I'm very tempting to go straight pipe but head mechanic at my local dealer discouraged me yesterday.
186.8KVIEWS
296REPLIES
139APPRECIATES
79ACTIVE PEOPLE
05-14-2026LAST POST
I'm very tempting to go straight pipe but head mechanic at my local dealer discouraged me yesterday.
vazilioz wroteI did the resonator delete about a year ago, and have had no issues.Any risk of getting a light on the dash by doing only a resonator delete ? I still have 5 years warranty left, dont want to argue with dealer if any check engine or wtv light shows.
I'm very tempting to go straight pipe but head mechanic at my local dealer discouraged me yesterday.
XxChiliPalmerxX wroteI came here to ask this question. Was just speaking with a custom exhaust shop about deleting the resonator and straight piping, they said the only issue is that the car might need to be coded to avoid a CEL. Is this true?I did the resonator delete about a year ago, and have had no issues.
sharkymcpeterson wroteNot accurate. Many accounts (including my own) of people doing it without a check engine light. Only issue I have with it is the rasp…thought it wouldn’t be a big deal but I really don’t like it. Right now I’m leaving as is and trying to decide what to do to get some cleaner volume out of the engine.I came here to ask this question. Was just speaking with a custom exhaust shop about deleting the resonator and straight piping, they said the only issue is that the car might need to be coded to avoid a CEL. Is this true?
SoFLo_X5 wroteYes... I still have it. Although now, I've since replaced everything behind it with an OEM BMW X5M exhaust.Old post I know, but have you stayed with this double H pipe setup? I too do not like the raspy crackel and pop. You mentioned it wasn't as loud as you might have hoped. I wondr if a single H would make the difference in the volume you had hoped for.
The honest answer to this incredibly long thread.... is that a resonator delete doesn't do much at all. "Maybe" a slight difference in volume... if you REEEEEAAAAALLLLLY listen closely, but otherwise, it's just not really even worth the hassle.
Quite frankly.... I also welded open my exhaust flapper valves full-time.... and even that didn't do much either.
The simple answer, is that the X5, and the X5-M50i... both have incredibly quiet mufflers.
I believe I posted a "look through" of the resonator after I cut it off my car. It's straight through... almost like 2 straight pipes, with a few baffles. It "almost" serves no purpose at all, which means that removing it, "almost" gives you zero noticeable results.
If you really want a better, deeper sound.... you'll need a new exhaust.
Ninefourteener wroteI agree and disagree. If you want a better, deeper sound, you will need a new exhaust…100% agree with that. Removing the resonators does increase volume. Not a ton, but noticeable. I really wasn’t sure that was true when I first had it done so I did a side by side comparison with a friend who also has an M50i. It’s noticeable but still not very loud. It’s also raspy. Ugly raspy to me. That, of course, will be personal preference. I intend to reverse the process, but am hoping to find a good option for the exhaust before I do it so I can have it all done at once.Yes... I still have it. Although now, I've since replaced everything behind it with an OEM BMW X5M exhaust.
The honest answer to this incredibly long thread.... is that a resonator delete doesn't do much at all. "Maybe" a slight difference in volume... if you REEEEEAAAAALLLLLY listen closely, but otherwise, it's just not really even worth the hassle.
Quite frankly.... I also welded open my exhaust flapper valves full-time.... and even that didn't do much either.
The simple answer, is that the X5, and the X5-M50i... both have incredibly quiet mufflers.
I believe I posted a "look through" of the resonator after I cut it off my car. It's straight through... almost like 2 straight pipes, with a few baffles. It "almost" serves no purpose at all, which means that removing it, "almost" gives you zero noticeable results.
If you really want a better, deeper sound.... you'll need a new exhaust.
TravisBGolf wrotePage 10 of my progress thread (in my signature), I removed the resonator, and made a double H-pipe (Not straight pipes, not X-pipe)... to avoid the "raspiness" of them both. I also welded the flapper valves open full time. Yea, it sounds "a little" better I guess. Hardly worth the effort though. There's a video/sound clip on the same page.I agree and disagree. If you want a better, deeper sound, you will need a new exhaust…100% agree with that. Removing the resonators does increase volume. Not a ton, but noticeable. I really wasn’t sure that was true when I first had it done so I did a side by side comparison with a friend who also has an M50i. It’s noticeable but still not very loud. It’s also raspy. Ugly raspy to me. That, of course, will be personal preference. I intend to reverse the process, but am hoping to find a good option for the exhaust before I do it so I can have it all done at once.
On page 15... i retrofitted an X5M exhaust onto my M50i. Now THAT sounds like a real exhaust. Huge difference. I even kept the flapper valves functional because "full open" all the time would be too much. Also video/audio clip on that page.
