BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > M3 (E90 / E92 / E93) > General M3 Forum (E90 + E92 + E93)
 
European Auto Source (EAS)
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-19-2018, 05:49 PM   #1
wyatth
Colonel
3543
Rep
2,822
Posts

Drives: E90 ZCP
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Anybody regret going stage 2?

So I am craving the midrange TQ that is to be found with bypass pipes and a stage 2 tune, but I am concerned with the tinny/raspy sound of test pipes and of the smell. I live in a condo with a parking garage, so while volume/cold start isn't a concern, smell is. I also quite like being able to push the car around without the attention that a louder exhaust would bring, so I am not looking for much change in volume/sound - just the tq/hp. I would go with something like the Evolve X-pipe, which is probably perfect for me, but I am finding it tough to justify that expense compared to basic bypass pipes.
While differing opinions exist, the consensus in general seems to be (1) the additional grunt is obvious and substantial, (2) the sound at low RPM/throttle is nearly unchanged, (3) the sound at higher RPM/throttle is louder, raspier, and more aggressive, and (4) the petrol smell is mild but present in certain situations (e.g., stop and go with windows down).
That all said, has anybody gone down the path of test pipes/stage 2 and regretted it? I think I've read two posts to that effect, one said the sound ruined the driving experience, and another said the additional grunt just wasn't very noticeable. The alternative for me is just a filter/pulley/stage 1 tune, which should be good for about half of the gains of pipes/stage 2.

So, please share any of your displeasure with test pipes, and talk me out of stage 2.
Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 06:16 PM   #2
nOEMm
Lieutenant
nOEMm's Avatar
165
Rep
449
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 e92
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Get resonated test pipes vs the standard bypass
__________________
'11 E92 M3 ZCP Mineral White - Fox Red Extended

‘15 F85 X5M Mineral White - Aragon Brown Full
Appreciate 1
94jedi829.00
      07-19-2018, 06:52 PM   #3
BOOF-M3
Brigadier General
BOOF-M3's Avatar
United_States
4449
Rep
4,014
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Pasadena Florida

iTrader: (1)

Get an X-pipe with HFC. You will never smell your exhaust. It's the vehicles driving behind you that will smell it. The smell doesn't change at the engine or interior of vehicle. It changes at the rear by the pipes. HFC on a good used X-Pipe are well worth the sound and having a stage 2.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 07:29 PM   #4
Mvy
Captain
United_States
538
Rep
979
Posts

Drives: 2008 E93 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: GA Peach

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOF-M3 View Post
Get an X-pipe with HFC.
If you live in CA dont do this unless you want to swap back to factory cats and tune every year for emissions. Remember CA people must have all OBD2 sensors ready or they fail emissions. Getting readiness on high flow cats is hit or miss. You are not going to be able to enjoy test pipes in san fran. I fear you will get pulled over constantly for modded exhaust. For the least hassle based on your location, id go with filter/pulley/stage 1 tune. Or find a way to register you car in Nevada ;-).
__________________

Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive...

Last edited by Mvy; 07-19-2018 at 07:35 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 07:54 PM   #5
SS e93
Captain
27
Rep
850
Posts

Drives: e93 M3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: new york

iTrader: (2)

I have test pipes with oem mod and it's only slightly louder than stock for normal driving. Get cold start delete with the tune. Otherwise it's only stupid loud when you punch it above 3500 rpm.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 07:57 PM   #6
tmak90
Private First Class
United_States
28
Rep
126
Posts

Drives: 2017 C7 Grand Sport
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Ft Worth, TX

iTrader: (1)

I got test pipes with bpm stage II tune and it gave the car alot more volume and power. Just get some test pipes and with the money you save you can put towards a stage II tune. Keeping the secondaries in tact may restrict a few hp but definitely helps out with keeping the smell down.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 08:58 PM   #7
derbo
Derbo Tuning
derbo's Avatar
3585
Rep
3,010
Posts

Drives: BMW M3
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mvy View Post
If you live in CA dont do this unless you want to swap back to factory cats and tune every year for emissions. Remember CA people must have all OBD2 sensors ready or they fail emissions. Getting readiness on high flow cats is hit or miss. You are not going to be able to enjoy test pipes in san fran. I fear you will get pulled over constantly for modded exhaust. For the least hassle based on your location, id go with filter/pulley/stage 1 tune. Or find a way to register you car in Nevada ;-).
Cloverdale City is smog exempt. .

Not all counties in California require bi-annual smog inspections.
__________________
IG:ruhrohz_m3
Journal: Link
E9x ZCP Suspension Info: Link
Track Chat Discord: https://discord.gg/VsKbTyqBVj
SF Bay Area: DM For coding services
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 10:36 PM   #8
Bartledoo
Driver
Bartledoo's Avatar
2690
Rep
2,714
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I never smell anything unless I rev it up in an enclosed area of a garage, which is rare because I always feel douchy if I do.

