BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      10-14-2016, 08:39 PM   #1
Suhb
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AA Muffler

I called AA and placed an order for the rear muffler a little while ago. I finally got it installed, took some installation pictures and some exhaust videos.

Delivery Day:



Installation:


Align the AA muffler to the rest of the exhaust and mark the cut about 2 inches towards the rear of the car. This is because the new muffler will slip over the existing exhaust piping.



Support the exhaust with something as shown because once you cut through, it will drop and smash the exhaust tips into the bumper. Then remove the stock exhaust. The hangers are a pain to work with. Spray with some PB blaster and it will make things a lot easier.



First, slide the exhaust clamp on the existing exhaust pipe, then slide the AA muffler over the pipe. Once the exhaust is slid on, the rest of the installation is easy.



Attach the AA exhaust hanger to the rubber mounting on both sides. Then wiggle and play with the muffler as you want until you get it just right then secure the hangers to the exhaust with the provided mounting hardware. Then tighten down the exhaust clamp.







I folded over and zip tied the vacuum line.



Finally, slip on the tips. Align them however you like and tighten the screws.



You're all set.

The Sound:

My car also has the AA catless headers installed. All other sections of the exhaust are stock.

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Last edited by Suhb; 10-14-2016 at 08:44 PM..
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      10-14-2016, 08:43 PM   #2
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This is awesome! Mind if I ask how much the muffler itself ran you? And must you call? I didn't see it listed on their website immediately.
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      10-14-2016, 08:52 PM   #3
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I was told original pricing is $700 + shipping. Introduction price is $600 + shipping. I'm sure they will add it to the website, but no idea when. I was impatient with my order and had a feeling they had some lying around so I called and placed my order through Viral.
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      10-15-2016, 02:51 PM   #4
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Nice install pics! Exhaust sounds and looks good, too. Only thing I don't really care for is that the tips are bolt-on, but I guess that does allow for easy adjustability (and it's probably only noticeable from under the car, anyway).

What diameter are the tips? My Magnaflow cat-back has 3.5" tips, and yours look pretty close.
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      10-20-2016, 09:02 PM   #5
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I currently have a stock exhaust + PE and I absolutely love how it makes that glorious burbling sound on lift-off deceleration. Since I have the AA headers on my todo list and would need to get a new muffler anyway (since I have heard that the PE sounds like crap when paired with the AA headers), does this muffler make a similar sound?
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      10-20-2016, 10:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob View Post
What diameter are the tips? My Magnaflow cat-back has 3.5" tips, and yours look pretty close.
They're just over 3 inches. I'd say 3 and 1/8th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sporek View Post
I currently have a stock exhaust + PE and I absolutely love how it makes that glorious burbling sound on lift-off deceleration. Since I have the AA headers on my todo list and would need to get a new muffler anyway (since I have heard that the PE sounds like crap when paired with the AA headers), does this muffler make a similar sound?
Yes. AA headers + the muffler results in pops and burbles, which are actually louder than just the PE Exhaust alone. AA Headers + PE exhaust made pops and burbles which were incredibly loud. Lifting off the throttle after a first gear pull would result in a single, gunshot-like bang.
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      10-20-2016, 11:59 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suhb View Post
Yes. AA headers + the muffler results in pops and burbles, which are actually louder than just the PE Exhaust alone. AA Headers + PE exhaust made pops and burbles which were incredibly loud. Lifting off the throttle after a first gear pull would result in a single, gunshot-like bang.
That's good to know. I wanted to avoid getting the AA headers until I decided on a new muffler as many people have said that AA headers + PE has an awful drone.
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      10-21-2016, 02:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sporek View Post
That's good to know. I wanted to avoid getting the AA headers until I decided on a new muffler as many people have said that AA headers + PE has an awful drone.
I am presuming that the AA headers+exhaust X are with tune from AA? I just got my 3 stage manifold on the way and ready to drop for the headers and tune. I am curious if obnoxious or not.
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      10-21-2016, 04:27 PM   #9
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I think the PE exhaust is basically an incredibly well engineered muffler delete. It's nearly as loud as one but with a much more refined noise. It is absolutely NOT daily driveable because even with the windows up and music playing, the drone overpowers the cabin and will rattle trim pieces which never rattled before. But my god, the noise is makes at WOT above 4k (especially in tunnels) will paint a smile on your face and cut your avg MPG's in half. Before you slap on a new muffler, run AA headers + PE muffler for a little just to experience that noise

AA muffler with headers is more muted than the PE. It will still have SOME drone but nothing that you can't live with. WOT still makes a pretty noise above 4K but not the banshee wail of the PE.

