Just installed BMW performance exhaust

[sixburgh]

Dackelone, you rock! Thanks for your post.

[juyeop]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Use Stainless Steel wool, "OOO" or "0000" type. That's how I clean up my PE tips after a hard days use.

I also put some paint sealer on the tips, afterwards.




Sooo TRUE!!! I LOVE my PE and kicked myself for waiting so long to get it. It's a MUST HAVE in my book.


Dackel

Isn't stainless steel wool too rough on the exhaust and possibly grinding the exhaust?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by juyeop

Isn't stainless steel wool too rough on the exhaust and possibly grinding the exhaust?

It works fine on my exhaust tips. Thats why you must uses a very fine SS wool, like "OOO" or "OOOO", and NOT an SOS(or 3M scotch) pad!

Maybe Phil from DetailersDomain can chime in for some detailing advice.


Dack

[dailowill]

Adam's metal polish 1/2 is really good at getting rid of the carbon build up on the PE. The only issue I had was trying to get in between the two exhaust openings since they are fairly close together.

[christine1]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Installing a BMW Performance Part, especially something as simple as the Performance Exhaust for a 128, will not "void your warranty". I pre-ordered one for my wife's 128i and installed it the day we took delivery. Never, ever had any issues with warranty or maintenance. All it requires is cutting off the stock muffler carefully (measure twice, cut once), and using the supplied "collar" to mate the pipe with the PE muffler and use the stock rubber mounting bushings. It's not rocket science.

Cool. I want to try this! Need to buy some ramps/jack stands and a hacksaw(?) though. On second thought, maybe I should just take it to an indy... ?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by christine1

Cool. I want to try this! Need to buy some ramps/jack stands and a hacksaw(?) though. On second thought, maybe I should just take it to an indy... ?

I borrowed a chain style pipe cutter from O'Reilly Auto Parts. They only require a deposit on the tool.

[dailowill]

Originally Posted by christine1

Cool. I want to try this! Need to buy some ramps/jack stands and a hacksaw(?) though. On second thought, maybe I should just take it to an indy... ?

Trust me, you do not want to just have a hacksaw to do the entire job. It'll take forever, plus you don't have much leverage lying on your back (cutting upward due to not having enough clearance on top).

I borrowed a chain pipe cutter from the local big name auto parts store and had to finish up with a hack saw. The chain pipe cutter got it 80% of the way and the rest using a hack saw took forever. Maybe a home improvement store will let you borrow an angle grinder. I hear those things will cut through metal like butter. I've also heard folks using a sawzall.

You might want to also get:
- some silicone spray to remove the exhaust off its rubber holders.
- e-torx if you don't want to remove the rubber holders while being attached on the car because it can be difficult.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by dailowill

Trust me, you do not want to just have a hacksaw to do the entire job. It'll take forever, plus you don't have much leverage lying on your back (cutting upward due to not having enough clearance on top).

I borrowed a chain pipe cutter from the local big name auto parts store and had to finish up with a hack saw. The chain pipe cutter got it 80% of the way and the rest using a hack saw took forever. Maybe a home improvement store will let you borrow an angle grinder. I hear those things will cut through metal like butter. I've also heard folks using a sawzall.

You might want to also get:
- some silicone spray to remove the exhaust off its rubber holders.
- e-torx if you don't want to remove the rubber holders while being attached on the car because it can be difficult.

+1 on the Sawzall. That's how I did it and it was a piece of cake.

[christine1]

Originally Posted by dailowill

Trust me, you do not want to just have a hacksaw to do the entire job. It'll take forever, plus you don't have much leverage lying on your back (cutting upward due to not having enough clearance on top).

I borrowed a chain pipe cutter from the local big name auto parts store and had to finish up with a hack saw. The chain pipe cutter got it 80% of the way and the rest using a hack saw took forever. Maybe a home improvement store will let you borrow an angle grinder. I hear those things will cut through metal like butter. I've also heard folks using a sawzall.

You might want to also get:
- some silicone spray to remove the exhaust off its rubber holders.
- e-torx if you don't want to remove the rubber holders while being attached on the car because it can be difficult.

Thanks to you and suprgnat for the tips. Will definitely be useful when the time comes!

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by christine1

Cool. I want to try this! Need to buy some ramps/jack stands and a hacksaw(?) though. On second thought, maybe I should just take it to an indy... ?

