So, now I get it.

[ersin]

I never was into really loud exhausts. I feel it doesn't fit the character of a BMW. Even when I test drove the M3 I thought all you guys complaining about the exhaust being too quiet were just your basic young, whippersnapin', anti-social, hodrodding, ricer leftovers. No offense. I mean, the M3 isn't like a 7 series. It's not much quieter than the E46 M3 for heavens sake.

It's not that I have an aversion to aftermarket exhausts or anything like that either. I would never change it out just for a louder exhaust. Most of these don't sound so great (is the term fart can familiar?), have that tacked on fit, are heavier than stock and in many cases lose power. Ugh.

But, now that I've been driving my own M3 I see the light. Or is that hear the sound? Or rather, lack thereof. From inside the cabin you really cannot tell how fast the engine is revving by listening. Sure, you can look at the tach. However, you really need to keep your eyes ahead, and I've realized now just how important the sound of the engine is to driving a car spiritedly. I've never had this problem before as any car that I've seen the need to take close to its performance limits has always had enough sound from the engine.

Even more important than this, the sound from the M3 exhaust is music. It's damn near exotic sounding. Such a shame to silence it. But rolling the window down doesn't cut it unless your in a tunnel or at least near something for the sound to bounce off of. And when you're going anything over 50 mph all you hear is wind noise.

What's exceptionally cool about the latest M3 models is that the aftermarket has responded admirably. There are plenty exhausts to choose from. All of them fit well. They pretty much all look better than stock. (Ok, that's not saying much.) And even though the M3 exhaust is incredible sounding, most manage to even improve the sound.

On top of all of that, there are some that not only improve performance but are lighter than OEM. Significantly lighter.

Plug all of these factors into the equation and the computer spits out the result that ... I need an exhaust!

Now, what to do, what to do? I've decided I can have everything -- louder (but not obnoxiously loud), more exotic sounding, lighter, better looking, just as good as OEM fit, and more power -- with the Akrapovic exhaust. The thing that scares me is the emissions. I know that you can have the CEL taken care of by getting the Akrapovic thingy, or even better, by getting a tune. However, I'm still pretty sure that this will also delete the "readiness" condition to the OBD. Thus, causing a failure of Maryland emissions inspection. I'm too lazy to put the stock exhaust back on just for testing so that's not an option. And I don't want to fail the emissions test and be shackled, taunted, stoned, and thrown into the dungeon. Well, that's what they tell me happens in Maryland. I've had friends that have failed it and have never heard from them since.

I think the best compromise is to get the axle back Akrapovic system. I lose the power gain (mostly), don't get as much weight savings either. But, it should look nicer, be a bit louder, and the exhaust note should be a little better sounding. And if they ever get the CEL plus the OBD readiness thing sorted out (a guy can wish, can't he) I can still get the rest of the Evo system, right?

There are other vendors out there offering the same sort of thing, but there's just something so sexy about Titanium plus the good things folks have reported, and the pictures that show the top notch quality, that just keep pointing me in the direction of Akrapovic.

Am I right? Thanks for reading all of this.


Cheers.

P.S. One other obstacle: how to break it to the wife.

[AMPowerJ]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Akra if you are willing to spend the $$$. My only comment is that it may not open up the exhaust in terms of sound as much as you would like. I love my Gintani Sport but it probably isn't for everybody because it is fairly aggressive for a sport exhaust. Finding a exhaust is an exercise in patience and being willing to compromise somewhere.

[Leozap]

Are you a journalist?

[Cab5er]

Akrapovic, eisen sport or dinan will be fine. Just get slip on if your worried about emissions. I killed drone with the dinan

[John Tanglewood]

Very well written, I was engaged.

Can't comment on preference, but I was considering the same thing. Akra slip-on seems like perfect amount of everything EXCEPT that F1 wail at 8400.

