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      01-21-2025, 12:50 PM   #1
Panda230i
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Hardwiring German Car Accessories exhaust?

I’m new to electrical work and need help!

I bought a German Car Accessories full cat-back exhaust for my 2023 G42 230i xDrive, but I’m confused. They included a single fuse plug, not a fuse tap with extra slots like other brands. GCA hasn’t been clear, just sending basic PDF instructions.

I have a few questions:

1. Since there’s no 12v socket in the trunk, should I install one first? I’ve seen videos about hardwiring devices with a cigarette lighter plug.

2. Or should I cut the cigarette plug and hardwire it to the fuse box?

3. If I hardwire, should I use a fuse tap with 2 slots or the wire GCA provided? I have attached a picture of the fuse taps included in my dash cam.

4. Which fuse box location should I use for the valve controller?
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      01-21-2025, 08:18 PM   #2
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Saw how you posted in the AliBaba thread, which will hopefully get you an answer. Curious to see how you make out and how the exhaust sounds once you're buttoned up. Good luck.
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      01-21-2025, 08:29 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wb8164 View Post
Saw how you posted in the AliBaba thread, which will hopefully get you an answer. Curious to see how you make out and how the exhaust sounds once you're buttoned up. Good luck.
Thank you! Based on my research, I found out that the simple fuse without slots is called “molded” and the one with 2 slots on the side called “functional fuse tap” (to reuse the original fuse from the car). Source:


Also I downloaded a fuse diagram for my car from https://www.bmw.cc/en/topics/offers-.../fusecard.html

The symbol with +/- is for 12V DC Power outlet. Does anyone can confirm that these slots are good for dash cam and valve controller?
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      01-21-2025, 09:15 PM   #4
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I actually deleted my post because I wanted to try and find the fuse block diagram and find the F203 location.... Still working on that
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      01-21-2025, 09:20 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wb8164 View Post
I actually deleted my post because I wanted to try and find the fuse block diagram and find the F203 location.... Still working on that
Seems like it was discussed in this post https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=28413184
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      01-21-2025, 09:22 PM   #6
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203 on diagram
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      01-21-2025, 09:28 PM   #7
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Yes, that's it.
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      01-27-2025, 11:37 AM   #8
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Quick update. Ended up using a functional fuse tap from a dash cam setup and made it work by connecting to cigarette lighter fuse port F273. The original fuse had 20amp written. The dash cam fuse was with 5amp fuse in it.
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Last edited by Panda230i; 01-27-2025 at 11:38 AM..
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      Yesterday, 03:49 PM   #9
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Have you gotten it on the road yet? If so, how does it sound?
Would love to hear a sound clip if you end up doing one.
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      Yesterday, 04:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wb8164 View Post
Have you gotten it on the road yet? If so, how does it sound?
Would love to hear a sound clip if you end up doing one.
Yep, I created a new post with the detailed review https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=31819275
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