18 12 575 Replacing center muffler (M54)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 17 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW 330Ci, 2006 BMW 325Ci, 2005 BMW 330xi, 2005 BMW 330i, and 2005 BMW 330Ci. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Exhaust system removed.

WARNING: Scalding hazard!
Only perform these tasks after exhaust system has cooled down.

NOTE: For the following work steps, some illustrations of the exhaust system of another BMW car are used.

Carry over length of new center muffler to old center muffler and mark cutting points.

Cut through exhaust pipes between front and center mufflers and between center and rear mufflers at marked points and deburr.

Attach connecting plate from old to new center muffler.

Fig 1: Identifying Cutting Marked Points Between Center & Rear Mufflers

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Connect new center muffler with rear and front mufflers by means of clamping sleeves.

Installation:

Nuts point downwards.

Align clamping sleeves so that:

cutting point is in middle of clamping sleeve, and
there is sufficient spacing to adjoining components

Mount vibration damper on new center muffler.

Fig 2: Identifying Clamping Sleeve

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.