2011 X5 35i uses only left exhaust?

sjs · 02-28-2011, 05:58 PM

Howdy folks-

Bought the wife a 2011 X5 35i last fall, and I've notice the left tailpipe has a lot of soot on the chrome out the back, the right side not so much. I've also noticed that in cold weather, there is only vapor coming out of the left tailpipe.

Does the exhaust work this way or is something wrong? Like, does the right side tailpipe only open up at high revs or something? or do I have a problem here and I need to take it in?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

-Steve

chuck92103 · 02-28-2011, 06:16 PM

Do a search, this is a common question.

BMW turbos, regardless of model, close the right exhaust until the car warms up.

Left has condensation at startup which causes the soot. By the time the right opens, the pipes are hot and water is gone.

sjs · 02-28-2011, 06:31 PM

Thanks! Sorry I forgot to look for this question first.

Much appreciated though!

-Steve

kimi_fan · 03-03-2011, 10:46 AM

That isn't quite correct if you're talking about the N55. My right pipe NEVER opens up unless you run at wide open throttle...in fact, after a 100 mile highway trip the left could burn you in a milisecond, the right is cold to the touch. On the 335i with an N54 this is true, the right opens after the car starts to warm up. Mine used to "click" open after a few minutes of idle...and the exhaust note would change.

The posts about opening the actuator in the right side work, you can remove it or simply remove the tube and zip tie the flap on the right side open. Cold startup is very loud but goes away after a minute or two.

BMWOO7 · 03-03-2011, 06:02 PM

Exactly as stated above. Operates similar to the Corvette Z06, which opens the inner (non-restricted) pipes under higher throttle request.

With the Z06, you can actually wire in a switch to open/close them at will. They are vacuum operated as well... See pics of Z06 below...

NGOSTER · 03-08-2011, 04:05 PM

On 2011 works differently with actuator. I used electrical wire to pull the arm back and tied it so both exhaust pipes work at all time. However, doing this will have droning sounds and can be annoying. I do notice gas consumption is a lot more with both constantly open. I've had both open for more than a month now. Just look up golf tee mod.

vaf · 02-02-2024, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGOSTER

On 2011 works differently with actuator. I used electrical wire to pull the arm back and tied it so both exhaust pipes work at all time. However, doing this will have droning sounds and can be annoying. I do notice gas consumption is a lot more with both constantly open. I've had both open for more than a month now. Just look up golf tee mod.

yea i zip tied mine on the lift at work and really there isn’t much more drone that i’ve noticed but even if there was i like hearing the car the stock exuast is a little to quite imo

StradaRedlands · 02-02-2024, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGOSTER

On 2011 works differently with actuator. I used electrical wire to pull the arm back and tied it so both exhaust pipes work at all time. However, doing this will have droning sounds and can be annoying. I do notice gas consumption is a lot more with both constantly open. I've had both open for more than a month now. Just look up golf tee mod.

What is the difference in consumption you've noticed? I wouldn't mind opening up both sides, but I'm also frugal.

jbash87 · 02-03-2024, 09:48 AM

What??? Increased fuel consumption with slightly freer flowing exhaust? This doesn't pass the sniff test.

Daytonawim · 02-03-2024, 10:23 AM

I have end tips OEM with out the flap, so both are always open.
But out the right ( passenger side) one comes more gas then the left.

Sounds great while coasting not to loud but present, when you do a good pull up you will hear it mutch better.

The vacuumhose from the flap is closed.

The fuel consumption can not getting higher, because the turbo likes to get ridde of the exhaustgas.

02-28-2011, 05:58 PM	#1
sjs Private 8 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 35i, 2011 535i Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	2011 X5 35i uses only left exhaust? Howdy folks- Bought the wife a 2011 X5 35i last fall, and I've notice the left tailpipe has a lot of soot on the chrome out the back, the right side not so much. I've also noticed that in cold weather, there is only vapor coming out of the left tailpipe. Does the exhaust work this way or is something wrong? Like, does the right side tailpipe only open up at high revs or something? or do I have a problem here and I need to take it in? Any help is appreciated! Thanks! -Steve __________________ My cars: 2011 X5 35i (Space Grey) & 2011 535i (Jet Black)
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02-28-2011, 06:16 PM	#2
chuck92103 Major 91 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Do a search, this is a common question. BMW turbos, regardless of model, close the right exhaust until the car warms up. Left has condensation at startup which causes the soot. By the time the right opens, the pipes are hot and water is gone. __________________ 2011 535i 2008 VW GTI
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02-28-2011, 06:31 PM	#3
sjs Private 8 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 35i, 2011 535i Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks! Sorry I forgot to look for this question first. Much appreciated though! -Steve __________________ My cars: 2011 X5 35i (Space Grey) & 2011 535i (Jet Black)
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03-03-2011, 10:46 AM	#4
kimi_fan Private First Class 33 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 17' X5M/91' 325i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 X5M [0.00] 2014 X5 50i MSport [0.00] 2011 X5 35i SA [0.00] 2007 X3 3.0si [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00] 2003 330Ci [0.00] 1991 325ic [0.00]	That isn't quite correct if you're talking about the N55. My right pipe NEVER opens up unless you run at wide open throttle...in fact, after a 100 mile highway trip the left could burn you in a milisecond, the right is cold to the touch. On the 335i with an N54 this is true, the right opens after the car starts to warm up. Mine used to "click" open after a few minutes of idle...and the exhaust note would change. The posts about opening the actuator in the right side work, you can remove it or simply remove the tube and zip tie the flap on the right side open. Cold startup is very loud but goes away after a minute or two. __________________ 17' X5M LBB 91' 325ic - Bril Red, Full Dinan Spec (past) 14' X5 50i MSport - Min White (past) 11' X5 35i SA - Black Saph (past) 07' X3 3.0si MSport
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03-03-2011, 06:02 PM	#5
BMWOO7 BMW CCA #505303 43 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2015 X5M / 2013 SVT Raptor Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	Exactly as stated above. Operates similar to the Corvette Z06, which opens the inner (non-restricted) pipes under higher throttle request. With the Z06, you can actually wire in a switch to open/close them at will. They are vacuum operated as well... See pics of Z06 below...
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03-08-2011, 04:05 PM	#6
NGOSTER New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW X5 xDrive 35i Premium Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: shanghai iTrader: (0)	On 2011 works differently with actuator. I used electrical wire to pull the arm back and tied it so both exhaust pipes work at all time. However, doing this will have droning sounds and can be annoying. I do notice gas consumption is a lot more with both constantly open. I've had both open for more than a month now. Just look up golf tee mod.
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02-03-2024, 09:48 AM	#9
jbash87 First Lieutenant 250 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2006 M5, 2012 X5d, 2008 E91 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 35d [10.00] 2006 BMW M5 [10.00]	What??? Increased fuel consumption with slightly freer flowing exhaust? This doesn't pass the sniff test.
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02-03-2024, 10:23 AM	#10
Daytonawim Private First Class 76 Rep 137 Posts Drives: X5 E70 LCI 3.5i 2012 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	I have end tips OEM with out the flap, so both are always open. But out the right ( passenger side) one comes more gas then the left. Sounds great while coasting not to loud but present, when you do a good pull up you will hear it mutch better. The vacuumhose from the flap is closed. The fuel consumption can not getting higher, because the turbo likes to get ridde of the exhaustgas.
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