New x5 and exhaust only comes out on one side?

BMWX522 · #1 12-14-2010, 04:50 PM

Is this normal? Is this something to do with the cold weather here in Minneapolis? I called my dealer and they said a flap oplen only past 4k rpms. I saw a couple of acura and lexus suvs and the exhaust was coming out of both sides. I also saw another x5 on the way to work and his left one was only working also. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this? Thanks!

DeanLinAZ · #2 12-14-2010, 05:34 PM

On the 35i X5, only the left side exhaust is open up to higher rpms. Your dealer said 4K rpms--I agree with them. Don't know about the 35d or the 50i.

That way you only have to keep one side clean unless you stand on it a lot.

autoque · #3 12-14-2010, 11:29 PM

I didn't know this. I have a '08 3.0si and I thought both exhausts worked no matter the rpm.

marshotel · #4 12-14-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoque

I didn't know this. I have a '08 3.0si and I thought both exhausts worked no matter the rpm.

Both exhausts work on teh 30. This change was made when the indroduced the 35i

localmotion411 · #5 12-15-2010, 12:17 AM

Yep; only my left one was smoking this morning (20 degrees) and I wondered the same thing.

M5_Traveler · #6 12-16-2010, 01:55 AM

Apparently on the 135i and 335i (N54 engine) you could modifly the flap so it would be fully open all the time. I don't know if this would be the case with 3.5i.

SkipSauls · #7 12-15-2010, 12:06 PM

My 2007 335i behaved the same way. There were various explanations about it allowing the engine to warm up better, and there was a "hack" to open both of them up all the time. I tried the hack and it might have had a bit more growl at low rpms, but overall it wasn't a big deal. As for the tailpipes, both of them got equally dirty on my 335i despite one not being open quite as often.

xoutpostking · #8 12-15-2010, 01:19 PM

I will do the hack, heck, with vapor coming out only in one pipe, it looks retarded and to others, you got a bad right pipe.

BMWX522 · #9 12-15-2010, 03:28 PM

I will bring it to my guy who did some of my mods on my 335xi. He said its a easy fit so I will get this taken care of. Still dont know why all other SUVs have them both working.

Penguin · #10 12-15-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWX522

Still dont know why all other SUVs have them both working.

It's cheaper to just have them both "working" under all conditions.