Stage 2 made the car so much better, and with the world's ugliest exhaust it sounds great without being annoying.
__________________
E90M 6MT Slicktop Single Humper in need of a diet
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 10:49 PM   #9
RjR
Private
23
Rep
65
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

SoCal here... I’m on stage two straight piped. I install the stock x pipe/cats every two years, drive it for a week normally and then go for the smog check. No issues so far.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2018, 11:38 PM   #10
Dave07997S
Brigadier General
704
Rep
3,936
Posts

Drives: 2020 Ford Mustang GT
Join Date: May 2009
Location: El Segundo, CA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by RjR View Post
SoCal here... I’m on stage two straight piped. I install the stock x pipe/cats every two years, drive it for a week normally and then go for the smog check. No issues so far.
Which tune?
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 12:00 AM   #11
RjR
Private
23
Rep
65
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

BPM...
Appreciate 1
      07-20-2018, 12:15 AM   #12
Dave07997S
Brigadier General
704
Rep
3,936
Posts

Drives: 2020 Ford Mustang GT
Join Date: May 2009
Location: El Segundo, CA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by RjR View Post
BPM...
Did you just install OEM xpipe and drive? Or did you go back to OEM tune.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 08:19 AM   #13
Mvy
Captain
United_States
538
Rep
979
Posts

Drives: 2008 E93 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: GA Peach

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by derbo View Post
Cloverdale City is smog exempt. .

Not all counties in California require bi-annual smog inspections.
OP is in SF which for sure smogs annually.
__________________

Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive...
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 11:35 AM   #14
94jedi
Major
United_States
829
Rep
1,254
Posts

Drives: 2009 e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

I have the AlpineMSS (Alex) Stg 2 tune and love it. No regrets. Well...maybe 1...I waited too long to get it. Cant' really comment on the test pipe rasp but the folks above know what they're talking about.
__________________
Appreciate 1
BOOF-M34448.50
      07-20-2018, 11:35 AM   #15
wyatth
Colonel
3543
Rep
2,822
Posts

Drives: E90 ZCP
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

I'm actually now in Walnut Creek (Contra Costa County) which should be every 2 years. This is my first time registering a used car here.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 11:42 AM   #16
Dave07997S
Brigadier General
704
Rep
3,936
Posts

Drives: 2020 Ford Mustang GT
Join Date: May 2009
Location: El Segundo, CA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mvy View Post
OP is in SF which for sure smogs annually.
CA DMV is every 2 years.
__________________
2020 Ford Mustang GT 6MT PP1 444rwhp
(Sold)2013 M3 Coupe-MR/BLK ZCP, 2011 M3 Coupe-MR/Blk
2007 Porsche 997C2S Speed Yellow/Blk sport seats
2004 BMW M3 Imola/Blk
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 11:53 AM   #17
Grip Addict
Banned
1080
Rep
713
Posts

Drives: ///M3
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: PA

iTrader: (9)

I have a Stage 7.

Just trolling, so many forums and facebook posts I see with people and high "stage numbers" of their tunes and stuff.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 01:17 PM   #18
EricSMG
Captain
574
Rep
829
Posts

Drives: E46 M3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (0)

Swapping an X pipe is very easy and is probably the only sure-fire way to pass CA smog every 2 years.

The reason I say this is because, to my knowledge, there aren't any Stage 2 tunes that keep all four O2s in a factory "normal/ready" state which means automatic failure. That is the only reason for a full stage 2 setup to fail as the car will still appear to have cats and sniffer isn't used on post MY 2000 cars.

Now, I've "heard" rumors that such a tune may exist, but nothing concrete at this point and so, if it were me, I'd buy a second factory X pipe and swap every two years.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 05:30 PM   #19
GotV8?
Captain
1049
Rep
835
Posts

Drives: Jerez E92 M3 ZCP "12"
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: OHIO

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I agree with the others who mention with BPM tuned, mine is paired with a Turner Test pipe, the smell is Not that bad when parking but very noticeable if your windows are down during idle. The sound is based on Preference, Im in my mid 40s and I loved it as well as my kids when they ride with me, No complaints from the wifey either which is a plus. The Volume increase when you truly go wide open throttle. Highly, recommend getting Test pipes with the BPM tune. I recommended getting the Cold start deleted with the tune which will help reduce attention during quiet hours. Hope that helps with some ideas. Goodluck with your mod quest.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 05:41 PM   #20
wyatth
Colonel
3543
Rep
2,822
Posts

Drives: E90 ZCP
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Thanks, guys. Looking for a local car with TPs so that I can hear the volume in person.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 07:45 PM   #21
RjR
Private
23
Rep
65
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave07997S View Post
Did you just install OEM xpipe and drive? Or did you go back to OEM tune.
Correct, I only install the OEM xpipe. Tune stays.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2018, 08:36 PM   #22
Bartledoo
Driver
Bartledoo's Avatar
2690
Rep
2,714
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I wonder if some of you guys have leaky test pipe joints because I never smell anything idling with all windows down. Mine are welded in because I could never get rid of the small leaks otherwise.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:07 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST