n55 xdrive downpipes install

Drsauce10 · 05-28-2019, 07:15 PM

Just wondering what the average cost to get downpipes installed on a 335x drive is? I got quoted 6-700 dollars to get them installed

starbuck · 06-04-2019, 10:13 PM

Seems high..I typically see it around the 250 to 350 mark

lwgrenier · 06-05-2019, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbuck

Seems high..I typically see it around the 250 to 350 mark

It's significantly more for awd cars. OP's price seems about right.

joshe92 · 06-05-2019, 02:06 PM

250-350 is correct. OP price is too high. Shop around

starbuck · 06-05-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

It's significantly more for awd cars. OP's price seems about right.

I was quoting what I have been quoted for my car and my car is Awd. I'm also talking CAD so I would guess closer to 250 USD.

lwgrenier · 06-06-2019, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbuck

I was quoting what I have been quoted for my car and my car is Awd. I'm also talking CAD so I would guess closer to 250 USD.

Guess I went to the wrong shop haha

Pladi · 06-07-2019, 10:16 AM

For me its more important the quality of work if i was not going to do it myself.. Imagine doing it quick and you dont put back the subframe bolts properly..

carguy138 · 06-07-2019, 11:14 AM

Frankly, I think the difficulty of this job is over-exagerated. After years of reading how bad it was, dropping the subframe, etc. I held off until a few months ago.

Hardest part was getting the V band off. I just took the front passenger side wheel off and used a few 12" extensions, wobble extension and 14mm socket. Easy day. Nothing else had to be removed and I didn't touch the subframe.

Total job with jack stands took around 3 hours. With a lift, I could do it in under 2 hours.

I did hit everything, including the O2 sensors with PB blaster several times during the week leading up to the install. I could see it being a pain if everything is rusted solid though.

EDIT: this was on a 6MT n55 xdrive sedan, might be different on coupes/autos.

Pladi · 06-07-2019, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy138

Frankly, I think the difficulty of this job is over-exagerated. After years of reading how bad it was, dropping the subframe, etc. I held off until a few months ago.

Hardest part was getting the V band off. I just took the front passenger side wheel off and used a few 12" extensions, wobble extension and 14mm socket. Easy day. Nothing else had to be removed and I didn't touch the subframe.

Total job with jack stands took around 3 hours. With a lift, I could do it in under 2 hours.

I did hit everything, including the O2 sensors with PB blaster several times during the week leading up to the install. I could see it being a pain if everything is rusted solid though.

EDIT: this was on a 6MT n55 xdrive sedan, might be different on coupes/autos.

See i have heard this before but i wonder if auto xdrive is different. If anyone can confirm thank you.

Parthyboostboi · 06-10-2019, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy138

Frankly, I think the difficulty of this job is over-exagerated. After years of reading how bad it was, dropping the subframe, etc. I held off until a few months ago.

Hardest part was getting the V band off. I just took the front passenger side wheel off and used a few 12" extensions, wobble extension and 14mm socket. Easy day. Nothing else had to be removed and I didn't touch the subframe.

Total job with jack stands took around 3 hours. With a lift, I could do it in under 2 hours.

I did hit everything, including the O2 sensors with PB blaster several times during the week leading up to the install. I could see it being a pain if everything is rusted solid though.

EDIT: this was on a 6MT n55 xdrive sedan, might be different on coupes/autos.

So you didn't drop the subframe/losen the bolts whatsoever?

carguy138 · 06-10-2019, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parthyboostboi

So you didn't drop the subframe/losen the bolts whatsoever?

Nope, not at all.

Just lowered the rear exhaust a bit, unplugged O2 sensors from up top. Removed Vband, bracket that holds OEM downpipe, snapped off the 4 studs holding the downpipe to the rear portion of the exhaust. Took a little twisting and moving around but the OEM downpipe came right out with both 02 sensors attached.

Dropping the subframe or charging 6 hours is likely due to inexperience or a shop looking for more $. Atleast on 6MT xdrive N55 sedans.

No doubt it's tight, but not impossible.

I have a feeling the i/xi labor quote difference is similar to differences across platforms. Example: Touareg vs Cayenne, Jetta vs FWD A4, GX470 vs 4Runner, GX570 vs Land Cruiser and so on. It could also be that shops got burned enough times by siezed bolts or complicated installs (i.e. S4 downpipes), that they pad the quote to cover unforeseen problems. Or they just really don't want to do it and potentially deal with emissions liability stuff.

