M54 3.0i Exhaust Gasket Replacement at Catalytic Converter

[richardb]

Originally Posted by Effduration

You should be fine. I have done a head gasket on an '05 X5 3.0 and removed the exhaust nuts you are referring to...my X5 w/ 125k miles has spent its entire life on the salty roads of NH & MA..

Unlike other BMW series (E39 & E46) the E53 X5 uses nuts AND BOLTS at the downpipe connection. The E39 and E46 uses pressed-in studs that rot away, and if they snap (likely) they have to be pounded or drilled out, which is very difficult when underneath the car.

Its a little awkward getting a wrench on both the nut and bolt at the downpipe connection on the E53 but not that difficult. If they do snap, they simply pop out with a tap.

It's unlikely that all four will snap, but if you want to be thorough, add 4 new M10 x4mm exhaust bolts, part #11621427586. They are a little pricey

Thanks for all of the replies. This is exactly what I was looking for. I didn't realize it had bolts, I assumed studs like the rest of the M54's came with! Cool.

The bolts are on the catalytic converter diagram under engine, but don't show on the exhaust diagram for some reason. You're right, a set of four bolts is $67... yikes. Hopefully the originals don't snap or strip lol.

As to the comment for "why worry"... well you can't always trust a shop to take things to the finish line. My contingency plan is to have nuts, bolts, gaskets ready so they don't have to be ordered and have the car tied up for 2-3 days at some shop. Sometimes hand holding is required haha.