Am I the only one who prefers the sound of the stock exhaust note?

[interlagosbluee92]

My M3 came with an OEM modded muffler and a nasty exhaust leak just after my drivers side cat which I fixed, then I traded my modded muffler with another local M3 owner's stock muffler. It's not as loud as my old n52 that had a muffler delete, but it sounds nicer to me like this.

I can't be the only one that thinks this. Not that I think the oem mod sounds horrible, but I find a lot of aftermarket exhausts too raspy which I personally don't like.

Personally I like how smooth it sounds, but would be cool if it was maybe a bit louder. On the other hand I like that it doesn't attract any attention unless I'm WOT going through the revs and even then it's pretty tame.

[THRSTYM3]

i bought my car with just the dinan axle back and it sounded really good. at times i catch myself thinking about going back to cats and stock xpipe with just the axle back. but i like the extra power with the catless and a tune

[interlagosbluee92]

Originally Posted by THRSTYM3

i bought my car with just the dinan axle back and it sounded really good. at times i catch myself thinking about going back to cats and stock xpipe with just the axle back. but i like the extra power with the catless and a tune

To each their own, again Im not saying I hate aftermarket exhausts but personally for me keeping it quiet is a subtle flex.

It really does come down to personal preference.

[CamasM3e93]

You’re definitely in the minority amongst the people you meet on an enthusiast board. Never modding the exhaust was my only regret with e93 ownership. Now I have had a Corsa for 4 years. Sublime sound quality and a reasonable volume if you’re running stock cats. But nothing wrong with your take.

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by interlagosbluee92

I find a lot of aftermarket exhausts too raspy which I personally don't like.

I'm with you. Eisenmann Race is not raspy at all which is why I got it. I can't stand rasp.

[Scrippy]

I’ve left mine stock but if I do purchase anything, it would be Eisenmann Race. The build is very similar to the OEM. The OEM muffler got shit for being so big but it was done so to eliminate bad air under the car. Some of the other exhausts are so small (Ex.Super Sprint) that a parachuting effect becomes present. I’ve heard the Eisenmann w/stock X-pipe in person and it sounds great.

[Latinskllz]

Interesting point. I haven’t driven an s65 powered m3 with own exhaust in a minute so forgot what that sounds like lol.

But I’m on my Dinan axle back paired with a catted ESS forward x-pipe, love it. Pretty soon MPE V2 when I’m underneath doing other things. Hoping to change the exhaust note a bit more tamed for cf plenum

But hey! If you love it, enjoy it!

[UPSROD]

My E92 was delivered with Port installed MPE and I think it is perfect in every way and still OEM.

[LKN624]

Originally Posted by interlagosbluee92

My M3 came with an OEM modded muffler and a nasty exhaust leak just after my drivers side cat which I fixed, then I traded my modded muffler with another local M3 owner's stock muffler. It's not as loud as my old n52 that had a muffler delete, but it sounds nicer to me like this.

I can't be the only one that thinks this. Not that I think the oem mod sounds horrible, but I find a lot of aftermarket exhausts too raspy which I personally don't like.

Personally I like how smooth it sounds, but would be cool if it was maybe a bit louder. On the other hand I like that it doesn't attract any attention unless I'm WOT going through the revs and even then it's pretty tame.

I am with you there...I have stock exhausts on both my E90 M3 and E92 M3. I drive them both often on long road trips across Europe and the quietness on the Autobahns is great. I can still hear the V8 (more so the intake) but they still do sound great from outside under heavy acceleration. Plus it keeps the Polizei away since they are known to pull over loud cars.

[TboneS54]

Test pipes and a lightly modded OEM muffler here, I love it. Stock sound, just louder. But you can keep it quiet like stock with lower throttle input.

[interlagosbluee92]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

Test pipes and a lightly modded OEM muffler here, I love it. Stock sound, just louder. But you can keep it quiet like stock with lower throttle input.

2 pipe mod?

[TboneS54]

Originally Posted by interlagosbluee92

2 pipe mod?

I had a 4 pipe, way too much rasp/noise, then tried 2 pipe, but that was still too raspy so I ended at like 1.5 or so (just estimating) and I'm smitten.

[m3s65b4.x]

Can't say I prefer stock sound and that was one disappointment about e9x m3.

Basic setup double-x Ti pipe atm, no cats, 2 resonators, paired with different rear mufflers. SuperSprint Race is good, MPE V2 bad, Meistershaft GT bit too loud and installed stock muffler 2d ago.

With stock muffler sound level as same like stock exhaust IIRC. Rear wheels spin happily without restrictive cat's and there smell but overall sound quiet, even Armaspeed intake not hearable inside. Very odd.
Not sound files yet but planning to record this weekend some clips.

There too many x-pipe and mufflers combination and YT not always reflect IRL situation so hard task to find preferable sound if you deviate from oe sound.
Corsa has positive feedback, Supersprint F1 Race full setup also and heard AA rear exhaust with chambers street bypass 1y ago, that was clean loud and impressive (don't know which midpipe)

OE 1.5 mod worth to try.

[BigTee]

I run a mic taped to my rear bumper for my autocross and track day runs. The stock muffler certainly has a better tone than my Scorpion axleback. IMOI, the stock muffler sounds better than all aftermarket exhausts, albeit its a bit muted.

[Richbot]

I want like 3 extra decibels from my MPE with stock xPipe. Sometimes. Not enough to go back to my HFC X that I had for years. It's so very very close to a perfect OEM exhaust setup

You're not crazy, the stock tone is phenomenal, it's just so muted. MPE just gives you a little more of the same.

[LMBE92]

I understand where you're coming from. I currently have the stock x pipe with a dinan axleback and to me that's the perfect tone and volume

[charliev68]

Yes! The only OEM exhaust that sounds good is on the LFA. That’s because it was designed by Yamaha.

[Thumbie]

I also don't like loud exhaust. I used to think it was cool 20 years ago. Happy with my dinan axle back and stock cats.

I asked my mechanic once (shop specializes in M cars and sees tons of M3s) what his favorite setup was. Interestingly enough, he said stock muffler but catless. Anyone ever tried or heard this in person?

[TboneS54]

Originally Posted by Thumbie

I also don't like loud exhaust. I used to think it was cool 20 years ago. Happy with my dinan axle back and stock cats.

I asked my mechanic once (shop specializes in M cars and sees tons of M3s) what his favorite setup was. Interestingly enough, he said stock muffler but catless. Anyone ever tried or heard this in person?

Yes, but it kinda sucks ngl. Way too quiet still.

Here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bcF7ZTDTJo0

You gotta mod the muffler at least a little bit. Even a "1 pipe" mod would be enough. But the stock muffler, as is, dampens too well.

My final setup (unless I procure an E-race) is now test pipes (with an extra pair of resonators welded in) and a "1.5 mod oem muffler". 2 pipe was still too raspy tho volume was good.