Best exhaust upgrade for e53 3.0???

[Serb404]

Something that I need clarification on, I have the 3.0i E53 without the sports lip bumper option, from experience the 4.6is mufflers should be able to still fit correct?

[Serb404]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

I put 4.6iS mufflers on my 3.0i a few years ago, and they won't make any difference in noise. I would like to do a resonator delete/X pipe as well someday, but it's low on the priority list. The 4.6iS mufflers do look a LOT better though.

Did you have the sports bumper lip, I don't have that on my 3.0i so I assume they 4.6is mufflers will still have plenty of room to clear on the bumper inserts?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Serb404

Something that I need clarification on, I have the 3.0i E53 without the sports lip bumper option, from experience the 4.6is mufflers should be able to still fit correct?

Yes, they'll fit fine. The only thing you have to do is pull out the insert that goes around the muffler tips. Ideally, then install the V8 version (it's the same for a 4.4 or the various "is" models), but that's not actually necessary.

[Bdc101]

Originally Posted by Serb404

Did you have the sports bumper lip, I don't have that on my 3.0i so I assume they 4.6is mufflers will still have plenty of room to clear on the bumper inserts?

Yep, like Nick said, you just need to pull off the trim ring. I left it off and never acquired the correct one from an actual 4.6iS because you can't even tell anything is missing. It looks perfectly fine without it.

[Bdc101]

Sorry, one caveat though: you will need to loosen the rear bumper to install the mufflers. They flat out will not go on without moving the bumper back a few inches. And to do that, you need a T55 star socket (IIRC) so please make sure you have that before you try to install it. I had to go buy one and it took me a bunch of extra time to figure this all out.

[Serb404]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Yes, they'll fit fine. The only thing you have to do is pull out the insert that goes around the muffler tips. Ideally, then install the V8 version (it's the same for a 4.4 or the various "is" models), but that's not actually necessary.

Ok thank you I was reading this forum below and he has the same bumper trim as myself and for some reason by eyeballing it I figured the 4.6is mufflers wouldn't fit (I bought 4.6iS mufflers with the oval chrome tips)

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-retrofit.html

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Yep, like Nick said, you just need to pull off the trim ring. I left it off and never acquired the correct one from an actual 4.6iS because you can't even tell anything is missing. It looks perfectly fine without it.

Thank you so much I'll confirm on this to be sure, I did order the 4.6iS rings and have them already

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Sorry, one caveat though: you will need to loosen the rear bumper to install the mufflers. They flat out will not go on without moving the bumper back a few inches. And to do that, you need a T55 star socket (IIRC) so please make sure you have that before you try to install it. I had to go buy one and it took me a bunch of extra time to figure this all out.

I'll be sure to relay this to my muffler guy before he installs, thank you very much

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Serb404

Ok thank you I was reading this forum below and he has the same bumper trim as myself and for some reason by eyeballing it I figured the 4.6is mufflers wouldn't fit (I bought 4.6iS mufflers with the oval chrome tips)

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-retrofit.html





Thank you so much I'll confirm on this to be sure, I did order the 4.6iS rings and have them already





I'll be sure to relay this to my muffler guy before he installs, thank you very much

Here's my install day:

https://xoutpost.com/1220991-post15141.html

I was able to wrestle the mufflers in, but moving the bumper would have made it a lot easier.

[Serb404]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Here's my install day:

https://xoutpost.com/1220991-post15141.html

I was able to wrestle the mufflers in, but moving the bumper would have made it a lot easier.

This makes me feel better thank you kindly!

I'm basically doing the same with said xpipe, I believe the proper size for the 3.0i is 2.25

[Serb404]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Yep, like Nick said, you just need to pull off the trim ring. I left it off and never acquired the correct one from an actual 4.6iS because you can't even tell anything is missing. It looks perfectly fine without it.

According to BMW the 4.6iS trim doesn't fit the 3.0i which is strange to me but I'll look it at later this evening when I pickup the car.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Serb404

According to BMW the 4.6iS trim doesn't fit the 3.0i which is strange to me but I'll look it at later this evening when I pickup the car.

Doesn't fit based on what? RealOEM? That's irrelevant.