Any muffler shop could do it for you. And yes, I literally used a hacksaw to cut the pipe ahead of the muffler after measuring carefully (length of stub pipe on PE muffler) and then blue-taping the pipe at that length in front of the stock unit. It took all of 5 minutes (use a new, sharp blade). The bracket holding the rubber grommet on either side can be unbolted from the chassis and then the other side can be slipped out of the remaining grommet. Slide the collar over the exhaust pipe, then support the front of the PE by putting the bracket into the remaining grommet, slide the other grommet over the bracket on the opposite side and bolt it in, then mate up the PE and the pipe by sliding the collar over where they meet. Tighten the collar and you're done! Let the car warm up to where the muffler gets hot, then check the collar bolts again to make sure they're as tight as possible - you might also consider using a little muffler cement inside the collar to insure that it seals up completely. Also, be sure to attach the rubber hose for the stock muffler onto the stub on the PE - it seals off the vacuum, as the PE doesn't have a flap.

[dailowill]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Any muffler shop could do it for you. And yes, I literally used a hacksaw to cut the pipe ahead of the muffler after measuring carefully (length of stub pipe on PE muffler) and then blue-taping the pipe at that length in front of the stock unit. It took all of 5 minutes (use a new, sharp blade).

You did this on jack stands/ramps? That's pretty impressive. I guess my hack saw was dull...

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by dailowill

You did this on jack stands/ramps? That's pretty impressive. I guess my hack saw was dull...

Yes, on jack stands. My helper was going to find a sawzall and I thought I'd get the cut started with the hacksaw and before I knew it, I was 2/3 of the way there. With the blue tape as a guide, it was fairly easy and I had just put a new blade in my saw. It sort of caught me by surprise too. But it's been on there 4 1/2 years now and still sounds great.

[christine1]

Just purchased one off eBay for $615. There's one left, if anyone's looking: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-REAR-PER...faec28&vxp=mtr

Now I just can't wait to get it! Leaning towards getting it installed rather than doing it myself.

[850tgul]

Yeah Sun motors had them for $665 and I asked them what their best price was. He said "it's your lucky day just checked the price and bmw lowered it" so he dropped the price to $615. Super fast shipping too. Ordered Mon AM and it's arriving today. Seems like a great deal.

[Blacksport]

Can't believe what people pay for the BMW PE...

This is all you need: one Borla 40364, stainless straight-thru, 2.5" centered inlet & outlet... 14" long body....90 bucks on Summit....Incredible sound...works great with my AA headers and Stage 3 intake...

It's packed with carbon fiber material, not fiberglass...

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Blacksport

Can't believe what people pay for the BMW PE...

This is all you need: one Borla 40364, stainless straight-thru, 2.5" centered inlet & outlet... 14" long body....90 bucks on Summit....Incredible sound...works great with my AA headers and Stage 3 intake...

It's packed with carbon fiber material, not fiberglass...

Agreed, but I wouldhave went 3.0" instead of 2.5" you can't go to large with mufflers, but you can go too small.

Sound clip??

[850tgul]

How much of your incredible sound is due to your headers though? Won't that change the sound more than any back box?

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by 850tgul

How much of your incredible sound is due to your headers though? Won't that change the sound more than any back box?

My car has headers with stock exhaust and it sounds the same..mostly.

[PRe82]

Just installed the PE on my 128i. I paid $50 for the installation at a local muffler shop. BMW dealer wanted $260 to get it installed. I am happy with the sound, I've read that sound will improve over time. Btw, local shop did not spend more than 20 minutes on the process.

[Blacksport]

Originally Posted by 850tgul

How much of your incredible sound is due to your headers though? Won't that change the sound more than any back box?

I ran with no muffler for over a year...sounded great...when I added the headers, it was simply too loud; I had to do something, and the Borla did the trick...I'm lucky because I have a performance exhaust shop right down the street...I keep him fairly busy...

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Blacksport

I ran with no muffler for over a year...sounded great...when I added the headers, it was simply too loud; I had to do something, and the Borla did the trick...I'm lucky because I have a performance exhaust shop right down the street...I keep him fairly busy...

Sound clip! Any resonator? Secondaries?

[Dackelone]

To quote bozola from the first page of this thread...

Originally Posted by bozola

...BMW PE, the most expensive, unnecessary accessory that I just love.

^^I totally agree with bozola!!!

Dackel