Best exhaust sound, least interior drone

OnlySoMany · 02-29-2016, 09:38 PM

Been looking for a new exhaust. Sampled the thread that compares specs, images, and prices. Many of the exhausts don't detail the one thing I have been trying to listen to which is the interior highway drone.

I have had a lot of fast cars and enjoy a more aggressive tone, but I am trying to stay away from the tiresome drone associated with some exhausts. Many on YouTube only show takeoff and acceleration videos, but don't show how loud they are when you are just cruising.

Looked at the m performance and it seems like a nice balance, but a bit on the soft side. Also seems expensive for what you get but most likely because it's a bmw part.

Any ideas or personal experience? Possibly with links to videos or sound clips? Price range (ideal) is between $2.5-3.5k. Planning on other upgrades including Dinan software and intake, so trying to have some leftover for that.

M43S7RO · 02-29-2016, 10:06 PM

I've been through a good bulk of the threads discussing the more popular options. From what I've gathered, most of the race/sport variants will drone between ~2-2.5k rpm.

The ones I've read don't drone much are the more tame systems such as the Akra (although bassy in low rpm from what I've read) and Corsa get good reviews for little drone. Ultimately there is probably no substitute for listening to the combinations you are interested in as people's reviews and perception of drone is highly subjective.

GL!

BzsBimmer · 03-01-2016, 12:16 AM

Try the ACM method since it's the easiest and cheapest. Should not drone and would be more aggressive than the MPE.

JsL · 03-01-2016, 12:24 AM

Add Dinan and 4 pipe bypass to your list as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Try the ACM method since it's the easiest and cheapest. Should not drone and would be more aggressive than the MPE.

Do you mean 2 or 4 pipe bypass mod? ACM basically bypasses all the chambers in the muffler. It will drone.

BzsBimmer · 03-01-2016, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JsL

Add Dinan and 4 pipe bypass to your list as well.

Do you mean 2 or 4 pipe bypass mod? ACM basically bypasses all the chambers in the muffler. It will drone.

4 Pipe

OnlySoMany · 03-01-2016, 01:11 AM

Are you meaning the Dinan x pipe? Please elaborate. I'm not that educated on the workings of the m3 yet.

Ingenio · 03-01-2016, 03:07 AM

Having had my Corsa for 6 months now and having recently fitted test pipes (goodbye primary cats) I can certainly vouch for this exhaust. Great sound and virtually drone free...

serranot · 03-01-2016, 04:15 AM

Oem perforated (non-ACM). Not a single bit of drone and cheap.

KRZ3 · 03-01-2016, 09:33 AM

ESS maybe. Supposed to be drone-free.

OnlySoMany · 03-01-2016, 09:38 PM

Strongly considering the Meisterschaft GT2 after watching quite a few videos. Anyone have experience with this exhaust? Car is fairly quiet when cruising, I'd like to retain that.

OnlySoMany · 03-01-2016, 11:24 PM

Or would I be better off with the GT version rather than the GT2? Looking to purchase within the next 2 weeks, so any help or advice is helpful.

E92Brembo · 03-02-2016, 12:30 AM

Borla ATAK

dpilat8588 · 03-02-2016, 04:29 AM

AE Performance

Lunker325 · 03-02-2016, 05:46 AM

I like the Dinan. Zero drone around the city and on the highway. Great sound IMO as well.

Krockit1 · 03-02-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M//Watt

ESS maybe. Supposed to be drone-free.

Can vouch for ESS. I have had their axle back for two years and it's been 100% ideal. Great sound and zero drone, even at low rpms, no matter the gear. Remember that all exhaust sound will change to a degree over time and miles, and drone can develop. My ESS is still drone free. Most importantly, the ESS axle back does not drown out one of our cars' best features- the intake scream. The combination of the intake and the exhaust at WOT is why I cannot sell this car!

IIAp3x · 03-02-2016, 12:19 PM

Eissenman Sport

Powashiftin · 03-02-2016, 12:27 PM

OEM perforated 4 pipe. Sounds great, no drone and is a head turner. And of course it's cheap.

Leonardo629 · 03-02-2016, 12:46 PM

Akra slip-on has a deep bass sound to it, no drone when cruising.

OnlySoMany · 03-02-2016, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IIAp3x

Eissenman Sport

I looked at the es, but to me the design is very poor from an aesthetics point of view. Looks cheap.

loveskiing · 03-03-2016, 12:00 AM

asking this question about what's the best exhaust is like going to the Mustang Ranch in Nevada and asking guys as they come out which woman is the best... To which a wise man would reply try them all and then you'll know...

chillp · 03-03-2016, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit1

Can vouch for ESS. I have had their axle back for two years and it's been 100% ideal. Great sound and zero drone, even at low rpms, no matter the gear. Remember that all exhaust sound will change to a degree over time and miles, and drone can develop. My ESS is still drone free. Most importantly, the ESS axle back does not drown out one of our cars' best features- the intake scream. The combination of the intake and the exhaust at WOT is why I cannot sell this car!

Completely agree about the ESS system. I have the full system with HFCs. Sounds great, no drone, and no CEL. I don't think it looks cheap (although this is subjective), but it's definitely high quality despite what you may think about its appearance.

eazeNY · 03-03-2016, 08:49 AM

I've got a Dinan intake, chip, and exhaust, which does not drone on the highway and sounds throaty when you need it.

