2012 E92 M3 Exhaust recommendations?

[vanderbilly]

Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations on a cat back exhaust that sounds killer but does not drone. I track about 10-12 weekends per year and aside from that drive about 100mi per week on the street. The drone will be an issue as I have to drive upwards of 250-350/mi to get to some of the tracks.

My car is a 2012 E92 M3 DCT ZCP (pic attached)



Currently I'm running pretty stock and have been tracking for about 4 years. I use racing pads on the front, Castrol SRF and I swap from 19" street wheels and tires to 18" on LTW's with Dunlop Direzza Star Spec (275/35/18 square). I'll be switching to Hoosier full R compunds when these wear out. I run DCT free and realize the power gains will be minimal with new exhaust, but I've heard a few that I think sound incredible. Here are a couple that I like so far and cost is a real factor for me as I'm, not interested in dropping $4-$5k to sound better. Also don't want to cut or weld.

Remus Race Exhaust
Meisterschaft SUS GT (or GTS?)

I've scrounged around this forum and some of you guys can be really mean for no reason whatsoever. So please don't flame me as I'm here to learn and share, not to be dragged into a worthless pissing contest with guys who haven't even been to a track

Thanks!

[Shosholoza]

Do the OEM mod. Close the longer pipes, keep the shorter ones perforated.
Sounds awesome in the car & on the track. No drone

[hieu1004]

Akrapovic, Eisenmann Sport (Race will drone a bit) and M-performance have little to no drone.

I have the M-performance, personally and there is absolutely no drone and sounds amazing. The others I mentioned are great as well. If you can, maybe go to a meet and listen to them all.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by Shosholoza

Do the OEM mod. Close the longer pipes, keep the shorter ones perforated.
Sounds awesome in the car & on the track. No drone

+1

[CanAutM3]

I am in a very similar situation than yours with the M3 serving both track and DD duty. I have the M performance exhaust and absolutely love it. No drone, quiet when it needs to be and sounds awsome at the track when fully warmed up . It is the exhaust the M3 should have had from the factory. It is quite expensive though...

IMO the best bang fot the buck is with the OEM exhaust mod. Sounds very good and is very inexpensive.

I don't want to be rude, but you should .

There are tons of threads on this topic.

[Sean@PSI]

The Active Autowerke exhaust with stock midpipes is a great improvement, while still being on the quiet side.

It is also NOT 5K.

[Lorde]

I highly recommend the Borla ATAK. Not too loud, doesn't drone. $1700. Lightweight and Stainless.

Here it is on 4Sevens' car.

[vanderbilly]

Just gave a listen to a few on Youtube and you're right, it sounds great.

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

The Dinan free-flow exhaust sounds great and cost "only" around $2K.

[vanderbilly]

Not rude at all and I did do some searching but realize things change so I wanted to try and get a fairly fresh perspective.

Thanks for the tips so far and I never considered the OEM mod but will take hard look at it.

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I don't want to be rude, but you should .
There are tons of threads on this topic.

[ansonleemax]

eisenmann!!

[iamcpap]

Get a used Dinan axle back and a Challenge Street Mid-pipe... It is perfect, if you don't want the LOUD Eisenmann/Akra noise...

[gatorfast]

I say go for the oem mod. Seems to be the biggest increase in sound without any increase in drone. I have the mod done to my car and absolutely love it. Search for some sound clips to get an idea of what it will be like.

[vanderbilly]

Are you referring to the video where they opened the rear section, cut out and replaced a small portion of pipe, then welded it back together?

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I say go for the oem mod. Seems to be the biggest increase in sound without any increase in drone. I have the mod done to my car and absolutely love it. Search for some sound clips to get an idea of what it will be like.

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

The Dinan free-flow exhaust sounds great and cost "only" around $2K.

This........ and then turn around and go get the X-pipe. The symphony you'll hear is worth the coin you'll spend.................Phil

[crabman]

If you are serious about no drone you are talking oem mod, m perf, corsa, dinan, and thats about it. These are the only ones that can make a legitimate claim to no drone with the majority of owners. I say majority because you can find people who think the stock exhaust drones. Otherwise you will read of people talking about "a little drone" "just a thin band where it resonates" "easy to drive around" etc. Translation=they got drone.

Something to keep in mind is that DCT in drive mode will often put the engine right smack into the middle of that band of drone and keep it there so if you have it and use drive mode a lot you will want to consider that.

[vanderbilly]

Great info, thanks. I only use drive mode on the highway and that's it. So you are saying that cruising at 75 or around normal cruising speeds in drive mode, that RPM range is the sweet spot for droning? Sorry if I seem like a noob but I've never been big on non functional mods so this is a stretch for me.

Originally Posted by crabman

Something to keep in mind is that DCT in drive mode will often put the engine right smack into the middle of that band of drone and keep it there so if you have it and use drive mode a lot you will want to consider that.

[HotIce]

Akra evo eith CF tips. At least you get HP gains with the Akra. No gains ad far as I have seen have been reported for the M performance.

[duk]

get mid pipes for power and sound

[ChiTownM]

I have the AA Signature Exhaust and it has a nice sound on the track and for street use, affordable as well and I like the look too. I agree with crabman, DCT in drive mode on the Highway seems to put our cars right into the drone band......

[crabman]

Originally Posted by vanderbilly

Great info, thanks. I only use drive mode on the highway and that's it. So you are saying that cruising at 75 or around normal cruising speeds in drive mode, that RPM range is the sweet spot for droning? Sorry if I seem like a noob but I've never been big on non functional mods so this is a stretch for me.

Depends on vehicle speed, which gear you are in, how much throttle, and which exhaust. I am a long way from having heard all the options but I have heard a number of them and resonance starting in the mid to upper teens and extending into the low 2k rpm range seems the most common trouble spot on a sport style exhaust. You will be above that during freeway travel and shouldn't have an issue there.

[Raptor251]

Dinan or go home! It looks and sounds amazing and doesnt break the bank at $2k

[M3 n X5M]

All modern vehicles seem to take us to about 1500-3000 k rpm in the 60-75 mph cruise speed. 4 cyl, 6 cyl, and 8 cyl. All cars will drone here. The load on the engine is maxed since there is considerable load, low power, little fuel in the mix and the intake is nearly closed. So, tapping the gas without downshifting will increase the effect of droning when trying to increase speed or maintain it.

Any exhaust mod I have heard, seen, done or used in any of these engine sizes has increased drone.

If you also DD the car you should probably remain stock to skirt a drone issue.

Any stock exhaust has been tuned for all aspects of its application. A mod, aftermarket or deletion will reduce noise control. No question.

Do we all love the maserati sound? Yes! Will you be unhappy cruising with added drone? You know the answer to that.