Another "My first X5 post"
 

New to X series, not BMW's, only cars Ive ever owned.

Looking at picking up an E53 to replace the wife's E36. She is mostly concerned with the tailpipes, haha. She despises the 3.0 M54, not because it is slower, but because she hates the look of dual exhaust, she wants either quad or square.

I am open to going with a V8, except for the extra maitenance, so i would rather an I6. Plus I am currently in a ZHP and it is also a M54B30.



Long story short, how painful is it to buy/install a rear diffuser that will fit quad or square tips? Or is there some cheap trick people are doing to fit a bulkier exhaust look?

I am also wondering about self leveling suspension. If its good when I buy it im not concerned, when it breaks, or I get a good deal on a truck with a faulty SLS I plan to replace it with something a little less fancy, like Bilstein and coil springs...... It appears that 90+% of E53's came with at least rear (S220A) SLS. How common is it to find an E53 without SLS????


A little background:
I do all my own work, and I have a co-worker who does paint/body on the side.


I am really excited to get into the club. I didnt even know Xoutpost existed, Ive been an E90post and E46fanatic guy for so long, IM VERY COMFORTED THAT THIS FORUM EXISTST!!!!

Thanks

:Welcome:

Well it's not difficult to switch out the duals for quad tips. Just depends on how much money you wanna spend. I think a used 4.6/4.8 system can be had for under $500 if you like those tips.

The bumper that is on the 3.0 is the same as on a 4.4. Their is an insert that can be removed the accomidate dual tips. So that's and easy fix.

As for SLS... The only ones I have seen without SLS are 99/early 00 production date 3.0 that were bone stock. I mean is doesn't have climate control, the door handles and molding are not painted body color but are just black, no rear window tinting, 5 speed, and just... yea. Basically something the gov't would buy to use as service vehicles.

Now the ones you find are most likely going to have SLS, but you can take out the system. If you do a search, there is plenty of information of people doing it. As for how common it is to find one... I've only seen 1 and it was recently at a gas station. So maybe that gives you an example of the market of those types of options.

:Welcome:

Well it's not difficult to switch out the duals for quad tips. Just depends on how much money you wanna spend. I think a used 4.6/4.8 system can be had for under $500 if you like those tips.

The bumper that is on the 3.0 is the same as on a 4.4. Their is an insert that can be removed the accomidate dual tips. So that's and easy fix.

As for SLS... The only ones I have seen without SLS are 99/early 00 production date 3.0 that were bone stock. I mean is doesn't have climate control, the door handles and molding are not painted body color but are just black, no rear window tinting, 5 speed, and just... yea. Basically something the gov't would buy to use as service vehicles.

Now the ones you find are most likely going to have SLS, but you can take out the system. If you do a search, there is plenty of information of people doing it. As for how common it is to find one... I've only seen 1 and it was recently at a gas station. So maybe that gives you an example of the market of those types of options.

Welcome man!

Personally I really enjoy the 3.O....sure it's not the fastest of the lot (thats what the RRSS and its 510hp is for:)), but it's relatively simple to work on and doesn't fall victim to some of the major repairs the 8's do. I've had mine goin on 8 years and have no intentions of getting rid of it anytime soon.

As for exhaust it's relatively easy mod to do...I have the standard 3.0 exhaust system with the 4.6/4.8 tips flanged to some Y-pipes and then to the outlet of the mufflers. Looks like so:
http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...5.jpg~original

Sounds to me like there is not a lot involved with popping out the inserts and buying some after market tips.

Thanks for the help guys!!!

Welcome!

You could also cut and weld Ractive T815 tips as well, about 70 bucks for the pair. Had mine installed for a year now and it gives me 80% of the look of the 4.6/4.8 tips for 1/4 the price :)

Welcome to the forum. :)

:xoutpost:

You mean like this? ;)

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps152eedfc.jpg

That looks nice, Im pretty excited that the 3.0 diffuser has pop-outs. That makes it very easy and versatile.