Berk Technology Full Race Exhaust on my N55 VIDEO (Attention Berk Reps)

[11N55]

UPDATE:


The exhaust sounds AWESOME! But it might be a little to much for some people.

Please feel reassured that "BERK" has fixed the issue! I apologize for stirring things up, I was just concerned.

As far as fitment goes everything seems fine now, Lutz Performance Automotive looked over the exhaust and nothing is loose.


Last night I finally received my Berk Full Race Exhaust from EAS. I waited 4 weeks to get this exhaust, it was getting powder coated black and it looks awesome!. Today I had it installed at Lutz Automotive Performance. The install took less then an hour and everyone was very friendly! They even filmed a video of me revving the car and inside clip of me driving it so you get an idea of the sound from the interior. (Should be up on their facebook within a couple days)

Now to the exhaust.

Fitment: I am quoting the tech that installed it "fitment is not the best, and you will get a rattle here and there" I asked if there was anything he could do to eliminate the rattle and he said he would have to take it off completely and bend/weld to make it fit properly. (Really!?!? Damn )

I am a little disappointed as I am experiencing a noticeable rattle pretty often and I am curious what "Berk" has to say about this. I would really like to get this problem worked out!

Sound: The exhaust is loud and sounds awesome but I wouldn't say its stupid loud, so anyone who is concerned about it being over the top feel reassured that it isn't obnoxiously loud. I do notice at WOT around 4k+ there is noticeable sound, it isn't that horn sound but it is unique, *EDIT* it in fact is the "French Horn sound *EDIT*. The exhaust definitely sounds mean, it gurgles and sounds exotic! As far a drone cruising in 4th,5th & 6th gear isn't bad at all.

Final Verdict: Awesome exhaust that sounds great, has an appealing price and isn't obnoxiously loud but unfortunately has fitment issues for the N55 135i.



Video: I shot this right after driving it back home, I know its not the greatest video but I promise to post up more. (I put my phone (iPhone 4) to close to the exhaust and when I hit around 4-5k it knocked it over...haha)

Updated Video (Extended)

[oman135]

sounds amazing!
so will i face any problems installing it on the n55 ?
more videos please. especially during WOT !
is it much louder then stock n55 exhaust ?

[11N55]

Originally Posted by oman135

sounds amazing!
so will i face any problems installing it on the n55 ?
more videos please. especially during WOT !
is it much louder then stock n55 exhaust ?

1. As far as I know they had no problems installing it its just that it doesn't fit all that well so it rattles...
2.Here is a video I just took, its very hard to tape and drive. I was driving under a bridge so you can hear the exhaust much better. OK, here is what really ANGERS me and I will you can quote me on this "I WILL" get this taken care of or there will be a big mess...

I give you the "FRENCH HORN"

3. It is much louder then stock but like I said earlier its not crazy loud.

[HPFREAK]

thanks for posting the vids. i guess i wont be doing the berk system. they said that weird sound was gone but clearly it is not. that will drive me nuts. im going to wait for the HPF system now.

[1speedbike]

Damn I also thought they got rid of the french horn sound. I was originally getting the muffler-delete axleback but then decided to go with the full sport exhaust instead. It's a shame because the original muffler-delete was great (except for some rusting) and sounded awesome, and the berk midpipes and sport axleback are top quality. It also has perfect fitment for N54. Hopefully they'll fix these problems soon because the quality, sound, and workmanship are great except for these hiccups..

[oman135]

Yaap , there is a weird sound . Does the sport system has fitment issues on the n55 ? I guess only system without mufflers hHis sound

[FDfranklin]

Ugh, looks like ill be holding off on ordering that exhaust, was ready to order on Monday. I haven't listened to your videos because im at work, but the things you described would drive me absolutely nuts.

We need more aftermarket parts for the n55 specifically, not "Also fits n55(Kinda)"

Is that in Cory Lake Isles?

[dcho]

sorry about the french horn . as for the rattling, did you try making sure that none of the heat shield is touching?

[bogart]

My BMW Performance exhaust sounds better on my N55, imho, and I get no rattles or "french horn".

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by bogart

My BMW Performance exhaust sounds better on my N55, imho, and I get no rattles or "french horn".

Care to share a video? I'm also not showing a n55 exhaust on their website.

[11N55]

I already contacted EAS and also emailed Berk directly, I will keep you guys updated.

[11N55]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

Ugh, looks like ill be holding off on ordering that exhaust, was ready to order on Monday. I haven't listened to your videos because im at work, but the things you described would drive me absolutely nuts.

We need more aftermarket parts for the n55 specifically, not "Also fits n55(Kinda)"

Is that in Cory Lake Isles?

