlM35]

MY QUESTIONS are:
1- HAS ANYONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? WOULD REMOVING THIS MUFFLER AND REPLACE IT WITH A STRAIGHT PIPE RESOLVE THE ISSUE (OTHER THAN THE CAR WILL BE LOUDER)?
* That sounds like it would fix the exhaust leak.

2- DOES ANYONE NOW OF A PLACE WHERE I CAN FIND THE CARPET (TAN) TO REPLACE THE CURRENT ONE?
* There are several places you can call if you type in "Custom car carpet" into a search engine.

3- HAS ANYONE REPLACE SHOCKS AND STRUTS FOR THIS CAR? I have a rattle noise in the suspension. Dealer tells me that I need to replace sway links, other place tells me that I need to replace Tie rods.... ANY INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
* Do the 12-6 and 9-3 wheel shake tests with the car up on jack stands and have someone take a look underneath. This will reveal any worn/loose parts.
* Check the shocks for any leaking fluid (if Y34 has oil filled shocks)... and you can go over speed bumps one wheel at a time and see if any of the corners drop faster than they should.

4- THE FRONT GRILL IS LOSING THE CHROME PAINT. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
* Plasti dip seems to be the latest trend.

THANKS[/quote]