Akrapovic Evolution

[amrazM]

akrapovic with a fully catless midpipe is a bit rumbly at low rpms and the rasp is really bad with a titanium muffler it almost sounds weird due to how thin the metal is but other than that the sound is really unique and once its above 3k rpm it sounds good. full throttle no other system sounds like it.

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

I would take a lot of other exhausts before bomiz

word, i would go back to stock before I put that chinese shit on my car. bomiz, valvetronic, alibaba, all of which are the same sound like nothing its just loud noise coming out the back. all of the quality exhaust systems for these cars have a different unique tone, i've had dinan, agency, active v1 and v2, remus race, eisemannn sport and race and they all sound different meanwhile every car with a valved exhaust sounds the same its just loud noise that hurts your ears.

[redline9001]

I have had my Akra since 2011

No drone, it is lot louder then stock. I think people underestimate its loudness cause the sound deadening in the car is so good.

It’s is perfect exhaust for this car IMO.

[Law]

Originally Posted by Hivand_M

Hi All,

I've probably read every single thread/post on here and watched every single video on Youtube about this exhaust. Just want some more up to date feedback.

Those of you that have this exhaust and love it:

- How much louder is it than the stock setup?
- Does it smell when someone's driving behind you?
- Do you wish it was louder?
- Does it rumble the cabin or drone driving around town?

The performance gains are nice but that's not why I'm interested in this setup it's more for the sound. I'd prefer a throaty sound over a higher pitched one and haven't found another setup on Youtube that sounds throaty but people don't complain about it droning. (I know you shouldn't go off Youtube videos).

If you're going to say this exhaust sucks please say why and if you've heard it in person or actually had it on your car. If you're going to say it's too quiet, please list what setup you're running.

Personally not a fan of the overly loud/F1 style sounds. But OEM is WAY too quiet.

Thanks!

- How much louder is it than the stock setup?
Significantly louder compared with stock, especially on cold start and from the midrange up under heavy load/throttle.
The Akrapovic Evo is a bassy type of loud that most microphones do not capture on the clips available on the internet. I would say that generally speaking, the volume of the Akra Evo sits at the top limit of what is enjoyable/tolerable for a street car, all things considered. Under normal driving or light throttle, the sound is mild to moderate.

- Does it smell when someone's driving behind you?
Yes. While the Akrapovic Evo X-pipe is not fully catless (it uses high-flow cats), it's still significantly less restrictive than the factory X-pipe and will smell as such. If you're located in a state such as California where emissions tests are strict, the Akra Evo will not pass the tests, be it visual, sniffer, or ECU/OBD.

- Do you wish it was louder?
No. For street applications, it is probably the maximum suitable volume. Anything louder would only be appropriate on a race car or dedicated track car.
Unless you're someone who only gravitates towards very loud, obnoxious exhausts (for which there are way better setups for that), you likely won't be disappointed with the volume of the Akrapovic Evolution. It's noise has presence, but in a refined way.

- Does it rumble the cabin or drone driving around town?
This one is very personal. For me, I had the exhaust for about 5 years before switching to the M Performance Exhaust. And the Akrapovic Evo never droned or rumbled the cabin. Granted, there is a purr in the background that some might consider to be drone, but it really blends into the atmosphere and never bothered me. On cold start, it does rumble the entire garage (even parking garages) and will set off car alarms due to its heavy bass. But cruising on the freeway and normal driving, you're still able to enjoy music and have a conversation with passengers, if you so choose.


If you're looking for a refined sound that is appropriate for both street and track that isn't over the top obnoxious, but also wouldn't ever be described by anyone as being 'muted', the Akrapovic Evolution strikes a great balance.
It's for sure one of the best made exhausts for this platform...despite the high cost of entry, it's really a high quality piece. Its sound is smooth yet throaty and doesn't rasp or drone.
I only switched to the MPE because I was going OEM+ with my E90 and also dealing with emissions was no longer something I wanted to bother with.

