Fitting petrol back boxes to a diesel

[RichB]

Hi,

This may be a more generic question, than specific to X5's, but the situation is that I run a 3.0D, but would love to get some tail pipes from a 4.6 poking out the back bumper; they look superb IMO.

If I got a set of 4.6 back boxes, what are the issues with having someone fabricate a system to utilise those instead of the bottom exit back boxes on the diesel.. (other than loads of smoke probably)

Anyone done something like this; or got an opinion?

Thanks
Richard

[Lee4.8is]

I think there is a post on this somewhere on the forum & someone posted piccies of the finished article so it can be done.

Just not sure where it is!

The tailpipes do finish the rear end off well & i have seen a 3.0d on the road with the twin pipe conversion too.

Good luck with your plans & hope you sort it

Cheers

[Sanj]

Jeegnesh is your man and Pewters (sold his now)... Others may have done it too - just not aware.

These were on the old forum (or I can't find the threads), so yes it can be done.

Jeegnesh did the 'fake' version, had them welded to the backbox but kept the original pipes. He has a diesel.

Pewters had a petrol and used OEM 'is' tail pipe ends.

Both cars look amazing.

[Rusty]

[quote=""Sanj""]

Jeegnesh did the 'fake' version, had them welded to the backbox but kept the original pipes. He has a diesel.
[/quote]

Were those fake pipes on an imaginary car?

Sent from my mobile device using Tapatalk

[RichB]

Good news, will look into it more seriously. I did do a forum search but didn't get any hits.

maybe I'll have a chat with the local exhaust fabrication place and see what they can do. I rather prefer the exact oem 4.6 pipes though, best looking in my opinion

Cheers
Richard

[AW8]

IMO the 3.0d has rear end advantage of being more understated than the petrols, (especially V8's and i.s. models), in not screaming out "gas guzzler"

I prefer look of the 4.6 i.s . with tailpipes over the non statement 3.0d albeit 3.0d is what it is........a sensible & practical E53 choice. If wanting 4.6is looks & performance then I would go for 4.6is. That said I appreciate fuel & insurance costs can be factors against the 4.6is. Talking of insurance be careful not to void cover by not declaring an exhaust mod, whether dummy or functional.

[RichB]

Just swapped emails with an exhausts place. They can fabricate a fake set of pipes similar to the 4.6is letterbox style ones to the rear silencers of the diesel (without changng anything functionally) for £150. Saw a pic too, looks like a half decent job; very tempting!!

Good point on the insurance. My insurers allow a stainless steel non performance enhancing exhaust under the policy rules; wonder if this falls into that category?!

[AW8]

.....I think it would depend on the exact wording &/or interpretation by insurer.

Some may feel that if it is stainless steel & non performance enhancing then t&c's allow for this.

Insurance issues are only likely to arise in event of an assessor taking issue after a claim is initiated. If insurer refused to settle claim &/or disputed cover on basis of t&c breach then you would have to convince them or possibly a claims court that new pipework fell within their t&c definition. I would also look in small print for any t&c references to significant variations from original/existing exhaust design &/or pattern.

My personal interpretation of the spirit of your insurers permission on stainless steel is that they are being sensible as they realise many old & corroded exhausts get replaced by SS for longevity, durability reasons & long term cost advantages . I personally don't think that when they made this sensible t&c allowance that they were thinking of someone fitting along lines you are referring to. Also check for any t&c references to general cosmetic modifications because it is possible you could breach t&c on basis of having an undeclared cosmetic mod, despite not breaching exhaust fitment t&c's.

Of course there is one way to find out & that would involve you phoning them or possibly emailing pics/drawings of what you aim to do. Maybe I am being a little negative here, but I suspect the answer may not be in your favour, thus your options are....

a) Change exhaust, don't notify but be prepared to fight any disputed claim or cover dispute later, (on basis of their oversight &/or loophole in t&c).

b) Notify & declare but consider they may charge more or refuse to cover.

c) Switch insurance cover but still be prepared to pay more elsewhere.

The absolute worst case,(cost), scenario to avoid would be attracting full claim liability by a 3rd parties in event of insurer refusing to settle a claim where cause of accident deemed your liability. Claims can go into hundreds of thousands when there is significant damage, serious injury or worse. If insurance were voided then arguably driver could be pursued for these costs........Obviously this is worst case scenario stuff.

I am sure this is frustrating, especially when many car owners have undeclared, (often unknown to them), cosmetic, enhancing or performance changes/mods fitted yet don't encounter cost or claim issues.