XI downpipes - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

carsrmilife · 10-24-2011, 03:05 PM

What is the easiest way you guys have been able to install downpipes on your xi? Is the DIY that is posted in the DIY section sufficient, or is it easier to drop the sub-frame? Im going to be doing this when I return home from this wretched desert and have heard it's a headache for us xi owners. Would it be beneficial to just pay a shop to do it?

Wisco_xi · 02-17-2012, 07:50 PM

its a huge pain the Easiest way is to cut them out. I don't suggest going that. search under the xi forums i was reading a post that will answer your question.i had a shop do it, had to drop the subframe.. good luck

Sleeper · 02-19-2012, 10:56 AM

You have to drop the subframe. Absolutely no other way unless you cut the OEM DPs in half.

nailer335 · 02-19-2012, 04:19 PM

A shop is the easiest way. The shop I took my car to was able to remove them without cutting them off

nailer335 · 02-19-2012, 04:20 PM

They did lower the subframe

BES335xi · 02-19-2012, 04:26 PM

+1 lower the subframe, dont cut 'em, never know when you'll need 'em.

carsrmilife · 02-21-2012, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I'm headed to the auto hobby shop on my base in hopes they have the equipment to do it there. They have mechanics on hand as well should I need some extra assistance.

mykal335xi · 02-22-2012, 08:36 AM

Any of you guys that went to a shop remember how many hours you were charged for? I've asked a couple shops so far but none have wanted to do it, not having done a 335 DP change before.

mattsfeir · 02-22-2012, 08:34 PM

I was told $350 from a local shop familiar with the process, seemed high so I decided to try it myself.

nailer335 · 02-23-2012, 01:43 AM

I was quoted for 2.5 hours. The shop said that they had done "tons" of 335i downpipes and that it would be quick. I mentioned that the xi required the subframe to be dropped and they disagreed. I quietly let them do their thing and 4.5 or so hours later, "ya... We had to drop the subframe..."
So you cant do it without dropping the subframe without cutting. And you dont want to cut them so you can put them on your car before you part out and sell it to move on up in the car world.
Mykal if youre out of warranty it might be easiest to have the dealership do it. Otherwise, find the most upscale shop you can. I personally dont want a whatever shop doing anything other than my exhaust tips on a car that I remotely care about.
Not to thread jack... But I am surprised at how much happier I am with the appearance of my car with the tips. Put those on with the DPs and keep the exhaust flap open on the tune. I love my exhaust's sound now. Its still slightly aggressive and civil enough when light on the throttle... And it turns heads when you get on it.

BES335xi · 02-23-2012, 05:21 AM

$250 for me in NY..

Sleeper · 02-23-2012, 09:42 AM

Wow, you guys get cheap quotes.

I called my independent shop out of curiosity and they went by book time for a "catalytic converter" replacement... ie. DP replacement. Wait for it... 12 hours

. They offered to go down to 7 hours haha. And thats at $120-130/hr shop time.

I did it in about 5 hours on jack stands.

mykal335xi · 02-23-2012, 11:40 AM

I think I'm going to buy a second jack to hold the engine and just do it myself on jackstands with a creeper, I've got small hands so it helps when working in tight spaces

Very few 335s around here, and even less that are tuned in any way so none of the local shops have experience with these cars let alone an XI.

pits200 · 02-24-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeper

Wow, you guys get cheap quotes.

I called my independent shop out of curiosity and they went by book time for a "catalytic converter" replacement... ie. DP replacement. Wait for it... 12 hours

. They offered to go down to 7 hours haha. And thats at $120-130/hr shop time.

I did it in about 5 hours on jack stands.

I would have been like, wow, 7 hours thanks for the discount. I'll be here tomorrow at 8am and to then not show up. For them to waste your time like that with a 7 hour quote, you owe it to them to waste their time.

I had mine done for $250 at Vac. You need to find a shop that does these on a lot of 335s. They have the process down to a science and aren't intimidated by these ma and pa shops who have no knowledge of the n54.