The MPE also very good, but significantly more quiet than the full Akrapovic Evo with X-pipe.
If, however, you're considering only the Akrapovic Slip-on (muffler section), then I would recommend other options, such as MPE or Eisenmann.

The Akrapovic is best enjoyed in its full setup with the Evo X-pipe.

[Hivand_M]

Originally Posted by tbuck

I was just thinking that as well. Definitely think the akra would be well ahead of that one.

OP, I had been doing much as you, trying to decide what exhaust to go with. Beyond almost any other mod, exhaust it totally subjective as sound preferences are unique to each person. For me, I loved my MPE with the stock x-pipe. It was much better than stock, just a bit louder and a good deal more throaty with zero drone. For me, that is exactly what I wanted. Now I will be putting on an SC and have to get rid of the primaries, and so I will now have to replace all of that with a new exhaust. I want to retain as close to the MPE levels of sound and throat but not go crazy, and from all the research I have done (since it is impossible to listen to every different combo unless you live in LA, lol, you have to go by comments and often lackluster videos) it seems that the Akrapovic system will do just that. While it is high cost, you get a lot for the money in terms of build quality and superior longevity. I have already picked up the Evo x-pipe and am about to get the rear section to complete the set.

On a side note, if you decide you don't like it, you will have zero problem selling it later, likely for the same as what you got it for.

In any case, good luck!

Appreciate the input! My buddy GeorgeA has MPE without primaries and it sounds great!

Originally Posted by Davisca455

I was behind 6 M3s this morning, one with an Akra.
When he was getting on it, it was much louder from outside the cabin than I realized.
I'm a little worried about Laguna Seca now…😬

Maybe he had his secondaries removed as well?

Originally Posted by tomm3y

Wow, i thought you guys were just messing around with me. But no, my fame follows me.

I wasn’t gna get center caps. I don’t think ill ever get them. 100 gram weight savings sir, That’s all that matters.

Lol sober up Tomas.

Originally Posted by amrazM

akrapovic with a fully catless midpipe is a bit rumbly at low rpms and the rasp is really bad with a titanium muffler it almost sounds weird due to how thin the metal is but other than that the sound is really unique and once its above 3k rpm it sounds good. full throttle no other system sounds like it.

Yeah way too much going on without cats.

Originally Posted by redline9001

I have had my Akra since 2011

No drone, it is lot louder then stock. I think people underestimate its loudness cause the sound deadening in the car is so good.

It’s is perfect exhaust for this car IMO.

Appreciate the input!

[Hivand_M]

Originally Posted by amrazM

word, i would go back to stock before I put that chinese shit on my car. bomiz, valvetronic, alibaba, all of which are the same sound like nothing its just loud noise coming out the back. all of the quality exhaust systems for these cars have a different unique tone, i've had dinan, agency, active v1 and v2, remus race, eisemannn sport and race and they all sound different meanwhile every car with a valved exhaust sounds the same its just loud noise that hurts your ears.

Curious about your active v2 experience. Were you running just the mufflers? Any drone with that? How was the sound?

This is another one i'm interested in, but not many videos/posts about the v2.

Thanks!

[Hivand_M]

Originally Posted by Law

- How much louder is it than the stock setup?
Significantly louder compared with stock, especially on cold start and from the midrange up under heavy load/throttle.
The Akrapovic Evo is a bassy type of loud that most microphones do not capture on the clips available on the internet. I would say that generally speaking, the volume of the Akra Evo sits at the top limit of what is enjoyable/tolerable for a street car, all things considered. Under normal driving or light throttle, the sound is mild to moderate.

- Does it smell when someone's driving behind you?
Yes. While the Akrapovic Evo X-pipe is not fully catless (it uses high-flow cats), it's still significantly less restrictive than the factory X-pipe and will smell as such. If you're located in a state such as California where emissions tests are strict, the Akra Evo will not pass the tests, be it visual, sniffer, or ECU/OBD.

