Quick review - Berk Street Axle-Back

Matticus91 · 08-16-2016, 02:04 PM

By request of tjswarbrick, a quick review of the Berk Street Axle-Back system as a bolt-on replacement of the stock 135i valved exhaust can:

System I purchased here

Initial opinions out of the box:

Finish and build quality are great, the welds are beautiful and everything feels solid.
Weight vs the stock 135i exhaust is SIGNIFICANTLY lower. Feels about 20lbs lighter.
More flow - the highly technical "flashlight test" reveals much more light over the stock system.

Installation:

Jack up the back of the car, you'll need enough room to get to the flange connection and drop the stock system. Have a friend help if possible, the stock exhaust is pretty hefty.
Spray some lube on the rubber grommets and bolts, let sit to soak in.
Unbolt the flange and work the metal parts out of the rubber grommets. The grommets can be a bit of a bitch.
Once you've gotten everything loose the system will drop down, be sure you've got a firm grip while you're doing this.
Line up the new berk system and ensure the fitment is right. Mine was flawless, everything was exactly where it should be.
Bolt 'er up and get those grommets back in.
FLOOR IT ALWAYS.

In-depth sound analysis:

The Berk system provides a very nice and unique sound. It's louder than stock at all RPM's and load levels, but doesn't get too noticeable until you're really on it.
Cold idle is loud as hell, but if you did the golf-tee mod you already know this.
Warm idle is nice and subdued, just enough to say, "hey, this ain't no prius".
Cruising does provide drone around the 2k mark, and it's worth noting that this can irritate you if you're planning on doing long trips in this RPM range. However for me (with the 6mt) 2k is not a range I find myself cruising in often, so I'm not bothered.
Half to full-throttle is where this system really shines. When you get on it, you'll get this wonderful exotic sound that can only be provided by an i6-turboed engine. I love it
Pops and burbles are present, but not quite as common and loud as I'd like. keep in mind this will vary depending on your tune (jb4 map 5 for me). On hard up-shifts you'll get a really incredible *SNAP*, which I'm 100% sure would produce a flame capable of cooking a chicken crossing the road if I were catless.

Overall opinion:
I got the system for $300 used from a fellow 1addict and haven't looked back. Much better over stock, many many many pennies cheaper than the PE system, and looks great. My only cons are the drone at 2k RPM and I do wish it was slightly more throaty, but that is more an issue of the stock cats/resonators/dp than the axle-back itself.

Overall rating:
Price: 10/10 ($500 brand new, $275-$400 used)
Quality: 10/10 (ZERO complaints)
Sound: 8.5-9/10 (on it's own, 10/10 with mids)
Performance: Idk go dyno it

Videos (not my car!):
Berk Street with AR Downpipes and a BOV. If you run just the Berk Street, it'll sound just like this minus the BOV sound. The AR DP's make it slightly louder.

Berk street with Mid pipes, throatier sound.

The available videos on just the Berk Street aren't great so I might go do one of my own at some point.

tjswarbrick · 08-16-2016, 02:32 PM

Awesome!
Thanks so much.
I like Instruction #7.

Now to convince the wife that it's a necessary maintenance item...

Matticus91 · 08-16-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Awesome!
Thanks so much.
I like Instruction #7.

Now to convince the wife that it's a necessary maintenance item...

My excuse was, "the stock pipe is scratched, whole thing is garbage"

1and1 · 08-16-2016, 03:29 PM

Thank ya sir! The Berk Street is planned for my "brown box" christmas present for this year- looks like it should fit the "more authoritative but not obnoxious " plan perfectly.

TwinTurboXI · 08-17-2016, 09:28 AM

Nice Review! I have the same exhaust and I think you summarize everything accurately.

Shameless Plug: Mine will be for sale soon as i'm selling/trading in my car in the coming weeks.

Matticus91 · 08-17-2016, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1and1

Thank ya sir! The Berk Street is planned for my "brown box" christmas present for this year- looks like it should fit the "more authoritative but not obnoxious " plan perfectly.

Yeah definitely not an obnoxious exhaust at all! I love the way these cars sound with more ridiculous exhaust systems but I can't do that to my neighbors lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinTurboXI

Nice Review! I have the same exhaust and I think you summarize everything accurately.

Shameless Plug: Mine will be for sale soon as i'm selling/trading in my car in the coming weeks.

Thanks and good luck with the sale!

Dat Aus · 08-17-2016, 10:20 AM

Good to hear. It's high on my list "to do" list of mods.

Realistically, are there likely to be any power gains from just an axle back?

Esteban · 08-17-2016, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinTurboXI

Nice Review! I have the same exhaust and I think you summarize everything accurately.

Shameless Plug: Mine will be for sale soon as i'm selling/trading in my car in the coming weeks.

Would you mind sharing what you're planning on replacing the car with?

