[T-Rexx]

Ok, so we all know the exhaust valves don’t open up all the way, even in sport+ (around 75% apparently).
But I was also told that even in sport+ the valves will open initially, only to close again and only open after a certain rpm.
Is this correct?!

[DomMuc]

yes, they are never open for long time...

[BMthusiast]

Valvetronic valve controller is your best friend.

[Mvfjet]

I put my car in sport+ and pulled the valve fuse. Best thing I ever did for the exhaust sound!! It’s a bummer it’s still not all the way open.

[albertM3]

I pulled the fuse and the driver side valve looks all opened but the passenger side is not. Removing the controller next and using steel wire to keep opened since plan to drive with them opened all the time and save the $ on the controller.

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by Mvfjet

I put my car in sport+ and pulled the valve fuse. Best thing I ever did for the exhaust sound!! It’s a bummer it’s still not all the way open.

Are both sides open after pulling the fuse?

[albertM3]

Originally Posted by T-Rexx

Are both sides open after pulling the fuse?

I thought both were fully opened but decided to check the other day and noticed the passenger side valve was not. Maybe another forum member who has pulled the fuse can check on the car as well to see if this is the way it works after removing the fuse.

[albertM3]

By the way decided to check after hearing an M4 with stock exhaust but resonated mid pipe and MAD down pipe and that car sound was sick! So crisp and high pitched!
A shame those 200 cell down pipes trigger the CEL, if not I would have ordered mine.

[T-Rexx]

What would be the best valve controller with respect to:
Price
Quality
Functionality
Ease of installation

[gondolafanclub]

I think several of them are roughly the same now but I have the SST, you can either order directly through them or someone like x-ph.com.
Its easy to install on the g87 because in the battery compartment theres already 2 grommets that you can pop out and pass the cables through. I just cut Xs into the grommets to push the connectors through so that most of the slack is in the battery compartment. Once its installed its as easy as pushing a button on the remote and at the moment I just leave mine 100% open all the time with the fully stock exhaust.

https://www.sst-spezialsteuergeraete...from-2018.html

[mks]

Second gondolafanclub

I have MAD's VC. The unit is made well enough and installs very easily (mine is secured in the batt compartment w/wires running through grommet holes on either side).

Although this VC and others have optional aperture settings, I also leave it fully open. I run a Dinan X-pipe on a stock exhaust, which is still relatively moderate in volume (i.e., relative to the Mustangs, Supras, GT-Rs, etc. that I've owned). Exhaust note is a bit louder, exotic but overall...polite (not tame but certainly not savage. Again, by my own subjective standards and experience). In other words, my neighbors don't mind (especially compared to my Super Snake!) and I don't attract undue attention from police.

I won't comment on cost. Liable to be a sensitive topic.

Here's some other sources of information I found interesting, helpful when researching VC per se and/or something I'd want to try.

Grommets (perhaps should come with VC kits)

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=179

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1804903

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1225159

[albertM3]

Originally Posted by mks

Second gondolafanclub

I have MAD's VC. The unit is made well enough and installs very easily (mine is secured in the batt compartment w/wires running through grommet holes on either side).

Although this VC and others have optional aperture settings, I also leave it fully open. I run a Dinan X-pipe on a stock exhaust, which is still relatively moderate in volume (i.e., relative to the Mustangs, Supras, GT-Rs, etc. that I've owned). Exhaust note is a bit louder, exotic but overall...polite (not tame but certainly not savage. Again, by my own subjective standards and experience). In other words, my neighbors don't mind (especially compared to my Super Snake!) and I don't attract undue attention from police.

I won't comment on cost. Liable to be a sensitive topic.

Here's some other sources of information I found interesting, helpful when researching VC per se and/or something I'd want to try.

Grommets (perhaps should come with VC kits)

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30923536&postcount=179

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1804903

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1225159

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU6fameEVHc

I finally gave out on this and ordered the SST unit and is identical to the one I installed on my Lotus Emira.

[NewToM]

Originally Posted by T-Rexx

What would be the best valve controller with respect to:
Price
Quality
Functionality
Ease of installation

I have the Awron controller that is noticeably more expensive. What I do like is that it uses the OEM button and not an extra dongle. It has to be wired in so installation is more involved I believe. Very happy with unit.

[sycd]

Originally Posted by mks

Second gondolafanclub

I have MAD's VC. The unit is made well enough and installs very easily (mine is secured in the batt compartment w/wires running through grommet holes on either side).

Although this VC and others have optional aperture settings, I also leave it fully open. I run a Dinan X-pipe on a stock exhaust, which is still relatively moderate in volume (i.e., relative to the Mustangs, Supras, GT-Rs, etc. that I've owned). Exhaust note is a bit louder, exotic but overall...polite (not tame but certainly not savage. Again, by my own subjective standards and experience). In other words, my neighbors don't mind (especially compared to my Super Snake!) and I don't attract undue attention from police.

