2006 exhaust system: no clamps?

[818Guy]

Okay, I've been researching exhausts for my 2006 X3.

Took a look at this
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...63&hg=18&fg=20
and
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...39&hg=18&fg=20

Since realoem.com does not have 2006MY included, I used a 3.0i with a production date of 10/2005. That's as late as it would let me.

Anyway, take a look at these pictures of my stock exhaust system:







Am I crazy or did BMW eliminate the clamps (connection points) on their exhaust system???

It looks like the entire thing is welded as one piece. Do I not see the clamps?

If that's the case then the Remus exhaust will not fit as a bolt-on. An exhaust system will have to be custom with welding work.

This sucks…

[818Guy]

No one?

Okay, can someone look under their 2004 or 2005 and tell me if they have clamps on their system?

Part 2 in this link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...63&hg=18&fg=20

Thanks.

[simoncpw]

Mine is 2005, and has the clamps. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by 818Guy

Okay, can someone look under their 2004 or 2005 and tell me if they have clamps on their system?

[818Guy]

Originally Posted by simoncpw

Mine is 2005, and has the clamps. Hope this helps.

Thanks.

But that confuses me even more... maybe it was a change for 2006.

[818Guy]

I guess the story is those clamps found on realoem.com are to be used if you were replacing the factory muffler with another factory muffler (say, it was damaged).

Consequently, I'm going to assume there is no true "bolt-on" exhaust for the X3, even the Remus won't be a bolt-on. You'd have to cut the exhaust and use some type of clamp to attach it to the factory piping.

If that's the case I might as well go to a muffler shop and have a Magnaflow put on; will be cheaper than the Remus system.

[drex]

it might bolt on from the headers back, or the catalytic (if the catalytic is bolted on).

that's really a change for bmw.

what does remus say (ie do they have a solution)?

[818Guy]

Originally Posted by drex

it might bolt on from the headers back, or the catalytic (if the catalytic is bolted on).

that's really a change for bmw.

what does remus say (ie do they have a solution)?

Just e-mailed the pix to Remus this morning (PST). BavAuto said that the Remus system does come with clamps to use.

Oh well. I'm just glad I looked under before buying anything. If cutting is going to be involved I might as well get a "custom" set-up.

[818Guy]

Can anyone else take a look for me? Thanks.

[RastaGurl]

Originally Posted by 818Guy

Can anyone else take a look for me? Thanks.

May I just say, there's NOTHING I won't do for my fellow X3 World-ers! I, too have an '06, and there are no clamps.

[simoncpw]

SORRY... PLEASE IGNORE MY PREVIOUS POST.... i read your questions too quickly and misunderstood your question (I thought you were talking about the thing holding the exhaust from your 3rd photo).

I looked a mine again.... the whole exhausts is welded into ONE PIECE, there's NO clamps.

Sorry for the confusion.