Berk resonated midpipes - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

robertm · 02-07-2012, 01:00 PM

Installed these this weekend. Install is extremely simple and if you can figure out how to use a jack and jack stands you will have no problems installing these. I highly recommend this as a do it yourself job.

I’m pretty happy with the results. I already knew it wouldn’t be a night and day transformation but what it did do I am very happy with. The car is a bit louder. Inside the car you can hear the exhaust a bit more, it’s definitely not loud though. Outside the car it's evident something has changed. Reving the engine and dropping to idle produces a slight burble now. Unfortunately you need to windows down to hear. Also, when high in the rpm range the car is a lot more vocal.

As for performance this is where I’m most impressed. I’ve never been happy with the upper end of 3rd gear in this car. First and second aren’t bad approaching redline but 3rd just sucks. The car always feels like it doesn’t want to get to redline in 3rd. With the new midpipes this is substantially reduced. The car just pulls harder in the upper rpm range in 3rd gear. I think the stock midpipes created a lot of back pressure and this is what was preventing the car from wanting to rev. Suddenly, highway on ramps are a lot more fun!

Mnime · 02-07-2012, 10:38 PM

sweet...it starts to sound better as it breaks in too.

bdaddylo · 02-07-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mnime

sweet...it starts to sound better as it breaks in too.

What is there to break in on midpipes?

robertm · 02-08-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

What is there to break in on midpipes?

Resonator I assume. I bought mine used so I'm pretty sure its already broken in as its gonna get. Sounds good as is regardless!

Mnime · 02-08-2012, 09:23 AM

even better... I got mine new and noticed that after a few hundred miles it seemed to have a deeper growl. I could just be making shit up in my head though...that seems to happen to me often LOL

PunjabiM3 · 02-26-2012, 09:39 PM

Just got mine installed this afternoon. Agree that car is a bit louder than with the stock midpipe. Sounds good overall. I do believe I have an issue with a part of the pipe (my guess is the resonators) hitting the heat shield as I can hear it rattle at low RPM's. I also have noticed a noticeable smell...as if something is burning. Did anyone else have this smell or heat shield rattle?

///M1 · 02-26-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Just got mine installed this afternoon. Agree that car is a bit louder than with the stock midpipe. Sounds good overall. I do believe I have an issue with a part of the pipe (my guess is the resonators) hitting the heat shield as I can hear it rattle at low RPM's. I also have noticed a noticeable smell...as if something is burning. Did anyone else have this smell or heat shield rattle?

Just a thought, but usually all exhausts smell 'funny' once installed and during first use. It would smell like something is burning, as indeed the hot gases are making their way through the exhaust material for the first time. you should be fine within a day if that is the case.

Franklin Joseph · 02-26-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Just got mine installed this afternoon. Agree that car is a bit louder than with the stock midpipe. Sounds good overall. I do believe I have an issue with a part of the pipe (my guess is the resonators) hitting the heat shield as I can hear it rattle at low RPM's. I also have noticed a noticeable smell...as if something is burning. Did anyone else have this smell or heat shield rattle?

I had the rattle (hitting the brace), adjusted the hanger mount a little higher and got a different rattle (heat shield rattle). The's probably a sweet spot. I ended up added spacers to the cross brace bolts (to space it down) and no more rattle.

I got mine used so didnt notice any smell.

Zuzu · 02-26-2012, 11:08 PM

I had the burning smell initially after the N55 mids install..( New pipes )
Nothing to worry about.

The breaking in of the pipes is normally associated with the pipes getting carboned up after a few 100 clicks.

robertm · 02-27-2012, 09:14 AM

Not sure about the rattle. Prob just need to adjust things a little bit. I never even reinstalled the brace about halfway back. Didn't have the right length screws and haven't gotten around to reinstalling. The smell is probably just because it's new. It should go away.

The sound will get better and better btw. Mine was used but it has still gotten louder and deeper after a few weeks. Mean as hell on start up now and quiets down a bit after that. It snaps crackles and pops when you blip the throttle and let it come back down to idle. Also reving in 1st a little bit then letting off the gas produces the burble as well. Still can't hear it with the windows closed but from outside the car or with windows down its great. Not akrapovic great, but I’m loving it!

Mnime · 02-27-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertm

Not sure about the rattle. Prob just need to adjust things a little bit. I never even reinstalled the brace about halfway back. Didn't have the right length screws and haven't gotten around to reinstalling.

Same here... It was really secure w/o it anyway. I had the rattle too but I had just put back on the stock rubber hanger. I cut it off and put on the once supplied and no more rattle.

CarJunkie · 03-24-2012, 06:46 PM

Can anyone with these comment on the effect on drone . . . better, worse, no change, gone?

I am debating berk vs maddad vs n55.