- Do you wish it was louder?
No. For street applications, it is probably the maximum suitable volume. Anything louder would only be appropriate on a race car or dedicated track car.
Unless you're someone who only gravitates towards very loud, obnoxious exhausts (for which there are way better setups for that), you likely won't be disappointed with the volume of the Akrapovic Evolution. It's noise has presence, but in a refined way.

- Does it rumble the cabin or drone driving around town?
This one is very personal. For me, I had the exhaust for about 5 years before switching to the M Performance Exhaust. And the Akrapovic Evo never droned or rumbled the cabin. Granted, there is a purr in the background that some might consider to be drone, but it really blends into the atmosphere and never bothered me. On cold start, it does rumble the entire garage (even parking garages) and will set off car alarms due to its heavy bass. But cruising on the freeway and normal driving, you're still able to enjoy music and have a conversation with passengers, if you so choose.


If you're looking for a refined sound that is appropriate for both street and track that isn't over the top obnoxious, but also wouldn't ever be described by anyone as being 'muted', the Akrapovic Evolution strikes a great balance.
It's for sure one of the best made exhausts for this platform...despite the high cost of entry, it's really a high quality piece. Its sound is smooth yet throaty and doesn't rasp or drone.
I only switched to the MPE because I was going OEM+ with my E90 and also dealing with emissions was no longer something I wanted to bother with.

The MPE also very good, but significantly more quiet than the full Akrapovic Evo with X-pipe.
If, however, you're considering only the Akrapovic Slip-on (muffler section), then I would recommend other options, such as MPE or Eisenmann.

The Akrapovic is best enjoyed in its full setup with the Evo X-pipe.

I appreciate the time you took to write this, thank you very much! Seems like whoever likes the evo says the same exact thing and it sounds like i'd enjoy it as well.

I was looking to buy a used one this weekend however canceled due to worrying I wouldn't like it. I should've made this post earlier in the week so I would've went and bought it this weekend. Oh well, hopefully another one will pop up closer to me.

[The-Traveler]

Originally Posted by Law

- How much louder is it than the stock setup?
Significantly louder compared with stock, especially on cold start and from the midrange up under heavy load/throttle.
The Akrapovic Evo is a bassy type of loud that most microphones do not capture on the clips available on the internet. I would say that generally speaking, the volume of the Akra Evo sits at the top limit of what is enjoyable/tolerable for a street car, all things considered. Under normal driving or light throttle, the sound is mild to moderate.

- Does it smell when someone's driving behind you?
Yes. While the Akrapovic Evo X-pipe is not fully catless (it uses high-flow cats), it's still significantly less restrictive than the factory X-pipe and will smell as such. If you're located in a state such as California where emissions tests are strict, the Akra Evo will not pass the tests, be it visual, sniffer, or ECU/OBD.

- Do you wish it was louder?
No. For street applications, it is probably the maximum suitable volume. Anything louder would only be appropriate on a race car or dedicated track car.
Unless you're someone who only gravitates towards very loud, obnoxious exhausts (for which there are way better setups for that), you likely won't be disappointed with the volume of the Akrapovic Evolution. It's noise has presence, but in a refined way.

- Does it rumble the cabin or drone driving around town?
This one is very personal. For me, I had the exhaust for about 5 years before switching to the M Performance Exhaust. And the Akrapovic Evo never droned or rumbled the cabin. Granted, there is a purr in the background that some might consider to be drone, but it really blends into the atmosphere and never bothered me. On cold start, it does rumble the entire garage (even parking garages) and will set off car alarms due to its heavy bass. But cruising on the freeway and normal driving, you're still able to enjoy music and have a conversation with passengers, if you so choose.


