X3 Exhaust Systems

Has anyone on the forum done an exhaust system? By this I mean headers and catalytics, in addition to the muffler. Mufflers are only good for about 5 hp and the real gains are in the cats and manifolds. Apparently, Supersprint makes a system, which is the same as listed for 2007 models.

I spoke to Dinan, who makes only mufflers for the X3, and they stated that aftermarket headers and cats would cause a check engine light without an ECU reflash, which they weren't sure they had for my car. They were unknowledgable and unhelpful, to say the least, and referred me to my local dealer. They were also very negative about Supersprint products in general. This looks like a "We don't make it, so it is no good."

The complete Supersprint system is about $5K, the headers and catalytics being $4K of this, I do not want to purchase the parts and have check engine lights, which will cause the car to fail New York State emission inspection. I have not been able to find any systems by another manufacturer.

Does anyone have firsthand information about 2007 or 2008 X3 performance modifications?

That is going to be a hard one to get answered. I had to pull teeth to get information about changing the stereo system and that was from owners as well as BMW.


I do know in my travels across the internet that there are electronics avaialble to read the ECU. I would suggest starting there.

Please let us know what you find.

There are not many performance mods for the X3 as BMW has squeezed nearly all they can out of the motor. I would guess for the $5k you will be spending you MAY see 15-20 HP without some sort of reflash...not worth it in my opinion. If you want the sound, go for a catback system for $500-700 and you will get a third of the HP gains you would get for $5K. All the DINAN upgrades combined will only get you around 25 HP for around $3K.
If you seriously want the most power, look at a supercharger that will run you north of $7K but will get you the most HP gains. I saw one a while back, but can't recall the manufacturer off the top of my head.

i think remus does aftermarket exhaust for X3 as well...there is a previous thread on it.

other mods to consider are: ECU chip, CAI etc.

my $0.02.

I did the Dinan CAI, Stage II s/w, ehaust on my '04 3.0 6MT. I crisped-up the throttle, added 5-6% more HP & torque (nothing dramatic, but noticeable), and sounds nice around town (transparent @ highway speeds). I like it OK, but no great shakes.

As noted, if you wnat serious HP gains, some sort of forced induction is in order, I believe ESS (IIRC, they're European/Norwegian) has a supercharger kit for the X3, but it's like $7K + installation. Good luck . . .

Originally Posted by Ninja333

i think remus does aftermarket exhaust for X3 as well...there is a previous thread on it.

other mods to consider are: ECU chip, CAI etc.

my $0.02.

Remus is actually what I had in mind. I searched for a while and I thought it was the best sounding system and seemed to be built fairly well. You can find a cat back for right around $550 or so. As far as a complete system, I really am unsure if they make one.

European Supercharging Systems (ESS) has a kit for the '04-'06 X3 that will give you 305 hp and 390 lbs of torque with a 6 psi boost. The kit runs about $5.5K and installation takes about 4-6 hours. No info if it is CARB legal for us Calif folks.

Thanks to all for the information. It has been somewhat of a frustrating experience to track down any performance modifications for this car.

I have absolutely no interest in fitting a supercharger system, this is my second car, for use as a daily driver/utility vehicle. I like to modify my cars, but the bulk of my car upgrade budget will go into my 997 2S, which is due for coilovers & swaybars. Quite possibly a supercharger system when it is out of warranty in 1.5 years.

Quite a few hours searching on the net. My summary to date:
-The X3 engine was updated in 2007 & 2004-06 parts may not fit.
-Dinan, Remus, Eisenmann, Hartge & Supersprint make muffler(catback) systems for the X3. Better sound, but figure 5 hp gains at best. Some may only be for the 2004-06.
-Supersprint apparently makes headers & catalytics, but questions about check engine lights & confirmed fit are not answered. Don't need $4K in parts if it won't pass inspection.
-Dinan might provide programming, but couldn't or wouldn't furnish any reliable information.
-aFe might manufacture intake systems to fit the X3, but couldn't be bothered with responding to emails. Dinan wasn't sure if their throttle body modification would fit or if they had programming to support it.
-None of the companies I contacted, or their websites, provided any actual dynamometer charts. Only vague & unsubstantiated claims.
-No one had an oil cooler add-on or temperature/pressure gauge kit to fit the car. It is unfortunate that the BMW does not have a conventional spin-on oil filter, which can be readily replaced with a radiator & remote filters.

What dismayed me was the poor quality of responses I received, if any at all, and the lack of interest for selling products to a potential customer that they apparently manufacture. A few companies were actually honest enough to tell me that there was insufficient demand for X3 performance products for them to produce them.

At this point, I may just go for a catback system, so the car doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner and call it a day.

Mike,

I ran into the same thing when I wanted to update my sound system in my X3. No one and I mean no one including the dealer had legitimate information on the sound system.

As an engineer of various schools, electrical, RF, software, and other assorted sundries, when I hear it hasn't been done, I need to do it.

Well now over a year later I can tell you what and what not to do. However, most of it came from reverse engineering the vehicle. And, piecing together bits of information here and there.

The payoff is that I was able to help other's that secretly wanted to make changes but were afraid to ask at first (as well as great sound and versatility not offered by the stock sound).

Please do the same, since I am betting there are a number of us that secretly wanted an M3, but needed a utility vehicle to boot.

Good Luck and Thanks,

EE

Originally Posted by mikelahti

At this point, I may just go for a catback system, so the car doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner and call it a day.

a logical and sensible decision, mike! let us know how it goes, would love to hear the sound clip of your new exhaust!

Mike, good info! A couple of years ago after I bought my '06 I did a similar search, but on a much smaller scale. Mainly I went over to Dinan Mountain View and chatted with the lads. I discovered that while the full maintenance program was still on the car no one wanted to undertake the expense of developing/fitting aftermarket stuff that no one would buy while OEM parts were free from BMW, or engine mods that may cause the factory warranty to go south. Not to mention the CARB certification. That was then and this is now of course and the warranties have begun to expire for the earlier cars and if a demand exists someone will fill it. The question is if there are enough X3's out there whose owners are interested enough to mod them up? Maybe for the second and third owners, but I am no longer interested in a performance mod, just how to get better gas milage!

Recently purchased a 2008 BMW X3 3.0si with 20,388 miles since it's birth... am eager to install a performance muffler...... to aid in some great sound or music from the engine.... not sure if the stock cat converter will prevent this from happening. So let me know what directions I have to select from to obtain this goal!

There are very few options for the post lci n52 X3....most mods are for the pre 2007 m54 motor.

Honestly the best way to get extra sound is to disconnect the butterfly valve on the right tailpipe (its going to eventually start rattling anyway). Let us know what you find!