///M1 · 03-24-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Can anyone with these comment on the effect on drone . . . better, worse, no change, gone?

I am debating berk vs maddad vs n55.

Can't speak for Berk, but so far everyone that has installed MadDad or N55 mids has said drone is eliminated. Same case here (though I have an exhaust as well), no drone at all.

1swift1 · 03-25-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Can anyone with these comment on the effect on drone . . . better, worse, no change, gone?

I am debating berk vs maddad vs n55.

I had the Berk midpipe installed about 500 miles back. Love it. Originally the stock midpipes droned at 2200 rpm. Now the Berks have similar drone at 2800 rpm. However, the drone never bothered me in either instance.
I'm glad I went with Berk. Sound great and perhaps improved performance.

Ian///M · 03-25-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

What is there to break in on midpipes?

Carbon build up after a few hours driving improves sound

bdaddylo · 03-26-2012, 11:43 PM

So far I'm pleased with the Berks. The only way I can describe the exhaust note is that there's more sound if that makes any sense. In regards to the drone, it now sounds more like an exhaust note as opposed to a resonance. The drone RPM range has been reduced to 2,000-2,250. I plan on doing a dyno next week to see what the gains are.

Fundahl · 03-27-2012, 01:30 PM

And then dyno again with Down-pipes! Add a tune and I think you will be impressed.

Franklin Joseph · 03-30-2012, 12:33 PM

posting bdaddylo's dyno chart from this morning's dyno.

///M1 · 03-30-2012, 12:53 PM

Thx for posting, I tell you I got pretty much exact (both absolute and relative) figures on my car, both stock and with the MadDad mids!

Stock: 315.52 - 354.71
MadDad: 325.81 - 361.06

All SAE numbers, smoothing factor 5

So fair to say mids add a good 10whp and about half of that in TQ.

EDIT: here is my graph, same absolute gains, just coming a bit earlier but that's probably because of slip-on

robertm · 03-30-2012, 02:48 PM

What I take from that graph, which corelates with my butt dyno, is the added power is higher in the rpm range. The car doesn't feel quite as constricted now in the upper rpms range in 3rd gear and up. Good to see a plot that confirms what I suspected!

bdaddylo · 03-30-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertm

What I take from that graph, which corelates with my butt dyno, is the added power is higher in the rpm range. The car doesn't feel quite as constricted now in the upper rpms range in 3rd gear and up. Good to see a plot that confirms what I suspected!

10-15 hp and tq increases in the upper rpm range are quite an improvement. Definitely a worthy mod.

LotusBoy · 03-31-2012, 06:49 AM

Very interesting, I'll go this way, too !

02-07-2012, 01:00 PM	#1
robertm Captain Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw Posts: 732 iTrader: (0)	Berk resonated midpipes Installed these this weekend. Install is extremely simple and if you can figure out how to use a jack and jack stands you will have no problems installing these. I highly recommend this as a do it yourself job. I’m pretty happy with the results. I already knew it wouldn’t be a night and day transformation but what it did do I am very happy with. The car is a bit louder. Inside the car you can hear the exhaust a bit more, it’s definitely not loud though. Outside the car it's evident something has changed. Reving the engine and dropping to idle produces a slight burble now. Unfortunately you need to windows down to hear. Also, when high in the rpm range the car is a lot more vocal. As for performance this is where I’m most impressed. I’ve never been happy with the upper end of 3rd gear in this car. First and second aren’t bad approaching redline but 3rd just sucks. The car always feels like it doesn’t want to get to redline in 3rd. With the new midpipes this is substantially reduced. The car just pulls harder in the upper rpm range in 3rd gear. I think the stock midpipes created a lot of back pressure and this is what was preventing the car from wanting to rev. Suddenly, highway on ramps are a lot more fun! Last edited by robertm; 02-07-2012 at 05:07 PM.
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02-26-2012, 09:39 PM	#6
PunjabiM3 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,673 iTrader: (1)	Just got mine installed this afternoon. Agree that car is a bit louder than with the stock midpipe. Sounds good overall. I do believe I have an issue with a part of the pipe (my guess is the resonators) hitting the heat shield as I can hear it rattle at low RPM's. I also have noticed a noticeable smell...as if something is burning. Did anyone else have this smell or heat shield rattle? __________________ New ride ETA 2 weeks 2012 Audi A6 Prestige, Moonlight Blue 2009 Lexus ES350, Sparkling Graphite (wife's) Previous: 11 e82 1M, 07 997TT, 08 e92 M3, 06 997 C2S, 05 e46 M3 coupe, 03.5 e46 M3 cabrio

