So I ditched the Borla S-Type exhaust after 1 day . . . .

[NA V8]

Is this a record?

As I reported on another thread, I had the Borla S installed yesterday morning. It was loud and there was some drone around 2K. I took it in stride because the tech told me that the sound would change as the computer adjusted to the reduced backpressure. I thought that it'd change for the better, but perhaps I was naive . . . .

In any event, I drove the car ~50 mi. yesterday under a variety of conditions (highway, stop and go, country roads, urban streets) and found the drone to be worse than I originally thought. Aside from that, the exhaust is so loud that I cannot hear the engine. The vibrations from the exhaust shake and rattle the car. Cold starts are deafening. My neighbors probably hate me now. I still have a headache from riding in the car.

The reason that I bought the Borla (after talking to one of the Borla engineers) was to find a cheaper substitute for the BMW M-Performance Exhaust. The Borla engineer said the S-Type is very similar. Yeah, right.

So late last night I did what I should have done in the first place: buy the MPE. I spent $3205 for a new one from BMW El Cajon on eBay ($3175 + $30 shipping).

This morning I went back to the muffler shop praying that they had held on to my stock exhaust (which will tie me over until the MPE arrives). When I arrived, the shop manager said, "I figured that you'd be back." When I asked why, he said, "When I heard you drive off [yesterday], I knew you'd be back." And thankfully, he had saved my stock exhaust! I wanted to hug him! It took the shop 20 min. to remove the Borla and reattach the stock exhaust. The shop manager tells me that this scenario happens quite often because it's often impossible to figure out how an exhaust will sound from listening to sound clips.

I'm pretty confident that I'll like the MPE, particularly if it's like the MPEs that I had in my 135i and 335i.

[THE-FN-MAN]

Man, just goes to show how subjective sound is. I have the borla rear section as well and love it. Hope the MPE suits your needs!

[SAM3]

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

Man, just goes to show how subjective sound is. I have the borla rear section as well and love it. Hope the MPE suits your needs!

You changed your Gintani rear to borla?

[SYZ]

you'll definitely like the MPE. good choice.

[dereksM3]

I was hoping you would have favorable comments for it since I wanted this exhaust as well. Did you consider the Borla touring option which is suppose to be rather quiet? I have yet to see a review on the Borla touring but it looks to be pretty quiet.

[NA V8]

Originally Posted by dereksM3

I was hoping you would have favorable comments for it since I wanted this exhaust as well. Did you consider the Borla touring option which is suppose to be rather quiet? I have yet to see a review on the Borla touring but it looks to be pretty quiet.

Initially I didn't consider the Borla touring because (like you) I figured that it'd be too quiet. I think that it's fair to say that I set out to find something similar but cheaper to the MPE. Now with the benefit of hindsight I know that it's worth forking over the extra $$$ for the MPE!

[lsmkr01]

I've heard the s-type with all cats removed and didn't think it was bad at all. Granted I was outside following the car, but I was following it for over 100 mile cruise under low and high loads. Sound is very very subjective. MPE is nice but also drones a good bit. For a quieter side and no drone and 3k budget the Akra would have fit the bill.

Where in the SE are you located? We have a few guys around here that all have different set up so it nice to here the contrasts while tearing up the backroads.

[NA V8]

Originally Posted by lsmkr01

I've heard the s-type with all cats removed and didn't think it was bad at all. Granted I was outside following the car, but I was following it for over 100 mile cruise under low and high loads. Sound is very very subjective. MPE is nice but also drones a good bit. For a quieter side and no drone and 3k budget the Akra would have fit the bill.

Where in the SE are you located? We have a few guys around here that all have different set up so it nice to here the contrasts while tearing up the backroads.

I don't think the Borla sounded that bad outside; particularly at idle. But inside the exhaust noise totally overpowered the engine. Personally I like hearing the engine. It's all subjective.

[gatorfast]

Why not consider OEM perforated mod?

