Easiest way to make the N54 135i exhaust louder at low RPM?

ccdre · 07-07-2015, 07:13 PM

I realize there are many aftermarket exhaust systems, down pipes, cat eliminators and what not.
Putting HP gains aside, is there an easy way to simply make these cars sound little more aggressive in the low RPMs while keeping the car California smog legal?

I'm reading about the popular golf Tee mod, however many state the difference in sound is hardly noticeable...

Venom · 07-07-2015, 07:16 PM

N55 mids or similar or performance exhaust. I smog'd no problem without the second pair of cats.

Esteban · 07-07-2015, 07:29 PM

I second the Performance exhaust. Nice tone without sounding too loud or obnoxious. If you haven't already, listen to some of the exhaust clips in the exhaust thread.

julienjj · 07-07-2015, 07:38 PM

The performance exhaust is the thing I enjoy the most on this car. Not too loud but with the characteristic raspiness (metallic ish) of bmw high performance engines.

lowbudgethero · 07-07-2015, 08:00 PM

do the golf tee mod and see how you like it, then if you want more go n55 mids

6MT_Addict · 07-07-2015, 08:27 PM

The Performance Exhaust is a little on the expensive side but it's totally worth it! If you're interested jump on it sooner rather than later as they are no longer being produced, so whatever is in stock in the BMW warehouses is all that's left.

A couple examples below, keep in mind these are relative to both the microphones of the cameras recording (N55 mic seems much better) and the speakers on your computer/phone/tablet, etc. I did the Golf Tee mod before getting the PE, there is no comparison. If I had to re-do it I would 100% buy the PE first before any other mods.

My favourite sounds are at WOT upshifting the exhaust just barks and cracks, and second to that is downshifting gears, blip the throttle going down into second gear, pure eargasm.

If the PE is not loud enough, you can also do a secondary cat delete with the PE for added volume. It will likely be cheaper to get the cats removed via a muffler shop than buying the bolt on N55 mid pipe, as the pipe is around $800 if I remember right. You might as well just shell out a little more for the PE at that point.

N55 Mids:

Performance Exhaust:

ccdre · 07-07-2015, 08:46 PM

Awesome, thanks for the responses! The performance exhaust in the videoclip above sounds very healthy indeed!

6MT_Addict · 07-07-2015, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccdre

Awesome, thanks for the responses! The performance exhaust in the videoclip above sounds very healthy indeed!

The best part is, the video doesn't do it justice

Also as far as I know the above is correct regarding manufacturing. But there are still a lot of units in warehouses, don't feel pressured due to that, just don't sit around waiting for years if it's something you want

mike@x-ph.com · 07-08-2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccdre

I realize there are many aftermarket exhaust systems, down pipes, cat eliminators and what not.
Putting HP gains aside, is there an easy way to simply make these cars sound little more aggressive in the low RPMs while keeping the car California smog legal?

I'm reading about the popular golf Tee mod, however many state the difference in sound is hardly noticeable...

Add a axle back exhaust, you will still be smog legal.
If you want really loud AA Gen I is the best bet.
If not AA Gen II, GThaus, Remus.

And as everyone else mentioned, the performance exhaust is a good choice as well if you do not mind paying that much.

ccdre · 07-09-2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Add a axle back exhaust, you will still be smog legal.
If you want really loud AA Gen I is the best bet.
If not AA Gen II, GThaus, Remus.

And as everyone else mentioned, the performance exhaust is a good choice as well if you do not mind paying that much.

Cool, I'll check out those options as well... No vouches for a Magnaflow system? I've had their cat-back exhaust on just about every car I've ever owned, surprising to see they're not popular in the BMW world.

Esteban · 07-09-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccdre

Cool, I'll check out those options as well... No vouches for a Magnaflow system? I've had their cat-back exhaust on just about every car I've ever owned, surprising to see they're not popular in the BMW world.

I had a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust on my 2006 Mustang GT and it was the best sounding exhaust I ever had. I remember hearing the Magnaflow cat-back exhaust for the 135i and it just didn't sound that good to me. Almost like stock IMO. Here's an example:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...&postcount=112

07-07-2015, 07:13 PM	#1
ccdre Lieutenant 337 Rep 404 Posts Drives: '10 AW 135i, '13 Frozen M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NorCal iTrader: (1)	Easiest way to make the N54 135i exhaust louder at low RPM? I realize there are many aftermarket exhaust systems, down pipes, cat eliminators and what not. Putting HP gains aside, is there an easy way to simply make these cars sound little more aggressive in the low RPMs while keeping the car California smog legal? I'm reading about the popular golf Tee mod, however many state the difference in sound is hardly noticeable...
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07-07-2015, 07:16 PM	#2
Venom Colonel 375 Rep 2,388 Posts Drives: M2 Competition Join Date: May 2011 Location: East Bay, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [8.50]	N55 mids or similar or performance exhaust. I smog'd no problem without the second pair of cats.
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07-07-2015, 07:29 PM	#3
Esteban Major General 43685 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I second the Performance exhaust. Nice tone without sounding too loud or obnoxious. If you haven't already, listen to some of the exhaust clips in the exhaust thread. __________________
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07-07-2015, 07:38 PM	#4
julienjj Private First Class 135 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 135i 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	The performance exhaust is the thing I enjoy the most on this car. Not too loud but with the characteristic raspiness (metallic ish) of bmw high performance engines. __________________ 2016 435i xdrive Gran Coupé 2011 E82 1M Custom Frozen Brilliant White 2006 E60 M5 Alpine white SMG DELETE 6MT swap. Gone : 135i 2008 \| Gone : 2008 535i Touring\|
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07-07-2015, 08:00 PM	#5
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 750 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	do the golf tee mod and see how you like it, then if you want more go n55 mids
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07-07-2015, 08:27 PM	#6
6MT_Addict Captain 283 Rep 888 Posts Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	The Performance Exhaust is a little on the expensive side but it's totally worth it! If you're interested jump on it sooner rather than later as they are no longer being produced, so whatever is in stock in the BMW warehouses is all that's left. A couple examples below, keep in mind these are relative to both the microphones of the cameras recording (N55 mic seems much better) and the speakers on your computer/phone/tablet, etc. I did the Golf Tee mod before getting the PE, there is no comparison. If I had to re-do it I would 100% buy the PE first before any other mods. My favourite sounds are at WOT upshifting the exhaust just barks and cracks, and second to that is downshifting gears, blip the throttle going down into second gear, pure eargasm. If the PE is not loud enough, you can also do a secondary cat delete with the PE for added volume. It will likely be cheaper to get the cats removed via a muffler shop than buying the bolt on N55 mid pipe, as the pipe is around $800 if I remember right. You might as well just shell out a little more for the PE at that point. N55 Mids: Performance Exhaust: __________________ 2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap \| Flat Black Grilles Last edited by 6MT_Addict; 07-07-2015 at 08:41 PM..
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07-07-2015, 08:46 PM	#7
ccdre Lieutenant 337 Rep 404 Posts Drives: '10 AW 135i, '13 Frozen M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NorCal iTrader: (1)	Awesome, thanks for the responses! The performance exhaust in the videoclip above sounds very healthy indeed!
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