TheGoodTheBadTheUgly · 06-11-2019, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy138

Nope, not at all.

Just lowered the rear exhaust a bit, unplugged O2 sensors from up top. Removed Vband, bracket that holds OEM downpipe, snapped off the 4 studs holding the downpipe to the rear portion of the exhaust. Took a little twisting and moving around but the OEM downpipe came right out with both 02 sensors attached.

Dropping the subframe or charging 6 hours is likely due to inexperience or a shop looking for more $. Atleast on 6MT xdrive N55 sedans.

No doubt it's tight, but not impossible.

I have a feeling the i/xi labor quote difference is similar to differences across platforms. Example: Touareg vs Cayenne, Jetta vs FWD A4, GX470 vs 4Runner, GX570 vs Land Cruiser and so on. It could also be that shops got burned enough times by siezed bolts or complicated installs (i.e. S4 downpipes), that they pad the quote to cover unforeseen problems. Or they just really don't want to do it and potentially deal with emissions liability stuff.

You dropped the exhaust from the axel back or you had clamps somewhere and dropped it from there? I really want to believe I can do it without touching subframe, but I think my xDrive is saying other wise.

scrllock · 06-12-2019, 08:26 AM

I got quoted anywhere from $500-700 for my awd n55. Ended up only paying $350 after it was quicker than they realized, though that's with dropping the subframe on a lift.

N55lif3 · 06-14-2019, 01:18 AM

I got mine installed for $250 CAD which is roughly $187 USD and mine is also xDrive (I bought the pipes myself)

carguy138 · 06-14-2019, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGoodTheBadTheUgly

You dropped the exhaust from the axel back or you had clamps somewhere and dropped it from there? I really want to believe I can do it without touching subframe, but I think my xDrive is saying other wise.

Nope. Didn't touch the rear section of the exhaust. Only removed the small 4 bolt brace in the middle of the car to allow the exhaust to hang down lower.

Never touched the front subframe.

05-28-2019, 07:15 PM	#1
Drsauce10 Private 13 Rep 77 Posts Drives: Bmw 335xi Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	n55 xdrive downpipes install Just wondering what the average cost to get downpipes installed on a 335x drive is? I got quoted 6-700 dollars to get them installed
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-04-2019, 10:13 PM	#2
starbuck Private First Class 21 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Msport Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Seems high..I typically see it around the 250 to 350 mark
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2019, 02:06 PM	#4
joshe92 Major 86 Rep 1,042 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (-1)	250-350 is correct. OP price is too high. Shop around __________________ 2017 F80 M3 competition Sakhir Orange: // ER catless downpipes, // AA EL midpipe resonated, // MHD tune Retired: E92 335i MSport Sapphire black: // aFe intake // Remus quad // AR Downpipe, Secondary cat delete // MHD // BMW PPK // Alpina B3 Flash // Vrsf 5" Stepped IC & CP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2019, 10:16 AM	#7
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	For me its more important the quality of work if i was not going to do it myself.. Imagine doing it quick and you dont put back the subframe bolts properly..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-07-2019, 11:14 AM	#8
carguy138 Second Lieutenant 146 Rep 295 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	Frankly, I think the difficulty of this job is over-exagerated. After years of reading how bad it was, dropping the subframe, etc. I held off until a few months ago. Hardest part was getting the V band off. I just took the front passenger side wheel off and used a few 12" extensions, wobble extension and 14mm socket. Easy day. Nothing else had to be removed and I didn't touch the subframe. Total job with jack stands took around 3 hours. With a lift, I could do it in under 2 hours. I did hit everything, including the O2 sensors with PB blaster several times during the week leading up to the install. I could see it being a pain if everything is rusted solid though. EDIT: this was on a 6MT n55 xdrive sedan, might be different on coupes/autos. Last edited by carguy138; 06-07-2019 at 11:25 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2019, 08:26 AM	#13
scrllock New Member 8 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I got quoted anywhere from $500-700 for my awd n55. Ended up only paying $350 after it was quicker than they realized, though that's with dropping the subframe on a lift.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2019, 01:18 AM	#14
N55lif3 Member 41 Rep 102 Posts Drives: BMW 335i n55 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Saskatchewan iTrader: (0)	I got mine installed for $250 CAD which is roughly $187 USD and mine is also xDrive (I bought the pipes myself)
	Appreciate 0 Quote