Who would you use for install...

djseto · 09-22-2016, 03:15 PM

I've got an AWE Tuning Axel Back exhaust arriving tomorrow with install scheduled for Monday. I'm curious on who you guys would use to do the install. Below the ones I called and the cost:

1. BMW Dealer: $420
2. Independent Shop that specializes in BMW and other Eurobrands: $180
3. Independent Shop that only does BMW: $250
4. Independent shop that only does (custom) mufflers/exhaust work: $75 an hour and thinks it's 2 hours max if not less

I booked an appointment with #4 because I feel like it's not rocket science to do an axel back and that a shop that focuses on mufflers and exhausts (good reviews on google/yelp/Angies List) can easily do this. Their cost isn't that for off from #2 so that was the other I was considering. I think the dealer is out of their mind and provides no real additional value. It would be a DYI project if I had ramps and tools to cut the stock pipes, but I think I'd rather a pro do it...

Thoughts?

boots · 09-22-2016, 06:52 PM

I don't care about any of them. I'd pic the one who's the best at their craft out of all of them. Customer service is a must

djseto · 09-22-2016, 06:55 PM

The only one I have personal experience with is the dealer and I think they are over priced.

13M5F10 · 09-22-2016, 07:40 PM

I'd go with #4 but I'd make sure they do it right. You're right, it's not rocket science and muffler shops are more than capable to do it, however, some like to take short cuts.

Make sure to set your expectations and check them for quality of work.

Believe it or not, I've seen BMW fuck up aftermarket installs. Not worth the price and it's not their speciality.

MSIXCARBON · 09-22-2016, 11:29 PM

#2 or #3......

you could go to #4 but the guy putting your car on the lift might not give a shit and scratch your side skirts putting it on the lift or climb into your car super filthy... too many variables. go to the specialty shop.

ur20v · 09-23-2016, 04:19 AM

#5 - do it your self... 45mins to an hour on a jack with axel stands

MCarsFan · 09-23-2016, 06:50 AM

#4 regular muffler shop. The others will probably not have lots of experience changing out exhausts from OEM to custom - and you'll have to end up there anyway to get the exhaust checked!

AutoTalent · 09-23-2016, 01:24 PM

#2

djseto · 09-23-2016, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSIXCARBON

#2 or #3......

you could go to #4 but the guy putting your car on the lift might not give a shit and scratch your side skirts putting it on the lift or climb into your car super filthy... too many variables. go to the specialty shop.

Does the M require anything special to be put on a lift? I know my Corvette (C7) needed these special pucks between the lift and the car.

ur20v · 09-23-2016, 09:03 PM

Yes - you can buy the pucks from BMS etc or make your own from alloy, steel or dense plastic like PU etc.

... you can get away without but if you are very unlucky damage the plastic jacking points on the car but they are easliy replaceable... 2 minute job and about $20 for the part so no biggy- as long as you use axel stands its all good.

ur20v · 09-23-2016, 09:04 PM

Here:

http://burgertuning.com/BMW_jack_pad_adapter.html

GMWNashville · 09-24-2016, 10:27 PM

I'd likely go with #2 but without names it's hard to say since it mostly hinges on quality of work..

djseto · 09-26-2016, 07:56 AM

I didn't want to use names since I don't want to put their prices up with asking, but I did call #4 to ask about jack pads and the guy says "well....we could just use one of several drive on lifts."

Will report back in a few hours after it's all done.

Skeeter_f10 · 09-26-2016, 12:43 PM

This is the easiest install. I did mine in the drive way with a sawzall and it took me less than 30mins. This should be NO longer than a 1hr charge at any exhaust shop.

djseto · 09-26-2016, 01:10 PM

It took 1.5 hours. I watched him do the install the whole time. They passenger side didn't quite fit as good as the drivers side. It hung a little uneven. He ended up partially cutting one of the hanging brackets at the weld near the muffler so we could bend it to be level withe the driver side and then he welded where he cut. He was probably more anal that I was about making sure everything was level and even on both sides. All in all, I was very pleased with the work for $100. I still can't believe the dealer wanted $420. That's just absurd.

