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BMW E46 M54 dual-pipe MACH Force-Xp cat-back
The aFe 49-46309 cat-back uses dual 2.25-inch mandrel-bent 409 stainless tubing, hand MIG welding, a true dual-in/dual-out high-flow muffler and dual double-wall resonated angle-cut 304 stainless tips. The primary specifies bolt-on installation without cutting or welding. E46 chassis with M54 engine only: 325i/325Ci 2.5L and 330i/330Ci 3.0L. The exact current manufacturer table and guide say 2001-2006, while the full named table retains 325Ci/330Ci 2001-2005 and 325i/330i 2001-2006. All four original named bounds remain unchanged. A 2006 model-year label alone does not establish E46/M54 identity or approve another chassis; confirm the actual chassis and engine before ordering. No E90, M3, xi, other engine or body configuration is inferred.
Key Features
- Selected aFe part 49-46309.
- Dual 2.25-inch mandrel-bent 409 stainless tubing.
- 100% hand MIG-welded construction.
- True dual-in/dual-out high-flow muffler and resonated angle-cut 304 stainless tips.
- Two supplied gasketed front connections and four band-clamped slip joints.
- Both original under-exhaust braces and rubber hanger mounts restored.
Fitment
E46 chassis with M54 engine only: 325i/325Ci 2.5L and 330i/330Ci 3.0L. The exact current manufacturer table and guide say 2001-2006, while the full named table retains 325Ci/330Ci 2001-2005 and 325i/330i 2001-2006. All four original named bounds remain unchanged. A 2006 model-year label alone does not establish E46/M54 identity or approve another chassis; confirm the actual chassis and engine before ordering. No E90, M3, xi, other engine or body configuration is inferred.
| Years | Make | Model | Submodel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-2005 | BMW | 325Ci | Base |
| 2001-2006 | BMW | 325i | Base |
| 2001-2005 | BMW | 330Ci | Base |
| 2001-2006 | BMW | 330i | Base |
Specifications
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Part Number | 49-46309 |
| Product type | Catback |
| Chassis and engines | E46 chassis with M54 engine only: 325i/325Ci 2.5L and 330i/330Ci 3.0L. The exact current manufacturer table and guide say 2001-2006, while the full named table retains 325Ci/330Ci 2001-2005 and 325i/330i 2001-2006. All four original named bounds remain unchanged. A 2006 model-year label alone does not establish E46/M54 identity or approve another chassis; confirm the actual chassis and engine before ordering. No E90, M3, xi, other engine or body configuration is inferred. |
| Construction | Dual 2.25-inch 409 stainless, hand MIG welded; true dual muffler; double-wall resonated angle-cut 304 stainless tips. |
| Selected contents | one left front mid-pipe 05-44559, one right front mid-pipe 05-44560, one left mid-pipe 05-44561, one right mid-pipe 05-44562, one tailpipe/muffler assembly 05-44563, four 2.25-inch band clamps 05-41210 and two flange gaskets 05-46030. The primary describes the two gaskets as OEM BMW. Dual double-wall resonated angle-cut 304 stainless tips finish the selected assembly; no separate tip part number or outlet size is printed. |
| Original parts and braces | Mark the front and rear under-exhaust braces before removal and reinstall both in their original positions with original hardware. A second person supports the exhaust while the four front/rear rubber hanger-mount nuts are removed. Transfer original rubber hangers to the new system; reuse four converter-flange nuts and four hanger-mount nuts. |
| Tightening and recheck | Tighten each front pipe at its gasketed flange, leave the four slip-joint bands loose, secure the original rubber mounts and reinstall both marked braces. Rotate slip joints to align the complete exhaust, then tighten all four bands. No numeric torque, fixed clearance dimension or mileage interval is printed; no 40-45 ft-lb or 50-100-mile instruction is borrowed. |
| Performance claims | The primary reports 13 hp and 15 lb-ft, but provides no selected dyno chart establishing vehicle, modifications, test conditions or point/peak readings. Treat these as manufacturer claims rather than measured gains for every listed model; no drone-free guarantee is established. |
| Emissions statement | The manufacturer says no CARB EO is required for this product; unrelated exhaust modifications are not approved by that statement. |
| UPC | 802959495858 |
What's Included
- The 49-46309 kit includes one left front mid-pipe 05-44559, one right front mid-pipe 05-44560, one left mid-pipe 05-44561, one right mid-pipe 05-44562, one tailpipe/muffler assembly 05-44563, four 2.25-inch band clamps 05-41210 and two flange gaskets 05-46030. The primary describes the two gaskets as OEM BMW. Dual double-wall resonated angle-cut 304 stainless tips finish the selected assembly; no separate tip part number or outlet size is printed.
