Best E9X exhaust setup?!

[Matt Fojtik]

Hey all,
I am considering exhaust options for an e9X m3. From what I can tell, the best "cheap" setup would be AA test pipes, with a Megan racing muffler. Ideally the Valvetronic sounds the best, but is wayyy to expensive. Anything y'all know of that might produce a similar sound, tone, and volume but not for that price?
I was thinking the Valvemaster axle back with maybe AA test pipes?
Thanks!

[tbuck]

Exhaust is too subjective to really be relatable in text or even in the 1000's of exhaust videos you can easily find on youtube. What I like you might hate and vice versa. Hearing them in person is really the best way to really be able to tell.

Also, you used the word cheap, and I can tell you in general that none of the quality exhaust brands are what I would call cheap, even used. And I would avoid the garbage on eBay as well. If you really want cheap, buy or have an exhaust mod done to your factory slip-on. Huge bang for the buck and many swear it is the best sounding.

[Space Fox]

Unorthodox option but when I bought the car the back box had been deleted (everything stock axle-forward). Sounded great but was too loud/droney for me. I had my shop add back two high quality resonators where the mufflers used to be to cut down the drone and noise a bit. Was supposed to be a temporary solution until I found the exhaust set up I liked but honestly I don't think I'll ever change it. Drone is cut down drastically. It's loud but not too loud. Has an incredible exotic note in the low rpms and screams up high. Also the most cost-effective option and probably saves some weight lol.

[amrazM]

[jp1984]

Generally there isn't "one" best exhaust set up.

What is your goal?

Power?
Sound?
Noise?
weight reduction?

Also, you can't really work this platform on a cheap budget. Note - what I am really saying is - take care of your maintenance first. Learn how to do as much as you can yourself.

I had one wheel speed sensor die every 60 days until the third one broke and I just replaced the final one. Bringing this to a shop would have easily been over $250 EACH TIME. I fixed it myself for $38.

So instead of trying to mod everything withe the cheapest options, do some research on the ones that match what you want and then slowly build your car out correctly.

You don't want to buy a Megan Exhaust just because you want to mod your axle back with the cheapest option. (I mean if Megan is what you want that is fine - just dont choose the cheapest options because they are cheap)

Let this be a marathon, also, dont forget to care for things before they become a problem. I have been gently reconditioning the leather in my car this summer because almost all of these cars are 10 years old or older.

I doubt I could ever make my car look like it is brand new from the show floor, but damn if I can't make it look like it just came off a well maintained lease.

[tdott]

Catless anything with Eisenmann Race.

Those china valve exhausts have the worse tone (imho), just noise, not refined at all but some people like that.

[DukeofAlexandria]

Oh boy, yet another exhaust topic….who would have guessed….

-Duke

[djschmitt]

Originally Posted by Matt Fojtik

Hey all,
I am considering exhaust options for an e9X m3. From what I can tell, the best "cheap" setup would be AA test pipes, with a Megan racing muffler. Ideally the Valvetronic sounds the best, but is wayyy to expensive. Anything y'all know of that might produce a similar sound, tone, and volume but not for that price?
I was thinking the Valvemaster axle back with maybe AA test pipes?
Thanks!

Check this thread, it's still active and has a lot of information that really helped guide me when i purchased my M.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1122513

[TboneS54]

Just putting on a 4 pipe modded oem muffler has turned the car into an exotic. Amazing sound for $250, it's hilarious.

[jp1984]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

Just putting on a 4 pipe modded oem muffler has turned the car into an exotic. Amazing sound for $250, it's hilarious.

4 pipe exhaust mod is the best exhaust mod for the money, plus keeps OEM looks.

After I finished welding mine up and reinstalling, I pushed the start button and I felt like it was the first time I really heard the engine breathe to life.

It, it made me feel a tingling in my special area.

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by jp1984

It, it made me feel a tingling in my special area.

Dude! TMI! LOL!

[CamasM3e93]

The Megan Supremo exhaust by Megan Racing, other than the OEM exhaust mod, is probably the only inexpensive option that has a following of satisfied users.

I'm in a SC e90 with test pipes on factory X pipe and Corsa exhaust. Corsa is pretty damn good IMO. I will probably finish it off with a proper HFC x-pipe this year.

I was previously in an e93 with stock exhaust and stock intake. BMW did a lot of great things with the e9x but the factory intake/exhaust set up really detracts from what the car can offer - so short of putting on some knock-off garbage, it is hard to go wrong with your usual aftermarket options.