I have the same setup. +1 for the MAD controller, works very well. However in my case I find the volume with the Dinan X-pipe already too loud at 50%, so I'm running it with stock valve control in sport mode most of the time. Maybe I'm getting more sensitive to sound with age

Anyway that's a great thing about these controllers, you can quickly change the sound output to your mood/liking.

[mks]

Originally Posted by sycd

I have the same setup. +1 for the MAD controller, works very well. However in my case I find the volume with the Dinan X-pipe already too loud at 50%, so I'm running it with stock valve control in sport mode most of the time. Maybe I'm getting more sensitive to sound with age

Anyway that's a great thing about these controllers, you can quickly change the sound output to your mood/liking.

I hear ya. Sorry for the pun, but that's why I sold my dark horse to get into the M2.

[mrhan]

Originally Posted by albertM3

By the way decided to check after hearing an M4 with stock exhaust but resonated mid pipe and MAD down pipe and that car sound was sick! So crisp and high pitched!
A shame those 200 cell down pipes trigger the CEL, if not I would have ordered mine.

I thought the MAD 200 cel wont trigger a cel? or is that some other brand

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by NewToM

I have the Awron controller that is noticeably more expensive. What I do like is that it uses the OEM button and not an extra dongle. It has to be wired in so installation is more involved I believe. Very happy with unit.

Love the idea of it being wired to the OEM button, but also nervous about pulling apart the centre consol of my 2 week old M2.
Did you happen to see the installation, and was it very intrusive (a lot of the interior had to be pulled out)?

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by sycd

I have the same setup. +1 for the MAD controller, works very well. However in my case I find the volume with the Dinan X-pipe already too loud at 50%, so I'm running it with stock valve control in sport mode most of the time. Maybe I'm getting more sensitive to sound with age

Anyway that's a great thing about these controllers, you can quickly change the sound output to your mood/liking.

So you can choose different levels or degree of open?

[T-Rexx]

Does anyone have any experience with these in a car with an OPF?
After looking at both the SST and MAD links provided (thanks very much) they did say in very isolated instances cars with an OPF May get an error code when the OPF tries to regenerate and the valves are always open.
Can anyone give some reassurance that this has never happened on your OPF equiped car?

[mks]

Originally Posted by T-Rexx

So you can choose different levels or degree of open?

Yes. Purchased mine Sep 2024--I guess considered Version 1 which has old soft/firmware. From the MAD installation manual for V1:

Top Button (Red): Fully opens the exhaust valves for a 100% unrestricted flow and maximum sound.

Middle Button: Opens the exhaust valves to 50%, offering a controlled and refined exhaust sound, reducing drone or rasp.

Bottom Button: Activates the OEM mode, restoring the factory exhaust settings for balanced performance and noise regulation.

Memory Mode: Always active, ensuring the system retains your last selected mode, even after the vehicle has been turned off and restarted.

If you've browsed MAD's site, than you know "new" version has a few more modes: "New User-Selectable Modes: Choose between 0% (fully closed), 25%, 50%, or 75% valve positions by holding the middle button for 3–5 seconds. Save your preference by pressing any other button."

If you somehow end up with V1, not sure you can upgrade to V2 soft/firmware.

[tsn]

Originally Posted by T-Rexx

Does anyone have any experience with these in a car with an OPF?
After looking at both the SST and MAD links provided (thanks very much) they did say in very isolated instances cars with an OPF May get an error code when the OPF tries to regenerate and the valves are always open.
Can anyone give some reassurance that this has never happened on your OPF equiped car?

Good question..would be noe to know if OPF regen considers valves open/closed when this is forced by a separate controller.

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by mks

Yes. Purchased mine Sep 2024—I guess considered Version 1 which has old soft/firmware. From the MAD installation manual for V1:

Top Button (Red): Fully opens the exhaust valves for a 100% unrestricted flow and maximum sound.

Middle Button: Opens the exhaust valves to 50%, offering a controlled and refined exhaust sound, reducing drone or rasp.

Bottom Button: Activates the OEM mode, restoring the factory exhaust settings for balanced performance and noise regulation.

Memory Mode: Always active, ensuring the system retains your last selected mode, even after the vehicle has been turned off and restarted.

If you've browsed MAD's site, than you know "new" version has a few more modes: "New User-Selectable Modes: Choose between 0% (fully closed), 25%, 50%, or 75% valve positions by holding the middle button for 3–5 seconds. Save your preference by pressing any other button."

If you somehow end up with V1, not sure you can upgrade to V2 soft/firmware.

Thanks mate, very helpful!