Nice to see you did it yourself, congrats. But for $250 it was worth it, anything more and I'd try tackling it like you did.

Sleeper · 02-24-2012, 12:03 PM

^Exactly. My time is worth more than the $300-400 I would have been willing to pay. But $700-$800+ for an annoying but relatively easy job involves way too much grabbing of one's own ankles.

deezofchuck · 04-30-2012, 07:52 AM

reviving an old thread - I am about to get some cp-e downpipes and want to do the install myself - although will be a PITA it seems...anyone who did it themselves have any advice before I take the plunge?

deezofchuck · 04-30-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nailer335

I was quoted for 2.5 hours. The shop said that they had done "tons" of 335i downpipes and that it would be quick. I mentioned that the xi required the subframe to be dropped and they disagreed. I quietly let them do their thing and 4.5 or so hours later, "ya... We had to drop the subframe..."
So you cant do it without dropping the subframe without cutting. And you dont want to cut them so you can put them on your car before you part out and sell it to move on up in the car world.
Mykal if youre out of warranty it might be easiest to have the dealership do it. Otherwise, find the most upscale shop you can. I personally dont want a whatever shop doing anything other than my exhaust tips on a car that I remotely care about.
Not to thread jack... But I am surprised at how much happier I am with the appearance of my car with the tips. Put those on with the DPs and keep the exhaust flap open on the tune. I love my exhaust's sound now. Its still slightly aggressive and civil enough when light on the throttle... And it turns heads when you get on it.

what size/brand tips did you get?

VaDuro · 05-01-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BES335xi

$250 for me in NY..

BES Who did the work any reccomendations there?

Gustee · 05-02-2012, 04:23 PM

I'm thinking of finally tackling install of the cp-e's I bought that are sitting in my office at work, but had the same ? as OP -- is the DIY on this forum adequate for me as a non-mechanic? Seems not with this discussion of the subframe, etc.

Any New Englanders who can recommend a reasonable and competent shop??

Sleeper · 05-02-2012, 05:00 PM

^If you can find a shop to do it in the $250-400 range, I'd bite the bullet and have them do it. It really is an annoying install - not necessarily 'challenging', but just annoying. If you have limited experience working on cars, I wouldn't recommend this as the first big job you tackle.

Pe90X · 05-12-2012, 03:57 PM

so what brands are out there for catless/catted dp's

wanlong · 05-12-2012, 06:26 PM

Does the n55 needs to low/drop subframe as well?

10-24-2011, 03:05 PM	#1
carsrmilife Private Drives: 08 Barbera Red Metallic 335xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 72 iTrader: (0)	XI downpipes What is the easiest way you guys have been able to install downpipes on your xi? Is the DIY that is posted in the DIY section sufficient, or is it easier to drop the sub-frame? Im going to be doing this when I return home from this wretched desert and have heard it's a headache for us xi owners. Would it be beneficial to just pay a shop to do it?
	Tweet

02-17-2012, 07:50 PM	#2
Wisco_xi Private First Class Drives: 2007 Bmw 335xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Wisconsin dells wi Posts: 151 iTrader: (0)	its a huge pain the Easiest way is to cut them out. I don't suggest going that. search under the xi forums i was reading a post that will answer your question.i had a shop do it, had to drop the subframe.. good luck __________________ AR~~~Injen~~~BMS~~~~Hks~~~~ETS~~~~~Mtech~~~~~Helix ~~~~~Bimmian~~~~Vorsteiner~~~~~WeissLicht~~~~

02-19-2012, 04:26 PM	#6
BES335xi Colonel Drives: FBO+ N54xi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 2,135 iTrader: (4) Garage List 03/07 E90 335xi [0.50]	+1 lower the subframe, dont cut 'em, never know when you'll need 'em. __________________ JB4+usb \| P3 Vent Boost Gauge v2 \| BMS OCC \| BMS DCI \| AMS FMIC \| AR xi CL DP's \| BT Tool \| Edibias/NCSExpert/INPA BMW Coding \| Cyba Quad Exhaust tips \| M-Tech Rear & M3 Front Bumper \| Red Cyba Air Scoops \| Blacklines \| Vinyl Overlays \| ACS Roof Spoiler \| Matte Black Grilles \| LED Side Mirrors \| Rear Euro Fogs \| etc.. .

