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Thread: What to do for muffler assembly?

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    '87 325ic, '89 325ix

    What to do for muffler assembly?

    Surprised to find that the muffler assembly for my 1989 325ix is no longer available OEM.
    Part # 18301707046

    Are there aftermarket recommendations?

    If any one has an OEM in reasonable condition, I'd be thrilled.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    E30M3 X2 R100GS/PD R60/5
    I like my Ireland Engineering muffler and its stainless.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Angus
    88 E30M3 X2 (1 summer/1 racetrack)
    89 325IX (winter)
    92 R100GS/PD

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by spdracrm3 View Post
    I like my Ireland Engineering muffler and its stainless.
    Thanks!
    How do you think it sounds?
    I'm hoping for close to stock. My wife also drives the car and hates throaty exhaust.
    The Ireland page says "The note is slightly-louder than stock with a nice throaty sound when you step on the gas"

  4. #4
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    If you are looking for OE equivalent, I believe the OEM was Eberspacher/Eberspächer/Eberspaecher. Here's the part catalog listing:
    https://web.tecalliance.net/eberspae...;typeNumber:36

    Just verify that any vendor selling it can actually get it.

    If you're simply looking for something a bit more available that's close to OE, check out Walker exhaust. They are a huge aftermarket supplier. https://www.walkerexhaust.com/find-my-part.html
    "Howdy, Folks!"

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  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Evansville,IN
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    87 BMW 325i Convertible
    i got a stainless off of ebay that was the IE copy. It is a little quiet for my taste but still sounds good. Easy to install.
    1987 BMW 325i Convertible


    “Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary… that’s what gets you.”
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  6. #6
    Join Date
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    E30M3 X2 R100GS/PD R60/5
    Just slightly louder than stock just like description. No annoying drone at any speeds
    Quote Originally Posted by booksat View Post
    Thanks!
    How do you think it sounds?
    I'm hoping for close to stock. My wife also drives the car and hates throaty exhaust.
    The Ireland page says "The note is slightly-louder than stock with a nice throaty sound when you step on the gas"
    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    Angus
    88 E30M3 X2 (1 summer/1 racetrack)
    89 325IX (winter)
    92 R100GS/PD

  7. #7
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    '87 325ic, '89 325ix
    Quote Originally Posted by richardodn View Post
    If you are looking for OE equivalent, I believe the OEM was Eberspacher/Eberspächer/Eberspaecher.
    Thanks for the replies! Again, after replacing exhausts on three different E30s over 15 years with OEM, I'm surprised not to find them unavailable and having to find an alternative. Have had this iX for four years after college girls totaled my last one. It's a driver, but just over 50,000 and pretty nice, so I have been trying to keep this one OEM.

    - Unfortunately I can't find anyone confirming availability for an Eberspacher.

    - I'm happy to go stainless and upgrade since New England winters, salt, etc. take a toll.

    - Suggestions for other quality aftermarket close to OEM is appreciated.

    - If you have an IE stainless, would appreciate what you think of the sound level if living next to picky neighbors. The current leak in the system is a bit too growly.

    Thanks!

  8. #8
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    No e30s, again :(
    you must be a pretty nice guy if you are letting neighbors pickiness effect your choices.

    my neighbor got mad about something a few month's ago. I ignored his yelling so he came into my yard. as soon as he was in the yard I told him he better be really careful because where I grew up, you don't go into other people's yards yelling unless you want to get punched.

    borla makes very nice sounding stainless mufflers too. not loud at all and look great
    Last edited by superj; 10-15-2020 at 12:22 PM. Reason: forgot so in sentence
    No e30s again.

  9. #9
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    1989 325ix, 2003 4.4 x5
    I'm impulsive and read this thread, just bought a IE muffler for my ix. Just put in a DEC cat and still have too much noise for my taste from the aftermarket muffler the po put on which has a hole in the side. Sounds ki da nice like an old muscle car, not too crazy but I'm tired of all the racket haha.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mikealwa View Post
    I'm impulsive and read this thread, just bought a IE muffler for my ix. Just put in a DEC cat and still have too much noise for my taste from the aftermarket muffler the po put on which has a hole in the side. Sounds ki da nice like an old muscle car, not too crazy but I'm tired of all the racket haha.
    Get it on the car ASAP and tell me about the sound!

    Quote Originally Posted by superj View Post
    you must be a pretty nice guy if you are letting neighbors pickiness effect your choices.
    Yes, I am a nice guy. And, I have to admit that I've put myself in the neighbor noise doghouse. As well as my wife often taking the car to work at 5am, with racket at that time that would piss me off.
    Hopefully, the IE or similar will be better than the hole in the exhaust growl.

  11. #11
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    1989 325ix, 2003 4.4 x5
    Ha! Will do ordered today! I hope I don't end up missing my current muffler with a little burble, but it gets tiresome.

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    1989 325ix, 2003 4.4 x5
    I installed the ireland engineering exhaust. No use in sending a video clip, just can't tell, but it's much quieter than my old muffler. I don't know what stock sounds like but I must be close. It sounds somewhat sporty on load, but no way would it be attention grabbing or obnoxious to neighbors etc. I could start my car up in the am without feeling like I was disturbing anyone. Quality was also very good.

  13. #13
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    No e30s, again :(
    That's good
    No e30s again.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mikealwa View Post
    I installed the ireland engineering exhaust. No use in sending a video clip, just can't tell, but it's much quieter than my old muffler. I don't know what stock sounds like but I must be close. It sounds somewhat sporty on load, but no way would it be attention grabbing or obnoxious to neighbors etc. I could start my car up in the am without feeling like I was disturbing anyone. Quality was also very good.
    Thanks!
    I ordered the Ireland Engineering.
    Will post again after it's installed.

  15. #15
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    1989 325ix, 2003 4.4 x5
    Nice! I think it's what your looking for. You might want a muffler hanger kit, my previous exhaust didn't have the band clamps that go around the muffler, it had tabs welded to the muffler itself to hang from. If you have the stock exhaust then you probably have those bands already.

  16. #16
    Join Date
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    '87 325ic, '89 325ix
    Ireland Engineering is installed.
    Great quality and value.
    And, scarcely throatier than OEM. A fantastic replacement.

  17. #17
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    I was wondering if I'd hear a review from you, I'm glad I'm really glad I got mine. Cheers 🍻

  18. #18
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    72 2002tii 97 M3 87 325i
    Hey guys, I just installed my new Ireland system on my 87 vert. Other than a couple of minor adjustments it looks, and sounds great. The noise factor is nothing to worry about, even my wife said that it was hardly noticeable.. Nothing like the system you put on the M3 she said. Have not driven much since install, as it is off road for the winter.
    Be prepared for a couple of hours of install time if doing yourself, and using a hoist makes it much easier than the garage floor!!

  19. #19
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    No e30s, again :(
    Good deal.
    No e30s again.

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