California Compliant Exhaust System Setup

212E92M3 · 06-02-2024, 04:30 PM

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows any good california exhaust system set ups for the E92 (just need to pass smog). I don’t need to be the loudest car on the block but would prefer a much sportier sound than the stock exhaust system.

Oreo Cat · 06-02-2024, 08:48 PM

stock is all that's legal now. might be able to get away with MPE since its made by BMW

derbo · 06-02-2024, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 212E92M3

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows any good california exhaust system set ups for the E92 (just need to pass smog). I don’t need to be the loudest car on the block but would prefer a much sportier sound than the stock exhaust system.

A fully legal exhaust can only modify the axle back exhaust that meets the sound limits of 95dB performed following SAE J1492 testing procedures. You must retain the stock xpipe.

M Performance exhaust, Akra rear slip-on, Supersprint F1 Race, Eisenmann Sport, are a few that can pass this.

vitalsigns · 06-03-2024, 08:22 AM

Dinan's axel back exhaust can pass too

derbo · 06-03-2024, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

Dinan's axel back exhaust can pass too

Ahh yes, forgot about that one!

swanlake · 06-07-2024, 09:49 AM

Any axel back can pass CA smog, I just passed a month ago with a corsa rear section mated to an OEM x pipe with the resonators deleted but factory cats still in place.

Thumbie · 06-07-2024, 03:55 PM

Any muffler/catback less than 95dB measured from 20" away is CA legal (California Vehicle Code 27150.1(a)). Although if it's close, I doubt most smog places would actually care.

I'd leave your OEM midpipe if your worried about passing inspection.

TboneS54 · 06-07-2024, 04:56 PM

2 pipe maybe even 4 pipe "OE mod" on an otherwise stock system should be fine. I have 4 pipe, and have never been told by anyone let alone an LEO, that it's too loud. Just right I'd say.

Oreo Cat · 06-13-2024, 10:29 AM

Any axle back will pass smog, but if you get stopped by police I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a state ref ticket for having anything other than a fully stock exhaust. Especially in the larger cities on the coast

pjk380 · 06-18-2024, 03:08 PM

I ran around with Evolve Etronic valved exhaust with stock xpipe & cats for several years. Passed inspection everytime. It was louder than stock but not stupid loud and never had an issue with LEO for noise. Plenty of folks running around with aftermarket axleback exhausts that pass inspection. Crazy loud exhausts are a different story.

06-02-2024, 04:30 PM	#1
212E92M3 Registered 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 CS Join Date: May 2024 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (0)	Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows any good california exhaust system set ups for the E92 (just need to pass smog). I don’t need to be the loudest car on the block but would prefer a much sportier sound than the stock exhaust system.
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06-02-2024, 08:48 PM	#2
Oreo Cat First Lieutenant 281 Rep 393 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Supercharged Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thousand Oaks iTrader: (1)	stock is all that's legal now. might be able to get away with MPE since its made by BMW
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06-03-2024, 08:22 AM	#4
vitalsigns Second Lieutenant 249 Rep 258 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (1)	Dinan's axel back exhaust can pass too
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06-07-2024, 09:49 AM	#6
swanlake Lieutenant 191 Rep 466 Posts Drives: e92 ///M Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (3)	Any axel back can pass CA smog, I just passed a month ago with a corsa rear section mated to an OEM x pipe with the resonators deleted but factory cats still in place. __________________ 2012 E92 M3 ZCP \| LeMans Blue \| Bamboo Beige \| 6mt 2023 X5 M50i \| Alpine White \| Tartufo 2020 MB AMG GTR Roadster \| Brilliant Blue Metallic \| Designo Black Leather 2015 McLaren 650s \| Forest Green Metallic \| Black Leather w/ yellow stitching
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06-07-2024, 03:55 PM	#7
Thumbie Captain 440 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/4/6 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Any muffler/catback less than 95dB measured from 20" away is CA legal (California Vehicle Code 27150.1(a)). Although if it's close, I doubt most smog places would actually care. I'd leave your OEM midpipe if your worried about passing inspection. __________________ -Thumbie 2011 Jerez E90 M3 6-speed Competition Package
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06-07-2024, 04:56 PM	#8
TboneS54 YNWA 1593 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: '04 M3 6MT, '11 M3 DCT, '22 X7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	2 pipe maybe even 4 pipe "OE mod" on an otherwise stock system should be fine. I have 4 pipe, and have never been told by anyone let alone an LEO, that it's too loud. Just right I'd say. __________________ /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options /// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
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06-13-2024, 10:29 AM	#9
Oreo Cat First Lieutenant 281 Rep 393 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Supercharged Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thousand Oaks iTrader: (1)	Any axle back will pass smog, but if you get stopped by police I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a state ref ticket for having anything other than a fully stock exhaust. Especially in the larger cities on the coast
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06-18-2024, 03:08 PM	#10
pjk380 Private First Class 98 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Yorba Linda, CA iTrader: (0)	I ran around with Evolve Etronic valved exhaust with stock xpipe & cats for several years. Passed inspection everytime. It was louder than stock but not stupid loud and never had an issue with LEO for noise. Plenty of folks running around with aftermarket axleback exhausts that pass inspection. Crazy loud exhausts are a different story.
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