BMW PE

[Cavpilot2k]

Okay, so this isn't exactly a new topic, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in.
I just took delivery of my "new" 2012 135, that replaced my "old" 2012 135 (long story, if you don't know it already). Anyway, the original owner bought the car with the PE port installed (with y-pipe/res-delete), so it is nicely broken in.

I have seen dozens of videos of the PE in my research on what exhaust I want, and so many of them have said that videos don't do it justice. All I have to say is that is totally an understatement.

I expected to want to change it out immediately, but I am just going to enjoy it for a while until I might want something a little louder, but I really have to give BMW kudos for making a really sweet-sounding exhaust that pairs beautifully with the N55. Standing outside on a cold start? Made me hard. Last night I'm driving around in 20 degree weather with the windows down so I could listen to it.

There are other great systems out there, and some day I may want to go a little more aggressive, but for all those of you contemplating exhausts, heed the caveat of "video doesn't do it justice" and consider the BMW PE, especially if you are looking for something that won't piss off your neighbors but will still sound sexy.

That is all.

[Overpar56]

My window was down the other day too. A little chilly but with the DCT and PPK1, the pops, gurgles and righteous sound at WOT is too hard to resist.

My neighbor 4 houses down likes my could start since my garage is like a bass port focused right at his home office.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

My window was down the other day too. A little chilly but with the DCT and PPK1, the pops, gurgles and righteous sound at WOT is too hard to resist.

My neighbor 4 houses down likes my could start since my garage is like a bass port focused right at his home office.

Awesome. I don't have the PPK (yet). Still debating my tune solution and waiting for tax return.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

Awesome. I don't have the PPK (yet). Still debating my tune solution and waiting for tax return.

You need PPK! It pairs perfectly with the PE. Take my advice. You have to have it.

[hawkm3]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

You need PPK! It pairs perfectly with the PE. Take my advice. You have to have it.

I agree!

[Gregoriovv]

Opinions on installing the Maddad mids to the PPK axle back? Would it wake it up even more? Sorry if I just thread jacked!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gregoriovv

Opinions on installing the Maddad mids to the PPK axle back? Would it wake it up even more? Sorry if I just thread jacked!

Not sure what you mean exactly when you say "PPK axle back," but the posters above are talking about BMW's Performance power kit (PPK), which is a software tune. There are two versions. PPK version 1, which is a software tune only, and PPK version 2, which is a software tune plus some additional cooling hardware. PPK adds a very sporty popping and crackling sound to the exhaust, which is what the posters above are referring to. It also adds 20 horsepower, which is it's main purpose. Hope this information helps.

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PERFORMANC...ORMANCE/TUNING

[Gregoriovv]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Not sure what you mean exactly when you say "PPK axle back," but the posters above are talking about BMW's Performance power kit (PPK), which is a software tune. There are two versions. PPK version 1, which is a software tune only, and PPK version 2, which is a software tune plus some additional cooling hardware. PPK adds a very sporty popping and crackling sound to the exhaust, Which is what the posters above are referring to. It also adds 20 horsepower, which is it's main purpose. Hope this information helps.

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PERFORMANC...ORMANCE/TUNING

Sorry, what I meant was the performance exhaust, PE, not PPK.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gregoriovv

Sorry, what I meant was the performance exhaust, PE, not PPK.

... Nevermind.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Gregoriovv

Opinions on installing the Maddad mids to the PPK axle back? Would it wake it up even more? Sorry if I just thread jacked!

Recognizing that you meant PE, I'm not sure different mids would really do much. The standard installation of the PE includes the mid-pipe (Y-Pipe) that deletes the resonator in the N55 and the secondary cat in the N54. So all you would be doing is replacing one catless, non-resonated midpipe with another. Maybe a slightly larger dianeter or different pipe geometry would have a small effect, but I just don't see it.

That said, there are some people out there who didn't install the full no-cat, no-res Y-Pipe with their PE (not sure why you would, but to each his own). They would probably gain some benefit from the Maddads.

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by Gregoriovv

Sorry, what I meant was the performance exhaust, PE, not PPK.

