Akrapovic Evolution - quick review

[SPQR M3]

Props to Andrew@Southern BM for putting up with my 1,000 questions and emails over this but he looked after me and arranged freight to Adelaide.

I had been looking into a good quality exhaust system for my E92 but as I had been "scarred" by previous experiences of overly loud or droney exhausts on previous cars I was reluctant to do anything that would compromise the quality of my car. My decision was made all the more difficult by the fact that there are no Akra dealers in Adelaide, nor to best of my knowledge, was there anyone who had an Akra exhaust on their car here where I could listen to. (As it turns out, there was someone else, but I found that out much later).

So I decided to do as much research as possible online by reading other people's reviews and watching about 500 youtube video clips. Based on this, I decided to take the plunge.

On the day of installation, I went down to the garage to check out the exhaust and was blown away by the weight - or lack of it. I lifted up the stock system and it felt like a concrete block in comparison. I had also read a lot about the build quality and workmanship of the Akra system and can confirm that it's like a work of art - a metallic work of art. It almost looks and feels too good to be used as an exhaust system, hidden away under the car where no-one can see it.

After installation, the mechanic started the engine and I heard a nice, deep bassy sound, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that it wasn't as loud as I thought. The idle note is actually quite similar to stock, just a bit more bass to it.

I had also ordered the Akra Delete-R module to eliminate CEL, as well as the carbon fibre tips, which look great on my AW car. Pics to follow.

So, the driving experience. The first thing that hits you when you drive is the noticeable roar. Once you get past 2K, there is a very definite roar that builds - subtle at first, but then becomes very obvious - and it sounds amazing. At higher revs, over 5K, the sound becomes more frenetic, much like the V8 Supercars, but not as loud. The pitch and tone is very similar to the said V8's, but at all times it retains a deep, yet not overly intrusive, roaring sound. And the bonus? No drone. I drove 170km on highway roads over the weekend at various speeds up to 130km/h and never once did I detect a drone.

The performance: The first few days, I didn't notice any real difference, but that was mainly suburban driving. I attributed this to the ECU relearning though, and after around 3 days I found that the car started to pull harder out of corners , especially in 2nd and 3rd. On the country drive that I did, I found the car feeling more effortless going up hills and that throttle response was slightly sharper. I feel that the car would greatly benefit from a tune, and this is planned at a later date.

[whyw8]

Southern BM FTW!!!!!

[Steven.ActiveMotorwerke]

Nice review mate.
I noticed my Akra exhaust will lose low end torque without tune.
But after the tune from SBM it's feeling more powerful than before.
Enjoy your ride then!

[Kyoshi71]

How about the infamous torque dip that so many describe. Have you felt it at lower RPMs?

[jonasaurus]

Congrats mate, nice review. Hopefully in the near future when my car is sent back to Melbourne wil be able to come see what the Akra is like!

[cookdesk]

Interesting review - thanks.

I have just put the full innotech ipe f1 system on my car. With the valve closed it sounds perfect for city driving and normal use i.e. about as loud as stock but a better sound. With the valve open it is quite frankly insane... only usable in the country or at the track in reality.

I recent days (only driven 4/5 days since installation) I have also noticed a bit of a power bump and the car seems to shoot through the rev range a bit quicker.

I have ordered the Evolve tune so will let you know how that goes.

Carbon tips on AW car also for me...

[andrew@southernBM]

I'm glad you are happy with the product and achieved the result you were after. Thank you for your custom.

[Frozen Black]

Originally Posted by SPQR M3

Props to Andrew@Southern BM for putting up with my 1,000 questions and emails over this but he looked after me and arranged freight to Adelaide.

I had been looking into a good quality exhaust system for my E92 but as I had been "scarred" by previous experiences of overly loud or droney exhausts on previous cars I was reluctant to do anything that would compromise the quality of my car. My decision was made all the more difficult by the fact that there are no Akra dealers in Adelaide, nor to best of my knowledge, was there anyone who had an Akra exhaust on their car here where I could listen to. (As it turns out, there was someone else, but I found that out much later).

So I decided to do as much research as possible online by reading other people's reviews and watching about 500 youtube video clips. Based on this, I decided to take the plunge.

On the day of installation, I went down to the garage to check out the exhaust and was blown away by the weight - or lack of it. I lifted up the stock system and it felt like a concrete block in comparison. I had also read a lot about the build quality and workmanship of the Akra system and can confirm that it's like a work of art - a metallic work of art. It almost looks and feels too good to be used as an exhaust system, hidden away under the car where no-one can see it.

After installation, the mechanic started the engine and I heard a nice, deep bassy sound, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that it wasn't as loud as I thought. The idle note is actually quite similar to stock, just a bit more bass to it.

I had also ordered the Akra Delete-R module to eliminate CEL, as well as the carbon fibre tips, which look great on my AW car. Pics to follow.

So, the driving experience. The first thing that hits you when you drive is the noticeable roar. Once you get past 2K, there is a very definite roar that builds - subtle at first, but then becomes very obvious - and it sounds amazing. At higher revs, over 5K, the sound becomes more frenetic, much like the V8 Supercars, but not as loud. The pitch and tone is very similar to the said V8's, but at all times it retains a deep, yet not overly intrusive, roaring sound. And the bonus? No drone. I drove 170km on highway roads over the weekend at various speeds up to 130km/h and never once did I detect a drone.

The performance: The first few days, I didn't notice any real difference, but that was mainly suburban driving. I attributed this to the ECU relearning though, and after around 3 days I found that the car started to pull harder out of corners , especially in 2nd and 3rd. On the country drive that I did, I found the car feeling more effortless going up hills and that throttle response was slightly sharper. I feel that the car would greatly benefit from a tune, and this is planned at a later date.

Who did the install in Adelaide?

[SPQR M3]

^ Adelaide BMW

[sarddenso]

I know this might sound weird, but can you run the Akra muffler without the tips installed?
What happens if you don't have them on?

[andrew@southernBM]

This may help you?

[w00tw00t]

I think its very much possible but why would you want to do this?? it'd look very ugly IMO.

[andrew@southernBM]

Actually, this shows the size of the pipe work better, see how the pipe is smaller and the tips really bulk it out.

[SPQR M3]

Originally Posted by sarddenso

I know this might sound weird, but can you run the Akra muffler without the tips installed?
What happens if you don't have them on?

Why? It looks stupid without the tips.

[sarddenso]

didn't realise the tips were that much larger than the pipe.
i didn't want such fat looking tips
do the tips contirbute to the sound?

[w00tw00t]

akra without tips is going to look very stupid.. I love my Akra evo carbon tips ... they look awesome!

[Totti]

Andrew pls PM price of slip on

[SPQR M3]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

akra without tips is going to look very stupid.. I love my Akra evo carbon tips ... they look awesome!

+1

[OM VT3]

my car has an akra stage 2 ms intake aa pulley and the ess akra flash tune that southern bm did for me the tune makes the most power by far i think it pulls alot harder at all rpm and is much more smooth

its a waste not to get the tune to go with an akra!!!

[MFKN3]

Originally Posted by leigh

my car has an akra stage 2 ms intake aa pulley and the ess akra flash tune that southern bm did for me the tune makes the most power by far i think it pulls alot harder at all rpm and is much more smooth

its a waste not to get the tune to go with an akra!!!

Leigh, how do you find the pulley kit?

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by MFKN3

Leigh, how do you find the pulley kit?

well when the pulley got put on it got the tune at the same time so its hard to say but the car revs quicker and thats why i wanted it so im very happy with everything