dw1
02-18-2005, 10:07 AM
I recently bolted on a pair of OEM BMW Chrome exhaust tips. The Chrome is a definite improvement over the boring stock metal tailpipes, but I noticed the bolts that came with the kit stick out a good 1/4 inch, even after thoroughly tightening them.
Call me picky if you like, but I think this makes the tailpipe look 'clunky', like something that was carelessly slapped on and does not quite fit right ... (OK for a Civic maybe, but NOT on my new Bimmer) :1nono:
One solution to this problem was simply to take a Dremel tool with a bolt-cutting attachment and nip off the ends of the bolts. [Please wear safety glasses] Alternatively you could shorten the bolts and leave the bolt head sticking out, or, risk it and not use the bolts at all (it was a very tight fit).
If you think you'll ever need to remove the chrome tips at some point, you may want to just shorten the bolt, or cut the head off and leave 1/16 inch of the shaft sticking out, about enough to grab it with some vice-grips.
Removing all of the protruding bolt gives the tailpipe a 'cleaner' look ... my next task will be to paint the visible parts (bottom) of the muffler flat black with some high-temp paint to complete the touch-up job ...
Call me picky if you like, but I think this makes the tailpipe look 'clunky', like something that was carelessly slapped on and does not quite fit right ... (OK for a Civic maybe, but NOT on my new Bimmer) :1nono:
One solution to this problem was simply to take a Dremel tool with a bolt-cutting attachment and nip off the ends of the bolts. [Please wear safety glasses] Alternatively you could shorten the bolts and leave the bolt head sticking out, or, risk it and not use the bolts at all (it was a very tight fit).
If you think you'll ever need to remove the chrome tips at some point, you may want to just shorten the bolt, or cut the head off and leave 1/16 inch of the shaft sticking out, about enough to grab it with some vice-grips.
Removing all of the protruding bolt gives the tailpipe a 'cleaner' look ... my next task will be to paint the visible parts (bottom) of the muffler flat black with some high-temp paint to complete the touch-up job ...