Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
davidmudley12
Member
Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:48 am
Location: Guildford, Surrey

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by davidmudley12 » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:01 pm

Hi, as a recent Z4 owner (after a 12 year hiatus) I would like to think I am now older and (unlikely) wiser. My issue is that I purchased a 2006 3.0si E85 with the back box delete and find it unpleasant, so am looking to going about an 'un'delete. I recognise that welding is likely to be needed, but I am struggling to get to grips with two key things:
  • What silencer to replace it with [that is not going to cost the earth]?
    Finding somewhere in the surrey area to do this for me (preferably near Guildford)
Does anyone have any experience or ideas that can help?
Current cars: 2006 3.0si E85 Sapphire Black, cruise, MFSW.
BMW 535d Touring (F11)
Skoda Fabia 1.2
BMW S1000XR

User avatar
Chris_D
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6615
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Chris_D » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:06 pm

I'm so glad I decided not to go down the backbox delete / straightpipe route.
I've heard others and they just sound obnoxious and the drone when driving must be proper irritating!
If pops and crackles and attracting the attention of da fiwf is your thing then fair enough but to me, especially after the cats and mufflers have warmed up the stock exhaust system is loud/tuneful enough.

I'd suggest trying to get it back to stock if you can. There must be plenty of 'deleted' second-hand back boxes out there...?
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
Image
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.

davidmudley12
Member
Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:48 am
Location: Guildford, Surrey

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by davidmudley12 » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:16 pm

I agree Chris_D, not to my taste but appreciate different strokes for different folks.

If anyone has a used silencer out there they’re looking to sell on let me know.

Thanks.
Current cars: 2006 3.0si E85 Sapphire Black, cruise, MFSW.
BMW 535d Touring (F11)
Skoda Fabia 1.2
BMW S1000XR

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23852
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:28 pm

It's just a thought but you might get a better response if you post a Wanted advert in the Classifieds section.

It's not exactly local, but when I got my latest Z4 one of the Powerflow back-boxes had a hanger missing. I found a firm in Slough called Enigma T/A Powerflow Exhausts Slough who fabricated a new one and welded it on for a very resonable £30 and it was a quality job! If you did want to use them when you call ask for Nas.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

davidmudley12
Member
Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:48 am
Location: Guildford, Surrey

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by davidmudley12 » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:35 pm

Thanks Mr Tidy, good point re the ‘wanted’ section, I hadn’t originally thought about sourcing a silencer here more some advice, but I think I’ll try and shift this into the other section.

Thanks for the pointer to Enigma, I’ll check them out as it’s not a huge distance to go to get the car the way I want it.

Ah, just realised I don’t know how to move the thread....doh! :driving: or use emojis for that matter.
Current cars: 2006 3.0si E85 Sapphire Black, cruise, MFSW.
BMW 535d Touring (F11)
Skoda Fabia 1.2
BMW S1000XR

blunderthumbs
Member
Member
Posts: 580
Joined: Wed May 13, 2020 2:27 pm
Location: Cheshire

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by blunderthumbs » Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:50 pm

Each to their own and all that but I'm so glad that the previous owner of my Z4 E85 had the back box delete done. It sounds awesome with no drone. Mike at the Zed Shed did it. He doesn't actually remove the back box he does some sort of modification inside the rear box. I actually turn the stereo off to listen to the noise it makes. Love it :driving:
2004 Black Sapphire 3.0L SE. Red leather. Back box delete. Clutch valve delete. Roof motor relocated. 18" M star spoke style 193. Machine Monkey exhaust tips. Gap Tec. ZHP Gear knob. Clear side repeaters. Zun Sport lower grille.

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23852
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Nov 11, 2020 11:08 pm

davidmudley12 wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:35 pm
Thanks for the pointer to Enigma, I’ll check them out as it’s not a huge distance to go to get the car the way I want it.

Ah, just realised I don’t know how to move the thread....doh! or use emojis for that matter.
I'm not sure you can move posts into different places, so it might be easier to just start a new topic.

Then again if you can't find one you could always consider having a Powerflow one fitted at Enigma!

