European BMW PE

[kleach18]

Does anyone know the differences between the euro spec performance exhaust and the US spec one? Is the only main difference the Y-pipe that replaces the rear resonator on the mid pipes? I'm about to pick one up at my local German BMW dealership since they have them in stock.

Thanks

[Dackelone]

The Performance Exhaust (US version) is louder I believe. I think I saw a post/thread here that shows the ECE (Euro) version that has no Y-pipe as part of that kit.

USA PE, part #18102208806
ECE PE, part #18102208805

[kleach18]

How much louder I wonder.... They have a few systems in stock that I could pick up today and install tonight.... It's just so tempting but not if it's a stock muffler with different tips...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by kleach18

How much louder I wonder.... They have a few systems in stock that I could pick up today and install tonight.... It's just so tempting but not if it's a stock muffler with different tips...

No, No... it will still be louder than stock. I quite like the way the German 135i's sound with a PE. I never knew there was a difference until a few months ago.

I've even heard a PE on a 116i hatch and it sounds awesome! I think with an N55 the German system is not that big of a deal., I think for an N54 with the secondary cats... you need more volume.


I would say buy the PE locally at a German dealer. You can always ask them what the difference is too. But I really think you will be happy with the German spec PE.

[Bmwbreed]

Well I don't know how much louder but I the difference is enough that supposedly that's the reason you can't have a 135is though military car sales delivered there you would have to have it delivered stateside and pick iit up. My sales guy said it was because the PE was too loud (the US one) an so that's why that car is a stateside delivery deal only. So must be somewhat of a difference.

[kleach18]

I just bought it... Opened up the box and it had the muffler and the y-pipe. I didn't have time to cut the old section (resonater) off, so I just installed the muffler section until tomorrow. Auto skills center closes so early here, its hard to get anything done.

I figured it has 1400 miles, its time for a oil change. While I was at it I went ahead and threw the muffler section on. Oil change and muffler install took about 35 minutes thanks to a lift.

I went on a short drive after and this thing is a lot quieter then I thought it would be. It almost sounds quieter then stock at idle, although it has a different tone. But when you take it above 4k you can really hear the difference.

I'll take a cold start video tomorrow morning with my GoPro along with some driving around. Then I'll install the Y-pipe as soon as I can and take a video so I can compare how it sounds.

I'll post some pics tonight sometime

[kleach18]

Almost forgot....

I asked the mechanics/parts dept/service if they knew what the difference was between the euro and the US versions. They said that its the same product just different part numbers for the different markets. They said that they think the units are actually built at different places and that is the main reason for the different numbers. I'm sure he was just talking out his a$$ though.

[kleach18]

A few quick pics of the install...

[kleach18]

I'm curious why BMW had to put the huge black rubber bump stop on the opposite side of the tips from the valve? Anybody? Does the exhaust really shift that much under hard acceleration? Does it actually do anything besides weigh like 5 pounds?

[Dackelone]

Great pics! Maybe the difference is just the EU/Tuv certification vs no certification for the US PE part. I think on the muffler there is a plate welded on it with the market in which the exhaust conforms to.

I think someone posted that the PE's are made at the MINI factory where the JCW parts are made. Not sure if that is true or not. I would install that rubber bumper part. Exhausts tend to also grow as they warm or get hot. So its quite possible during hard shifts that that rubber part might be needed. ?

Everyone has said that the exhaust takes a few thousand miles to carbon up and change tone. At first most people say its kind of raspy, which changes in to a deeper tone.

The Y-pipe makes for much sweeter noises. More pops and gurgling when cold. But the N55 is kind of louder than a N54 overall. Drive it for while and see what you think. But most people install the y-pipe sooner than later.


Dack

[Cozy]

I bought the US version of the PE and shipped it over to the UK. The plate states the 806 part number however it also states that this is for the UK market...oddly. Anyway, I chose 806 over 805 as the 805 sometime misses out the Y-Pipe which I wanted (even though I never plan to fit it, custom/berk mids planned instead). I chose to buy this exhaust from overseas to play the exchange rates, I got a much better deal which I owe to Dackel

I cannot say whether this exhaust is louder vs Euro versions however, I can say that on cold start it is very loud. The tone is definitely deeper during normal driving and WOT is a lot of fun . This is axle-back only but definitely an improvement over stock & golf-tee. It's covered 200miles only so let's see if things change in a few months.

[kleach18]

I took about 1.5 hours this morning but I installed the y-pipe.. I took some videos with my gopro of before but then damn battery died before I could take after videos. Charging it now and will update with videos later today hopfully.

[kleach18]

I think what took the longest is cutting the old piece off. I have a dremel but its 110 and the outlets at the auto skills center are all 220. They had this cutter but it sucked a$$, so I did it the old fashion way... With and hand saw..

[kleach18]

I can't wait to get back to Texas and have my own garage/shop.. It's nice to have this auto skills center with a lift but it drives me crazy how nasty that place is...

[kleach18]

Originally Posted by JamJay

I bought the US version of the PE and shipped it over to the UK. The plate states the 806 part number however it also states that this is for the UK market...oddly. Anyway, I chose 806 over 805 as the 805 sometime misses out the Y-Pipe which I wanted (even though I never plan to fit it, custom/berk mids planned instead). I chose to buy this exhaust from overseas to play the exchange rates, I got a much better deal which I owe to Dackel

I cannot say whether this exhaust is louder vs Euro versions however, I can say that on cold start it is very loud. The tone is definitely deeper during normal driving and WOT is a lot of fun . This is axle-back only but definitely an improvement over stock & golf-tee. It's covered 200miles only so let's see if things change in a few months.

On the plates that are welded to the exhaust and y-pipe it actually says UK on them.. Its hard to read but it says UK 10/12. I'm guessing that the build date..

With the y-pipe installed its definitely louder but not to loud in my opinion.. I love it. I cant wait to drive it in the spring with the windows down(I tried with the windows down now and the heat on, but its just to much once I gt moving..)

[Dackelone]

Looking good! Can't wait to hear it in person.

[jsmonet]

Not sure if this was already answered, but the big rubber goober is a harmonic damper. It is supposed to soak up just enough of the extra vibe to keep the exhaust from droning.

[kleach18]

Nope, never really got a solid answer. That makes a lot of sense though. I installed it just to be safe anyways. I have some videos of the PE with the stock n55 mid-pipe and one with the y-pipe installed. I'm just trying to upload it to youtube but am having problems...

[katsooba]

how do the binders look like? after you cut the stock resonator, what do you use to connect the pipes?

[kleach18]

Originally Posted by katsooba

how do the binders look like? after you cut the stock resonator, what do you use to connect the pipes?

The exhaust came with some hardware. Here is a quick picture I took mocking the y-pipe up with the cut stock midpipe.

[MaDoNiOn]

Looking forward to the vids .

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by katsooba

how do the binders look like? after you cut the stock resonator, what do you use to connect the pipes?

Here are some close up pics (I found on the web) of the clamps BMW provides with the PE kit...