[SavvyByNature]

Hey Guys,

I did a quick writeup on my thoughts on the N52 exhaust from AA:

AA N52 Exhaust Review

I have one video on the post, but I will add more as I get the time.

[Phil325i]

Interesting write up, thanks. I think your hacksaw must have been blunt. I had no problem cutting through my OEM pipe with one...and trust me, I'm nothing like the Hulk!

I would also advise against trying to loosen the rubber exhaust hangers. Much easier to unbolt the hanger brackets from the body, then remove the hangers off the car...

[SavvyByNature]

Yea, that's how I did mine as well. I'll update my post accordingly.

[SflBimmer8484]

Very nice write up. Thank you !

[Wrngway]

Good write-up. It's pretty much spot on from my experience. I'm really looking forward to see others opinions as they receive theirs and have them installed.

Since you mentioned the N51, I'd only add that it is a bit more work to install, but nothing too dramatic. The OEM pipe after the resonator on the N51 is a larger diameter. So the clamp won't work as it won't fit around the OEM exhaust. The solution in my case was to cut part of the AA exhaust off that had the clamp on it and weld it to the OEM pipe. The rest of the install was the same. I'll post some pics in my own review.

[slowturbo]

Dumb question, but how do we know without getting under the car whether or not we have the n51 motor?

[SavvyByNature]

Good point. You should be able to validate it from your VIN if I'm not mistaken.

[Wrngway]

Originally Posted by slowturbo

Dumb question, but how do we know without getting under the car whether or not we have the n51 motor?

Under your hood you'll see a emissions sticker. It'll state "SULEV" for N51 cars and "ULEV" for N52. You can also go to realoem.com and input the last 7 digits of your VIN.

FYI...N51 cars also have the 3-stage intake manifold and slightly lower compression ratio along with some other small differences.

[slowturbo]

Damn I have a SULEV. I thought I had seen this in some paperwork I got before but was in denial lol.

[Wrngway]

Originally Posted by slowturbo

Damn I have a SULEV. I thought I had seen this in some paperwork I got before but was in denial lol.

I wouldn't sweat it. This was one of those rare circumstances where having an N51 made a difference. Seems like BMW went to great lengths to keep the driving experience almost identical. Still, this is one of those things that isn't mentioned in any write up I've seen before though there may be a post about it somewhere. It's certainly not in the Bentley service manual. I just sort of "discover" this stuff as I go along.

Just know that birds chirp more happily, the sun shines more brightly, and mother nature sighs as you drive along cleaning the air with your prem-air coated radiator.