MPE Questions

badbeef · 01-27-2016, 09:06 PM

I just installed an MPE (new), and while it is very nice, it isn't exactly what I was expecting. The youtube videos make it out to be much louder than it actually is. It's really very tame in the volume department. Refined but tame.

My wife hasn't been in it since it was installed, but I doubt she will notice the difference. For those who have had one since new, I have a couple of questions:

Did it get noticeably louder over time?

Did the cold start routine seem quieter than before (stock exhaust)? It sure seems that way to me.

The engine seems a little more willing to rev than before, and the car feels faster by a touch. I'm sure it's a placebo -- but I'm good with placebos.

BzsBimmer · 01-27-2016, 09:45 PM

Coming from stock, to full Akra EVO, to MPE I can tell you
1. It is tame. No drone at lower RPM's like the Akra (not that it was unbearable unlike others out there)
2. She may not notice the difference unless outside or she's the attentive type. My wife noticed (yay) which is what I was aiming for when I switched from the Akra
3. The cold start is bassier that stock but not by much. That was the most noticeable for me
4. It does get louder over time (or at least some say it does). I have a used kit so can't tell you for sure

I achieved what I was looking for. A different exhaust note but not one that was overly "loud". When you romp on it after it heats up a bit, it takes on a whole new dimension of sound. I have a MS intake and it really compliments well.

badbeef · 01-27-2016, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Coming from stock, to full Akra EVO, to MPE I can tell you
1. It is tame. No drone at lower RPM's like the Akra (not that it was unbearable unlike others out there)
2. She may not notice the difference unless outside or she's the attentive type. My wife noticed (yay) which is what I was aiming for when I switched from the Akra
3. The cold start is bassier that stock but not by much. That was the most noticeable for me
4. It does get louder over time (or at least some say it does). I have a used kit so can't tell you for sure

I achieved what I was looking for. A different exhaust note but not one that was overly "loud". When you romp on it after it heats up a bit, it takes on a whole new dimension of sound. I have a MS intake and it really compliments well.

1-3 seem accurate from my short time with it. Regarding 3 -- it seems quieter but a little bassier. Smoother sounding -- not as metallic. No one else would notice, nor do I care, but the tips are fascinating to me. I'm interested in how the MS intake changed the sound. Thanks in advance.

BzsBimmer · 01-27-2016, 10:06 PM

The intake (probably any intake for that matter) creates a slight growling noise up front when accelerating. The MPE has a nice howl at the rear with a hollow tinny sound when romping on it.

Yvette · 01-27-2016, 10:38 PM

Couldnt tell if i changed my exhaust in first couple hours

badbeef · 01-27-2016, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90sexion

Couldnt tell if i changed my exhaust in first couple hours

How long did it take before you could tell...and was the change dramatic?

llis · 01-28-2016, 12:27 AM

Most of the difference is heard outside and at WOT. It starts to roar with harmonics. Like Godzilla. Drive through canyons or a tunnel or something and hear the music.

Yvette · 01-28-2016, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbeef

How long did it take before you could tell...and was the change dramatic?

No not really, pretty much stays same
But could tell different above 3.5k rpm. I went with Gt2 after, and i missed mpe lol. If you are looking for loud, mpe isnt for you.

L4ces · 01-28-2016, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90sexion

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbeef

How long did it take before you could tell...and was the change dramatic?

No not really, pretty much stays same
But could tell different above 3.5k rpm. I went with Gt2 after, and i missed mpe lol. If you are looking for loud, mpe isnt for you.

If you barely heard the MPE, then what did you miss?
The GT2 is a extreme opposite!
Are you wishing to go back to the MPE?

M3 Esq · 01-28-2016, 06:08 AM

It will sound better after a few hundred miles. You have to give it a chance to break in.

iBoosted · 01-28-2016, 06:15 AM

I thought my MPE was too quiet at first too, contemplated adding test pipes but I've grown to like now. Definitely a great sound when in the mountains, windows down of course or you can't hear much... quite on the inside but sounds great outside imo.

radiofrequency · 01-28-2016, 06:23 AM

I've had mine installed for several years now, and like you, was disappointed at first. It has "matured" over time and several thousand miles, and sounds glorious now. My first wish was to go full AKRA, however my vehicle was under warranty at the time and I did not want to risk losing coverage, additionally the cost of the full AKRA was too steep for my blood. Give it some time.