[THE-FN-MAN]

Originally Posted by SAM3

You changed your Gintani rear to borla?

No, I have two M's actually. Went the supercharger route/balls to the wall (full Gintani exhaust) with one and kept the other NA with full bolt on

[NA V8]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why not consider OEM perforated mod?

I did, and the clips sound pretty good. However, I'm done experimenting and just want to get something that I know that I'll like.

[mihink]

wow..I just oredred the s-type borla! I was told it was a deep rumble which would not drown out the engine noise . You got me worried. Let's see how she sounds after I install it

[NA V8]

Originally Posted by mihink

wow..I just oredred the s-type borla! I was told it was a deep rumble which would not drown out the engine noise . You got me worried. Let's see how she sounds after I install it

I hope that your Borla S works out okay! Maybe mine was a fluke, but it totally drowned out the engine.

[WrkAddict12]

Originally Posted by mihink

wow..I just oredred the s-type borla! I was told it was a deep rumble which would not drown out the engine noise . You got me worried. Let's see how she sounds after I install it

Please post your thoughts once you install the exhaust. I've been considering this one as well.

[scm6079]

Originally Posted by NA V8

I'm pretty confident that I'll like the MPE, particularly if it's like the MPEs that I had in my 135i and 335i.

I'd really love to hear your opinion after you get your MPE installed! I absolutely loved the MPE on my 335is -- and wonder how it compares in the m3. Exhausts are impossible to compare online. With my Exige I got lucky and the Larini exhaust I bought was absolutely perfect - but the cost of the m3 exhausts has me very cautious about making any changes. Adding to that I'm on a lease, my viable options are very small and expensive to chose wrong.

[yoelev]

interested in hearing your thoughts on this. i LOVE the way the MPE looks but i really don't like obnoxious exhausts. i know guys say how civilized it is, but you are of my ilk, i took off my dinan free flow off the 550 within 12 hours. apparently mine had a defect but i absolutely hated it. felt like a bass drum in my head.

[BuckRodgers]

I had the same problem with the RPI GT exhaust. The exhaust tone was soo loud you could no longer hear the motor and the drone really sucked. I think an exhaust should be an extension of the motor not something that overwhelms it. Im most likley going to order the new ESS exhaust after hearing it.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by yoelev

interested in hearing your thoughts on this. i LOVE the way the MPE looks but i really don't like obnoxious exhausts. i know guys say how civilized it is, but you are of my ilk, i took off my dinan free flow off the 550 within 12 hours. apparently mine had a defect but i absolutely hated it. felt like a bass drum in my head.

No bass w/ the MPE like you are describing. I loathe exhausts whose characteristics are low booming resonating that vibrates your brain inside your skull while pressure cooking it...

[W///]

Originally Posted by NA V8

I don't think the Borla sounded that bad outside; particularly at idle. But inside the exhaust noise totally overpowered the engine. Personally I like hearing the engine. It's all subjective.

I hear what you are saying, especially at 2-2.2k RPM's, there's that boomy noise. But if you are looking for an exhaust that doesn't overpower the engine, I think the MPE is not exactly that quiet either. Maybe a Dinan or a Megan exhaust with stock cats?

Either way, hopefully that works out! I don't think you'll have issues selling the S-type, there's a bit of demand out there for it.

[W///]

Originally Posted by mihink

wow..I just oredred the s-type borla! I was told it was a deep rumble which would not drown out the engine noise . You got me worried. Let's see how she sounds after I install it

If you keep the stock cats, it's really not a loud exhaust IMO, and I can hear the engine fine (I've got both cats deleted). It's when you are in that 2-2.2k RPM range and are going up hill that you get that drone. I think for the price, it's well worth a shot IMO. Plus the tips look absolutely amazing.

[Lorde]

You should have bought the ATAK.

[NA V8]

The MPE arrived via FedEx around 2:15 pm. I had it installed by 4! The MPE is awesome!