128i with 135i axle back & headers (and various combos)

[asbrr]

All,

I've been scouring through the archives, youtube etc looking for the above combination to get an idea on sound, haven't found it exactly. Currently the car simply has a golf tee mod, otherwise all stock 128i. I like the low frequency subtle rumble in the low rpm range that the golf tee mod provides.

The car is a daily driver, I don't want it to be much louder, so looking for an OEM+ type configuration. The PE is a bit louder and "harsher" for my tastes (if that makes sense), so was looking for what a stock 128i system but with only a 135i axle back sounds like (stock headers, stock secondaries/mid section, 135i axle back). These are available cheap, and the straight through design should provide a nominal but not extreme increase in sound. I would leave the golf tee mod in place with the 135i axle back.

Second - I'm thinking I may go for headers at a later stage, either AA or supersprint. I'd be keeping the stock secondaries and mid section. I know Stig has this setup but with a stock 128i muffler, have heard how this sounds as there are a couple of vids. Anyone have a 135 axle back but with catless headers and stock secondaries and mid section?

It's a bit of a specific request, but there's lots of combinations out there I guess...

Thanks
Ash

[chris82]

I have a little bit of first hand knowledge on this so let me explain my findings.

On my fully stock exhaust system, my first step was to do the stock 135i axelback. It added like 25% volume, nothing near what the PE adds, but it had a nice tone and for $150 it was a good mod. Next I did the Supersprint resonator delete and I have some pictures of the piece and a short video here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1145369

Absolutely love that sound, but I wish it was ~40% louder. You get some pops and rumbles off the throttle, but it's never intruding. That's how I'd describe the whole setup, a nice sound, you know it's there, but it doesn't cause a lot of commotion. Judging by what some say about the 128i PE on here, I think my 135i axelback + SS resonator delete combo is the quieter setup.

I have been in 631twentyeighteye car and he has the mapleridge catless headers + the 135i axelback. That setup is MUCH louder than mine, and the loudest 128i setup I've heard actually.

I have also been in ST|G's car, and he had the SS headers + SS muffler, mids and resonator still stock. Again, great sound, but not as loud as 631's setup. Slightly louder than my setup, iirc

On a loudness scale:

128i stock < 135i axelback < 135i axelback + SS resonator delete < SS catless headers + SS muffler < Mapleridge catless + 135i axelback

I actually haven't heard the 128i PE in person so I don't know where that be placed in terms of loudness, I would say between my setup and 631's setup.

That is how I remember them all sounding. My vote would be for either the 135i muffler or SS muffler, depending on what your budget is. I'd reccomend the PE, but I think that will be too loud after headers (for you at least)

[Taskmaster]

Borla or Magnaflow.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Borla or Magnaflow.

Borla? They don't even make an exhaust specific to our car, why go through the trouble when you have options like Supersprint, BMW PE, 135i exhaust, and Magnaflow. I wouldn't reccomend Borla to anybody for this car for that reason alone. Who even has a Borla system on the 128i? Who even knows what that sounds like?

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by chris82

I have a little bit of first hand knowledge on this so let me explain my findings.

On my fully stock exhaust system, my first step was to do the stock 135i axelback. It added like 25% volume, nothing near what the PE adds, but it had a nice tone and for $150 it was a good mod. Next I did the Supersprint resonator delete and I have some pictures of the piece and a short video here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1145369

Absolutely love that sound, but I wish it was ~40% louder. You get some pops and rumbles off the throttle, but it's never intruding. That's how I'd describe the whole setup, a nice sound, you know it's there, but it doesn't cause a lot of commotion. Judging by what some say about the 128i PE on here, I think my 135i axelback + SS resonator delete combo is the quieter setup.

I have been in 631twentyeighteye car and he has the mapleridge catless headers + the 135i axelback. That setup is MUCH louder than mine, and the loudest 128i setup I've heard actually.