02-29-2016, 09:38 PM	#1
OnlySoMany The White Devil 25 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: The MO iTrader: (0)	Best exhaust sound, least interior drone Been looking for a new exhaust. Sampled the thread that compares specs, images, and prices. Many of the exhausts don't detail the one thing I have been trying to listen to which is the interior highway drone. I have had a lot of fast cars and enjoy a more aggressive tone, but I am trying to stay away from the tiresome drone associated with some exhausts. Many on YouTube only show takeoff and acceleration videos, but don't show how loud they are when you are just cruising. Looked at the m performance and it seems like a nice balance, but a bit on the soft side. Also seems expensive for what you get but most likely because it's a bmw part. Any ideas or personal experience? Possibly with links to videos or sound clips? Price range (ideal) is between $2.5-3.5k. Planning on other upgrades including Dinan software and intake, so trying to have some leftover for that. Last edited by OnlySoMany; 02-29-2016 at 09:59 PM..
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02-29-2016, 10:06 PM	#2
M43S7RO Major 503 Rep 1,055 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Peoria, AZ iTrader: (13)	I've been through a good bulk of the threads discussing the more popular options. From what I've gathered, most of the race/sport variants will drone between ~2-2.5k rpm. The ones I've read don't drone much are the more tame systems such as the Akra (although bassy in low rpm from what I've read) and Corsa get good reviews for little drone. Ultimately there is probably no substitute for listening to the combinations you are interested in as people's reviews and perception of drone is highly subjective. GL! Last edited by M43S7RO; 02-29-2016 at 10:15 PM..
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03-01-2016, 12:16 AM	#3
BzsBimmer Major General 3274 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Try the ACM method since it's the easiest and cheapest. Should not drone and would be more aggressive than the MPE.
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03-01-2016, 01:11 AM	#6
OnlySoMany The White Devil 25 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: The MO iTrader: (0)	Are you meaning the Dinan x pipe? Please elaborate. I'm not that educated on the workings of the m3 yet.
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03-01-2016, 03:07 AM	#7
Ingenio Major 180 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Grey E92 M3 (6MT) Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	Having had my Corsa for 6 months now and having recently fitted test pipes (goodbye primary cats) I can certainly vouch for this exhaust. Great sound and virtually drone free...
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03-01-2016, 04:15 AM	#8
serranot Lieutenant 324 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Middletown, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E90 M3 [10.00]	Oem perforated (non-ACM). Not a single bit of drone and cheap.
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03-01-2016, 09:33 AM	#9
KRZ3 Private First Class 23 Rep 139 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Home iTrader: (0)	ESS maybe. Supposed to be drone-free. __________________ '09 E90 M3 DCT EDC, ESS VT2 625, ESS HFC, GTS DCT, D2R BBK, B16D, VORSHLAG CP, DELRIN SUB, TE37SL '00 996.1 GT3 CS
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03-01-2016, 09:38 PM	#10
OnlySoMany The White Devil 25 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: The MO iTrader: (0)	Strongly considering the Meisterschaft GT2 after watching quite a few videos. Anyone have experience with this exhaust? Car is fairly quiet when cruising, I'd like to retain that. Last edited by OnlySoMany; 03-01-2016 at 10:24 PM..
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03-01-2016, 11:24 PM	#11
OnlySoMany The White Devil 25 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: The MO iTrader: (0)	Or would I be better off with the GT version rather than the GT2? Looking to purchase within the next 2 weeks, so any help or advice is helpful. __________________ 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrofolio - Vesuvio Grey Metallic with lots of cool options, HRE wheels and exhaust pending... 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport - Trofeo White Tri Coat - The Daily Driver
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03-02-2016, 12:30 AM	#12
E92Brembo First Lieutenant 55 Rep 380 Posts Drives: '11.5 E92 ZCP DCT Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2010 BMW 335i Coupe [0.00]	Borla ATAK __________________ 11.5' E92 ZCP DCT 10' E92 335i M-Sport 6MT 03' E46 Dinan S2 SMG
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03-02-2016, 04:29 AM	#13
dpilat8588 Captain 68 Rep 614 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: CLE iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [0.00]	AE Performance
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03-02-2016, 05:46 AM	#14
Lunker325 First Lieutenant 94 Rep 398 Posts Drives: E70 X5M / 991.2 C4S Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Columbus OH iTrader: (4)	I like the Dinan. Zero drone around the city and on the highway. Great sound IMO as well. __________________ '17 Porsche C4S Sapphire Blue Metallic / Bordeaux Red - Softronic tune - Soul Sport Cats - Soul Exhaust '13 E70 X5M Black Sapphire Metallic / Bamboo Beige - Full Dinan Suspension - Dinan Exhaust - BPM Sport Tune - xHP Flashtool Transmission Tune
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03-02-2016, 12:19 PM	#16
IIAp3x Captain 184 Rep 656 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Perdido Key, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Mercedes C300 [0.00] 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Eissenman Sport
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03-02-2016, 12:27 PM	#17
Powashiftin Captain 171 Rep 957 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (2)	OEM perforated 4 pipe. Sounds great, no drone and is a head turner. And of course it's cheap.
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03-02-2016, 12:46 PM	#18
Leonardo629 Lieutenant Colonel 168 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Taiwan iTrader: (10)	Akra slip-on has a deep bass sound to it, no drone when cruising.
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03-03-2016, 12:00 AM	#20
loveskiing Lieutenant Colonel 968 Rep 1,612 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	asking this question about what's the best exhaust is like going to the Mustang Ranch in Nevada and asking guys as they come out which woman is the best... To which a wise man would reply try them all and then you'll know...
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03-03-2016, 08:49 AM	#22
eazeNY Enlisted Member 23 Rep 47 Posts Drives: '09 M3/'16 X5/'18 430i/'22 X5 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List '09 M3 [0.00] 09 e92 [0.00] 02 Envoy [0.00]	I've got a Dinan intake, chip, and exhaust, which does not drone on the highway and sounds throaty when you need it.
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