3200 rpm drone with M Performance exhaust

[LarThaL]

So after about a year of ownership, my M Performance exhast has developed a drone right around 3200 rpm that it didn't seem to have before. It is most prominent when cruising in 6th gear right around 76-79mph. Above and below that speed range, it just isn't there. It is not a low frequncy drone, and due to it's higher pitch it is defnitely tolerable, however I find myself driving under 75 or over 80 in order to avoid the hum. Has anybody else noticed this with their MPE?

[Alex07M3]

Have you looked for cracks under your muffler, maybe it's that?!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

Have you looked for cracks under your muffler, maybe it's that?!

+ 1 And maybe even inside the MPE !

[BMWPWR]

Go back to stock or get an akra. That exhaust has too many problems with cracking, it's a horrible system. Bmw has gone back to using titanium on all m performance systems.

[dparm]

Visually inspect the flanges for leaks. Should be obvious -- you'll see soot on the outside of the pipe.

[MTrezzz]

This is why i sold mine = )

[obe100]

Originally Posted by MTrezzz

This is why i sold mine = )

…..and why I didn't purchase one

[Denk]

I noticed a nice little volume increase around 3k on my last MPE about 8 months into it. Nothing irritating, just a little extra howl passing through that range. I enjoyed it, it added a little extra character to the sound. I hope my new MPE breaks in the same way.

[Darth Federer]

Tone is such a personalized thing because the cilia in everyone's ears are different. I haven't had my MPE for very long but it sounds fantastic. I can't say I've noticed any major drone. My friend with an Eisenmann race likes my exhaust much better. I also like the MPE note better than the Akra slip on. It's all very subjective with exhaust systems and anyone's opinion on a forum is just that...one persons opinion. If I run into any quality issues with my new MPE I'll post those up as well but I haven't seen a major body of evidence suggesting it's problematic. Every problem or issue gets magnified on the interwebs as a result of ingrained human predilections for group-think.

[coloradoe92m3]

Wow what a dudd BMW went with in this inconel piece. Great marketing, huge profits but if they would have simply stuck to to titanium or even just SS , they would have had no issues. These things are failing left and right. Not fixable either since its inconel. Man I'm happy I didn't get this. A cat less pipe with OEM exhaust sounds so much better and you get 20 HP gain

[dparm]

Originally Posted by coloradoe92m3

Wow what a dudd BMW went with in this inconel piece. Great marketing, huge profits but if they would have simply stuck to to titanium or even just SS , they would have had no issues. These things are failing left and right. Not fixable either since its inconel. Man I'm happy I didn't get this. A cat less pipe with OEM exhaust sounds so much better and you get 20 HP gain

You're assuming it was designed and/or produced by BMW. It was likely outsourced. We already know the new M5/M6 MPE is Akrapovic. I don't think it would be unreasonable if they used an outside firm for the M3 MPE.

[Denk]

Originally Posted by coloradoe92m3

Wow what a dudd BMW went with in this inconel piece. Great marketing, huge profits but if they would have simply stuck to to titanium or even just SS , they would have had no issues. These things are failing left and right. Not fixable either since its inconel. Man I'm happy I didn't get this. A cat less pipe with OEM exhaust sounds so much better and you get 20 HP gain

Catless + OEM exhaust= the worst sound I've ever heard on the M3. My buddy did this and it made his car sound so cheap. Nothing but unpleasant rasp. He agreed and couldn't add the cats back on quick enough. Have you tried this?

[Peahi]

My MPE has been sweet. installed at the port. 27k miles and daily driver. Sounding as great as ever. But, I do know a guy who has one that has gone south on him.

[coloradoe92m3]

Originally Posted by Denk

Catless + OEM exhaust= the worst sound I've ever heard on the M3. My buddy did this and it made his car sound so cheap. Nothing but unpleasant rasp. He agreed and couldn't add the cats back on quick enough. Have you tried this?

Must gave done something wrong.

[Denk]

Originally Posted by coloradoe92m3

Must gave done something wrong.

Catless sounds horrible with the OEM exhaust. Way too raspy. E.Sport, Akra or other bassy exhausts sound much better catless.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by dparm

You're assuming it was designed and/or produced by BMW. It was likely outsourced. We already know the new M5/M6 MPE is Akrapovic. I don't think it would be unreasonable if they used an outside firm for the M3 MPE.

Yes an outside firm may build it but to BMW specs

[M3 Pilot]

2013 E92 M3, 15,000km still running strong on mine.

There should not be much engine load when cruising at 79mph. The sweet spot comes in about 3900 give or take but not drone in my opinion.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

ESS Exhaust!!

[G80indy]

Does Corsa make one for e92 M3?
I really like the one on my e46 330

[Denk]

Originally Posted by 330indy

Does Corsa make one for e92 M3?
I really like the one on my e46 330

Yup, I just sold one.

[yoelev]

I had dual zones of drone in the 400-5000 range when the car was under load. I couldn't take it, took a big hit to get rid of the MPE. I think my definition of drone is much more sensitive than others though

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Denk

I noticed a nice little volume increase around 3k on my last MPE about 8 months into it. Nothing irritating, just a little extra howl passing through that range. I enjoyed it, it added a little extra character to the sound. I hope my new MPE breaks in the same way.

Yes...a little extra howl. No big deal if you are passing through the rev range, but if you are cruising on the highway, this happens right around 76-79mph, which is a fairly common cruising speed. After a while it can get irritating. It is COMPLETELY absent below 75mph (3100rpm) and above 80(3400 rpm).

Also, at least on visual inspection of what I could see, there are no cracks anywhere.