Insurance claim --- Exhaust Upgrade! (vote)

[makrop]

Hey guys I have had a little mishap a couple weeks ago, nothing major but that story is in another thread (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=828535)

To cut to the chase, I have $808 from insurance quoted for the back third of my exhaust to be replaced. I am wondering what the best route to take is. I would obviously like to upgrade if possible but am find with keeping it stock since I do love the sound. Anyways, feel free to chime in with suggestions and I'm making a poll as well. Here are my options and cost-to-me after insurance covers $800 for my muffler section to be replaced:

Option 1: Stay stock and replace back to how I was --- $0
Option 2: BMW Performance Exhaust --- $400
Option 3: aFe Axle Back Exhaust --- ~$150 REFUND
Option 4: Berk ceramic coated Race axle-back exhaust --- ~$150 REFUND
Option 5: Berk FULL race exhaust ceramic coated --- ~$400
Option 6: OTHER

I have never upgraded exhaust on a car before, this is just a perfect opportunity. I am not interested in anything loud and obnoxious, more after just a better sounding tone and some more grumble at idle/coasting. Don't want a lot of drone. (basically everything i've heard about the BMW PE, just maybe a bit more?)

[i128]

if you love the sound of the OEM 135i exhaust, go with the BMW PE...

think of the change in sound as being the difference the "loudness" or bassboost button makes on a conventional stereo amplifier.

The others will surely be louder and have more drone than the PE at highway speeds.

[makrop]

I'm fine with some drone, I actually kind of want some of that.

I'm alraeady looking at getting a $200 refund since I fixed headlights myself (quoted at $1200) to replace the pair, you can read about that in the other thread... So if I can get another $200 refund for going with aFe or Berk axle-back, I could use that $400 on something else or just pocket it and call it a day. Basically its a win-win situation on anything I choose, I just want the BIGGEST win. haha

[Fifty3bags]

If it were me, I would get the Berk street exhaust. The performance exhaust doesn't have the muffler, so it would be a good bit louder. speed-freaks.net has the 135i street (downpipe back) exhaust for $990 shipped and it bolts up like stock.

P.S. - if you do go this route, let me know how you like it. I'm thinking bout getting it

[makrop]

Originally Posted by Fifty3bags

If it were me, I would get the Berk street exhaust. The performance exhaust doesn't have the muffler, so it would be a good bit louder. speed-freaks.net has the 135i street (downpipe back) exhaust for $990 shipped and it bolts up like stock.

P.S. - if you do go this route, let me know how you like it. I'm thinking bout getting it

hmmmm.... so many options! I'm stressin. I need to choose pretty quick so they can order stuff and get goin on this. I only have a limited time on my rental before I have to start paying out-of-pocket for it since I didnt use my insurance's recommended shop for the repair.

[IancoleTX]

just get PE

[Venom]

In all honesty, you could probably get the PE for $800-900ish off of these forums. Only thing you would have to pay for then would be install. Ask the forum parts sponsors! Ask Phil@Reeves for a quote

[makrop]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Venom

In all honesty, you could probably get the PE for $800-900ish off of these forums. Only thing you would have to pay for then would be install. Ask the forum parts sponsors! Ask Phil@Reeves for a quote

Cool. I'll have to look into that. I know I would love the PE so that would be the least risk and I could justify it if I could essentially get it upgraded for free... Thanks!

[Venom]

Originally Posted by krop135i

Cool. I'll have to look into that. I know I would love the PE so that would be the least risk and I could justify it if I could essentially get it upgraded for free... Thanks!

No problem buddy

[BrokenVert]

When I was rear ended I went with the PE as my insurance would only cover OEM Replacement parts. Its something id check into before you buy anything else.

So I got the PE


When I got mine the PE was only $50 more than a replacement OEM axleback - it made the choice really simple

[makrop]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Venom

No problem buddy

hmm is he a member on here? cant find his username.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by Fifty3bags

If it were me, I would get the Berk street exhaust. The performance exhaust doesn't have the muffler, so it would be a good bit louder. speed-freaks.net has the 135i street (downpipe back) exhaust for $990 shipped and it bolts up like stock.