YearOneOne · 08-18-2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinTurboXI

Nice Review! I have the same exhaust and I think you summarize everything accurately.

Shameless Plug: Mine will be for sale soon as i'm selling/trading in my car in the coming weeks.

Pm me first!

tjswarbrick · 08-18-2016, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

Pm me first!

You beat me to it!
But I'm not driving to PA, and I'm sure shipping would kill me...

08-16-2016, 02:04 PM	#1
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Quick review - Berk Street Axle-Back By request of tjswarbrick, a quick review of the Berk Street Axle-Back system as a bolt-on replacement of the stock 135i valved exhaust can: System I purchased here Initial opinions out of the box: Finish and build quality are great, the welds are beautiful and everything feels solid. Weight vs the stock 135i exhaust is SIGNIFICANTLY lower. Feels about 20lbs lighter. More flow - the highly technical "flashlight test" reveals much more light over the stock system. Installation: Jack up the back of the car, you'll need enough room to get to the flange connection and drop the stock system. Have a friend help if possible, the stock exhaust is pretty hefty. Spray some lube on the rubber grommets and bolts, let sit to soak in. Unbolt the flange and work the metal parts out of the rubber grommets. The grommets can be a bit of a bitch. Once you've gotten everything loose the system will drop down, be sure you've got a firm grip while you're doing this. Line up the new berk system and ensure the fitment is right. Mine was flawless, everything was exactly where it should be. Bolt 'er up and get those grommets back in. FLOOR IT ALWAYS. In-depth sound analysis: The Berk system provides a very nice and unique sound. It's louder than stock at all RPM's and load levels, but doesn't get too noticeable until you're really on it. Cold idle is loud as hell, but if you did the golf-tee mod you already know this. Warm idle is nice and subdued, just enough to say, "hey, this ain't no prius". Cruising does provide drone around the 2k mark, and it's worth noting that this can irritate you if you're planning on doing long trips in this RPM range. However for me (with the 6mt) 2k is not a range I find myself cruising in often, so I'm not bothered. Half to full-throttle is where this system really shines. When you get on it, you'll get this wonderful exotic sound that can only be provided by an i6-turboed engine. I love it Pops and burbles are present, but not quite as common and loud as I'd like. keep in mind this will vary depending on your tune (jb4 map 5 for me). On hard up-shifts you'll get a really incredible SNAP, which I'm 100% sure would produce a flame capable of cooking a chicken crossing the road if I were catless. Overall opinion: I got the system for $300 used from a fellow 1addict and haven't looked back. Much better over stock, many many many pennies cheaper than the PE system, and looks great. My only cons are the drone at 2k RPM and I do wish it was slightly more throaty, but that is more an issue of the stock cats/resonators/dp than the axle-back itself. Overall rating: Price: 10/10 ($500 brand new, $275-$400 used) Quality: 10/10 (ZERO complaints) Sound: 8.5-9/10 (on it's own, 10/10 with mids) Performance: Idk go dyno it Videos (not my car!): Berk Street with AR Downpipes and a BOV. If you run just the Berk Street, it'll sound just like this minus the BOV sound. The AR DP's make it slightly louder. Berk street with Mid pipes, throatier sound. The available videos on just the Berk Street aren't great so I might go do one of my own at some point. __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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08-16-2016, 02:32 PM	#2
tjswarbrick <(O0=[][]=0O)> 741 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: 2012 N55 E88 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	Awesome! Thanks so much. I like Instruction #7. Now to convince the wife that it's a necessary maintenance item... __________________ 2012 E88 M-Sport 135i DSB Metallic ER CP, ZHP Knob, E60 SSK Lever, E92 M3 FSB, RSFB inserts, Koni Sport, Eibach Pro, UCP, MPSS, AP axle-back, MHD Stage1+ 91 <(O0=[][]=0O)>
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08-16-2016, 03:29 PM	#4
1and1 Loves me some MHD! 1858 Rep 1,719 Posts Drives: faster than he should... Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tally, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List '09 135i [10.00]	Thank ya sir! The Berk Street is planned for my "brown box" christmas present for this year- looks like it should fit the "more authoritative but not obnoxious " plan perfectly. __________________ 1and1 135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla . . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg
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08-17-2016, 09:28 AM	#5
TwinTurboXI Lieutenant Colonel 158 Rep 1,523 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . iTrader: (12)	Nice Review! I have the same exhaust and I think you summarize everything accurately. Shameless Plug: Mine will be for sale soon as i'm selling/trading in my car in the coming weeks.
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08-17-2016, 10:20 AM	#7
Dat Aus First Lieutenant 117 Rep 376 Posts Drives: '08 135i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	Good to hear. It's high on my list "to do" list of mods. Realistically, are there likely to be any power gains from just an axle back?
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