[Dave07997S]

Installation was done in less than 30 minutes. I didn't even have to lift the car up. There is enough room to get it done without lifting the car. I velcrored the device in the battery well as most do.

My feeling on this mod is that it does what its supposed to do. Its just not that much more noticeable with the valves being opened as much as OEM allows vs. all the way open. What is nice is you can drive the car not in Sport+ and have some more exhaust noise.

That being said the amout of volume it increases with the OEM back muffler and midpipe is probably at best a 10% increase in volume. Something you notice but it isn't obnoxious or anything. I will definitely be doing a midpipe and I am leaning towards the Dinan.

[Ehloo]

do you still have ASD? if so it’s masking the true volume. i noticed a significant difference in volume. but benefit is you can drive in comfort with valves open. hear burbles in non sport plus.

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Installation was done in less than 30 minutes. I didn't even have to lift the car up. There is enough room to get it done without lifting the car. I velcrored the device in the battery well as most do.

My feeling on this mod is that it does what its supposed to do. Its just not that much more noticeable with the valves being opened as much as OEM allows vs. all the way open. What is nice is you can drive the car not in Sport+ and have some more exhaust noise.

That being said the amout of volume it increases with the OEM back muffler and midpipe is probably at best a 10% increase in volume. Something you notice but it isn't obnoxious or anything. I will definitely be doing a midpipe and I am leaning towards the Dinan.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Ehloo

do you still have ASD? if so it’s masking the true volume. i noticed a significant difference in volume. but benefit is you can drive in comfort with valves open. hear burbles in non sport plus.

I drive with my windows and sunroof open, pretty much making the ASD a non issue as far as hearing it. I do hear it, its just not as drastic as I thought it would be. What I do like there is a nice purr at 3-4krpm.

[mks]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

...the amout of volume it increases with the OEM back muffler and midpipe is probably at best a 10% increase in volume. Something you notice but it isn't obnoxious or anything.

Agreed. Once in a while, I flip between closed and fully open just to make sure the value is actually opening. The MAD controller was my first mod--an effort to enhance the aural aesthetic without replacing/upgrading hardware. Doesn't help that I'm used to V8s (sold my Dark Horse to get into the M2), but it looks (sounds) like a midpipe, single, is where I'm headed in the Spring.

There's no way anyone would hear even a cold start with the valves wide open and consider the exhaust note obnoxious. The 10% "extra" isn't tame but not a growler, either...it is, however, still too, IDK...refined.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by mks

Agreed. Once in a while, I flip between closed and fully open just to make sure the value is actually opening. The MAD controller was my first mod--an effort to enhance the aural aesthetic without replacing/upgrading hardware. Doesn't help that I'm used to V8s (sold my Dark Horse to get into the M2), but it looks (sounds) like a midpipe, single, is where I'm headed in the Spring.

There's no way anyone would hear even a cold start with the valves wide open and consider the exhaust note obnoxious. The 10% "extra" isn't tame but not a growler, either...it is, however, still too, IDK...refined.

I feel you brother, I came out of an E92 M3, then into an S550 with a Borla Switchfire and Ford Performance Aggressive by Borla Axle backs. I feel you brother. The thing is to be honest these cars don't sound so good when they are loud. There is a balance. I am trying to find it right now. The MAD controller is a step in the right direction. I am probably going to get the Dinan midpipe as it keeps the OEM secondary cats which I feel will help with rasp and unwanted acoustics.

[mks]

Agreed, again. Not looking for loud (definitely nothing that increases rasp) but that balance.

Borla went on all my Mustangs, Super Snake, GT350, and the GTs. But that was right set up for me (and that platform).

Not sure which midpipe but likely something resonated.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by mks

Agreed, again. Not looking for loud (definitely nothing that increases rasp) but that balance.

Borla went on all my Mustangs, Super Snake, GT350, and the GTs. But that was right set up for me (and that platform).

Not sure which midpipe but likely something resonated.

I called Borla to see if they will be offering for the M2, they said no. They did for the E46M3 which I had and it sounded great with the SuperSprint headers and 100cell cats, as well as for the E92 M3 with its V8. The Borla Atak system sounded glorious on this car.

[BIGW0RM]

The controller is best noticed for starting. With the valves open, start up is much louder.

Regarding the midpipe. I’d look at a resonated single mid pipe. That’s the deepest tone you’ll find.

The Dinan mid isn’t worth it IMO.

Check the g80 forms for resonated single mid pipes sound clips.

[mks]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

I called Borla to see if they will be offering for the M2, they said no. They did for the E46M3 which I had and it sounded great with the SuperSprint headers and 100cell cats, as well as for the E92 M3 with its V8. The Borla Atak system sounded glorious on this car.

Yeh, my first exploration of exhausts started with Borla's site...yes, hunting for an Atak system. I don't think they've supported BMW for a while. Fortunately, there is enough alternative hardware designed for the M2.

[mks]

Below are all MAD mids (from the same G80 thread)...guessing other manufacture's pipes would sound nearly the same. A mid is about all I think I would want for the M2--these clips seem as close as I can get to finding a representation of the "audio profile" one can expect in the M2.

MAD midpipe...IDK if it's non-res--sounds like it might be

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=73
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=79
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=129
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=131
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=135
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=146

MAD Res midpipe+DP
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=144
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=148
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=176
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=235

MAD mid+DPs
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=76
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=116
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30629938&postcount=245

** MAD res mid **
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=265
(one of the more comprehensive clips of just a res mid)

Misc
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nyr-b8Ac-DI

[JABCAT]

So basically, nothing more (~10%) than having the valves open & pulling the fuse ($0) is what OP is saying.