RoshDawg · 01-28-2016, 10:12 AM

It indeed does get louder over time. There was a smoking tire video on the M3 where Matt Farah noted how over time, the sound insulation in the MPE breaks down over time. Also, try having someone else drive by with it, it sounds very loud from the outside. But ya it is on the quite side, I think it's how it should have come stock then ppl can go louder from there if they want.

atxgt3 · 01-28-2016, 11:34 AM

Are you listening to it from inside the car with the windows up? The sound insulation in these cars is really good, it's hard to hear even my loud-ish test pipes/exhaust from inside the car, but from the outside it sounds pretty loud. Like the others said the MPE is also supposed to get louder over time.

hotbmwfan · 01-28-2016, 01:11 PM

It does sound louder over time. Much more throatier than the stock exhaust. Unfortunately, with the windows up you can't get the full effect. Roll your windows down, drive through a tunnel, downshift and hammer the "go fast" pedal and you will be amazed. Its fun to drive into the service bay at my local dealer, hear the exhaust bouncing off the walls and see everyone turn and look to see what beast just drove in.

cenix · 01-28-2016, 01:45 PM

This is the allure and charm of the M Performance exhaust: excellent sound, no drone, good weight reduction, and subtle classy looks.

mermar · 01-28-2016, 03:44 PM

MPE and Euro MDM best mods IMHO. Both are oem.
When I first had my MPE fitted it was quiet and I was relieved it was not too loud and ghetto. It has definitely become louder and sounds absolutely perfect for what I wanted.
I CONSTANTLY have strangers tell me how great my car sounds. Even milfs.

Denk · 01-28-2016, 04:05 PM

I love the way the MPE balances with the intake. It's a subtle but noticeable difference in the cabin, more noticeable outside compared to stock. Most aftermarket exhausts have some annoying drone, the MPE never irritates me. The sound comes on in a linear fashion, it really comes alive over 4K. Rev match downshifts are so much nicer than stock too. Love it!

RickP · 01-28-2016, 05:24 PM

The MPE gets better over time and with test pipes, sounds really good. I posted a video over on the "what did you do your M today" thread. BTW, mine is a v1 and probably has about 11K on it.

dparm · 01-28-2016, 05:28 PM

The packing material will settle over time so expect a minor change in sound, but it will not be "substantial". I can't really advocate getting test pipes with the MPE; the sound gets really weird. It was designed to be used on stock headers/cats/midpipe.

I'll take it off your hands if you decide it's too quiet. I'm local!

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbeef

I just installed an MPE (new), and while it is very nice, it isn't exactly what I was expecting. The youtube videos make it out to be much louder than it actually is. It's really very tame in the volume department. Refined but tame.

My wife hasn't been in it since it was installed, but I doubt she will notice the difference. For those who have had one since new, I have a couple of questions:

Did it get noticeably louder over time?

Did the cold start routine seem quieter than before (stock exhaust)? It sure seems that way to me.

The engine seems a little more willing to rev than before, and the car feels faster by a touch. I'm sure it's a placebo -- but I'm good with placebos.

radiofrequency · 01-28-2016, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denk

I love the way the MPE balances with the intake. It's a subtle but noticeable difference in the cabin, more noticeable outside compared to stock. Most aftermarket exhausts have some annoying drone, the MPE never irritates me. The sound comes on in a linear fashion, it really comes alive over 4K. Rev match downshifts are so much nicer than stock too. Love it!

+1, further to my earlier comments, it's subtle when needed and therefore does not attract unwanted attention except when you are leaving the girlfriend's house at 5.30am....

cenix · 01-28-2016, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

+1, further to my earlier comments, it's subtle when needed and therefore does not attract unwanted attention except when you are leaving the girlfriend's house at 5.30am....

If I was leaving the girlfriend's house at 5:30 AM my wife would be livid.

