Review on AE Performance Exhaust and MS Test Pipes

[to///m]

I have had my M3 for about a month now. Let me start by saying it is an amazing car in all aspects. I truly fell in love with her from my 5 hour drive back home from where i bought her. Over everything, one of my favorite characteristics about this E92 is the engine and exhaust note. It sounds so mean and gets very addicting to let it rev though the RPMs. This is my daily driver and it does this task perfectly. It's actually a very comfortable car and not at all too harsh or edgy for a daily, but when you want it to be, it can get down and dirty.

After getting more comfortable with the car, I felt like it needed a little more something power wise. I guess the lack of TQ is what was making me feel this way. From what I have seen on the forums, it seemed that removing those first set of cats is the best bang for your buck performance wise so i decided to order the Macht Schnell test pipes first. Next, i wanted an exhaust system to really highlight the amazing tones of this V8 (its almost a must with this car). I looked at ALOT of different exhaust systems but i didn't feel like dumping 4-6k, especially since i already had the MS test pipes. I found a pretty good deal on the AE exhaust from EAS, it was a used system but was in great shape. Watched a handful of AE videos and figured this was a great opportunity to pick up a high quality exhaust system for a great price so i pulled the trigger.

All i have to say about this MS test pipe and AE Section 3 exhaust combo is HOLY SH*T. This set up has turned this already amazing car into a monster. Performance wise, you really feel the gains after 3500 RPM and on. Its not just the numbers that are increased, you notice the extra power in your seat. It also makes the car "feel" more torquey (if thats a word). Put it this way, going about 4k in 1st gear, then stomping on it, i slip traction. It didn't do that before the pipes. All this is without a tune too. If you are on the fence with this mod, DO IT. Its like the car is begging for the extra breathing room. The MS pipes changed the engine tone too, it does release more of the raspy side of the motor in the higher RPMs.

As for the AE section 3 exhaust, BEAUTIFUL. The note is deep and full and has kind of an exotic sound in the higher RPM's. The done is very minimal inside the cabin (which i think these were designed for that). Anywhere between 2100 and 3000 you have very little (if no) drone. On a cold start up, it is loud, like rattling sh*t on the inside of your house loud... it sounds demonic... its my favorite part of the morning (maybe not my neighbors though). But after the motor is warm, it has a very subtle idle. It has a minor deep roll to it, but i would not consider it loud...or even kinda loud. The exhaust really opens up after 4k. It screams, but is tamed. After the motor is warmed, there isnt much of a rasp... even with the test pipes, which i like not having the loud rasp... this exhaust changes the rasp note to a bolder, high pitch tone. This is really exactly what i was looking for (sorry rasp guys). The quality on the cans and pipes from AE are spot on too, hand made!

Overall, i could not be any happier with this set up. It is EXACTLY what i was wanting this amazing machine to sound like. It opens this beast up and lets it breath. I would like to thank EAS too for the excellent customer service and transactions. The pack job on the used AE exhaust was the best pack job i have ever seen.

Pictures are below! (the M was really dirty when i was getting the exhaust done, i was waiting to clean her, i attached a pic after she got her once a week bath)

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats !!! AE make top notch products

[to///m]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Congrats !!! AE make top notch products

Thank you! They do, i just added a video of a cold start and little driving!

[s.nutdanai]

car sounds great!

[Sirius Black]

Great choice. I am running the same AE rear section, but with Turner test pipes. I also went with the Fabspeed midsection w/resonators. If you want it to breathe even more freely, try those. It will be a tad more loud, but no less smooth or throaty.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by to///m

Thank you! They do, i just added a video of a cold start and little driving!

Very nice. Glad you are happy with the new setup

[to///m]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Very nice. Glad you are happy with the new setup

Thanks again Tom. About to pick up the MS Stage 2 intake system... need to let the funds build back up though!

[M3ANMACHINE]

I just recently installed this same setup! Best exhaust for this car IMO!

[Irishace]

Would love to hear some WOT sounds.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Irishace

Would love to hear some WOT sounds.

Don't mean to thread jack, OP.
But here's a video of my car, same setup

[to///m]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Don't mean to thread jack, OP.
But here's a video of my car, same setup

no problem man! the more videos the better! Thats what i wanted when i was researching

Here is a short clip of WOT, shifting before 8K i believe

[Conzyo]

Awesome setup. My next mod is the test pipe.
Are you planning on getting a tune for the CEL? Or are you gonna ignore the light.
Also how is the exhaust smell with the cats out?

[to///m]

Originally Posted by Conzyo

Awesome setup. My next mod is the test pipe.
Are you planning on getting a tune for the CEL? Or are you gonna ignore the light.
Also how is the exhaust smell with the cats out?

Thanks man.
Good choice going for the test pipe, you will feel the difference.
Yes, eventually i will get a tune to remove the CEL, but for now im just ignoring the light. There is no unusual smell from removing the first set of cats. There is still another set of cats AND resonators if you keep the stock x pipe so im sure that helps with the smell...