Exhaust recommendations

[dougman]

Looking for some quick thoughts from others that have gone through a similar internal mental debate.

I would like to get some more sound out of the exhaust than I have with OEM. I end up driving with the window cracked, even in cold weather, to hear the exhaust note. At high RPMs I wish the exhaust sound was more balanced with the noise from the engine compartment.

A co-worker has the Active Autowerks Signature exhaust which sounds great from the outside. However, he let me take a drive and for me, there is way too much cabin resonance under acceleration from 3K to 5K RPM. It quiets right down at higher RPM but this would really annoy me on a daily basis. While it is probably a lot less than other aftermarket setups, to me it is out of balance with the level of refinement of the rest of the car.

So, based on all the threads I've read here, I should be considering:
- Akrapovic
- Dinan
- BMW Performance?

I am leaning towards Dinan but would really love to hear from someone that's heard the Akrapovic and Dinan side-by-side (from inside the vehicle).

For reference, my overall mod direction is moderate and subtle: alufelgen sf71 wheels, weighted illuminated shift knob, painted/matte front grille and painted side gills, dr-badged and no spoiler.

Thanks in advance.

[gthal]

You will get a different opinion for each person that replies. Here is my opinion

I had the Akrapovic slip-on and LOVED the sound. However, it was very bassy which was VERY noticeable in the cabin from idle to about 3,000 RPM. After that it quieted down. If you don't like the resonance in the cabin, you may find the Akra a little bassy. Others will say it is quiet, which it is, but it is much louder in cabin due to the bass. From what I have heard, the Dinan is similar. If I were a betting man, I would say that if the AA exhaust was too resonant in-cabin, you will have the same impression of the Dinan and Akra. Maybe to a lesser extent... maybe.

I think the best exhaust, based on what you note above is the M Performance Exhaust if price isn't the issue. It has more bass than stock but, based on other reviews, less bass than, say, the Akra. It is a middle ground so to speak. You should check out my review of the Akra slip-on.

Having said that, the Akra sounds great and is much more noticeable in cabin. All three are nice exhausts depending on your tolerance level for sound in-cabin.

[theriz]

Gintani Sport!

[alpine335i]

Originally Posted by theriz

Gintani Sport!

1

[sensi09]

Did your friend with the AA exhaust have an x-pipe?

If so, perhaps the dinan or AA muffler by itself would meet your volume requirements.

[Raz@Gintani]

I Believe our sport system is what you are looking for..
Here is a video of one our costumers car with the sport rear section.

[M3RMA]

BMW performance exhaust, you can buy it for around $ 3,600 bucks plus tax and it sounds amazing. From inside the cabin it sounds great, no drone, and will make you smile everytime you hit 3000 rpm's and listen to it come alive as the rpm's continue to rise. It sounds way better in person so if you have a chance, check it out in person.

[Franken///M]

Originally Posted by M3RMA

BMW performance exhaust, you can buy it for around $ 3,600 bucks plus tax and it sounds amazing. From inside the cabin it sounds great, no drone, and will make you smile everytime you hit 3000 rpm's and listen to it come alive as the rpm's continue to rise. It sounds way better in person so if you have a chance, check it out in person.

+1

Not sold on the price yet, but I'm still considering it.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by M3RMA

BMW performance exhaust, you can buy it for around $ 3,600 bucks plus tax and it sounds amazing. From inside the cabin it sounds great, no drone, and will make you smile everytime you hit 3000 rpm's and listen to it come alive as the rpm's continue to rise. It sounds way better in person so if you have a chance, check it out in person.

So how loud in the cabin would it be compared to stock? How loud would it be outside the car after a cold start and drive off compared to stock?

[aajami]

Originally Posted by gthal

So how loud in the cabin would it be compared to stock? How loud would it be outside the car after a cold start and drive off compared to stock?

Did I ever send you a link of the video of my exhaust during a cold start, Heath? I forwarded it to a couple of folks, but can't remember if you were one of them.

I let fellow forum member shuggy listen to it yesterday. Maybe he can provide another his account of the meet up.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by aajami

Did I ever send you a link of the video of my exhaust during a cold start, Heath? I forwarded it to a couple of folks, but can't remember if you were one of them.

I let fellow forum member shuggy listen to it yesterday. Maybe he can provide another his account of the meet up.

Hi Amer... You did, thanks. I just find it difficult to tell from videos so I opinion shop

I'm very close to pulling the trigger. Just trying to get a sense as to how loud the exhaust is driving down the street in the AM compared to stock.