[TheKosherStogie]

if i was going for sound alone, i would go for something else beside the akra...i like eisenmann, gintani, meistershaft...based on sound alone

[J08M3]

You could consider the route I took -

Akra slip-on section with Fabspeed X-pipe and HFC's. I've had the Fabspeed section for almost a year now and have had three CEL's from it, but the HFC's are right on the threshold so if you don't mind the light popping up once in awhile it will clear itself after a couple hundred miles.

However I did just have an inspection mishap with this combo - as luck would have it, on my drive to get my yearly service and inspection done the CEL popped on. Wasn't really a big deal, they did the service, did the safety portion of my inspection, cleared the light for me. Only problem was the emissions monitors weren't up for a readiness test. So I had to drive the car about a hundred miles and let it sit over night for a cold start. I then brought it to a shop for just the emissions part of the inspection and had no problem passing. All monitors were up for the readiness test.

You may be happy with just the Akra-slip on section and a secondary cat delete. I'm considering switching to this option next if for some reason I start getting CEL's more frequently. I was surprised at just how loud my setup was. Everyone claims Akra is too quiet, but on my combination I think it's still fairly loud. This is compared to my previous setup which had AA axle-back on Fabspeed and was really loud.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by J08M3

So I had to drive the car about a hundred miles and let it sit over night for a cold start. I then brought it to a shop for just the emissions part of the inspection and had no problem passing. All monitors were up for the readiness test.

Ah, I hadn't heard that. It's good news. Are the Fabspeed HFC 100 cell count or 200 (or something else)? I thought Akra offered a 200 cpi HFC but I can't find much info on it. Anyway, Fabspeed X-pipe and HFCs does sound like something to look into. Thanks.

Cheers.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by Leozap

Are you a journalist?

No. But I play one on TV.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by Cab5er

I killed drone with the dinan

You ... MURDERER! And using a Dinan in the commission of a crime will double your sentence. Maybe the jury will go lenient on you for admitting your crime.


Cheers.

[J08M3]

Originally Posted by ersin

Ah, I hadn't heard that. It's good news. Are the Fabspeed HFC 100 cell count or 200 (or something else)? I thought Akra offered a 200 cpi HFC but I can't find much info on it. Anyway, Fabspeed X-pipe and HFCs does sound like something to look into. Thanks.

Cheers.

They are 200 cpi.

Yes Akra does offer a 200, but it's still after both O2 sensors so it won't eliminate the CEL

[ersin]

Originally Posted by J08M3

Yes Akra does offer a 200, but it's still after both O2 sensors so it won't eliminate the CEL

[King Tut]

Just get the Akro rear section and leave the OEM mid section. You will get more sound and a lighter exhaust with no drawbacks.

[duk]

im leaning towards thsi route as well

[GewoW]

Does anyone know if the Akra is louder than the Bastuck? (Slip-ons)

[kimchi///kush]

I'm leaning towards getting the Akra slip-ons myself. Exact same concerns as OP. IMO the best solution if looking for improved sound without increasing db levels too much, better look, and quality craftsmanship. Now to decide on a diffuser to go with!

[Sleeper519]

Originally Posted by kimchi///kush

I'm leaning towards getting the Akra slip-ons myself. Exact same concerns as OP. IMO the best solution if looking for improved sound without increasing db levels too much, better look, and quality craftsmanship. Now to decide on a diffuser to go with!

Everyone has his own individual tastes, but for me personally I don't care for any of the titanium mufflers. They all sound like tin cans to me, sort of hollow. I'll give you the better look and craftsmanship with the Akra, fo sho.
I lean toward the sounds of AA, UUC Corsa, Bastuk, et al. Even the venerable Eisen sounds a touch tinny up high to me...

To each his own.

[ASU]

Originally Posted by Cab5er

Akrapovic, eisen sport or dinan will be fine. Just get slip on if your worried about emissions. I killed drone with the dinan

Sorry what was your point regarding Dinan. I am very new to the exhaust considerations but my thinking has been towards dinan just to be safe with warranty.

[sehrgut]

Originally Posted by Leozap

Are you a journalist?

Haha exactly what I thought as well.