[mks]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

So basically, nothing more (~10%) than having the valves open & pulling the fuse ($0) is what OP is saying.

Yeh. I pulled the fuse in my Supra for about the same effect. The MAD controller lets you select OEM, 50% and 100% open. My hearing may be at fault but I have some difficulty detecting a significant difference between OEM full and 100% full. Sure, with the controller I get "full time" 100% open...but I find myself closing and opening the valves to make sure they are open or not.

Just speculation, but perhpas the midpipe will produce a more noticable diff. Really, with the M2 (vice, say, a V8) I'm not looking to rattle the pavement.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by mks

Yeh. I pulled the fuse in my Supra for about the same effect. The MAD controller lets you select OEM, 50% and 100% open. My hearing may be at fault but I have some difficulty detecting a significant difference between OEM full and 100% full. Sure, with the controller I get "full time" 100% open...but I find myself closing and opening the valves to make sure they are open or not.

Just speculation, but perhpas the midpipe will produce a more noticable diff. Really, with the M2 (vice, say, a V8) I'm not looking to rattle the pavement.

When I installed the MAD exhaust & Dinan x-pipe, initial start up was 100% open because I didn't have the springs installed, they're currently open to the factory setting with fuse pulled. I don't hear any noticeable difference between 100% open & oem open. At least not enough to justify the cost of a controller.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats OP

Originally Posted by JABCAT

So basically, nothing more (~10%) than having the valves open & pulling the fuse ($0) is what OP is saying.

If you want the valves open all the time, you can pull the fuse or disconnect the valves.

That's not why we got the controller. We want to retain the stock functionality, keeping the valves closed during cold starts, driving quietly in the neighborhood, and so on. Then, when we’re ready for spirited driving, we can open the valves as needed.

Originally Posted by JABCAT

When I installed the MAD exhaust & Dinan x-pipe, initial start up was 100% open because I didn't have the springs installed, they're currently open to the factory setting with fuse pulled. I don't hear any noticeable difference between 100% open & oem open. At least not enough to justify the cost of a controller.

You are certainly in the minority; most people are more than willing to spend a couple hundred dollars for a 10-15% increase in sound.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

The controller is best noticed for starting. With the valves open, start up is much louder.

Regarding the midpipe. I’d look at a resonated single mid pipe. That’s the deepest tone you’ll find.

The Dinan mid isn’t worth it IMO.

Check the g80 forms for resonated single mid pipes sound clips.

I want to keep the OEM secondary cats. Also the G80/82 sound a little different than the G87.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Congrats OP



If you want the valves open all the time, you can pull the fuse or disconnect the valves.

That's not why we got the controller. We want to retain the stock functionality, keeping the valves closed during cold starts, driving quietly in the neighborhood, and so on. Then, when we’re ready for spirited driving, we can open the valves as needed.


You are certainly in the minority; most people are more than willing to spend a couple hundred dollars for a 10-15% increase in sound.

This

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by mks

Below are all MAD mids (from the same G80 thread)...guessing other manufacture's pipes would sound nearly the same. A mid is about all I think I would want for the M2--these clips seem as close as I can get to finding a representation of the "audio profile" one can expect in the M2.

MAD midpipe...IDK if it's non-res--sounds like it might be

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2&postcount=73
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=79
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=129
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=131
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=135
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=146

MAD Res midpipe+DP
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=144
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=148
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=176
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=235

MAD mid+DPs
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=76
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=116
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30629938&postcount=245

** MAD res mid **
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=265
(one of the more comprehensive clips of just a res mid)

Misc
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nyr-b8Ac-DI

Yea, I pretty much watched all these. If its not the Dinan it will be the MAD resonated single.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

I want to keep the OEM secondary cats. Also the G80/82 sound a little different than the G87.

Gotcha.

[mks]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

That's not why we got the controller. We want to retain the stock functionality, keeping the valves closed during cold starts, driving quietly in the neighborhood, and so on. Then, when we’re ready for spirited driving, we can open the valves as needed.

Yeh, definitely, mostly this.

However, with the stock setup and valves wide open (I leave it that way) I've found my neighbors (connected town houses) are undisturbed and unperturbed. Of course, they've been used to a Dark horse firing up inside my garage. As of our last patio party, the complaint I got from my closest neighbor was that he didn't get to drive it. Of course, not all neighborhoods are as live and let live as mine.

Any case, I don't regret installing the MAD controller as I anticipated going with a res midpipe (also from MAD when the time comes). Again, at the time I started planning for my exhaust, I assumed it, with an aftermarket mid or not, would be louder than it is with the valves wide open.

So, for those instances in which I find myself in a not-so-friendly neighborhood, I can at least be polite.

[Info@mad-us.com]

10% is about right in volume over the stock valve volume. It's more noticeable with a midpipe.

The main reason I and others use the valve controller other than the obvious is to stop the fluctuation in sound you get in sport mode when the valve closes and opens at different throttle positions. It's not super noticeable when your stock but once you add a midpipe its easy to hear.

Locking a valve open is just not an option for me as I frequently need to close the valve.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Info@mad-us.com

10% is about right in volume over the stock valve volume. It's more noticeable with a midpipe.

The main reason I and others use the valve controller other than the obvious is to stop the fluctuation in sound you get in sport mode when the valve closes and opens at different throttle positions. It's not super noticeable when your stock but once you add a midpipe its easy to hear.

Locking a valve open is just not an option for me as I frequently need to close the valve.

Here in Cali there is a lot of street racing task force enforcement. If you car sounds like its modified they pull you over. Thats why I like the control of this.

[Info@mad-us.com]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Here in Cali there is a lot of street racing task force enforcement. If you car sounds like its modified they pull you over. Thats why I like the control of this.

Great example.