Ninefourteener wroteI’ve been following along with what you’ve done and I’m quite envious of its current state. I’m just not quite ready to drop the dollars necessary to get mine to that point. The lack of aftermarket options for these cars is one of the biggest downsides. Gone are the days of choosing between 10+ different exhaust options for my WRX…most under $1,000Page 10 of my progress thread (in my signature), I removed the resonator, and made a double H-pipe (Not straight pipes, not X-pipe)... to avoid the "raspiness" of them both. I also welded the flapper valves open full time. Yea, it sounds "a little" better I guess. Hardly worth the effort though. There's a video/sound clip on the same page.
On page 15... i retrofitted an X5M exhaust onto my M50i. Now THAT sounds like a real exhaust. Huge difference. I even kept the flapper valves functional because "full open" all the time would be too much. Also video/audio clip on that page.
TravisBGolf wroteTotally understand. Keep in mind, I've had my car since early 2020... so it's far from "new". I've gone through many different changes over the years.I’ve been following along with what you’ve done and I’m quite envious of its current state. I’m just not quite ready to drop the dollars necessary to get mine to that point. The lack of aftermarket options for these cars is one of the biggest downsides. Gone are the days of choosing between 10+ different exhaust options for my WRX…most under $1,000
The recent BBK and X5M exhaust... those were things I "wanted" to do to a brand new X7... only to change my mind about buying a new X7, and deciding to just keep the X5.
With regard to this thread however.... I just don't think a resonator delete is all that "worthwhile". I did it, and yea... it was fine... but just not really enough "noticeable" difference to justify it.
Your choice though... if you wanna do it... go for it.
Speaking of WRXs though... I'm also a (former) fan. I am the founder, and was the President, of one of the largest non-profit Subaru clubs in the country (Salt Lake City) from 2007-2012. My 2006 WRX had (and I think still has) the longest running build thread in Subaru history on ClubWRX.net. I haven't logged in for years, but I think it was called "ninefourteeners progress thread + pics"... or something like that. I also did a 2.5 year restoration on a 1978 Subaru BRAT, and documented the whole thing.... had a 94 Subaru SVX (which was an utter POS by the way)... and the wife even drove a Tribeca.
I miss those Subarus.
XxChiliPalmerxX wroteDid you keep the flaps open 24/7 or just left them as is?I did the resonator delete about a year ago, and have had no issues.
iamakshay wroteYes, should arrive in two weeks. Will start a new thread. After receiving build pic, it’s literally the same unit as the German Car Accessories product.Has anyone tried putting on a titanium exhaust from Alibaba?
Here is my setup:
- Stock resonator delete with straight pipes
- Stock muffler replaced with these
- Exhaust tips
I had to have the fake tips removed to fit the new tips. I had a body shop pull the bumper off. They are BMW certified and have done it many times so they were able to do it in 30 min.
Here is a cold start
Swerd430 wroteSounds good. I’d love to hear it in person…sending a PM to get more info.I just did a custom muffler setup yesterday. Loving it.
Here is my setup:
- Stock resonator delete with straight pipes
- Stock muffler replaced with these
- Exhaust tips
I had to have the fake tips removed to fit the new tips. I had a body shop pull the bumper off. They are BMW certified and have done it many times so they were able to do it in 30 min.
Here is a cold start
XxChiliPalmerxXReviving an old thread here
https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29960554
What exhaust tips did you use? Those seem pretty big, how did you get them to fit?
Stock resonator removed, Magnaflow X-Pipe installed
Stock mufflers removed, two Vibrant Ultra Quiet Resonators installed
Stock tips and trim removed, 3" Inlet Quad 4" tips installed (https://www.ebay.com/itm/174776229228)
DM me with any questions. A few people here were extremely helpful in getting me sorted and I'd be happy to pay it forward. Also, pay more to get a reputable performance exhaust shop to do the work. Well worth the extra $100-$200 dollars.
alfqui19 wroteSorry for the late reaply. On Page 10 is the original post in this thread. I copied Huffingtons install as well.
Reviving an old thread here
https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29960554
What exhaust tips did you use? Those seem pretty big, how did you get them to fit?
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29887277&postcount=217
vstrong50 wroteSounds great!! The cold start in person is something else, but it does quiet down a bit after the warm up.Finally completed my exhaust install. Below are the details:
Stock resonator removed, Magnaflow X-Pipe installed
Stock mufflers removed, two Vibrant Ultra Quiet Resonators installed
Stock tips and trim removed, 3" Inlet Quad 4" tips installed (https://www.ebay.com/itm/174776229228)
DM me with any questions. A few people here were extremely helpful in getting me sorted and I'd be happy to pay it forward. Also, pay more to get a reputable performance exhaust shop to do the work. Well worth the extra $100-$200 dollars.
XxChiliPalmerxX wroteIt's perfect! It really screams when you get on it...Sounds great!! The cold start in person is something else, but it does quiet down a bit after the warm up.
Thanks again for all your help
XxChiliPalmerxX , I really appreciate it!
