testing an alternative to the Performance Exhaust for the 128i

[i128]

I wanted to gauge the interest of how many people would be willing to change their OEM muffler exhaust for something with a little more bite.

I bought my 1er brand-new about one year ago. I've owned a slew of cars prior to the 128i all of which were equipped with modified exhaust systems, (some cat-back, others axel back, some will full line replacements, etc. )
Throughout the years i've experimented with different types of materials/piping yielding various results.

I was always toying with the idea of getting a BMW performance exhaust, as the sound of the N52 only really come to life after that single mod. However could not really justify the cost that BMW charges for it.

Hence i'm working with a local shop (specializing in custom exhaust systems) in developing an axel-back for our cars. Obviously I will use my own vehicle as test mule.

My question to the board was simply to gauge the interest of fellow 128i owners, as we all know the aftermarket support for our beloved 128i's are little to none...Hence if an axel-back exhaust with the similar/better exhaust note, better construction, lifetime warranty on construction and all of that offered at a fraction of the price of the BMW part. Would there be an interest?!

Please answer the pole.

Thanks.

PS: for those you don't know what the BMW exhaust sounds like here is a promo video. ( yes I know there is no apparent 128i in the video) but it is a video, the sound is very similar to what the Performance exhaust sounds like in real life on a 128i.

Another video, this time of a 328i (same N52 engine)

[tritonx]

No offence but the BMW PE sounds pretty darn good, I'm close to buying one, they are around 1K$ in Canada, not installed. I have listened to the other alternatives and they sounds too racy for me. What makes you think that your shop can pull it off ? Are you just going to copy BMW's design ? You are asking to vote on nothing... I'll need to hear it first.

And you are in Montreal nice, I'd be interested if it sounds good.

[i128]

Originally Posted by tritonx

No offence but the BMW PE sounds pretty darn good, I'm close to buying one, they are around 1K$ in Canada, not installed. I have listened to the other alternatives and they sounds too racy for me. What makes you think that your shop can pull it off ? Are you just going to copy BMW's design ? You are asking to vote on nothing... I'll need to hear it first.

And you are in Montreal nice, I'd be interested if it sounds good.

Thanks for you input. The PE does sound pretty good, but you stated the problem though ; 1,000$ + install cost. for a muffler...

Im asking to see if there would be others like me, that could be interested in an exhaust with more of a bite than OEM (without being loud and racy) at a reasonable cost.

Yes I am trying to replicate the sound, and even improve it. (question of taste) For example the use of various composites in the same piping design will give you various pitches and resonance.. its a creative science really...

[alvitdk]

I would absolutely be interested, IF the sound and price is right

[Creps]

I'd be interested if as mentioned good price and nice sound.
What's the shop your dealing with ? if you don't mind

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

I would absolutely be interested, IF the sound and price is right

Bingo.

And I think I speak for the majority of the 128i population when I say we are a bit more reserved than the 135i group. It would be a big mistake to make an exhaust louder than the PE for our interests.

Also interested, as the more competition and products the better.

[flinchy]

Make it a full cat-back and you got a deal

$1k here gets you a full stainless steel mandrel bent 2.75" and a little more for 3" with a good res and muffler.

So even if you made the muffler all special (btw, why not replicate the laptorr, it sounds a thousand times better ) - why not make up some sweet sweet mid piping as it costs a fraction, no rnd needed lol

[Killswitch]

I been thinking about getting an aftermarket exhaust for while and would be interested if it sounded like BMW PE or better. One attribute that I like about BMW PE is its deep sound. Anything other than BMW PE I would definitely only purchase cat-back. I willing to dish out for the BMW since I know how it sounds and from other forum members' indication of drone is minimal if any. I had a tuner shop give me an estimate to get my secondary cats removed but said the orientation of our cats and the piping made it difficult -albeit doable but a little more of hassle none the less. I scratched my head thinking it was a quick cut and weld job. I'm most likely going to purchase BMW PE in the near future which (several months) cause the dough is going into maintenance.

[i128]

I thought about cat-back at one point, then realized that its too much hassle, i'm no mechanical engineer and by no means an exhaust specialist, therefore I think just replacing the rear section will be easier, and it will also suffice to obtain the result most of us are looking for : sound!

I was throwing ideas around, and one of the guys who have been making custom exhaust in Germany (mostly for turbo applications) for years mentioned that apparently some of the BMW PE's were actually made by DINAN at one point, although he couldn't confirm who and if DINAN still makes them for BMW today, but according to him it shouldn't be very hard to replicate the PE sound for an NA engine... the challenge is to make it sound better without having to use more "exotic" metals like titanium or magnesium, which would only drive up the cost.

I think for the most part people that have chimed-in/replied are rather interested in this project for the same reason : better sound, little to no drone, and good value for money!

I'll keep you guys posted!

Thanks for your interest!