The Maddad mids lower the tone by about 2 octaves and raise the sound 5-10 decibels. They also reduce some of the rasp that you occasionally experience with the PE at high RMPs, albeit the PE does a good job controlling rasp. There's a tiny amount of drone with the Maddads from 1900-2100 RPMs, and I wouldn't really call it drone. It's more of a volume change, and not the kind of sound that causes your ear drums to vibrate. You probably would notice this with the radio on. I do feel that Maddads help with throttle response, but only if you are running an aggressive tune. With just the PPK, the PE feels more responsive. This is just a seat of the paints impression (i.e. no dyno evidence to support this assertion).

Whereas the PE is fairly civilized, adding the Maddad mids can result in disappointing looks by you neighbors during a cold start. I happen to enjoy drowning out my neighbor's S63 AMG as we set off for work in the morning.

[CAVU]

I love my PE. Neighbors not so much.

If you are one of those tards who stabs at the gas pedal as if your foot is pumping the gas from the tank to the engine, everyone around you will know you're an idiot.

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by CAVU

If you are one of those tards who stabs at the gas pedal as if your foot is pumping the gas from the tank to the engine, everyone around you will know you're an idiot.

Hysterical. I witness this at least twice a week. Last night it was a Ferrari, Lamborghini, and an Aston Martin leaving a happy hour. Three dudes sat there revving their engines all at once. The Ferrari sounded like it had a bad tensioner which was squealing like a stucK pig. The guy in the Lamborghini couldn't find reverse and almost drove the car over the curb. South FL definitely becomes "Tard Central" in the winter.

[MikesBMW]

Is it just me or is a warm start with an N55 and PE just not exciting at all. My car sounds great with a cold start, but warm it is so quiet and you barely hear it starting

[Marc08EX]

Originally Posted by BMW135iMike

Is it just me or is a warm start with an N55 and PE just not exciting at all. My car sounds great with a cold start, but warm it is so quiet and you barely hear it starting

I agree with you. Sometimes I wish the exhaust was louder.

[Esteban]

Warm start IS quiet. With the PE, it kind of sounds like a big cat purring to me. I like it. I think it would be obnoxious sounding if every time you started it sounded like a cold start. To me, it would get old quick. I like the cold start sound happening first thing in the morning, or whenever the car is cold, just not ALL the time.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

The Maddad mids lower the tone by about 2 octaves and raise the sound 5-10 decibels. They also reduce some of the rasp that you occasionally experience with the PE at high RMPs, albeit the PE does a good job controlling rasp. There's a tiny amount of drone with the Maddads from 1900-2100 RPMs, and I wouldn't really call it drone. It's more of a volume change, and not the kind of sound that causes your ear drums to vibrate. You probably would notice this with the radio on. I do feel that Maddads help with throttle response, but only if you are running an aggressive tune. With just the PPK, the PE feels more responsive. This is just a seat of the paints impression (i.e. no dyno evidence to support this assertion).

Whereas the PE is fairly civilized, adding the Maddad mids can result in disappointing looks by you neighbors during a cold start. I happen to enjoy drowning out my neighbor's S63 AMG as we set off for work in the morning.

Are your maddads resonated or not? If not, Any idea to what degree resonators would affect what you described? I assume they would quiet it down a hair.
I am really enjoying my PE, but I kinda wish it were 10db louder (except on cold start. ;-) ).

[Dackelone]

Other than a PPK(sw tune from BMW) that will give you more pops and gurgles... you could also go to a high(er) flowing cat. It sounds awesome on the N55.

[gap]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

Are your maddads resonated or not? If not, Any idea to what degree resonators would affect what you described? I assume they would quiet it down a hair.
I am really enjoying my PE, but I kinda wish it were 10db louder (except on cold start. ;-) ).

The Maddad mids have resonators. N54 cars have secondary cats in the midpipe and the MDMP resonators are in the same location as the cats were. Not sure if you would gain as much sound as we do with a N54.

I have the same exhaust as Pig Farmer and love the way it sounds.