I'm very pleased with their backboxes on my M - a bit louder than stock, but nothing like as loud as a 3.0Si with a backbox delete! They look like they are decent qulaity stainless too - the tail-pipes polish up nicely. :D
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

Conrod
Member
Member
Posts: 203
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2020 9:16 pm
Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Conrod » Wed Nov 11, 2020 11:54 pm

Hi David.

I have a surplus original backbox - PM sent!

Alan
Alan

2003 E85 Sterling Grey 3.0i

davidmudley12
Member
Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:48 am
Location: Guildford, Surrey

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by davidmudley12 » Thu Nov 12, 2020 8:40 pm

The garages I’ve spoken to about welding a replacement back on have told me not to do and just buy a complete system.

Have anyone got any experience reversing out the back box delete? It’s making me a bit nervous now about how to go about this.

Thanks
Current cars: 2006 3.0si E85 Sapphire Black, cruise, MFSW.
BMW 535d Touring (F11)
Skoda Fabia 1.2
BMW S1000XR

User avatar
road warrior
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2287
Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 2:12 pm
Location: Burton On trent

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by road warrior » Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:24 am

dont remove the back box unless your deaf or want to be ........

mean steve
https://studio.youtube.com/video/qoWPFW1ZzaQ/edit
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.

User avatar
Smartbear
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 13685
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
Location: a barn in Somerset

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Smartbear » Tue Mar 16, 2021 3:39 am

blunderthumbs wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:50 pm Each to their own and all that but I'm so glad that the previous owner of my Z4 E85 had the back box delete done. It sounds awesome with no drone. Mike at the Zed Shed did it. He doesn't actually remove the back box he does some sort of modification inside the rear box. I actually turn the stereo off to listen to the noise it makes. Love it :driving:
You’ve not got a back box delete if it’s still fitted, what you have is a violated back box :oops:
Rob
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

BMW Z4 2.5I SE 2004
Member
Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:45 pm

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by BMW Z4 2.5I SE 2004 » Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:00 pm

Has anyone had this modded back box long term. still sound amazing? Any problems. Engine etc

User avatar
mr.tourette
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4294
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
Location: north wales

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by mr.tourette » Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:43 am

BMW Z4 2.5I SE 2004 wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:00 pm Has anyone had this modded back box long term. still sound amazing? Any problems. Engine etc
Dont have my si anymore but know the chap the bought it from me.. its been on the car 4 years now and still sounds good (the new owner says its one of the things he loves most on the car) and she still runs great.. was one of the first mods i did on my e89 :thumbsup:
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

User avatar
Flyingfifer
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1995
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:50 am
Location: Fife, Scotland

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Flyingfifer » Wed Aug 04, 2021 8:50 am

BMW Z4 2.5I SE 2004 wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:00 pm Has anyone had this modded back box long term. still sound amazing? Any problems. Engine etc
I have one of the modified back boxes, had it on now for several years and never had a single issue, I still love the sound from the car, personally I thought the standard box was criminal more or less silences that lovely straight 6 song :thumbsdown:

Its not "drony" and sitting at 70 on the motorway you can still have a pleasant conversation in the car but get on it and the car just sings, plenty of pops, bangs and gurgles on the overrun as well

2006 3.0Si Coupé in Monaco Blau with all the optional trimmings

User avatar
Sidewaze Samm
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1209
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 1:11 pm
Location: Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border

2006 E85 3.0si Backbox undelete

Post by Sidewaze Samm » Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:55 pm

davidmudley12 wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 8:40 pm The garages I’ve spoken to about welding a replacement back on have told me not to do and just buy a complete system.
Well, they would wouldn't they... :-D

I've had one of Mike's adapted back boxes for over two years (I opted for a slightly softer mod than his normal) and it's still sounding great. He doesn't weld the box on, it's connected by using sleeved sections bolted on, which is the method you could easily use to un-delete yours. I would guess it all depends on how much was cut off when the box was removed. Beware of getting a replacement box with only an inch or two of piping attached - that would be a pig to work with and need welding; you probably want a box with around 7 inches of pipework attached. And make sure the box is post-facelift as the pipes are different I believe.
2008 E85 3.0si
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.

Post Reply