3.5 exhaust observation - XBimmers.com

Doomdizzle · 11-29-2012, 11:39 AM

Is it just me or anyone else happen to notice 90% of exhaust comes from the driver side pipe, little to none from passenger side.

I initially didnt notice this much during the summer but now winter time its quite easy to tell by the fumes and even the sound puring from the tips the right side is kinda idle with hardly anything going on.

just me or take it in for investigation?

Thanks guys!

evandro13 · 11-29-2012, 01:40 PM

dont know why it does this...mine does as well, i heard there is a reason and from what ive heard its normal

nyc328ci · 11-29-2012, 02:11 PM

Might be the same set up as my 335 coupe. There is an exhaust valve that opens the passenger side muffler after like 3-4K rpm's. There is a wire you can unplug in the 335 that opens the valve up and gives you a nice rumble echaust tone. Have not had any issues with it, not sure if they have that on the X6. Look into the Golf Tee mod

x6Hawkeye · 11-29-2012, 10:58 PM

It is same as 335. My wife's X6 35 did this also, looked silly in winter when idling.

One pipe is "tuned" to sound aggressive, this is the one that's closed on idle - a flapper is actuated under certain RPM ranges opening the exhaust.

I'm sure there's probably a technical reason for this as well (back pressure?).

I used the golf tee mod. You should be able to query it on post - essentially just a hose clamp. Was a pain to install, but possible with basic tools (screwdriver) and no lift (you can reach it under rear of car).

Sounds awesome once you open it - even more aggressive than my X6 50 when warming up. It's almost loud enough it annoys my wife, but it gets quieter once engine warms up (but still sounds very aggressive).

Great mod - simple install and very cheap.

doug_999 · 11-30-2012, 12:19 AM

This is a real mystery in terms of the 3.5 and 5.0. I believe the 35 leaves the 2nd exhaust closed most of the time - including startup. Whereas the 50 has both open on startup and then closes one down. SOME have said that they noticed reduced power with the golf tee mod. Some have suggested that the entire reason for closing one exhaust is to warm up the catalytic converter faster - which would make sense I guess. Either way, there is a vacuum actuator on the exhausts that open them up.

Mike van D · 11-30-2012, 12:27 AM

+1 Doug. Yep according to a friend whose a BMW Mechanic, it is mostly to curb noise pollution and also does warm the cats during cold start sequence.

Doomdizzle · 11-30-2012, 11:51 AM

thanks guys this was very informative, glad i asked here first.

ricosan · 12-05-2012, 08:18 AM

Great post! I have a 50i and while I like the sound (under acceleration) I wouldn't mind a little more agressive exhaust note. I've done a search but can't find anything specific to "golf tee mod".

Anyone know where I can find instructions for implementing the golf tee mod?

nyc328ci · 12-05-2012, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosan

Great post! I have a 50i and while I like the sound (under acceleration) I wouldn't mind a little more agressive exhaust note. I've done a search but can't find anything specific to "golf tee mod".

Anyone know where I can find instructions for implementing the golf tee mod?

Here you go

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1449107
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78447

x6Hawkeye · 12-05-2012, 12:27 PM

I believe it only works with the 35 as the 50 exhausts both appear open already.

xDrive35i · 12-10-2012, 02:01 PM

Just unplug the wire. I've done it in my X3, a bunch of 535 loaners and 335 loaners. Left side trunk compartment.

11-29-2012, 11:39 AM	#1
Doomdizzle New Member Drives: X6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 20 iTrader: (0)	3.5 exhaust observation Is it just me or anyone else happen to notice 90% of exhaust comes from the driver side pipe, little to none from passenger side. I initially didnt notice this much during the summer but now winter time its quite easy to tell by the fumes and even the sound puring from the tips the right side is kinda idle with hardly anything going on. just me or take it in for investigation? Thanks guys!
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11-29-2012, 02:11 PM	#3
nyc328ci Russian in a Bimmer Drives: E92 335XI Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 5,010 iTrader: (3)	Might be the same set up as my 335 coupe. There is an exhaust valve that opens the passenger side muffler after like 3-4K rpm's. There is a wire you can unplug in the 335 that opens the valve up and gives you a nice rumble echaust tone. Have not had any issues with it, not sure if they have that on the X6. Look into the Golf Tee mod __________________ 2011 E92 335 X-drive Deep sea blue/Red ZSP, ZPP 2013 X6 Deep sea blue Blue/Red ZCW,ZPP,ZPS, Full LED lights, Multi-contour seats 2013 535 X-drive Imperial Blue/Cinnamon, ZDA, ZMP, ZPP, ZTP, Multi-contour seats, Ceramic controls, Premium Hi-Fi