If you're looking for a refined sound that is appropriate for both street and track that isn't over the top obnoxious, but also wouldn't ever be described by anyone as being 'muted', the Akrapovic Evolution strikes a great balance.
It's for sure one of the best made exhausts for this platform...despite the high cost of entry, it's really a high quality piece. Its sound is smooth yet throaty and doesn't rasp or drone.
I only switched to the MPE because I was going OEM+ with my E90 and also dealing with emissions was no longer something I wanted to bother with.

The MPE also very good, but significantly more quiet than the full Akrapovic Evo with X-pipe.
If, however, you're considering only the Akrapovic Slip-on (muffler section), then I would recommend other options, such as MPE or Eisenmann.

The Akrapovic is best enjoyed in its full setup with the Evo X-pipe.

What about an mpe with test pipes? Seems to be half the cost of EVO and a bit more exotic sound. It would retain secondaries / resonators.

[drwankel]

Originally Posted by The-Traveler

What about an mpe with test pipes? Seems to be half the cost of EVO and a bit more exotic sound. It would retain secondaries / resonators.

MPE with test pipes is awful. Nothing but rasp. Test pipes completely ruin the MPE. Speaking from personal experience. Its a great exhaust if the rest of the exhaust system is stock.

[The-Traveler]

Originally Posted by drwankel

MPE with test pipes is awful. Nothing but rasp. Test pipes completely ruin the MPE. Speaking from personal experience. Its a great exhaust if the rest of the exhaust system is stock.

Can you put on resonators? The mpe has a unique sound that I really like!

[KawBoy]

Originally Posted by Law

- How much louder is it than the stock setup?
Significantly louder compared with stock, especially on cold start and from the midrange up under heavy load/throttle.
The Akrapovic Evo is a bassy type of loud that most microphones do not capture on the clips available on the internet. I would say that generally speaking, the volume of the Akra Evo sits at the top limit of what is enjoyable/tolerable for a street car, all things considered. Under normal driving or light throttle, the sound is mild to moderate.

- Does it smell when someone's driving behind you?
Yes. While the Akrapovic Evo X-pipe is not fully catless (it uses high-flow cats), it's still significantly less restrictive than the factory X-pipe and will smell as such. If you're located in a state such as California where emissions tests are strict, the Akra Evo will not pass the tests, be it visual, sniffer, or ECU/OBD.

- Do you wish it was louder?
No. For street applications, it is probably the maximum suitable volume. Anything louder would only be appropriate on a race car or dedicated track car.
Unless you're someone who only gravitates towards very loud, obnoxious exhausts (for which there are way better setups for that), you likely won't be disappointed with the volume of the Akrapovic Evolution. It's noise has presence, but in a refined way.

- Does it rumble the cabin or drone driving around town?
This one is very personal. For me, I had the exhaust for about 5 years before switching to the M Performance Exhaust. And the Akrapovic Evo never droned or rumbled the cabin. Granted, there is a purr in the background that some might consider to be drone, but it really blends into the atmosphere and never bothered me. On cold start, it does rumble the entire garage (even parking garages) and will set off car alarms due to its heavy bass. But cruising on the freeway and normal driving, you're still able to enjoy music and have a conversation with passengers, if you so choose.


If you're looking for a refined sound that is appropriate for both street and track that isn't over the top obnoxious, but also wouldn't ever be described by anyone as being 'muted', the Akrapovic Evolution strikes a great balance.
It's for sure one of the best made exhausts for this platform...despite the high cost of entry, it's really a high quality piece. Its sound is smooth yet throaty and doesn't rasp or drone.
I only switched to the MPE because I was going OEM+ with my E90 and also dealing with emissions was no longer something I wanted to bother with.

The MPE also very good, but significantly more quiet than the full Akrapovic Evo with X-pipe.
If, however, you're considering only the Akrapovic Slip-on (muffler section), then I would recommend other options, such as MPE or Eisenmann.

The Akrapovic is best enjoyed in its full setup with the Evo X-pipe.

+1