02-21-2012, 10:13 AM	#7
carsrmilife Private Drives: 08 Barbera Red Metallic 335xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 72 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info guys. I'm headed to the auto hobby shop on my base in hopes they have the equipment to do it there. They have mechanics on hand as well should I need some extra assistance. __________________ Barbera Red Metallic/Saddle Brown \| 6-Speed \| Cold Pkg \| Premium Pkg \| Sport Pkg \| JB4 \| Ceramic Coated Catless DP \| DCI \| WW Meth Kit \| SSK \| MTEC V3 \| LED Blacklines \| 19" VMR VB3 HyperBlack

02-22-2012, 08:36 AM	#8
mykal335xi boom Drives: 335xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Varies Posts: 543 iTrader: (6)	Any of you guys that went to a shop remember how many hours you were charged for? I've asked a couple shops so far but none have wanted to do it, not having done a 335 DP change before. __________________ 335xi 11.81 @ 117.5

02-19-2012, 10:56 AM	#3
Sleeper . Drives: LCI E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	You have to drop the subframe. Absolutely no other way unless you cut the OEM DPs in half.

02-19-2012, 04:19 PM	#4
nailer335 Captain Drives: alpine '08 e92 335xi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 666 iTrader: (0)	A shop is the easiest way. The shop I took my car to was able to remove them without cutting them off

02-19-2012, 04:20 PM	#5
nailer335 Captain Drives: alpine '08 e92 335xi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 666 iTrader: (0)	They did lower the subframe

02-22-2012, 08:34 PM	#9
mattsfeir Lieutenant Drives: 335xi Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CO Posts: 443 iTrader: (1)	I was told $350 from a local shop familiar with the process, seemed high so I decided to try it myself. __________________ 2007 335xi 6AT / Vishnu Procede V5 / Vishnu DCI / Vishnu Meth kit (PWM) / AR Catless downpipes / Borla racing pipes with Magnaflow muffler / Borla exhaust system / AMS intercooler Best 1/4 time = 12.975 @ 107.15, 1.763 60' at Bandimere Speedway (5800' above sea level)

02-23-2012, 01:43 AM	#10
nailer335 Captain Drives: alpine '08 e92 335xi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 666 iTrader: (0)	I was quoted for 2.5 hours. The shop said that they had done "tons" of 335i downpipes and that it would be quick. I mentioned that the xi required the subframe to be dropped and they disagreed. I quietly let them do their thing and 4.5 or so hours later, "ya... We had to drop the subframe..." So you cant do it without dropping the subframe without cutting. And you dont want to cut them so you can put them on your car before you part out and sell it to move on up in the car world. Mykal if youre out of warranty it might be easiest to have the dealership do it. Otherwise, find the most upscale shop you can. I personally dont want a whatever shop doing anything other than my exhaust tips on a car that I remotely care about. Not to thread jack... But I am surprised at how much happier I am with the appearance of my car with the tips. Put those on with the DPs and keep the exhaust flap open on the tune. I love my exhaust's sound now. Its still slightly aggressive and civil enough when light on the throttle... And it turns heads when you get on it.

02-23-2012, 05:21 AM	#11
BES335xi Colonel Drives: FBO+ N54xi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 2,135 iTrader: (4) Garage List 03/07 E90 335xi [0.50]	$250 for me in NY.. __________________ JB4+usb \| P3 Vent Boost Gauge v2 \| BMS OCC \| BMS DCI \| AMS FMIC \| AR xi CL DP's \| BT Tool \| Edibias/NCSExpert/INPA BMW Coding \| Cyba Quad Exhaust tips \| M-Tech Rear & M3 Front Bumper \| Red Cyba Air Scoops \| Blacklines \| Vinyl Overlays \| ACS Roof Spoiler \| Matte Black Grilles \| LED Side Mirrors \| Rear Euro Fogs \| etc.. .

