Wally,
I'm getting ready to take the plunge and follow your footsteps and put on some e46 headers on the 3.0.

I had a few questions for you on your set up. Does you CEL come on at all now that the cats are gone? I'm not so much worried about emissions as I am bugged by a check engine light. We don't have emissions here in my part of Northern Utah.

I also see you went with an oem style exhaust manifold gasket versus the non-heat shielded one normally provided with the kit. Is that a better choice or just preference? Less heat on the valve cover gasket and etc?

Do you think that the current cat back exhaust could easily be modified in such a way that you could easily reverse it if necessary? Seems like I read that there was only an inch difference b/w the header and exhaust. Perhaps just some spacers made up? If you have a pic of that junction that would be rad.

Did you ever put some aftermarket cats back on it?

Lastly..... Please remove the pic of your M5...... Dammit all! I have to wipe the drool from my keyboard every time I see it in your signature! JK I'm jealous. I hope you love it. I may be getting an e60 for the wife, but not the M5 yet.