[Chili Palmer]

I know that the M5 muffler installation has been beat to death here, but I didn't see any answer to my question - it was asked, but it wasn't answered.

I picked up an M5 exhaust complete from tips to the head pipes.

First, for those of you who have installed the whole M5 system, is it a bolt up affair or is there cutting and tweaking involved? (Tweaking, not twerking).

Second, would it just be easier to cut off the mufflers and install those on my existing 550 exhaust? I'm not planning to mod the engine for more power, so would the extra pipe diameter make any difference?

I did purchase an M5 diffuser, but no sensor relocater as my car doesn't have the trunk kick opener. Do I need something for the parking sensors?

My son tells me that since I have the whole system just use it - it wouldn't hurt, but the installation may be more time consuming.

What say the members?

[550Reasons]

downpipes are different, you dont want to use those anyways, but I hear it does bolt on with minor flexing around and nothing crazy, there are quite a few people running oem M5 full exhausts on their 550's
I wanted to go that route but no one was selling theirs local at the time.

[Chili Palmer]

I tried to install the whole system, but it was hitting under the rear suspension and the exhaust tips don't line up with the diffuser openings.

I'm going to have to put back the stock 550 system and just try to retrofit the mufflers - any suggestions?

[HDEddie1]

If you want to use just the mufflers, then you'll need a short transition pipe (2 7/8" stock pipe to 3" M pipe) but otherwise it'll bolt right to the existing hangers. Tip: Just before the weld, hold the quad pipes into the center of the stock diffuser with a slight push so they'll line up more flush than sticking out. You'll need to add (with plastic nipple) about a foot of rubber vacuum hose on each side to connect to the M5 pipe valve.
This is an EASY job for a good muffler job. I used Mikes' muffler (El Monte).
BTW...if you want to do the M5 diffuser, the positioning will be more critical but still, the muffler shop needs to fab the transition pipe with more attention. Regarding the sensor, other folks have posted a work-around on this forum.
Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Chili Palmer

I tried to install the whole system, but it was hitting under the rear suspension and the exhaust tips don't line up with the diffuser openings.

I'm going to have to put back the stock 550 system and just try to retrofit the mufflers - any suggestions?

[Chili Palmer]

I ended up just using the mufflers, I really wanted to use the M5 piping as it's larger and has less restrictive resonators, but due to it hitting around the rear suspension pieces I relented and put back the original 550 exhaust just past the rear axle and just used the M5 mufflers.

It's not quite as rumbley as I wanted it, but at least I can hear it when I get on it now. Maybe this weekend I'll zip tie open the valves and see how it sounds.

For all you do guys that want to tackle using the M5 piping, I've got it available.

[CloudVIII]

Originally Posted by Chili Palmer

I ended up just using the mufflers, I really wanted to use the M5 piping as it's larger and has less restrictive resonators, but due to it hitting around the rear suspension pieces I relented and put back the original 550 exhaust just past the rear axle and just used the M5 mufflers.

It's not quite as rumbley as I wanted it, but at least I can hear it when I get on it now. Maybe this weekend I'll zip tie open the valves and see how it sounds.

For all you do guys that want to tackle using the M5 piping, I've got it available.

Add the ExhaustMeister and control it at your discretion. Worth $150 and 10 mins of your time.

[rmastale]

I used M6 mufflers and the sound is amazing. Not too loud. Not soft at all. Perfect rumble.