I just recently picked up a 2007 550i. Coming from the Lexus Forum, it's my first time owning a European. I have to say I'm happy with the performance and handling. Just hope that maintenance will be just as easy as the Japanese.

Anyway, looking at the engine, I noticed on the front of the engine , passenger side a broken hose. Can someone tell me what this is for and if its an assembly I need to get or just cut and reconnect it?

 

Another pic, sorry I'm working off my ipad

 

Last one. Hope this helps

 

I believe that is a vacuum line for the exhaust muffler flap. I'm guessing you have a non-sport 550i? Because the M-sport versions just have that line connection capped off, since the sport exhaust does not use the flap.

Just cut it and reconnect, you should be fine.

 

IIRC the 07 and below sports do utilize the vacuum valve. The 08 m-sport however, redesigned the exhaust and omitted the valve in favor of a more open, freer flowing design.

 

Makes sense, probably part of the LCI redesign. Is the noise change noticeable when the flap opens?

 

Yes the 550 (i think) is base. What's LCI? also, whats should i expect once i get this reconnected?
Thanks for the feedback. I'll work on it this weekend when i get back.

 

Life Cycle Improvement

Basically a freshening up of the model some years after initial introduction

 

Pretty sure it's going to get quieter at low speeds and initial warmup. I disabled my vacuum flap in the trunk (there's a whole thread on how to do that), so that the exhaust is louder upon startup.

 

Your vacuum pump is leaking oil too, which is a very common problem on our V8s, not too important to fix as long as it is a slow leak.

The old rubber seal shrinks and they are very hard to find, so I fixed mine with a tube of RTV gasket maker sealant.