01-27-2016, 09:06 PM	#1
badbeef Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 3 pedals Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	MPE Questions I just installed an MPE (new), and while it is very nice, it isn't exactly what I was expecting. The youtube videos make it out to be much louder than it actually is. It's really very tame in the volume department. Refined but tame. My wife hasn't been in it since it was installed, but I doubt she will notice the difference. For those who have had one since new, I have a couple of questions: Did it get noticeably louder over time? Did the cold start routine seem quieter than before (stock exhaust)? It sure seems that way to me. The engine seems a little more willing to rev than before, and the car feels faster by a touch. I'm sure it's a placebo -- but I'm good with placebos.
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01-27-2016, 09:45 PM	#2
BzsBimmer Major General 3291 Rep 6,732 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Coming from stock, to full Akra EVO, to MPE I can tell you 1. It is tame. No drone at lower RPM's like the Akra (not that it was unbearable unlike others out there) 2. She may not notice the difference unless outside or she's the attentive type. My wife noticed (yay) which is what I was aiming for when I switched from the Akra 3. The cold start is bassier that stock but not by much. That was the most noticeable for me 4. It does get louder over time (or at least some say it does). I have a used kit so can't tell you for sure I achieved what I was looking for. A different exhaust note but not one that was overly "loud". When you romp on it after it heats up a bit, it takes on a whole new dimension of sound. I have a MS intake and it really compliments well.
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01-27-2016, 10:06 PM	#4
BzsBimmer Major General 3291 Rep 6,732 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	The intake (probably any intake for that matter) creates a slight growling noise up front when accelerating. The MPE has a nice howl at the rear with a hollow tinny sound when romping on it.
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01-27-2016, 10:38 PM	#5
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	Couldnt tell if i changed my exhaust in first couple hours
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01-28-2016, 12:27 AM	#7
llis octane chick 81 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: ex-M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colorado iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 ZCP [10.00] 2003 BMW M5 [0.00]	Most of the difference is heard outside and at WOT. It starts to roar with harmonics. Like Godzilla. Drive through canyons or a tunnel or something and hear the music.
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01-28-2016, 06:08 AM	#10
M3 Esq Automobilist 395 Rep 2,632 Posts Drives: E70 X5, 911 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (12)	It will sound better after a few hundred miles. You have to give it a chance to break in.
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01-28-2016, 06:15 AM	#11
iBoosted Private First Class 28 Rep 155 Posts Drives: Cars Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 M3 [0.00]	I thought my MPE was too quiet at first too, contemplated adding test pipes but I've grown to like now. Definitely a great sound when in the mountains, windows down of course or you can't hear much... quite on the inside but sounds great outside imo. __________________
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01-28-2016, 06:23 AM	#12
radiofrequency Field Marshall 307 Rep 515 Posts Drives: 2018 M4 ZCP, 2021 M2 Comp Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere in Africa iTrader: (0)	I've had mine installed for several years now, and like you, was disappointed at first. It has "matured" over time and several thousand miles, and sounds glorious now. My first wish was to go full AKRA, however my vehicle was under warranty at the time and I did not want to risk losing coverage, additionally the cost of the full AKRA was too steep for my blood. Give it some time.
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01-28-2016, 10:12 AM	#13
RoshDawg Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 283 Posts Drives: M3 / 991 / Tundra Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	It indeed does get louder over time. There was a smoking tire video on the M3 where Matt Farah noted how over time, the sound insulation in the MPE breaks down over time. Also, try having someone else drive by with it, it sounds very loud from the outside. But ya it is on the quite side, I think it's how it should have come stock then ppl can go louder from there if they want.
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01-28-2016, 11:34 AM	#14
atxgt3 First Lieutenant 156 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 11 E92, 17 X5M, 15 Huracan Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	Are you listening to it from inside the car with the windows up? The sound insulation in these cars is really good, it's hard to hear even my loud-ish test pipes/exhaust from inside the car, but from the outside it sounds pretty loud. Like the others said the MPE is also supposed to get louder over time.
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01-28-2016, 01:11 PM	#15
hotbmwfan Second Lieutenant 108 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	It does sound louder over time. Much more throatier than the stock exhaust. Unfortunately, with the windows up you can't get the full effect. Roll your windows down, drive through a tunnel, downshift and hammer the "go fast" pedal and you will be amazed. Its fun to drive into the service bay at my local dealer, hear the exhaust bouncing off the walls and see everyone turn and look to see what beast just drove in. __________________ 2010 M3 "Edition" model - Monte Carlo Blue/black, (1 of 13) MODS;255/35/19 and 285/30/19 Michelin PSS, Volk G25 wheels, MC V2 GTS lip, Eventuri plenum/intake/airbox lid, M Performance exhaust/spoiler/steering wheel
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01-28-2016, 01:45 PM	#16
cenix Captain 381 Rep 875 Posts Drives: E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5)	This is the allure and charm of the M Performance exhaust: excellent sound, no drone, good weight reduction, and subtle classy looks.
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01-28-2016, 03:44 PM	#17
mermar Lieutenant 140 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 2023 330e xdrive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	MPE and Euro MDM best mods IMHO. Both are oem. When I first had my MPE fitted it was quiet and I was relieved it was not too loud and ghetto. It has definitely become louder and sounds absolutely perfect for what I wanted. I CONSTANTLY have strangers tell me how great my car sounds. Even milfs.
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01-28-2016, 04:05 PM	#18
Denk Brigadier General 1006 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 2021 X5M Join Date: May 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (2)	I love the way the MPE balances with the intake. It's a subtle but noticeable difference in the cabin, more noticeable outside compared to stock. Most aftermarket exhausts have some annoying drone, the MPE never irritates me. The sound comes on in a linear fashion, it really comes alive over 4K. Rev match downshifts are so much nicer than stock too. Love it!
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01-28-2016, 05:24 PM	#19
RickP Lieutenant 166 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Comp/DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chi-town iTrader: (0)	The MPE gets better over time and with test pipes, sounds really good. I posted a video over on the "what did you do your M today" thread. BTW, mine is a v1 and probably has about 11K on it.
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