Nah, I shot the first video in my neighborhood (Steeplechase) and the second was taking the off ramp from veterans on to 60.

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by 11N55

Nah, I shot the first video in my neighborhood (Steeplechase) and the second was taking the off ramp from veterans on to 60.

Ah I see. If you want some good quality videos of it, I have a gopro.

[11N55]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Is that knocking the rattling about which you are complaining?

Would you do a video cruising a 4K rpm so we can hear the horn?

I would like to know how well the powder coat retains its finish.

Attention all exhaust providers: We love our black chrome tips!

I will shoot more videos this weekend maybe even later tonight, I am at work till 6. I am not sure what knocking sound you are talking about but there is a rattle at lower rpms and it sounds like something is loose, it is a very unpleasant sound!

Update:
Berk has already responded and we are working on a solution.

[cadeucsb]

Originally Posted by 11N55

I will shoot more videos this weekend maybe even later tonight, I am at work till 6. I am not sure what knocking sound you are talking about but there is a rattle at lower rpms and it sounds like something is loose, it is a very unpleasant sound!

Update:
Berk has already responded and we are working on a solution.

Did you read my review a couple days ago? Are your midpipes rattling on that grey V-brace support? My driver side resonator/midpipe was hitting that because the forward most hanger was angled wrong (i assume from shipping). The hanger was angled up, not parallel to the ground.

Once we bent that down to be parallel to the ground, it pushed the midpipe up and we couldnt get the midpipe to touch that brace any more even by hanging bodyweight on it.

Also on the french horn, its a pretty common issue with muffler deletes. Tons of posts here about it.

[cadeucsb]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

Ugh, looks like ill be holding off on ordering that exhaust, was ready to order on Monday. I haven't listened to your videos because im at work, but the things you described would drive me absolutely nuts.

We need more aftermarket parts for the n55 specifically, not "Also fits n55(Kinda)"

Is that in Cory Lake Isles?

I thought you were looking at the Sport System (Like I have). Only the muffler delete Race System suffers from the french horn issue. Common issue for muffler deletes I think.

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by cadeucsb

I thought you were looking at the Sport System (Like I have). Only the muffler delete Race System suffers from the french horn issue. Common issue for muffler deletes I think.

Yeah, Its confusing because EAS calls it something different than what BERK has it on their website. Still the rattling/fitment issue scares me just as much.

[cadeucsb]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

Yeah, Its confusing because EAS calls it something different than what BERK has it on their website. Still the rattling/fitment issue scares me just as much.

At least in my experience, fitment is great. Mine required a very minor 30 sec tweak. My experience isnt directly comparable to 11N55 since he got the Race System.

[11N55]

Originally Posted by cadeucsb

Did you read my review a couple days ago? Are your midpipes rattling on that grey V-brace support? My driver side resonator/midpipe was hitting that because the forward most hanger was angled wrong (i assume from shipping). The hanger was angled up, not parallel to the ground.

Once we bent that down to be parallel to the ground, it pushed the midpipe up and we couldnt get the midpipe to touch that brace any more even by hanging bodyweight on it.

Also on the french horn, its a pretty common issue with muffler deletes. Tons of posts here about it.

I read your review but I had my Exhaust professionally installed by "Lutz Performance Automotive" they know their stuff! They are an authorized dealer/installer for HPF and AA, I am pretty sure that counts for something not to mention they have 30 years of experience in the field.

As far as the "French Horn" sound I asked EAS and they told me they had no issue with the noise, EAS had also told me that fitment was not a problem as well.

[HPFREAK]

Originally Posted by 11N55

I read your review but I had my Exhaust professionally installed by "Lutz Performance Automotive" they know their stuff! They are an authorized dealer/installer for HPF and AA, I am pretty sure that counts for something not to mention they have 30 years of experience in the field.

As far as the "French Horn" sound I asked EAS and they told me they had no issue with the noise, EAS had also told me that fitment was not a problem as well.

Ahhh yes the typical response they both give. Yet more and more proof keeps coming out on the various forums like you have also given, and they will still say there is no issue.lol they could just say. The noise is a by product of the muffler delete system and common to all makers, and this is we they do not advise it for daily driven cars. If they did that then most would not even consider it, but when they say no its fixed or no there is no problem, people believe it and then buy it and are pissed when they hear it.

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by cadeucsb

At least in my experience, fitment is great. Mine required a very minor 30 sec tweak. My experience isnt directly comparable to 11N55 since he got the Race System.

I thought you were n54 though?

[cadeucsb]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

I thought you were n54 though?

true, do we have different axle back setups?