[erm324]

gintani sport with catless x pipe

[Templar]

If you are really interested/concerned about the right sound, you should try to meet up with people that own the different exhausts and listen to them in person.

The videos on here aren't very revealing, and personally I'd prefer to listen to them in person rather than on some video that someone can edit.

Either way, I've heard nothing but good things about all the exhausts you've listed. I am in the same boat and trying to make an educated decision.

[Bx Tpr]

If you don't care how the exhaust looks get the Corsa. High pitched scream at WOT and absolutely ZERO drone inside. From all the exhausts mentioned above the Gintani sounds the best.

[shuggy]

I can't agree more with Templar's comments...network here and check out as many exhausts in person as possible!

I am on a similar boat as you - been shopping around for an exhaust with a classy and non-intrusive note for the last month, but something with more character than stock. Ajami has been very supportive as I've had a chance to listen to his M Performance Exhaust and his previous Eisenmann Sport from both inside and outside the cabin.

As Ajami has mentioned in various threads, the Eisenmann Sport was very bassy in the lower RPM's and muffled the M3's engine sound. The exhaust note was also same as stock above 4,500 RPM. On a positive note, the Eisenmann Sport sounded a bit louder than stock at start-up (from outside) and according to Ajami, it had a quite aggressive downshift blip.

The M Performance Exhaust that I checked out on Saturday really grabbed my attention. Startup from inside and out had a nice growl to it - reminiscent of the C63AMG, but not as aggressive. When Ajami revved the engine, there was a nice mechanical growl, similar to the E46, but the sound level was not too much louder than stock. Up until around 3,000rpm, the exhaust note is similar to stock with a slight rasp, but beyond that, it really begins to sing - this is quite nice given it will not attract unwanted attention in usual stop-go traffic situations.

Personally, I handle an exhaust that's a bit more aggressive than the M Performance, so pairing it with the Challenge Street midpipe which retains the O2 sensors and will pass CA emissions may be my choice. At first, when I heard the Challenge Street required cutting, I was reluctant to consider a midpipe, but after reading that the stock pipes could easily be welded to return to fully stock form, I am less concerned.

Next, I need to sample the Eisenmann Race, but from what I've heard, it is supposedly bassy and has more drone than Sport.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Templar

If you are really interested/concerned about the right sound, you should try to meet up with people that own the different exhausts and listen to them in person.

The videos on here aren't very revealing, and personally I'd prefer to listen to them in person rather than on some video that someone can edit.

Either way, I've heard nothing but good things about all the exhausts you've listed. I am in the same boat and trying to make an educated decision.

[duk]

can't go wrong with akra!

[Bomis]

+1 gintani sport, love it!

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by dougman

A co-worker has the Active Autowerks Signature exhaust which sounds great from the outside. However, he let me take a drive and for me, there is way too much cabin resonance under acceleration from 3K to 5K RPM. It quiets right down at higher RPM but this would really annoy me on a daily basis.

Do you really keep it between 3k and 5k RPMS on a daily commute? I daily drive my car in traffic and I rarely get above 3k. Seems like the AA could be right for you. Was the AA you heard brand new or has is been broken in for a few thousand miles? That makes a difference in the overall sound too.

[Reedomn]

Got the Dinan a couple months ago and Love it!!...Much better than stock with great deep V8 sound and excellent as a DD.
And you only have to clean 2 tips...

[dougman]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Do you really keep it between 3k and 5k RPMS on a daily commute? I daily drive my car in traffic and I rarely get above 3k. Seems like the AA could be right for you. Was the AA you heard brand new or has is been broken in for a few thousand miles? That makes a difference in the overall sound too.

You're right--after thinking about it more, it was 1500-3000 rpm that had the resonance that bothered me.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. As several have suggested, I really need to hear some in person. But right now I'm leaning towards BMW Performance, sine it seems to be reported to have the least "boomy" low-end sound.

[M3RMA]

Originally Posted by gthal

So how loud in the cabin would it be compared to stock? How loud would it be outside the car after a cold start and drive off compared to stock?

The performance exhaust provides what you wanted to hear from OEM in the first place. Great bass at idol, about the same as OEM up to 3000 rpm's and then pure music to the ear's from 3000 rpm and up. In person, I think it sounds better as a whole through the entire rpm range than most of the after market systems out now. Just my 2 cents..

[PoloOle]

Take a look @ AE Performance.........should have been on your list from the beginning