Need Help: Best Sounding Exhaust for Stock N55

[CL 19]

Hi guys. I'm looking for an axle back for my '11 135i. I've heard many of them through videos but I know that videos don't do the judge since it might sound much better in real life. I don't know which one to buy since many of them that sound similar but actually difference in terms of drone and high RPM.

Seeking advice from you guys that have any experience with axle back exhaust. Video or sound clip might help me decide which one I will choose. Also, I'm plainly looking for an axle back exhaust only or in other words I will keep my stock DP and MP.

Appreciate any comments and opinions guys. Really need your help in this case since I don't have any experience with axle back exhaust before. How much do you pay for it might also help me which one I will buy. Often higher price doesn't mean better sounding than.

Thanks!

[GeeRam]

BMW PE

[cooler2442]

I've honestly heard almost every exhaust in person due to all the meets I attend.

My personal opinion is that the Berk Race/Sport sounds the best but only if you pair it with the Berk Mid pipes as well.

If you just get an axleback only and leave the N55 midpipes almost all of them will sound very similar so you need to change out the mid pipes as well if you want a better / more sporty sound.

[CL 19]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

I've honestly heard almost every exhaust in person due to all the meets I attend.

My personal opinion is that the Berk Race/Sport sounds the best but only if you pair it with the Berk Mid pipes as well.

If you just get an axleback only and leave the N55 midpipes almost all of them will sound very similar so you need to change out the mid pipes as well if you want a better / more sporty sound.

I do understand it about the mid pipes. By the way, how about Meisterschaft Sus-GT? Is it nice? I'm thinking either AA or Meisterschaft actually

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by CL 19

I do understand it about the mid pipes. By the way, how about Meisterschaft Sus-GT? Is it nice? I'm thinking either AA or Meisterschaft actually

Meisterschaft is actually the only one I haven't heard on a 135i. I've heard the 1M one plenty of times but no one really seems to have the 135i Meisterschaft one.

I've heard AA as well but it wasn't anything special. Like I said they all start sounding pretty much the same when people don't swap out the mid pipes. Swapping mid pipes = more sports car type sound. Not swapping mid pipes = Mustang / Diesel sound on the N55.

[135Pats]

meisterschaft FTW. pair it with berk mids and it comes to life, very aggressive sound, and loud but not obnoxious. Other great options have been listed, berk race and bmwp are very popular.

[135Pats]

I totally agree with cooler about midpipes, even if you have n55 pipes id swap them out. They really bring out the tone of the exhaust, and add decent volume. I couldnt be happier with the berk mids.

[WhiteTgr135i]

Even though the n55 midpipe are catless, swapping them with 3inch piping will really change the sound? Hm, i might have to do this then...

[Focusedintntions]

I think my fave sound so far has just be the stock n55 exhaust with the vishnu catted dp...

[NORAGRETS]

berk all day

[cooler2442]

Originally Posted by Tycho

Even though the n55 midpipe are catless, swapping them with 3inch piping will really change the sound? Hm, i might have to do this then...

Berk uses two smaller pipes in the middle and two smaller resonators so it definitely changes the sound. I've heard a custom 3" mid pipe before and it sounded pretty close to stock and wasn't worth it in my opinion.

[godmans]

This clip got me sold for the CPE system.
Best of both worlds on max Growl and min Drone.

[lazyd0c]

i've been researching this for a while as well... what are some of the subtle differences between the bmwPE which is 1k+ vs some 3rd parties which run from couple hundreds to like 1.5k..? I'm sure they're all much better than the stock, but what's the triggering factor that persuade people to get a particular one?

[Rowdy]

I've heard the BMW PE with PPK 1 in person and it sounds delicious..

I've watched probably every last 135i exhaust video and can agree that the best sounding (to my ears) are the Berk setups with both the mids and axle backs changed up.

The difference in pricing is not much. BMW's PE is around the same as the full jerk downpipe back setup.

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

I think my fave sound so far has just be the stock n55 exhaust with the vishnu catted dp...

Any vids of this? Interested to hear how it changes the sound as I'm not sure I want a new muffler. I want minimal volume change but the tone to sound more exotic growl thn loud

[donsaxena]

Hpf full exhaust or IND Eisenmann

[Section147]

Does anyone happen to know if the OEM black tips (2012 135i) can be fitted seamlessly to the BMW PE?
Thanks.

[Focusedintntions]

Originally Posted by Bmwbreed

Any vids of this? Interested to hear how it changes the sound as I'm not sure I want a new muffler. I want minimal volume change but the tone to sound more exotic growl thn loud

There ya go

[CL 19]

Is mid pipe and down pipe bolt on as well or what? I'm just curious since I want do an axle back because I know precisely that most of them are bolt on with factory setup. Let me know guys. Anyone trying AR downpipe? Which one provides better sound, mid pipe or down pipe? What are my options for mids and downs? I mean the brand that you think is the best.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Section147

Does anyone happen to know if the OEM black tips (2012 135i) can be fitted seamlessly to the BMW PE?
Thanks.

I doubt it, PE is larger diameter.

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

There ya go

Thanks bro. Really diggin that. That may be the route I go. Down pipe first and later axle back.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by CL 19

Is mid pipe and down pipe bolt on as well or what? I'm just curious since I want do an axle back because I know precisely that most of them are bolt on with factory setup. Let me know guys. Anyone trying AR downpipe? Which one provides better sound, mid pipe or down pipe? What are my options for mids and downs? I mean the brand that you think is the best.

all midpipes and downpipes bolt on, assuming the quality is good you should not have to do any major work to get them installed. DPs can be a tight fit, but its all "bolt on". For downpipes, it depends on how much you want to spend. Akra makes a beautiful set, theyre also over 1,500, which is too rich for my tastes. AR and meisterschaft both make very nice, but expensive sets. for a more modest cost point, VRSF is really putting out some nice stuff. Not nearly as many options for mids....berk, maddad, i think agency power?