P.S. - if you do go this route, let me know how you like it. I'm thinking bout getting it

The perf exhaust has a muffler, you must be confusing it with the resonator - the PE gets rid of the rear resonator.

the PE is very civil and quiet when you want it to be, which is very nice.

[makrop]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

When I was rear ended I went with the PE as my insurance would only cover OEM Replacement parts. Its something id check into before you buy anything else.

So I got the PE


When I got mine the PE was only $50 more than a replacement OEM axleback - it made the choice really simple

Yeah I already spoke with them. I can go aftermarket, just just wont put their warranty on the work. And yeah its looking like it wont cost much at all to get the PE, but I would be getting money back to go another route which is also tempting. I cant wait to get off work and start listening to some clips. As of right now though the PE is lookin like the best bet with least risk of me hating it. But I like to be different so we'll see... (one of the main reasons I bought a 1er in the first place)

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by krop135i

Yeah I already spoke with them. I can go aftermarket, just just wont put their warranty on the work. And yeah its looking like it wont cost much at all to get the PE, but I would be getting money back to go another route which is also tempting. I cant wait to get off work and start listening to some clips. As of right now though the PE is lookin like the best bet with least risk of me hating it. But I like to be different so we'll see... (one of the main reasons I bought a 1er in the first place)

Ive heard most 1er exhausts in person, and on a purely sound basis, I think the PE is best.

If you were local id give you a drive.


But as always, its your car, so do what you like best

[makrop]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Ive heard most 1er exhausts in person, and on a purely sound basis, I think the PE is best.

If you were local id give you a drive.


But as always, its your car, so do what you like best

Someone had suggested a while back to head over to the dealer and test drive an iS if they had one on lot to get a feel for the PE. I'll have to give them a call and see if they have one. Would definitely freak them out after getting back from the test drive and being like "Well thanks! See ya later!"

[Venom]

Originally Posted by krop135i

hmm is he a member on here? cant find his username.

@ReevesBMW

or by email @ Phil Uniejewski <puniejewski@drivereeves.com>

[Fifty3bags]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

The perf exhaust has a muffler, you must be confusing it with the resonator - the PE gets rid of the rear resonator.

the PE is very civil and quiet when you want it to be, which is very nice.

My bad. I thought he was talking about the race exhaust. The street performance has a muffler, the race doesn't.

http://speed-freaks.net/i-10089131-b...801-s-hpc.html

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by Fifty3bags

My bad. I thought he was talking about the race exhaust. The street performance has a muffler, the race doesn't.

http://speed-freaks.net/i-10089131-b...801-s-hpc.html

Wait you were talking about berk? When you said performance exhaust I thought you were talking about the BMW Performance Exhaust.

Were refer to the berk systems as Berk Street and Berk Race to avoid just this confusion.

If you were talking about the race exhaust then yes. That is just a pipe, no muffler and it is crazy loud. I heard one of those cold start in an underground garage last year and jesus

[135i OREO]

If you like the sound of your stock exhaust, either go with BMW PE or Berk Street. Do not get the Race exhausts unless you want it to be retarded loud. With the extra $150, get the DCI (Dual Cone Intakes). Use the extra money on food. BAM!

[Fifty3bags]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Wait you were talking about berk? When you said performance exhaust I thought you were talking about the BMW Performance Exhaust.

Were refer to the berk systems as Berk Street and Berk Race to avoid just this confusion.

If you were talking about the race exhaust then yes. That is just a pipe, no muffler and it is crazy loud. I heard one of those cold start in an underground garage last year and jesus

Yeah, I didn't specify in my first post. The first sentence I mentioned Berk, I meant my whole post to be about the Berk lol. Have you heard the street system (midpipes back)? I've watched a couple exhaust clips, but it's kind of hard to match that to in person, I want something louder, but not too loud (I would definitely need a muffler)

[makrop]

Yeah after reading some more the Berk RACE is definitely not what I want. So the Berk options I'm left with are the street axle-back or the full street exhaust. I'd like to hear a comparison between those two.

And the person that suggested spending the rest on food would have "OREO" in their username haha

[Bmwbreed]

Well I know u don't really wanna come outa pocket but I love my dinan. It's amazing to me. The bust blend of really bringing out the harmonics of the engine and not obnoxiously loud. And still makes good pops and gurgles. But I'd understand if you didn't get that as you'd have to come outa pocket more.