Autobahn Exotics (AE) M3 Performance exhaust review

[kitw]

When I first heard about this exhaust, I admired the hand built muffers and loved the tips. I was afraid of it being too loud and wasn't real fond of the price, but I got a great deal from Eric at Pyspeed and went ahead and pulled the trigger.

I've had 2 other exhaust setups, the Magnaflow (sounded decent, but too loud and too droney at low RPMs) and the UUC Corsa (not a big fan of UUC, but Corsa makes great exhausts, it sounded really nice). The Corsa has a very exotic sound with lots of harmonics that I like a lot, but I didn't like how the cans hung down and thought the tips were too small. The right and smart thing to do would have been to paint the Corsa black with high temp paint and then weld on new tips.

But, I am not one to do the right thing all the time, and I like new stuff, so a big box showed up on my door containing the AE exhaust. Thanks again Eric@PYspeed!

First impressions:
- Craftsmanship is BEAUTIFUL, this is clearly a handmade exhaust the old fashioned way, no overly precise TIG welds here, this was made by someone with old school talent. I really like the way the cans look and love the tips.
- Install was a breeze. It bolted right up perfectly straight and looking great the first time, no futzing around, etc.
- This is the lightest stainless muffler I've seen! it's pretty impressive. It is probably 3-5+ lbs per side lighter than the Corsa.
- It looks awesome, big tips that fill up the valances, and not much can protruding. (I still want a diffuser, but I think I just don't really like the way the e90 rear bumper is shaped, I wish it had a shape more like the e92)

It sounds nice, very smooth and bassy. Startup, like most S65 M3 exhausts, is pretty loud, but it is surprisingly quiet at idle, and at cruise. You get a little bit of a hum in the background but not bad at all. It's just a touch droney at 1750 rpm (+/- about 200 rpm) but not bad. Noticeable, mainly because the Corsa doesn't have any drone in that range. But, it doesn't interfere with conversation at that rpm like the Magnaflow did.

It's got a really nice burble and a bark when you step on it. I'd say it's more AMGish than Exotic, (the Corsa was more exotic sounding to me, under 4000 rpm). But it sounds great once you wind it out and it is very pleasant volume-wise. It's louder around town than the Corsa, but not obnoxiously so. I think it sounds fairly similar tone-wise to an Eisenmann race, judging by the videos (I haven't heard one in person). Not sure how it compares volume wise, and it doesn't have the same raspiness that the Eisenmann does, the AE sounds smoother to me.

Here's a video so you can judge by yourself:

Has both some slow driving and some stomping on it. The initial clip from the interior is with the windows down, the rest of the interior shots are with the windows up.

I wouldn't call it totally drone free, you can definitely tell it's not stock, but it's not very obnoxious either (that's why I compared it to the radio, to give a good relative measurement.)

Enjoy! I'd highly recommend this exhaust.

[Dustin@AEp]

Great review! thank you so much for taking the time!

[PYSpeed.com]

Kitw,

Thanks for taking the time for this, it must have taken you a bit of time. The detail sound-clip could help many forum members make their decision easier, and this is really what forum is for.

Thanks again
Eric =)

[tom @ eas]

Congrats on the new system - I agree completely with your review.

We're happy with the systems and know the AE crew personally. We'll will be keeping them in stock in our warehouse for the SoCal crowd.

[erio]

Sounds great. Is that all axle back or do you have an aftermarket xpipe?

[kitw]

That's just the axle back, stock X pipe. Fabspeed x pipe coming in soon!

[Nick@aep]

Great review, good sir!

[IRMthree]

nice review and vid

[Sleeper519]

Sounds good. I'd like to hear this one next to the AA (my previous favorite).

[Dustin@AEp]

^ Order one and you can hear it in person!

[worldsnow99]

I'm thinking of adding this to my Challenge x-pipe, would this drone or be too loud for daily driver?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by worldsnow99

I'm thinking of adding this to my Challenge x-pipe, would this drone or be too loud for daily driver?

Unfortunately, AE has closed their doors.

[The_Wood]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Unfortunately, AE has closed their doors.

That's sad to hear. I had their exhaust on my 335 and M3 and loved both

[MrStinky]

Looks just like RPI so I'm guessing RPI sounds similar