09-22-2016, 03:15 PM	#1
djseto Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Who would you use for install... I've got an AWE Tuning Axel Back exhaust arriving tomorrow with install scheduled for Monday. I'm curious on who you guys would use to do the install. Below the ones I called and the cost: 1. BMW Dealer: $420 2. Independent Shop that specializes in BMW and other Eurobrands: $180 3. Independent Shop that only does BMW: $250 4. Independent shop that only does (custom) mufflers/exhaust work: $75 an hour and thinks it's 2 hours max if not less I booked an appointment with #4 because I feel like it's not rocket science to do an axel back and that a shop that focuses on mufflers and exhausts (good reviews on google/yelp/Angies List) can easily do this. Their cost isn't that for off from #2 so that was the other I was considering. I think the dealer is out of their mind and provides no real additional value. It would be a DYI project if I had ramps and tools to cut the stock pipes, but I think I'd rather a pro do it... Thoughts? Last edited by djseto; 09-22-2016 at 08:30 PM..
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09-22-2016, 07:40 PM	#4
13M5F10 Hide! My wife's coming! 812 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M5 \| MSR Stage 3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Las Colinas, TX iTrader: (5)	I'd go with #4 but I'd make sure they do it right. You're right, it's not rocket science and muffler shops are more than capable to do it, however, some like to take short cuts. Make sure to set your expectations and check them for quality of work. Believe it or not, I've seen BMW fuck up aftermarket installs. Not worth the price and it's not their speciality. __________________ * SOLD * 2013 BMW M5 \| Space Grey \| MSR Stage 3 Tune \| Catless Downpipes \| MSR Intake and Charge Pipes \| MSR Exhaust (Prototype) \| Vorsteiner Rear Diffuser \| RW Carbon Front Lip \| RW Carbon Trunk Spoiler\| Vorsteiner VS-310 Forged Wheels \| Escort 9500CI w/Laser Jammers
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09-23-2016, 04:19 AM	#6
ur20v Captain 184 Rep 788 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: WA Australia iTrader: (0)	#5 - do it your self... 45mins to an hour on a jack with axel stands
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09-23-2016, 06:50 AM	#7
MCarsFan Lieutenant Colonel 363 Rep 1,805 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M5 F10 CP Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Dallas, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F10 M5 [10.00]	#4 regular muffler shop. The others will probably not have lots of experience changing out exhausts from OEM to custom - and you'll have to end up there anyway to get the exhaust checked! __________________ 2014 BMW F10 M5 ZCP \| SSII / Black \| MSR Stage III \| MSR Intakes \| RPi GTM Exhaust \| RPi Catless Downpipes \|RW Carbon Front Lip \| RW Carbon Diffuser \| RW Carbon Trunk Spoiler \|
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09-23-2016, 01:24 PM	#8
AutoTalent Lieutenant General 2308 Rep 12,654 Posts Drives: e92 M3 6mt \| e60 M5 6mt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	#2
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09-22-2016, 06:52 PM	#2
boots Curve Thrasher 623 Rep 3,773 Posts Drives: 2013 Bmw m5..White/Blk. Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Cypress Tx iTrader: (0)	I don't care about any of them. I'd pic the one who's the best at their craft out of all of them. Customer service is a must
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09-22-2016, 06:55 PM	#3
djseto Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	The only one I have personal experience with is the dealer and I think they are over priced.
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09-22-2016, 11:29 PM	#5
MSIXCARBON Private First Class 55 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2014 M6 Competition Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (1)	#2 or #3...... you could go to #4 but the guy putting your car on the lift might not give a shit and scratch your side skirts putting it on the lift or climb into your car super filthy... too many variables. go to the specialty shop.
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09-23-2016, 09:03 PM	#10
ur20v Captain 184 Rep 788 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: WA Australia iTrader: (0)	Yes - you can buy the pucks from BMS etc or make your own from alloy, steel or dense plastic like PU etc. ... you can get away without but if you are very unlucky damage the plastic jacking points on the car but they are easliy replaceable... 2 minute job and about $20 for the part so no biggy- as long as you use axel stands its all good.
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09-23-2016, 09:04 PM	#11
ur20v Captain 184 Rep 788 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: WA Australia iTrader: (0)	Here: http://burgertuning.com/BMW_jack_pad_adapter.html
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09-24-2016, 10:27 PM	#12
GMWNashville Colonel 172 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: 19 G05, 16 F80, 10 E70x5D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2)	I'd likely go with #2 but without names it's hard to say since it mostly hinges on quality of work..
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09-26-2016, 07:56 AM	#13
djseto Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I didn't want to use names since I don't want to put their prices up with asking, but I did call #4 to ask about jack pads and the guy says "well....we could just use one of several drive on lifts." Will report back in a few hours after it's all done.
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09-26-2016, 12:43 PM	#14
Skeeter_f10 Lieutenant 56 Rep 406 Posts Drives: f10 m5 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	This is the easiest install. I did mine in the drive way with a sawzall and it took me less than 30mins. This should be NO longer than a 1hr charge at any exhaust shop.
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09-26-2016, 01:10 PM	#15
djseto Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	It took 1.5 hours. I watched him do the install the whole time. They passenger side didn't quite fit as good as the drivers side. It hung a little uneven. He ended up partially cutting one of the hanging brackets at the weld near the muffler so we could bend it to be level withe the driver side and then he welded where he cut. He was probably more anal that I was about making sure everything was level and even on both sides. All in all, I was very pleased with the work for $100. I still can't believe the dealer wanted $420. That's just absurd.
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