02-23-2012, 09:42 AM	#12
Sleeper . Drives: LCI E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	Wow, you guys get cheap quotes. I called my independent shop out of curiosity and they went by book time for a "catalytic converter" replacement... ie. DP replacement. Wait for it... 12 hours . They offered to go down to 7 hours haha. And thats at $120-130/hr shop time. I did it in about 5 hours on jack stands.

02-23-2012, 11:40 AM	#13
mykal335xi boom Drives: 335xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Varies Posts: 543 iTrader: (6)	I think I'm going to buy a second jack to hold the engine and just do it myself on jackstands with a creeper, I've got small hands so it helps when working in tight spaces Very few 335s around here, and even less that are tuned in any way so none of the local shops have experience with these cars let alone an XI. __________________ 335xi 11.81 @ 117.5

02-24-2012, 12:03 PM	#15
Sleeper . Drives: LCI E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	^Exactly. My time is worth more than the $300-400 I would have been willing to pay. But $700-$800+ for an annoying but relatively easy job involves way too much grabbing of one's own ankles.

04-30-2012, 07:52 AM	#16
deezofchuck Lieutenant Drives: OVER SLOW LEFT LANE DRIVERS! Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 501 iTrader: (3)	reviving an old thread - I am about to get some cp-e downpipes and want to do the install myself - although will be a PITA it seems...anyone who did it themselves have any advice before I take the plunge? __________________ 2008 E92 335xi \| Cobb AP Stage2+ \| AR DP \| ETS FMIC \| ALUFELGEN SF-71 DC Blk \| HANKOOK V12 \| UUC SSK \| H&R Coilovers \| AE Exhaust \| Are YOU Ready to Buy/Sell/Rent Property In The DMV? LET ME HELP YOU!

05-02-2012, 04:23 PM	#19
Gustee Private Drives: 2008 335xi e90 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 62 iTrader: (0)	I'm thinking of finally tackling install of the cp-e's I bought that are sitting in my office at work, but had the same ? as OP -- is the DIY on this forum adequate for me as a non-mechanic? Seems not with this discussion of the subframe, etc. Any New Englanders who can recommend a reasonable and competent shop?? __________________ 2008 e90 335xi, Sparkling Graphite w/ PP, CW, CA, Sport, PROcede v2.5, Helix I/C, ER c.p., Forge DVs, BMS OCC, CP-e catless DPs, Dinan mufflers (thanks eBay), KW V3 coils, OEM 216's (still on run-craps), backup camera. PWM Meth -- coming soon.

05-02-2012, 05:00 PM	#20
Sleeper . Drives: LCI E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Posts: 194 iTrader: (0)	^If you can find a shop to do it in the $250-400 range, I'd bite the bullet and have them do it. It really is an annoying install - not necessarily 'challenging', but just annoying. If you have limited experience working on cars, I wouldn't recommend this as the first big job you tackle.

05-12-2012, 03:57 PM	#21
Pe90X Second Lieutenant Drives: xX AWD-BmmR Xx Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: south TX Posts: 258 iTrader: (1)	so what brands are out there for catless/catted dp's __________________ 2008 XI, RB's, ECS 3"chargepipe Synapse BOV, CPE Kitty-less DP's, Hks SS Exhaust, Dual Cone Intake, G5 Iso, VW Meth kit, H&R sports + Bilstien, 19's!, M3 Rep-front, LED Halos,M6 shiftknob, 500HP bound!!

05-12-2012, 06:26 PM	#22
wanlong First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 e92 lci Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GTA Posts: 357 iTrader: (7)	Does the n55 needs to low/drop subframe as well?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search