11-30-2012, 12:19 AM	#5
doug_999 Captain Drives: 2012 X6 50i/2011 1M Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 661 iTrader: (0)	This is a real mystery in terms of the 3.5 and 5.0. I believe the 35 leaves the 2nd exhaust closed most of the time - including startup. Whereas the 50 has both open on startup and then closes one down. SOME have said that they noticed reduced power with the golf tee mod. Some have suggested that the entire reason for closing one exhaust is to warm up the catalytic converter faster - which would make sense I guess. Either way, there is a vacuum actuator on the exhausts that open them up. __________________ 2012 Vermillion X6 50i -CWP, Vent Seats, Tech, Sport, Premium Sound, Premium, Active Steering, 3 rear seats, BMW Apps, Space Saver Spare 2011 1M, Black loaded sans sat radio

11-30-2012, 12:27 AM	#6
Mike van D Major Drives: SG X6 35i; MW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 1,112 iTrader: (0)	+1 Doug. Yep according to a friend whose a BMW Mechanic, it is mostly to curb noise pollution and also does warm the cats during cold start sequence. __________________ ...just enjoying life.

12-10-2012, 02:01 PM	#11
xDrive35i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,503 iTrader: (0)	Just unplug the wire. I've done it in my X3, a bunch of 535 loaners and 335 loaners. Left side trunk compartment. __________________ 2001 Audi A6 Allroad 2.7T (C5); 2005 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (C6); 2005 BMW X5 4.4i (E53); 2008 BMW 535xi Sports Wagon (E61); 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25); 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Prestige (B8)

11-29-2012, 01:40 PM	#2
evandro13 Private Drives: 2012 BMW X6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 57 iTrader: (0)	dont know why it does this...mine does as well, i heard there is a reason and from what ive heard its normal

11-29-2012, 10:58 PM	#4
x6Hawkeye 2013 X6 xDrive50i M Package Drives: 2013 X6 xDrive50i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 69 iTrader: (0)	It is same as 335. My wife's X6 35 did this also, looked silly in winter when idling. One pipe is "tuned" to sound aggressive, this is the one that's closed on idle - a flapper is actuated under certain RPM ranges opening the exhaust. I'm sure there's probably a technical reason for this as well (back pressure?). I used the golf tee mod. You should be able to query it on post - essentially just a hose clamp. Was a pain to install, but possible with basic tools (screwdriver) and no lift (you can reach it under rear of car). Sounds awesome once you open it - even more aggressive than my X6 50 when warming up. It's almost loud enough it annoys my wife, but it gets quieter once engine warms up (but still sounds very aggressive). Great mod - simple install and very cheap.

11-30-2012, 11:51 AM	#7
Doomdizzle New Member Drives: X6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 20 iTrader: (0)	thanks guys this was very informative, glad i asked here first.

12-05-2012, 08:18 AM	#8
ricosan Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 X6 50i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: North Florida Posts: 31 iTrader: (0)	Great post! I have a 50i and while I like the sound (under acceleration) I wouldn't mind a little more agressive exhaust note. I've done a search but can't find anything specific to "golf tee mod". Anyone know where I can find instructions for implementing the golf tee mod?

12-05-2012, 12:27 PM	#10
x6Hawkeye 2013 X6 xDrive50i M Package Drives: 2013 X6 xDrive50i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 69 iTrader: (0)	I believe it only works with the 35 as the 50 exhausts both appear open already.

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