Muffler help with Mtech Bumper

[fmzip]

So I just installed my Mtech bumper and need a solution for the exhaust on my 530. I really would like to avoid aftermarket like Flowmaster/Magnaflow since I can't imagine it won't be louder. I see some post that say it's not, then I see others that say they are. Being 47 and the DD, I want quiet.

So my thoughts were:

1) Bite the bullet and get the correct OEM muffler for the car $450+
2) get the correct Dinan Muffler for the car assuming that it is not overly loud for $699
3) Weld some tips on my muffler. The muffler has 168K on it, how long will this thing last? Where do I get tips?
4) Or get this one and figure out a way to make it work with some cutting/welding. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1983209

All the thread I see show tips but with replacement mufflers. Has anyone just welded some tips on??

Anyone know why Dinan has two different mufflers listed for the 540 and the 530? I thought I could use a 540 muffler but it appears there is some difference.

http://www.dinancars.com/shop/D660-3...on-M-Tech.aspx

http://www.dinancars.com/shop/D660-3...ch.aspx#page=1

[Solo12]

If you go with OEM just make sure you are getting the correct M muffler for the 530 with the M bumper. And the 530 (18 10 7 831 689) and 540 (18 10 1 407 970) M versions are different, but it seems like you have the correct one based on price. I included some pics of the M tech 530 exhaust. The last pic might be of a 540 I just included that one to show the OEM tip is a polished one, so I will look shiny if you keep it clean. Int he first two pics the tip is just dirty.

168k on your OEM muffler is pretty impressive. Normally the issue is not so much the muffler wearing out as it is rust. Check out your muffler and exhaust system for rust that is the big issue. And its not always the muffler itself check the welds and the pipes. In my experience with my e28 (went through 2 or 3 mufflers) was the muffler always seemed to rust out right near at the weld where the pipes coming from the front of the car connected to to the muffler. It pissed me off because the muffler itself was fine. If your muffler looks good you can weld on some tips.

You should find a big selection of tips online and also at your local custom exhaust/muffler shop.

Yes you can just have tips welded onto your stock non M muffler that is what I did. Just so you know though some shops may have difficulty or say it can't be done because the stock exhaust tip is not centered and there is not a lot of room to make a bend. But it can be done I had it done and I know some others have gone that route in the past based on my research when I was trying to find out if it could be done. I went that route because my stock muffler only had 78k on it, no rust and I don't drive my e39 in the winter. So I figured why spend a bunch of money on a magnaflow when my OEM muffler is perfectly fine also I was not sure I would like the magnaflow sound.

Dinan does make nice (although pricy) stuff if you can get that one to work without paying a lot to get it modified it might be a good deal. I am guessing the main issue is getting those tips to sit straight vs at an angle, unless you like that look.

The exhaust systems on the 530 and 540 are different (components and shapes) and they are designed to work with their respective engines at least the oem ones I am not sure if the aftermarket ones really differentiate between 530 & 540. Also the shapes of the OEM mufflers are very different IIRC. But aftermarket 540 mufflers may fit just fine on a 530. I'm not sure how the sound or perhaps performance will be impacted.

You do know those Dinan exhausts you listed are not for M bumpers.

[aspensilver540]

get the magnaflow everyone gets under $200

[mech9t8]

I have the Dinan muffler and I love it. Louder but not too loud. Found a used one for a great price. Wound the driver side M5 muffler fit? Just another option but not sure if it would work.

[fmzip]

I have the Dinan muffler and I love it. Louder but not too loud. Found a used one for a great price. Wound the driver side M5 muffler fit? Just another option but not sure if it would work.

Is there any drone? I don't mind a little louder but.....Any crackling popping on deceleration? Can i ask how old you are?

[geargrinder]

So I just installed my Mtech bumper and need a solution for the exhaust on my 530. I really would like to avoid aftermarket like Flowmaster/Magnaflow since I can't imagine it won't be louder. I see some post that say it's not, then I see others that say they are. Being 47 and the DD, I want quiet.

I'd say go Magnaflow, however if you go to a good exhaust joint, they'll have a line of them - the virtually clear flow-through magnaflows are only one option. You can get a big "pretty-free-flowing" with a baffle in it that will tone it way down. So dont think just of the one MF that "everybody" gets.

My 540 will be a totally different thing, but FWIW: i did the muffler delete first. That sounded amazing, but pretty loud, especially on part throttle drone (WOT was amazingly great, but raw like a mustang). I just had a good local shop put a free flow magna in, and it did the job perfectly but beforehand he showed me a handful of options he could put in to take down to various levels. He then listened to the car, and made a judgement call recommendation based on my description of what i wanted. Pretty much nailed it perfectly. Great understated tone at idle and mid but rips a bit wide open. Had i asked for it even quieter, he would have just gone to the next level up w a bit of a baffle. If you can find a good shop they should be able to do the exact same thing. Oh and choice of tips/styles and perfect custom fitment is a nice bit about a custom deal. Im few years ahead of you BTW, and definitely dont want a roar irritating all the neighbors all the time... Just a nice tone that opens up a bit maybe when i really tromp on it...

[fmzip]

^^^ Thanks bud!

I have custom exhaust shop I plan to go to.