Stock 128i exhaust with headers apparently still sounds stock.

135i exhaust and headers doesn't sound bad at all. Almost no drone. Can't hear it with the windows up and music playing. But WOT still plays a racey, slightly raspy BMW note.

Now I'm just curious how AA headers + magnaflow exhaust sounds. Maybe bimmerbob can chime in.
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      10-23-2016, 10:48 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suhb View Post
Now I'm just curious how AA headers + magnaflow exhaust sounds. Maybe bimmerbob can chime in.
I sometimes wish I had tried out the AA + PE combo, just to see if it really is "too loud." I feel like I read it a couple of times from people who did try it, but now hear it mostly repeated by others (myself included) who haven't tried it. So maybe we created kind of an urban legend, lol. Or, maybe those first 2 folks were right, and it really is obnoxiously loud - but I guess it's so personal and subjective, that there really isn't a single definitive answer anyway.

I loved the sound of te PE with stock headers, but when I was going to the AA headers I was, like I said, worried about excess drone and volume. But I was also motivated by the fact that my PE tips were slightly damaged, and I liked that the MagnaFlow was a full cat-back. Also, I got a pretty killer deal on the MF. So, it seemed like a no brainer to switch.

The sound, to me, is perfect. It sounds much different than stock, even at idle, but it's not super loud, drone-y, or obnoxious. I think it sounds refined and expensive, and the headers in particular give it sort of a raw and brash character. At WOT it sings, and there are some burbles and pops on over-run, but as much as the PE. I have a couple of exhaust vids in my build thread, for whatever that's worth - I think it's an imperfect way to convey what an exhaust really sounds like.

Overall, I think most people would find the combo pleasing, but on the less "loud" side of the spectrum. But, bear in mind, the car could never be mistaken for stock, at any RPM. It still gets compliments from car folks, and I think even non-car people can hear that it sounds sporty (or whatever descriptor they would use). But, it's also a sound that, as an almost 40-year-old professional with a family, I don't feel self-concious about driving around town with.
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      10-24-2016, 09:54 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob View Post
..... <snip> .... But, it's also a sound that, as an almost 40-year-old professional with a family, I don't feel self-concious about driving around town with.
THIS. I currently just have a 135i muffler with golf tee mod on the car with stock exhaust and headers, and it's improved the low end of the sound to a perfect level. Above 3500 rpm it (to me on the inside) doesn't sound much different than stock, perhaps better on the outside.

I'm thinking to add an intake (BMW Perf? Other? Euro box?) to get some induction howl, and maybe just maybe AA headers at some point which based on all the good feedback from Suhb seems perfect.
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      10-24-2016, 03:47 PM   #12
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Induction wise, I prefer silencer delete (silicone intake hose). It does a tiny bit of hp if done with carbon filter delete.
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      10-25-2016, 03:56 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sprp85 View Post
Induction wise, I prefer silencer delete (silicone intake hose). It does a tiny bit of hp if done with carbon filter delete.
Yes thanks, have heard of this also....something to look at.
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      10-31-2016, 02:17 PM   #14
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Nice!!!
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      12-14-2016, 08:32 AM   #15
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Awesome post buddy!!! Looks fantastic on your 1er
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      12-15-2016, 09:42 PM   #16
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Just installed mine a couple of weeks ago. Love it!
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      12-21-2016, 09:17 PM   #17
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Photos of the installation.
Attached Images
  
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      02-19-2017, 01:08 PM   #18
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sounds very free revving.. love the lack of backpressure.
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      02-24-2017, 01:57 PM   #19
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Awesome write up! I will be doing my AA headers soon (already have the PE exhaust) so I can give my opinion on the sounds of this combo. Obviously, only one data point but it'll be my small contribution.

I do love how the AA and Magnaflow exhaust tips look, my PE tips don't look as quality and seem to never stay clean.
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      02-27-2017, 03:31 PM   #20
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Thanks for sharing
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      02-27-2017, 08:49 PM   #21
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So for the weight conscious individuals AA exhaust is 10.4 lbs., OEM 128i rear can is 24.0 lbs.

I just installed mine tonight. With AA headers and their exhaust it gives the car attitude but it's no where near overwhelming. So far so good. The car definately revs quicker which is awesome for heel toe downshifts.

Startup with no adaptations took 3 restarts before throttle worked. Check engine light is still on so it needs time to adapt and cancel out.
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      02-28-2017, 11:21 AM   #22
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Quote:
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Photos of the installation.
That's a nice rear diffuser. Where'd you get it?
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