Magnaflow Tru-X Pipe Exhaust Mod Fitted

[AlfaMale]

I was hoping to post my update my original thread in the old forum. However I've finally managed to get the Magnaflow X pipe fitted now.

I ordered the part from the USA and after getting stung by the bloody customs I set about trying to get it fitted. My local performance exhaust fabricator didn't want to know so I persuaded my mates garage to undertake the work.

The job was compounded because the center silencer box on mine does not resemble the systems posted by our US friends on here. My center silencer is a single unit, albeit the two pipes do not mix, and a lot longer than the ones in the pics on here which shows two shorter silencers. As such this required greater fabrication with additional lengths of piping required.

The results I'm pleased with, noise levels are marginally louder, albeit hardly noticeable. The sound is a lot different though, the main difference is the exhaust has a slight rasp to it now, the way I'd describe it is in the way the M3 engines have a bit more rasp then the 330i engines. Also the result of mixing the two banks of four cylinders is awesome she burbles at lot more now and really emphasises the V8 engine.

In summary I'm really pleased with the result, on start up you can tell there is subtly something different about this set up, the engine sounds a lot more aggressive / sports car like. With respect to gains in low down torque I'm not sure, she does perform well as a result of the remap so it's difficult to quantify any gain over that but it does feel to pull a little better low down.

Would I recommend hell yes, if you like the raw rasp of the M3 engines then you'll love this mod. If you want the refined understated sound of say 330i engine then you may not fully appreciate this.

Costs well the part is £75ish delivered, Customs £20, additional materials £20, labour £60 so £175 ish all in. Ouch I didn't realise it cost that much?

[bigshout]

any where in the UK where the X pipe can be picked up? surely it's a simple fabrication part?

I'm interested in getting this done. Do you have any pics of what is required to get it fitted compared to the US setup? i wonder why there is a difference in pipe work between the US and UK/EU?

[Weasel]

What year X5 do you have? The E53's all have the one big 26" long resonator like you described, I think it is only the E70's have separate resonators for each bank.

[AlfaMale]

Originally Posted by bigshout

any where in the UK where the X pipe can be picked up? surely it's a simple fabrication part?

I'm interested in getting this done. Do you have any pics of what is required to get it fitted compared to the US setup? i wonder why there is a difference in pipe work between the US and UK/EU?

Yes you can order direct from Magnaflow but as always it's more expensive in the UK than to buy in US and get shipped over. That is unless customs sting you then its the same price

[AlfaMale]

Originally Posted by Weasel

What year X5 do you have? The E53's all have the one big 26" long resonator like you described, I think it is only the E70's have separate resonators for each bank.

Mine is a 2005 facelift model. I did extensive searches on this forum as it seems only the US guys have done this mod. I found a couple of good write ups with full pictures showing the smaller resonator boxes!

[Weasel]

The smaller resonator boxes shown in the writeup in the "tips and tricks" section is what was put on when the big resonator was removed... I did the same thing after reading that writeup. Then people started using x-pipes in its place and I was mad at myself for not thinking of that as it would have sounded a little better than what I have now. In the future I want to try something else anyways, but that project is on the back-burner financially.

[AlfaMale]

Originally Posted by Weasel

The smaller resonator boxes shown in the writeup in the "tips and tricks" section is what was put on when the big resonator was removed... I did the same thing after reading that writeup. Then people started using x-pipes in its place and I was mad at myself for not thinking of that as it would have sounded a little better than what I have now. In the future I want to try something else anyways, but that project is on the back-burner financially.

I see thanks for clearing the confusion up, that explains the difference then. I was thinkin that as mine was a later facelift model it came with a slightly different exhaust set up as there are other subtle differences to the earlier facelifted models.