03-26-2012, 11:43 PM	#16
bdaddylo Captain Drives: 2011 E82 1M Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 822 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Acura MDX [0.00] 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [0.00]	So far I'm pleased with the Berks. The only way I can describe the exhaust note is that there's more sound if that makes any sense. In regards to the drone, it now sounds more like an exhaust note as opposed to a resonance. The drone RPM range has been reduced to 2,000-2,250. I plan on doing a dyno next week to see what the gains are. __________________ _______________________ 2011 1 Series M Coupe/VO/Convenience Pkg/Premium Pkg/Harman Kardon/AFE Scoops/Berk Midpipes/P3 V2/BMS Catch Can/CF Rear Deck Spoiler/3M Clear Bra/3M Crystalline/Homelink/M Performance Steering Wheel

03-30-2012, 12:53 PM	#19
///M1 Brigadier General Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 212/305 Posts: 3,078 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00] 2000 BMW E39 M5 (sold) [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i (sold) [0.00]	Thx for posting, I tell you I got pretty much exact (both absolute and relative) figures on my car, both stock and with the MadDad mids! Stock: 315.52 - 354.71 MadDad: 325.81 - 361.06 All SAE numbers, smoothing factor 5 So fair to say mids add a good 10whp and about half of that in TQ. EDIT: here is my graph, same absolute gains, just coming a bit earlier but that's probably because of slip-on Attached Images __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, ZPP, ZCV, HK, Sirius, Apps; Akra CF+Valve control, MadDad mids, K&N, Forge FMIC, P3gauge, EuroTails, Tint, CF Mirrors+Spoiler+Roof Wrap, 10mm H&Rs, IND grills+gills, xCDV, LUX AE 2008 Audi B7 RS 4: Sprint Blue, Exclusive Euro Recaro Interior, Premium+Titanium Package, EPL Tune, Stasis Ohlins MS coilovers, Milltek valved exhaust+DownPipes, Stoptech SS lines, Tint, ADR V1, Lidatek, Lamin-X, Rotiform SNA 19x10" wheels, 275/30/19 PSSs, Euro flat-bottom steering wheel, JHM SSK Last edited by ///M1; 03-30-2012 at 01:01 PM.*

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02-07-2012, 10:38 PM	#2
Mnime First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 1M AW Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dallas, TX USA Posts: 311 iTrader: (0)	sweet...it starts to sound better as it breaks in too.

02-08-2012, 09:23 AM	#5
Mnime First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 1M AW Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dallas, TX USA Posts: 311 iTrader: (0)	even better... I got mine new and noticed that after a few hundred miles it seemed to have a deeper growl. I could just be making shit up in my head though...that seems to happen to me often LOL

02-26-2012, 11:08 PM	#9
Zuzu Major General Drives: VO 1M Beast Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SyDnEy Oz Posts: 6,974 iTrader: (0)	I had the burning smell initially after the N55 mids install..( New pipes ) Nothing to worry about. The breaking in of the pipes is normally associated with the pipes getting carboned up after a few 100 clicks.

02-27-2012, 09:14 AM	#10
robertm Captain Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw Posts: 732 iTrader: (0)	Not sure about the rattle. Prob just need to adjust things a little bit. I never even reinstalled the brace about halfway back. Didn't have the right length screws and haven't gotten around to reinstalling. The smell is probably just because it's new. It should go away. The sound will get better and better btw. Mine was used but it has still gotten louder and deeper after a few weeks. Mean as hell on start up now and quiets down a bit after that. It snaps crackles and pops when you blip the throttle and let it come back down to idle. Also reving in 1st a little bit then letting off the gas produces the burble as well. Still can't hear it with the windows closed but from outside the car or with windows down its great. Not akrapovic great, but I’m loving it!

03-24-2012, 06:46 PM	#12
CarJunkie Lieutenant Drives: Valencia Orange 1-Series M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington Posts: 427 iTrader: (0)	Can anyone with these comment on the effect on drone . . . better, worse, no change, gone? I am debating berk vs maddad vs n55.

03-27-2012, 01:30 PM	#17
Fundahl Captain Drives: VO 1M, 300zx TT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 705 iTrader: (0)	And then dyno again with Down-pipes! Add a tune and I think you will be impressed.

03-30-2012, 12:33 PM	#18
Franklin Joseph Captain Drives: X5 - MCS - M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 749 iTrader: (1)	posting bdaddylo's dyno chart from this morning's dyno.

03-30-2012, 02:48 PM	#20
robertm Captain Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw Posts: 732 iTrader: (0)	What I take from that graph, which corelates with my butt dyno, is the added power is higher in the rpm range. The car doesn't feel quite as constricted now in the upper rpms range in 3rd gear and up. Good to see a plot that confirms what I suspected!

03-31-2012, 06:49 AM	#22
LotusBoy Private First Class Drives: BSM 1M, N55, KW's DDC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brussels Posts: 118 iTrader: (0)	Very interesting, I'll go this way, too !