Where to find exhaust down pipes for 530 new or used.

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cpalmer
Posts: 141
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:58 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Where to find exhaust down pipes for 530 new or used.

Post by cpalmer »

Hey all,

I finally got around to checking my exhaust leak and it's both down pipes from the thermal reactors, cracked where they meet the flanges. They'd been fixed before and I know I had messed with the car enough that the motor did wiggle and giggle sometimes. Slowly got worse and worse

Anyways, they are toast. Tried to JD weld them and had success for about 20 mins/miles. They were a beautiful 20 minutes, let me tell you.

I'm a bit isolated West of Portland, Or., but the local junk yard said they have a 528....maybe a 530. So, I may have lucked out. Going to go check it in a couple hours and maybe hear back from someone before then.

I check and it looks like some 6 series pipes would work. Just a little clueless on where to go from here.

Thanks
Last edited by cpalmer on Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
GripGreg
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Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:50 pm
Location: Long Beach, Cal.

Post by GripGreg »

What I've done if I'm not sure of the fit, is buy a guarantee that cost me about 2 bucks. This way you can return it and use the money for somethin' else. They probably won't give your money back! At the very least you'll have credit. But, the part can't be altered. Do It,,,,Greg
Ps Did you check-out the' BMW RUN'? I had a blast!
GripGreg
Posts: 1797
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:50 pm
Location: Long Beach, Cal.

Post by GripGreg »

Sorry for the double-post! If you lose the thermal reactors, the car will run cooler. I have heard that your area is not concerned about a car's smog control situation. Good Luck,,,,Greg
cpalmer
Posts: 141
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:58 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by cpalmer »

Thanks Greg,

Actually, I'm just really trying to find out what my options are. I've searched online and only found a couple places that look like they have them new and quite exspensive.

I'm trying to figure out if I should try and find a local pic your part or salvage yard and pull some mysef.

Thought I had a temp fix, and it sure was temp.

I'm leaving my reactors in. My car surprisingly runs pretty cool and I'm not in to taking off the reactors at this point.

I know you said to check a local muffler place, but I would assume they have to get pipes from somewhere as both pipes are completely cracked and it's something I can do myself once I get replacement parts.
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Mike W.
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Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

cpalmer wrote:
I know you said to check a local muffler place, but I would assume they have to get pipes from somewhere as both pipes are completely cracked and it's something I can do myself once I get replacement parts.
Not really. They should be able to bend pipe to get it close to the correct shape. But by the time they do that and weld it to your existing flanges it might not be much cheaper than just paying the hundred each for the downipipes.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
cpalmer
Posts: 141
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:58 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

saved.......

Post by cpalmer »

Whelp,

I'm in a small town which does not have a muffler shop, but it does have a Metal Fabrication shop.

Brought them over there, and one of the good things about being in Oregon and in a small town is that you can get things done for a very fair price.

Both pipes re-welded, thick, for 40 bucks total. No guarantee, but the owner who did them himself said- "I doubt they will be breaking for a long time..."

Just got them back already and will be on in the morning. It will definitely be one of the better things I have done to the car. I can't believe it's going to be quiet like it should.

Whoot! :P
GripGreg
Posts: 1797
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:50 pm
Location: Long Beach, Cal.

Post by GripGreg »

I like the "WHOOT!"And the price. I thought/hoped you could find a better price. Did he put a wrap of metal around your pipes, or fill in everything?
BTW, Have you read my post about the BMW run? I had a blast!!Good Luck,,,,Greg
cpalmer
Posts: 141
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:58 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by cpalmer »

Greg-

He welded everything. They were cracked right at up the the flange so there was no space to wrap anything around. Did a full round weld and then beads on top of that.

The day on PCH sounded sweet. I worked at Gladstones for 3 years . I know Dukes and Malibu well. Had my first 5 then and it was clean and my commute was only a couple miles maybe, but when I went back home to Frisco every few months, I drove the 1 and 101 and 1 again all the way. No I-5 or 10 or 405!!! Just the coast and my 5....

8)

The nice thing about this whole thing is I bothered to call the local junk yard which I though in no way would have a BMW, especially a older 5.
But, it did, an 84' 528e. Not exactly what I wanted, but the seats and new radiator are all good to go, and a few other things......for cheap.

Total score.
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RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Nice 530i exhaust parts available

Post by RonDwyer »

Hi,
I have all those parts in very nice condition. My 77 is getting an 89 engine in a few weeks and the down pipes are in very good shape. 112,000 original miles on the car.

Ron Dwyer
510-590-7369

Nice thermals too if you need them.
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
cpalmer
Posts: 141
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:58 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by cpalmer »

Ron-

Thanks.

I probably would have hit you up on those, but the welds seem to be holding nicely.

I'll be down in the Bay in a few months and maybe then could see what you have I could use. Seems like your a Ole' Bimmer guy and I would rather put money towards gas than shipping!!

If I plan it right, I may even be able to stop by and see Mike W. too. That would be sweet. Would be nice to meet some Guru's and see their rides.

Cheers.
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