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In Reply to: exhaust tip question? posted by Gary on August 01, 2001 at 12:39:44:
The orignal E28 M5 black exhaust tips are NLA according to all of the parts places I called a couple of years ago. The dealer and others suggest using factory chrome tips that are readily available. I would advise against it after having done it. The chrome tips are slightly smaller in diameter and fit too tightly to the factory exhaust pipes. The problem I had was that moisture from the exhaust collected between the tip and the exterior of the exhaust pipes. This led to massive corrosion. After about 1 1/2 years with the chrome tips, they begin splitting due to corrosion of the exhaust pipes. When I cut them off, the pipes had corroded from the outside in! The muffler is still good but the outlet pipes are now about 4" shorter!
I searched for quite a while for the perfect tips that would bolt on, give a nice European look and didn't cost more than OEM but they don't exist, in my opinion. I wanted the DTM look so I bought some 3" stainless steel tips (a little bit too big but I couldn't find any 2 1/2") with 2 1/2" inlets. I cut off the smaller 2 1/2" inlet (still sufficient length) and ground two slits into each tip at strategic locations for a stainless steel clamp to pass through. I positioned the slits so that I basically had right and left hand tips. Since the exhaust pipes are only about 1 1/2 - 2" apart you don't have too much room when installing 3" tips. The tips slip right over the pipes and I use a socket to tighten the clamps. I positioned the clamps so that you really can't see them unless you look closely. They're much more secure than the interference fit of the factory tips and there aren't any screws sticking out (used by most aftermarket tips). I bought the tips through the mail from Manchester Honda that has a performance store. My custom tips look great and I won't have any problems putting them on the next muffler.
I hope this helps!
Danial
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