Exhaust tip: diameter, shape, material and fixing
What matters most is the exhaust pipe diameter
An exhaust tip is a decorative end piece that fits on the end of the pipe. The commonest mistake is the size. Measure the outer diameter of the pipe at the very end with a calliper or a tape, for example 50 mm, and put it in the request. The tip must sit tightly, or it will rattle or fall off. The inlet and outlet diameters are different: the inlet is chosen for the pipe, and the outlet is the look of the tip.
Shape and look
Round tips are classic and suit almost anything. Oval and rectangular ones look sportier. Twin ones (two pipes) create the effect of a sports exhaust, but this is only decoration if the system does not have two lines. The cut can be straight, angled or with a turned-out edge. See that the shape does not stick out past the bumper or catch it on bumps.
Material, finish and fixing
- Stainless steel resists corrosion and heat best and keeps its look for long.
- A chrome finish shines, but on cheap tips it peels.
- Black paint or powder coating looks understated, but may burn out from the heat over time.
- Carbon inserts cost more and look good, but are sensitive to high temperatures.
The commonest fixing is a clamp: the tip is slipped over the pipe and tightened. A bolt-on type is fixed with bolts, and a weld-on one needs welding, which gives the strongest joint but cannot be removed without cutting. For everyday use a clamp is handy, but check that it has not loosened after a few thousand kilometres.
What to put in the request
- Pipe diameter: for example 50 mm.
- Shape: round, oval, square, twin.
- Material and colour: stainless steel, black, chrome.
- Car model: if the tip is for a particular model, for example BMW 3 Series F30.
- Quantity: one or a pair.
- Fixing: clamp, bolts, welding.
- Delivery and budget.
Example: “I need 2 oval stainless steel exhaust tips, black, for a 50 mm pipe, clamp fixing, for a BMW 3 Series F30. Courier delivery to Vancouver, budget up to $42.”
How to compare offers, and where to get them
Ask about the wall thickness, the grade of steel and whether the clamp is in the set. Ask for a photo or video of the item itself, not an advertising picture. Check the return terms: it is easy to be a few millimetres out on size.
Inexpensive parts are handy to order without a long search: you write a request, and sellers reply in the chat with what they have, the price and how they will ship. The site shows the best offer first, with reviews beside it. Your phone is hidden. Details are in the “How it works” section.
For the look of your car, see roof racks too.