[i128]

I'm using the PE as a baseline as it seems to be very popular with the 128 crowd, alongside other BMW models as well...

[NorthernDancer]

Even tho I have the BMW PE just not yet installed

[Greenkirby21]

I have a magna flow cat back exhaust so I don't plan on changing anything.
That aside, more options for other people is always good

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by i128

I thought about cat-back at one point, then realized that its too much hassle, i'm no mechanical engineer and by no means an exhaust specialist, therefore I think just replacing the rear section will be easier, and it will also suffice to obtain the result most of us are looking for : sound!

I was throwing ideas around, and one of the guys who have been making custom exhaust in Germany (mostly for turbo applications) for years mentioned that apparently some of the BMW PE's were actually made by DINAN at one point, although he couldn't confirm who and if DINAN still makes them for BMW today, but according to him it shouldn't be very hard to replicate the PE sound for an NA engine... the challenge is to make it sound better without having to use more "exotic" metals like titanium or magnesium, which would only drive up the cost.

I think for the most part people that have chimed-in/replied are rather interested in this project for the same reason : better sound, little to no drone, and good value for money!

I'll keep you guys posted!

Thanks for your interest!

It's actually less technical than a muffler, as all it is is .. Well tubes of metal, with bends. The piping helps with sound as well as performance, good quality stainless has higher resonant properties, gives you a clearer slightly racier note, as well as the freer flowing gases giving a smoothness overall

The amount of development required for a certain sound from a muffler is huge, since you don't want a cheap ass glass pack note lol

If you do some searching on the matter, the cat>res/muffler piping is the cheapest part of the exhaust system, a good high flow cat (or two for us) is a couple hundred, same for the muffler (good mufflers can be MANY hundreds of $, almost entirely for how desirable their sound is), and a good res is a tad cheaper. Where since th pipes are just metal, and some labour bending and welding, no real r+d needed, the whole piping system should never be more than a couple of hundred alone, and costs almost nothing to produce with no time frame needed really

Same reason titanium exhausts sound different, even lighter and stiffer gives a higher frequency sound



I understand that most people like a deep rumble with a growl sort of exhaust note? (a la bmw pe) Which is a pity as i find those sorts of notes pretty ricey personally, though i'll admit, the few vids i've heard of bmw pe its quite nice once you get up the revs lol

[andrey_gta]

If its an axel-back= Please remove the Resonator!!! the 328i guys have it in their kit, 128i magnaflow has it and so does 135i

If its full=please remove secondary cats, or give us the option to cut them out and clamp in other pipes.
I have this now, and its Yummy (Look up Pushkin and his thread. Its from exhaust manifold immediate merge into single 3" straight pipe into 135i Muffler)

Also Look into my n55 mids on 128i thread for video links. maybe you can make a kit to have us adapt a 135i n55 midpipe with one or 2 cuts

[i128]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

If its an axel-back= Please remove the Resonator!!! the 328i guys have it in their kit, 128i magnaflow has it and so does 135i

If its full=please remove secondary cats, or give us the option to cut them out and clamp in other pipes.
I have this now, and its Yummy (Look up Pushkin and his thread. Its from exhaust manifold immediate merge into single 3" straight pipe into 135i Muffler)

Also Look into my n55 mids on 128i thread for video links. maybe you can make a kit to have us adapt a 135i n55 midpipe with one or 2 cuts

Removing the resonator on this application tends to create drone at cruising speeds... something I am trying to avoid to a maximum. Even with the BMW PE, some of the very picky exhaust audiophiles will report drone... (and thats with the resonator still installed)

Im assuming due to the turbo(s) on the 135i you can get away with a "strait pipe" of sorts

In the end Im going for a sound that is less raspy, and not loud... mellow, smooth and deep would be the best way to describe it.

[andrey_gta]

I have no resonator and maybe thanks to the baffling in 135i muffler & working flap( the one disabled by Golf tee mod) no drone at cruising speed. There is some "drone" at hard acceleration, but that sound is quickly over taken by engine noise.

Can you refer to some e90 threads for sound clips and characteristics with resonator delete. I doubt the 20 inches length difference that the e90 has makes that much difference. I could be wrong, and the shorter 128i has thsi issue.
Overall, 128i guys have been tame vs the e90 guys cutting up their exhaust in every way possible LOL. i think most of the e90 guys are doing it on 2006/7 cars, so soon we will see wild 128i

--> I owe some thread a video of my set up in day to day vs the only Dyno video that Pushkin put up. Should be able to do it on the weekend

n55 mids have a resonator

[USNEM_128i]

well $695.99 here for the PE.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

[i128]

Originally Posted by USNEM_128i

well $695.99 here for the PE.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Thanks,

But with shipping + duties , taxes and customs (to canada) it still comes out to a total over 1,000$...

and at this point I am very excited to see what the shop is putting together.

[andrey_gta]

^^^ exactly why I jumped on a second hand exhaust. Oh Canada