$6.5-7.5k to spend, what would you do?

[MR///M3]

Hey guys,
I JUST got an order in for a 2012 e92 melbourne red M3 and I have a limited budget to spend on mods. I already ordered 20" ADV10 Track Functions in gunmetal, and plan to just get some springs (probably RD). So the wheel and suspension part is under control. I also have OSS headlights + BMW performance gloss black grills from my 335i that I probably will transfer over.

As for everything else (cosmetic and performance) I just want to spend somewhere between $6.5-$7.5k more (obviously less money spent would be nice).

What I'm thinking:
Innotech F1 exhaust - ~$6k
JL-motoring front lip and rear diffuser of some sort - ~1k
BMW performance carbon fiber spoiler - ~500
Obvious painted reflectors and black side gill - ~minimal money

What would you do differently? Do you think it is worth spending the extra money on the F1 exhaust vs just the innotech axleback?

Other things I'm thinking about: getting a challenge trunk + innotech axle back, try to find a cheap BBK in the used section + the innotech muffler?

Thanks,
Matt

[jeff@autocouture]

id buy my supercharger kit , pm me if your interested

[onnex]

Originally Posted by Studntloan

id buy my supercharger kit , pm me if your interested

agreed. save a 'couple' more grand for a whole lot more power

at the same time, the innotech f1 exhaust sounds pretty amazing...

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by Studntloan

id buy my supercharger kit , pm me if your interested

+1

Don't waste 6k on an exhaust. Pay 4k max for a full system.
If you want the power, go with a supercharger system, if you don't mind power and just want sound - I recommend Gintani's Sport Exhaust + X Pipe (~4k+).
If you want something a bit more reserved and not as loud, get the full akrapovic system (5k+)

Good luck and have fun!

[1cleanm6]

Sadly, there isnt much you can do with 7.5k if you want the best stuff.

[brava09]

I would leave it stock as the M3 is a wonderful car out of the box, and save up the money for the next M3.

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by brava09

I would leave it stock as the M3 is a wonderful car out of the box, and save up the money for the next M3.

Having enough money for the next M3 isn't a problem, my main goals out of this one is exotic sound and a little better looks

Originally Posted by 1cleanm3

Sadly, there isnt much you can do with 7.5k if you want the best stuff.

I'm not looking for a ton to do... I really only want an exhaust with a really exotic tone, front lip, rear diffuser, either spoiler or trunk, and some painted pieces here and there. I'm mainly wondering if I can get an exhaust like the innotech F1 around 3-4k and won't regret not getting the innotech later on. You should see my 335i.. I had a TON on it and a barely drove it due to that:

Originally Posted by DOUT

+1

Don't waste 6k on an exhaust. Pay 4k max for a full system.
If you want the power, go with a supercharger system, if you don't mind power and just want sound - I recommend Gintani's Sport Exhaust + X Pipe (~4k+).
If you want something a bit more reserved and not as loud, get the full akrapovic system (5k+)

Good luck and have fun!

yea I don't need the power, i want decently dealership friendly mods. I don't like Gintani, their exhaust (especially the single wall tipped one) looks kind of cheap to me and the sound isn't that refined. The only exhausts I'm thinking about is innotech, eisenmann race, and akra evo... but the akra i heard isn't really that loud and I want something loud and exotic (hence the innotech). Also, I really like the valvetronic feature of it.

Originally Posted by onnex

agreed. save a 'couple' more grand for a whole lot more power

at the same time, the innotech f1 exhaust sounds pretty amazing...

yea the innotech f1 exhaust is awesome that's the only thing.. and as I've said before, i don't really want a supercharger due to warranty and other issues... unless that ess 535 kit isn't TOO hard to install and uninstall, but i doubt it

[kitw]

The innotech slip on is very quiet.

[gixxer_kidd]

I haven't heard the innotech in person but $6k is a lot to spend on an exhaust that adds minimal power. Maybe do the axelback for around $3k and add an xpipe of your choice? If you're patient and hang out on the used parts forums you might be able to get what you want below budget.

[Grail05]

if you want the best bang for your buck... heres what i suggest...

1. challenge xpipe, MRFpower
2. Axle back exhaust, GIntani, Dinan, MRFpower, INNOTECH

set up 1&2 will cost you around 3-4k depends if your buying new and used thats a saving of 2k.

3. exterior mods will roughly cost you 1.5k thats including front grill, side, and front and rear lip diffuser

this should keep you under 6k. with extra money on other mods

FYI: i suggest hearing the INNOTECH exhaust before buying if thats what you really want.

Video sound like it was edited.

Took me 1 1/2 year to decide what exhaust to get i decided to get the AKRA slip on and bought an aftermarket xpipe... which cost me way below 3k. although i bought my AKRA used with 200-300 miles on them it was practically new. exhaust wasnt even broken in. LOL

with 7.5k to spend i suggest putting the rest on other mods like pulley and tune air filter should give you the best HP for our cars thats if your not going FI...

better yet save it cause sooner or later your going to sell your parts and buy something new. LOL

[kitw]

The innotech sounds waaaaaaay better than the Akrapovic. Disregard the videos, this is the best sounding M3 exhaust that I've heard. And, the full exhaust adds as much or more power than an Akrapovic, due to being completely catless...

I just wish the damn thing fit the e93.

[John@R]

Originally Posted by Sean05

FYI: i suggest hearing the INNOTECH exhaust before buying if thats what you really want.

Video sound like it was edited.

Here is a video that we put together 5 months back in case you haven't seen it. No sound editing whatsoever.

[Taz@Evolve. P]

Do a search for some of Kit's reviews, he's had pretty much every exhaust out there! The Akra has its own sound and a lot of our customers love it but probably the Innotech for true exotic sound.

ETA: Great review there John!

[GMW]

Excellent video

[J08M3]

Full AA exhaust was the most exotic sounding I've heard. FYI Challenge is expensive compared to other similar xpipe, unless prices have been reduced. AA had a very unique interesting tone

[MR///M3]

hey guys,
thanks for the suggestions... I went ahead and ordered the Full F1 Innotech exhaust. Go big or go home, right? lol I'm a HUGE fan of that kind of exhaust note so I had to get it. Too bad my car won't be here until late october

[Singletrack]

Don't forget about the Tubi : ) Not many people have it, and it sounds amazing based on the videos I've heard. Although the mufflers are visible from the rear which may bother some people. It can be had for under 3k also from what I've seen...

If you really want loud and exotic, they have the Rumore version...

[DOUT]

cuban335i? I knew something seemed familiar.
Enjoy the new car!

[Taz@Evolve. P]

Nice choice!

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by Paul@Evolve

Nice choice!

Thanks bro. After hearing it, I had to get it.

Originally Posted by DOUT

cuban335i? I knew something seemed familiar.
Enjoy the new car!

lol yup. Thanks bro

[mshab356]

You are so lucky you bought the full Innotech! Mad jealous right now

And congrats on a 2012! You're going to love it. MR was a great choice too (my 2nd choice after SG)

But now that you spent most of your budget on an exhaust, barely any more room for other mods. I say with the $1k you have left, get used front lip and rear diffuser. I like the Akra diffuser a lot (over the Vorsteiner)

[UsurbrainM3]

Just a warning... It's FREAKEN loud with the valve open. I put HF cats in the secondary position, and it quieted it down a bit, but yeah... it sounds AWESOME...