XSeries-forum

Hi, thought I would post some pictures of our car with the titanium kidney grills with black frames. I removed the frames and got the body shop to paint them while they were painting our aero kit hence they are in sapphire black and I like the look.
Also I fitted a set of V8 style exhaust trims, I used these but the second link is now available and slightly cheaper http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHROME-EXHAUS ... 3cdb39a422

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Ste ... 1c40de5428

Please note they are not a straight fit but the overall cost will be around £280 less than BMW for the replacement pipes.

The trims have a stepped inlet of around 60mm but the X5 3.0d tail pipes are 65mm OD, you need to cut the inlets back to 65mm ID, slip them over the tail pipes and mark where to cut the tail pipes for length.

You then have to cut the tail pipes off at about 3" from the silencer(you would have to do this with the genuine BMW kit anyway) and cut them to length where you have just marked them.

Using two 65mm ID exhaust sleeve clamps re-fit the tail pipes, fit the new tail trims over them and when they are in position put a couple of tack welds on the back, then remove and fully weld them on.

Using a small amount of exhaust joint past re-clamp the pipes and job done.

looks very nice!! although i do think grills don't quite look right for me, something looks missing, and it need the chrome surround back. 

However, I do agree on the titanium centres! looks lovely.  And very envious of tips!! its my next mod. 

Hi, do you have some further pics of the exhaust tips, I have been looking at doing this but was unsure on the eBay ones, what's the quality of them like, are the chrome edges rolled nicely? Thanks

[quote="Wipeout"]
Hi, do you have some further pics of the exhaust tips, I have been looking at doing this but was unsure on the eBay ones, what's the quality of them like, are the chrome edges rolled nicely? Thanks
[/quote]I will try and take some close up pictures of the tips, the edges are rolled quite well and they are all stainless.
If you want an easy life without the cutting and welding buy the pipes from BMW but it will work out about £300 more.

Thanks Martin.

I didn't mind either way, if the quality of the chreeper ones is good then that's fine as you know what you get with genuine ones, I'd expect them to be top notch.

Cheers
Chris

I went for the genuine ones in the end, hopefully fit them this weekend.

[quote="Wipeout"]
Thanks Martin.

I didn't mind either way, if the quality of the chreeper ones is good then that's fine as you know what you get with genuine ones, I'd expect them to be top notch.

Cheers
Chris
[/quote]

Hiw much did those set you back fella?  Got a part number?

Cheers

[quote="POC"]

[quote="Wipeout"]
Thanks Martin.

I didn't mind either way, if the quality of the chreeper ones is good then that's fine as you know what you get with genuine ones, I'd expect them to be top notch.

Cheers
Chris
[/quote]

Hiw much did those set you back fella?  Got a part number?

Cheers
[/quote]
Cotsworld BMW do forum discount (just say you are on BMWland) and the pipes are £152.26 a side including vat but you also have to buy the sleeve clamps as well to fit them.
B18302147646 = £152.26 (right)
B18302147647 = £152.26 (left)

Looking at the picture above you only get a tacked on tail trim from BMW so its not even fully welded around.
I am glad I was able to go down the route of making my own pipes up but not every one like me has access to an engineering work shop

Hi Martin,

Did you go OEM for the aero kit or replica?
Cheers

[quote="Wipeout"]
Hi Martin,

Did you go OEM for the aero kit or replica?
Cheers
[/quote]I got the kit from ebay as it was recomended by another forum member, it cost £199 and fitted well.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 41&alt=web

Thanks Martin.

Did you fit it or get a body shop to do it?
I have seen that one and a UK one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E70-AE ... 008wt_1161

Probably from the same source supplier.

OEM one works out about 680 un-painted.

[quote="Wipeout"]
Thanks Martin.

Did you fit it or get a body shop to do it?
I have seen that one and a UK one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E70-AE ... 008wt_1161

Probably from the same source supplier.

OEM one works out about 680 un-painted.
[/quote]I got our local body shop to paint the parts then I fitted them myself.

Was there much fafffing about with the fit generally?
Is the material holding up ok now the kits been on a while?
Cheers
Chris

[quote="Wipeout"]
Was there much fafffing about with the fit generally?
Is the material holding up ok now the kits been on a while?
Cheers
Chris
[/quote]Yes its still ok.
The fit was fine, I put some PU adhesive on the back edge of the front corner trims to get them to sit 100% against the bumper corners.

Hi Martin,
One final Q?

Did you get the trim perfectly flush along the top edge of the front trim?
I seem to have a slight gap here and can't see what would pull it perfectly flush.
I'm thinking an extra screw further along might do it.
Pics attached.

Cheers
Chris