I know the Dinan is overpriced but i assume the quality is there? I'll stop by the shop and see what they have to offer. Would be nice to have a little rumble to go with the new look of the Mtech bumpers

[carlova789]

The Magnaflow on my 530i isn't loud at all. It just makes a smooth sporty tone to the car, I think you'll like it.

[fmzip]

I see you used the 14815.....Does this fit in the OEM rear valance? I am having mine wrapped in CF film as we speak so i can't cut it.

This link says you don't have to cut the valance, getting conflicting info. Ironically, I was leaning toward the 14815 but became concerned with cutting.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=193532

[carlova789]

Yes 14815, I had mine "trimmed". No biggie.

Otherwise, it would fit w/o it too. The muffler would just hand a bit low like this:

[fmzip]

so if you cut the diffuser, you can lift it up a bit?

This link also says it won't work:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1913599

[carlova789]

It all depends on which exhaust shop you take it to. The place I used has a very reputable reputation for their work including custom exhaust. It's definitely possible, there are plenty of members here who did the same. All you have to do is widen up the gap in the diffuser so the tips fit.

PS: Sometime they go below $150 on amazon!

[fmzip]

Maybe I should hold off on wrapping the diffuser and do that after I get a muffler.

Anyone else running the Magnaflow 14829? This on e looks like it fits rather easily. Both dual and single tips look nice to me.

http://chrisparente.com/2009/09/07/f...ts-a-facelift/

[carlova789]

I think i posted a pic on your other thread. Mack (on bimmerfest) has something like that on his e39.

[Guru01]

In the past month I had a Magnaflow 14816 fitted to my ride by a local exhaust specialist and it only required a minor trim to one side of the diffuser to make it fit.
To do the job properly only side of the diffuser needs to be slightly trimmed so the twin pipes come out straight to the rear.
The sound I get now is a nice even mild rumble that is not annoying, loud or distracting.
In fact its the perfect sound that I hoped for.
If you go with a Magnaflow 14815 you may not need the diffuser to be trimmed but this unit doesn't have the nicer look of the 14816 model.

[carlova789]

In the past month I had a Magnaflow 14816 fitted to my ride by a local exhaust specialist and it only required a minor trim to one side of the diffuser to make it fit.
To do the job properly only side of the diffuser needs to be slightly trimmed so the twin pipes come out straight to the rear.
The sound I get now is a nice even mild rumble that is not annoying, loud or distracting.
In fact its the perfect sound that I hoped for.
If you go with a Magnaflow 14815 you may not need the diffuser to be trimmed but this unit doesn't have the nicer look of the 14816 model.

The tips on the 14816 are too big and flashy imo. 3.5in vs 3.0in tips The 14815 has that classy oem look to it, and it does require cutting to get it snug with the diffuser w/o touching it.

[Solo12]

Just so you know the 14829 tip is not flat, the top of the tip sticks out further than the bottom. Its kinda hard to tell from that pic. I'm am not saying its good or bad, just make sure you get the look you want. The 14832 is straight, although I am not sure if the tip is long enough, but the muffler might be able to be positioned so it works.

Also in case you are unaware your local custom exhaust shop will have an assortment of magnaflow "universal" mufflers (no tips on them) and then have a bunch of tips from magnaflow and others so you can create the muffler you want, like geargrinder was talking about. The shop will just weld the tip onto the universal muffler. The only difference is the universal mufflers are usually not polished, they will have a matte finish.

As far as Dinan goes, yeah their stuff is good quality, but it is probably a bit overpriced (some say way overpriced). If you are going to spend a ton on a muffler (aka new Dinan) look at Remus and Eisenmann too.

[fmzip]

Just so you know the 14839 tip is not flat, the top of the tip sticks out further than the bottom. I

You meant 14829, right? I do realize it's got a slant to it, I like it as well. I think it follows the lines of the car better. Both the 14815 and 14829 have a very nice look

[mech9t8]

Is there any drone? I don't mind a little louder but.....Any crackling popping on deceleration? Can i ask how old you are?

There is no drone, occasional popping on deceleration, I'm 38.

[fmzip]

what's the cleanest/easier way to cut the diffuser?

[WmJRay]

So, I want this look as well, but my rear bumper has no diffuser to cut! Is this the rear bumper that needs to be purchased from Umnitza and get that installed before I can get one of these Magnaflow mufflers to complete the look?

[fmzip]

It's an Mtech/M5 rear bumper that you are looking at. OEM, Umnitza, DDM etc.

You get what you pay for.

I was fortunate to find a complete mint rear OEM BMW M5 bumper at a salvage yard for $250

So, I want this look as well, but my rear bumper has no diffuser to cut! Is this the rear bumper that needs to be purchased from Umnitza and get that installed before I can get one of these Magnaflow mufflers to complete the look?

[Guru01]

what's the cleanest/easier way to cut the diffuser?

Small electric hand saw.
Remember to measure twice and cut once.

[chiefwej]

You could just use the existing system and just add a Magniflow tip. They sell just the tips that match the ones on all their mufflers. It would be a lot cheaper and keeps the OEM system and sound.

[fmzip]

How can I add an "L" shaped tip to my muffler? The muffler shop today said no to adding a tip.

I haven't seen any others pull this off yet, maybe because everyone here wants a louder exhaust and goes for an aftermarket muffler??

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If I go with the 14815, wouldn't I be going from a 3" pipe to 2.25" inlet??