New E93 Owner - Exhaust Break-In?

[jeremyr4]

I recently got a '13 E93 M3 and I only have around 340 miles on the car at the moment. I have noticed that the breaks, tires, and engine have all been breaking in very nicely.

I have been considering modifying the exhaust and I have done hours of research. I notice that most people say that aftermarket exhausts "break-in" and gradually become louder. I was hoping someone could help me with the following exhaust questions:

1) Does the original exhaust also go through a break-in that will gradually make it louder?
2) If the original exhaust does go through a break-in period then roughly how many miles does the break-in period require for the exhaust to reach its proper sound level?

I'm asking because I'm thinking it might make sense to wait until the exhaust is completely broken in before I spend money on an exhaust mod (at least it might make sense if there might be a noticeable difference upon break-in)?

Thanks for everyone's help - I appreciate it,
Jeremy

[LucWerkz]

I had my stock exhaust on from 3 miles to 62,000 miles. It didn't really get any louder or quieter in my opinion. If you want it to be a little louder, just do the OEM exhaust mod. Great sound improvement in my opinion.

[jeremyr4]

Originally Posted by lthai

I had my stock exhaust on from 3 miles to 62,000 miles. It didn't really get any louder or quieter in my opinion. If you want it to be a little louder, just do the OEM exhaust mod. Great sound improvement in my opinion.

That's exactly why I'm considering. But I'm thinking maybe I should hold off if the exhaust does break-in and get louder. Thanks for your feedback.

Anyone else have any thoughts about the exhaust break-in?

Thanks very much,
Jeremy

[Maloney]

Originally Posted by jeremyr4

That's exactly why I'm considering. But I'm thinking maybe I should hold off if the exhaust does break-in and get louder. Thanks for your feedback.

Anyone else have any thoughts about the exhaust break-in?

Thanks very much,
Jeremy

Drive with OEM until your 1200 mile break in. Then have it modified and hear the true beauty of the V-8.

I have the mod and its night and day. I fell in love with the car after it.

[jeremyr4]

Originally Posted by Maloney

Drive with OEM until your 1200 mile break in. Then have it modified and hear the true beauty of the V-8.

I have the mod and its night and day. I fell in love with the car after it.

Thanks for the tip. Do you have the OEM non-perf mod or the bypass mod?

[VMcV3y]

MY2012 E93: Around the 800 mile mark the the stock exhaust changed its tune and became a bit more "throaty." It did not get much louder.

I prefer a deeper sound, but not louder, from the exhaust.

(If I wanted a loud car, I'd have gotten a '68 Dodge or a Harley-Davidson.)


- V


.

[ZooMMM]

Wait and see. Mine didn't change much. Saving up for M performance exhaust. Don't want something too loud.

[DBH]

Yes, it will get a little louder. It may take thousands of miles. I now have 18k miles and there is a definite difference (throatier, not louder). An M3 will take 8 to 10k miles to be fully broken-in (all systems). So, if you're looking for a louder sound, don't wait, go aftermarket.

[jeremyr4]

Thanks for everyone's feedback - this is all VERY helpful. I think I'm going to wait a little to see how it breaks it and will probably get the OEM Exhaust Mod. I heard the ACM OEM Exhaust Mod (bypass) yesterday thanks to another board member and I'm concerned it might be too loud for business phone conversations with the roof down...

Thanks again - I appreciate it,
Jeremy

[BMWSpeedFreek]

FWIW, I test drove a 2011 E93 M3 at a local dealership that had a BMW M Performance exhaust system installed. Found it quite intrusive with the top down and rpm > 3500 ... so did the dealership (apparently) as they removed it shortly thereafter...

Anyway, GL!

[swanson]

I had a 2011 E93 M3 and I did notice the exhaust got louder after some time. I thought I was gonna replace the exhaust the minute I ordered the car because the videos dont do the exhaust justice. It doesnt sound too good on vids, but I was very happy with the exhaust after starting it and driving it. Especially with the top down. I never changed it. It was just right.

[jeremyr4]

Originally Posted by swanson

I had a 2011 E93 M3 and I did notice the exhaust got louder after some time. I thought I was gonna replace the exhaust the minute I ordered the car because the videos dont do the exhaust justice. It doesnt sound too good on vids, but I was very happy with the exhaust after starting it and driving it. Especially with the top down. I never changed it. It was just right.

Thanks for your feedback. That is precisely why I was asking if there is a break-in period, because if I need to wait to see if it gets louder/throatier in place of potentially doing the OEM Exhaust Mod then I will wait, which sounds like it might make sense. Thanks for your help.

[kdavi175]

What about the dinan exhaust?

[swanson]

Originally Posted by jeremyr4

Thanks for your feedback. That is precisely why I was asking if there is a break-in period, because if I need to wait to see if it gets louder/throatier in place of potentially doing the OEM Exhaust Mod then I will wait, which sounds like it might make sense. Thanks for your help.

no problem. Give it a couple of thousand miles and then see whether or not you want to change things.

[BPMSport]

It's going to get slightly louder most likely, but it's not going to be the sound you're looking for after speaking with you in person.

[DBH]

Originally Posted by kdavi175

What about the dinan exhaust?

Check Dinan's website. Everything is 15% off this month!

[UnfoundLegend]

I don't think the exhaust will get any louder. In my opinion, I would go with just the two perforated-pipe method where the exhaust is cut open through the top and two of the four perforated pipes are either covered up or replaced with just regular pipe. Put back together and start it up. It'll cost a couple hundred dollars (paid $250) and a couple hours (2-3) but once you listen to it it's much much better than stock but not too loud until you step on it.

You won't hear the exhaust with normal city or highway driving (no drone at all).

[hpc3]

Originally Posted by jeremyr4

I recently got a '13 E93 M3 and I only have around 340 miles on the car at the moment. I have noticed that the breaks, tires, and engine have all been breaking in very nicely.

I have been considering modifying the exhaust and I have done hours of research. I notice that most people say that aftermarket exhausts "break-in" and gradually become louder. I was hoping someone could help me with the following exhaust questions:

1) Does the original exhaust also go through a break-in that will gradually make it louder?
2) If the original exhaust does go through a break-in period then roughly how many miles does the break-in period require for the exhaust to reach its proper sound level?

I'm asking because I'm thinking it might make sense to wait until the exhaust is completely broken in before I spend money on an exhaust mod (at least it might make sense if there might be a noticeable difference upon break-in)?

Thanks for everyone's help - I appreciate it,
Jeremy

Installed my M Performance Exhaust at 180mi on the odo, which I think is a new personal mod record for me =)

I bought the exhaust when I got my allocation back in May so... had been looking at it for 4mos while I waited on delivery. Hope it gets a little louder with some age, its pretty quiet as well however I'm still in break-in. May get better with some more rpms.

[serranot]

Non-perf mod. Love it.

[jeremyr4]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

It's going to get slightly louder most likely, but it's not going to be the sound you're looking for after speaking with you in person.

Mike, thanks for your 2 cents. After listening to the Bypass (ACM) mod yesterday, I actually think what I'm looking for is literally not achievable. These cars are too insulated to allow enough cabin noise in without having very loud sound outside. So now I'm trying to find the loudest possible solution that will still allow me to keep the roof down while on business calls, which is why I think the Bypass might be too loud. I'm definitely going to check out the OEM Non-Perf Mod as a potential compromise...

Thanks for everyone's help,
Jeremy

[jamze132]

Exhaust won't really get any louder as time goes by, but it will definitely sound better!