- Mark the front and rear under-exhaust braces before removal and reinstall both in their original positions with original hardware. A second person supports the exhaust while the four front/rear rubber hanger-mount nuts are removed. Transfer original rubber hangers to the new system; reuse four converter-flange nuts and four hanger-mount nuts.
About aFe Power
aFe Power develops application-specific intake, filtration, exhaust, cooling, tuning, suspension, drivetrain, and truck-performance components supported by product testing and documented installation requirements.
Related Parts
- Exact E46/M54 manufacturer construction and applications
- Complete selected 15-step guide and packing diagram
- Full exact-part named bounds retained
- Compare cat-back exhaust systems
FAQ
What is the 49-46309?It is a muffler-equipped dual 2.25-inch 409 stainless cat-back with resonated 304 stainless tips for the exact E46/M54 applications.
Which exact chassis, engines and named years apply?E46 chassis with M54 engine only: 325i/325Ci 2.5L and 330i/330Ci 3.0L. The exact current manufacturer table and guide say 2001-2006, while the full named table retains 325Ci/330Ci 2001-2005 and 325i/330i 2001-2006. All four original named bounds remain unchanged. A 2006 model-year label alone does not establish E46/M54 identity or approve another chassis; confirm the actual chassis and engine before ordering. No E90, M3, xi, other engine or body configuration is inferred.
What does the selected packing list contain?one left front mid-pipe 05-44559, one right front mid-pipe 05-44560, one left mid-pipe 05-44561, one right mid-pipe 05-44562, one tailpipe/muffler assembly 05-44563, four 2.25-inch band clamps 05-41210 and two flange gaskets 05-46030. The primary describes the two gaskets as OEM BMW. Dual double-wall resonated angle-cut 304 stainless tips finish the selected assembly; no separate tip part number or outlet size is printed.
Do both original braces have to be restored?Mark the front and rear under-exhaust braces before removal and reinstall both in their original positions with original hardware. A second person supports the exhaust while the four front/rear rubber hanger-mount nuts are removed. Transfer original rubber hangers to the new system; reuse four converter-flange nuts and four hanger-mount nuts.
How are the supplied gaskets and slip joints installed?Install left and right front mid-pipes using one new gasket each and the four original converter nuts; install both mid-pipes and the muffler assembly using four supplied 2.25-inch bands, initially loose.
What tightening or mileage instruction is printed?Tighten each front pipe at its gasketed flange, leave the four slip-joint bands loose, secure the original rubber mounts and reinstall both marked braces. Rotate slip joints to align the complete exhaust, then tighten all four bands. No numeric torque, fixed clearance dimension or mileage interval is printed; no 40-45 ft-lb or 50-100-mile instruction is borrowed.
Does installation require cutting, welding or sensor changes?The primary says no cutting or welding and no modifications are necessary. The selected guide contains no sensor, battery, ground-strap, crossmember or unrelated vehicle procedure.
Are the stated power figures measured for every car?The primary reports 13 hp and 15 lb-ft, but provides no selected dyno chart establishing vehicle, modifications, test conditions or point/peak readings. Treat these as manufacturer claims rather than measured gains for every listed model; no drone-free guarantee is established.
Installation Instructions
- Confirm aFe 49-46309 against the exact vehicle and installed equipment. Inventory the actual components and follow the selected manufacturer instructions and current vehicle service requirements.
- Confirm actual E46/M54 identity and the exact named year. Cool the exhaust, professionally support the vehicle at specified jack points and read the entire selected guide.
- Mark and remove front/rear under-exhaust braces. Remove four converter-flange nuts; with a second person supporting the exhaust, remove four hanger-mount nuts and the original system. Transfer original rubber hangers.
- Install left front mid-pipe with one new gasket and original nuts, then right front mid-pipe with the second new gasket and remaining original nuts. Tighten the two front connections.
- Install left/right mid-pipes and the tailpipe/muffler assembly using all four supplied 2.25-inch bands, leaving bands loose. Secure original rubber mounts using four original nuts and restore both marked braces using original hardware.
- Rotate slip joints to align the system, then tighten all four bands. Tighten each front pipe at its gasketed flange, leave the four slip-joint bands loose, secure the original rubber mounts and reinstall both marked braces. Rotate slip joints to align the complete exhaust, then tighten all four bands. No numeric torque, fixed clearance dimension or mileage interval is printed; no 40-45 ft-lb or 50-100-mile instruction is borrowed.
California Proposition 65 warning: this product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
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