[Tambohamilton]

Does anyone know where I could get new replacement swirl flaps for an M57TU2? As far as I can tell, the options are only to replace the entire inlet manifold at great expense - even reconditioned ones.

I know the common opinion is just to remove them, but I'm not going to unless I absolutely have to.

Failing any individual parts, does anyone have any experience with the Vaico or Metzger aftermarket manifolds?

[ranthum]

I'm sure there are a lot of people, myself included, that will give you a used set if you pay shipping.

[Tambohamilton]

Good start! Got any pics, please?

[Yozh]

Most throw them out. Here is a thing. You can remove them on a completely stock motor and nothing changes. Keep the rod they are attached to and the motor plugged in. No trouble lights. They leak and stick and rarely break. There is no benefit keeping them. Motor does not function any different. I have a stock X5d and removed the flaps. No issues.

[Tambohamilton]

Do you honestly think they do nothing? Sure, you may not be able to *feel* the difference, but does that mean that nothing is different? Is your X5d auto, because that would mask the disadvantage of having no flaps quite well.

Like I said, I'm keeping them, if I possibly can.

[kbsilver]

I believe the swirl flaps will impact MPG and emissions, neither of which you can feel.

[Tambohamilton]

Precisely.

If you drive a manual you may notice the decreased torque at low revs, a bit like extra turbo lag.

Anyhow, anyone got any advance on finding used swirl flaps?

[BB_cuda]

Tambohamilton, I'm not 100% sure the flaps you have in UK are same as we have in North America. I have removed them 3 times now. 1 of the 3 times (on the 2013 X5D), I found that there were little mushroomed shaped heads that wouldn't let me take the flaps loose from the actuator rod. I believe I used a dremel cutter to knock off those mushrooms. The other two times i removed from the 335D specific ones and both were simple to disconnect from that actuator rod. So, i have 3 sets but unsure about if NA flaps are different or same to European ones. They are just sitting on my shelf so I can spare one set.
I reread your original entry and didn't see exactly why you wish to replace them. Are they leaking? I can't recall if the seals are built onto the flaps or if they insert into manifold separately. The flaps can leak within themselves separate from where they contact the manifold. I can't guarantee mine will be leak free as they are used.

[Tambohamilton]

When I looked at mine about a year ago, they were just pretty gnarly looking. The seals are definitely gone, but they're not replaceable as far as I know, so I'll just have to do the PU sealant trick again. The flaps themselves are the latest one-piece plastic jobbers, which apparently aren't known to disintegrate, but I still didn't really like the look of their condition...though I did put them back in.

You're right, I don't know enough about the various generations etc to know exactly which is what from each nationality and model year etc. I'm half confident that they'd be the same fitment from any m57 though. More research required!

Would you mind posting pics of the ones you have, please?

[Nadir Point]

Originally Posted by Yozh

I have a stock X5d and removed the flaps. No issues.

You tracking Regen intervals on that car, Yozh? Low speed ops, generally speaking, is where diesels are liable to produce most of the unburnt fuel they expel. Depending on your driving style and tune, which in this case usually means "hot," it can be quite a bit. BMW put them there for good reason. These cars have obviously made enough soot, even with the seriously restrained factory tune, to prematurely clog DPFs. I'd advise anyone driving an M57 sans swirl flaps to pull out easy until it's up on the turbos and keep it flowing with high-speed blasts on a regular basis to baby that DPF.