How long should it take to install a BMW Performance Exhaust?

[N55_BBM]

I'm trying to get quotes from my dealership to see if I can afford doing this anytime soon. The parts department has actually priced the exhaust very competitively, but the service department is saying it takes 2.5-3 hours to get it installed and their labor cost is $104/hour.

Is this right?! I have no experience with this before but I'm thinking that 2.5-3 hours might be too much...

[larryn]

2hrs is about right. 2.5-3hrs does not seem excessive, and has some cover-their-ass time built into it.

[Dackelone]

My German dealer quote me: 1 hour's labor at 110 euros. Have your dealer look up the labor in BMW's time tables. It says 1.1 Time Units.

Perfromance Exhaust part was 670 euros without the 19% sales tax.

[N55_BBM]

Parts department will charge me $765 (plus 6% PA sales tax on top of it so more like $810).

That's a very good price, but paying $260-$312 in labor seems completely ridiculous to me..

Where can I find the BMW time table? Is it available out there?

[ES BMW]

Another option is to find a good local muffler shop. They'll probably charge $100-$150 to install it, if that. Plus, since this is their business, they'll be able to straighten out any alignment issues with the new muffler.

[escobar929]

anything over 1hr is a rip off.

if you were doing it at home, then 2 hours would be ok but on a lift, no more than 1 hour

[N55_BBM]

Originally Posted by My E90

Another option is to find a good local muffler shop. They'll probably charge $100-$150 to install it, if that. Plus, since this is their business, they'll be able to straighten out any alignment issues with the new muffler.

would it void the warranty in any way if someone else installed it?

[ES BMW]

I've read in the past that it will not void the warranty on the part but obviously, the dealer will not cover anything to do with the installation.

The best answer will come from someone in the parts department. But I will add this... it's a muffler with no moving parts. The only thing I'd be worried about is the possibility of corrosion causing rust. Not something that we worry about down here but being in PA, I'd ask about the warranty against rust.

[escobar929]

the only thing to worry about would be that its not a bold on (i think) pretty sure they have to cut and clamp that sucker on. but any experienced muffler shop should have no trouble doing this

[moveswiftly]

1 hour max at a good muffler shop.... The axleback takes literally 10 minutes to install at most, unless you have some really rusted bolts. Be easy with the spring compressed bolts that connect the axleback to the resonator. they break easily...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

1 hour max at a good muffler shop.... The axleback takes literally 10 minutes to install at most, unless you have some really rusted bolts. Be easy with the spring compressed bolts that connect the axleback to the resonator. they break easily...

+1

...everything I have read about doing the install yoruself... one or both of these spring bolts will break. I would be an extra one before you do the install.

[Lloyd]

They're going to charge you ridiculous labor for something that takes at most 30 minutes. They go by the suggested install time that the manufacturer gives them, not the time that it actually takes them. I don't see how any dealer can make a case to void your warranty for just an axle-back.

[oldman]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

+1

...everything I have read about doing the install yoruself... one or both of these spring bolts will break. I would be an extra one before you do the install.

Break the bolts. Are you kidding. I did exhaust myself in two bits. Put on the axle back first and drove around for about a week, then took it off, cut my midpipes and put the complete exhaust on. Could not see how you could possibly break the spring loaded bolts unless you put an unbelievable strain on them.

[ES BMW]

Originally Posted by oldman

Put on the axle back first and drove around for about a week, then took it off, cut my midpipes and put the complete exhaust on.

How did the removal of the resonator affect the tone and volume of the performance exhaust?

[N55_BBM]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

+1

...everything I have read about doing the install yoruself... one or both of these spring bolts will break. I would be an extra one before you do the install.

where can I find a DIY on this? couldn't find one here..

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by brunobm

would it void the warranty in any way if someone else installed it?

The parts warranty will still apply for the part itself, although you will not get a warranty for problems related installation.

Of course, the people installing the part should provide their own warranty for installation-related issues....

[mke135i]

How much cutting is needed? Are there clear instructions included, like where to cut, etc?

[1SerieStud]

I had mine installed at a very reputable performance shop here in town. It took them about an hour without rush, and that included cutting the midpipes - yes, there is cutting involved when installing BMW's performance exhaust.

The dealer told me the same thing you were told (2-3 hours), but I've been into cars for too long to eat that. Don't pay more than an hour's worth of labor.

[oman135]

Originally Posted by mke135i

How much cutting is needed? Are there clear instructions included, like where to cut, etc?

+1

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by oman135

+1

Fellas, not a lot of cutting is needed. If you look at the new exhaust, 2 main components are included. The muffler component, and a smaller component which is a Y-pipe. This Y-pipe replaces the stock resonator by attaching to the muffler part with 2 bolts and a flange, and well, you guessed it, the only other way it can attach to the midpipes is by cutting the stock midpipes when removing the resonator.

In short, using the Y-pipe, you can measure how far into the midpipes you can cut, so that when you use the replacement part, it matches up in length. You can have the Y-pipe welded in place, or use the clamps that were included in the kit. I opted to use the clamps in case I ever decide to reverse back to stock, no more cutting will b needed.

[mke135i]

Thanks for the info!

[oman135]

so if i use the clamps there will be no need for cutting?