Akra EVO + ESS Tune Review

[GOLFFRR]

Hey m3posters I just wanted to take a minute to write up a small review on my current set up which is Akra Evo exhaust matched up with the ESS Tune. My last M3 had Malek's MRF full exhaust system which was awesome but I wanted to switch it up so I went with this set up.

Thank you:
Before I get started I wanted to thank Jesal@IND and Roman@ESS for getting me a great price and fast delivery of the exhaust and the tune. I will note even though I am a sponsor of the forum I paid the same prices as you guys do and I will say it was worth it. Both vendors were top notch to work with both before the sales and after.

Install of exhaust:
The fitment of the Akra Evo system is spot on. There was no issues what so ever. Almost fit better then OEM IMO.

Tune Install:
Roman shot me over the new flash install set up. What a breeze to do. You simply click in a small flash drive in your laptop, install the software then plug the cord into your car and down load your cars codes etc.. this process took roughly 30min very fast. I then took that info and emailed it over to Roman and within 16hours I received the tune via email. I installed the tune from my laptop and was all done in less then 15minutes. It was so easy I did it!!!
The cool part is once its on your laptop you can flash it back to stock at anytime, pretty sweet set up.

Why tune:
For me the main reason I went with the tune was to erase the cold start cycle. My last exhaust although was absolutely insane sounding (the best sounding exhaust out there IMO) was way to loud for my neighborhood on cold starts. I heard a couple complaints and to tell you the truth it made it so I dreaded walking down to the garage and starting her up each morning. The tune had some addition to the cold start which was all just a bonus.

Why Akra Evo:
My last exhaust was the MRF and it was great! I really loved that exhaust however I really like to change it up with every car I get. I never do the same thing twice, so with that being said I wanted to try the EVO since it has such a cult following and lots of positive reviews. I shot Jesal@IND a PM and within 2 days it was delivered and ready to install at the dealership

Akra EVO + ESS Tune first impression after 1200 mile service was done:

Shifting - The car really seems to shift a lot smoother. This is my 4th e92M3 all of which have been 6MT so I def have something to compare it with. The car just runs a lot smoother nothing really else to say about that

Power - The car seems to scream now! The low end pull is def noticeable IMO. Its not ridiculously different then stock but you can def feel the power increase. I was really really impressed. Also I really love the throttle response this is greatly improved from stock.

Conclusion:
The Evo is a very expensive system but you know what they say you get what you pay for. The craftsmanship of this system is a work of art. Def justifiable IMO. The sound is very nice not to loud not to quite. Its def loud when you want it to be though

I really feel as though the ESS tune is one of my favorite mods to date. I really enjoy the benefits that it has given me and I would recommend it to anyone.

**I installed the tune myself and not at the dealership. like all mods, mod at your own risk.

cheers
jimmy

[mcp202]

I have been waiting for the review!! Nice car and mods. I am thinking of getting the same tune and exhaust very soon. However, I am going to keep the cold start! We will see what the neighbors have to say. Have you noticed any drone and is the exhaust noticeable inside the car with the windows up?

[GOLFFRR]

i would love to keep the cold start as well but my neighbors don't agree lol.

You know this exhaust is great. I have not encountered any issues with drone whatsoever. the sound inside the cabin is just a tad louder then stock. I am constantly on my phone so it was very very important for me to have a system that I could easily talk on the phone and not have any annoying exhaust noise drowning out the caller. Its perfect DD exhaust IMO

[mcp202]

Good to hear! The wife is even encouraging me to get the exhaust. I think she is tired of me running off at the mouth about it, lol. Never modded a car before so I think my subconscious has me dragging my feet!

[GOLFFRR]

do it def make you enjoy your car even more!

[esquire]

Great review jimmy. The Akra evo is a spectacular system in performance, sound, appearance, and weight savings . Good choice. Looking forward to hanging out with you next Saturday , so we can check each other's rides out. Finally !!

[GOLFFRR]

^^Def Sasan make sure and save me a spot next to you!

[j2m]

Great detailed review Congratts on the new set-up Do you have any Vid's yet?

[GOLFFRR]

No vids yet. The game plan is to go pick up a new camera tomorrow (Sony NEX5n) and shoot some vids so everyone can hear it. Ill make sure to update the thread with vids here shortly

[flipm3]

Congrats on the new tune and exhaust setup! I hear only great things about the Akrapovic and ESS combination. As your car continues to adapt, I'm sure it'll continue to keep pulling harder.

I can't wait to eventually pull they trigger on our own exhaust.

Enjoy the car in great health!

[GOLFFRR]

Thank you I can't wait to get some more miles on the car. I really love this set up.

[mcp202]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

No vids yet. The game plan is to go pick up a new camera tomorrow (Sony NEX5n) and shoot some vids so everyone can hear it. Ill make sure to update the thread with vids here shortly

Looking forward to the video

[Jesal@IND]

Glad you are enjoying it Jimmy!

[BMWJones]

Thanks for sharing your experience with both, IND and ESS...this info is invaluable for us here on the forum. Oh yeah, I'll come and visit you Jimmy, when my car is done!



BMWJ

[GOLFFRR]

^^awesome sounds like a plan!

[SchnellM3]

Nice write up Jimmy

I really need to get a tune, I've been putting it off too much

[GOLFFRR]

Thanks buddy, you def should consider it, you will def enjoy the results

now I need to get the IND boot n brake stitched items like you have

[Singletrack]

Awesome! Totally agree on the Akra quality...I didn't know if I should install it under my car or hang it on my wall behind glass.

I know what you mean about the cold start! I use to have a fairly loud exhaust on my STi when I lived in a condo. It shook the whole building in the morning - not cool.

Now I live 5 mins "in the sticks" so I'm good to go ; )

Enjoy it!

[jpan08]

Awesome post. I've been looking around for something like this. I'm already looking into mods and I don't even have my car yet

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Awesome! Totally agree on the Akra quality...I didn't know if I should install it under my car or hang it on my wall behind glass.

I know what you mean about the cold start! I use to have a fairly loud exhaust on my STi when I lived in a condo. It shook the whole building in the morning - not cool.

Now I live 5 mins "in the sticks" so I'm good to go ; )

Enjoy it!

lucky! And thank you

Originally Posted by jpan08

Awesome post. I've been looking around for something like this. I'm already looking into mods and I don't even have my car yet

Buying mods before your car comes is the best way to make the time go by faster works like a charm every time.

[E90///M3`]

you're a mod slut... hahaha... i been thinking about switching to Akra also to try and tone down the car a little.

[GOLFFRR]

^^lol I blame the forum for that!