I have also been in ST|G's car, and he had the SS headers + SS muffler, mids and resonator still stock. Again, great sound, but not as loud as 631's setup. Slightly louder than my setup, iirc

On a loudness scale:

128i stock < 135i axelback < 135i axelback + SS resonator delete < SS catless headers + SS muffler < Mapleridge catless + 135i axelback

I actually haven't heard the 128i PE in person so I don't know where that be placed in terms of loudness, I would say between my setup and 631's setup.

That is how I remember them all sounding. My vote would be for either the 135i muffler or SS muffler, depending on what your budget is. I'd reccomend the PE, but I think that will be too loud after headers (for you at least)

Thanks Chris - was hoping you would chime in. I find it interesting/confusing that the mapleridge catless header setup you mention above was so loud - I assume the stock resonator and secondary cats were still in place there? I've heard Stig's videos with the stock system only running SS catless headers, and it was fairly quiet with a bit more of a rasp from the header, so I would expect any catless header to be somewhat similar. Unless I misunderstood and the mapleridge car also has a resonator delete?

Either way, your findings align with what I would expect --> I would not be looking to replace the midsection/resonators, all that would be stock. I'd only go as far as doing the 135i axleback (or SS muffler or similar), and add catless headers at the most. When you say the 135i axle back adds a nice tone and 25% volume to stock, that sounds perfect to me. Throw in catless headers for some added "bite" to the sound, feels like what I'm going for eventually.

Too bad there's no clips of just a plain 135i axle back on an otherwise stock 128 system....

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by chris82

Borla? They don't even make an exhaust specific to our car, why go through the trouble when you have options like Supersprint, BMW PE, 135i exhaust, and Magnaflow. I wouldn't reccomend Borla to anybody for this car for that reason alone. Who even has a Borla system on the 128i? Who even knows what that sounds like?

It's just a muffler, no need to spend big money on it. It needs to flow well, and sound nice - something Borlas do well.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Thanks Chris - was hoping you would chime in. I find it interesting/confusing that the mapleridge catless header setup you mention above was so loud - I assume the stock resonator and secondary cats were still in place there? I've heard Stig's videos with the stock system only running SS catless headers, and it was fairly quiet with a bit more of a rasp from the header, so I would expect any catless header to be somewhat similar. Unless I misunderstood and the mapleridge car also has a resonator delete?

Either way, your findings align with what I would expect --> I would not be looking to replace the midsection/resonators, all that would be stock. I'd only go as far as doing the 135i axleback (or SS muffler or similar), and add catless headers at the most. When you say the 135i axle back adds a nice tone and 25% volume to stock, that sounds perfect to me. Throw in catless headers for some added "bite" to the sound, feels like what I'm going for eventually.

Too bad there's no clips of just a plain 135i axle back on an otherwise stock 128 system....

The 135i axelback, for what it's worth (good condition for no more than $100-150) is a great option. Like I said, it's not that loud, but when you get behind the car and hear it rev, it sounds so much better than the stock system.

In regards to the car with the catless Mapleridge headers, I'm not sure why it was so loud either. I believe the owner had the stock secondaries and stock resonator in place. It may be the design of the headers (same as stock but the cat is removed), not quite sure, but I know for a fact that it was louder than ST|G's and my resonator delete + 135i setup.

[631twentyeighteye]

For reference when Chris rode in my car it was mapleridge headers into stock midpipes(with catalysts) with stock resonator and a 135i Muffler. I paid $50 for my 135i axleback from a buddy of mine.

As to why mine's louder than Stigs, i can only presume its equal length headers reduce volume compared to the Mapleridge(stock without catalysts) design.

Catless headers without any other exhaust changes are my preferred N52 exhaust setup. Loud enough to enjoy, quiet enough to not be noticed. That being said mine gets quite loud about 5K when dat vanos kicks in.

I've tried stock headers with a resonator and muffler delete. Sounds great but is stupid loud. Tried stock headers with 135i axle back(no 128 resonator) and it sounded great but too quiet. Catless headers with 135i axleback(no 128 resonator) was really loud and raspy. Adding the stock resonator back in place quieted it down significantly and took away a bunch of rasp.

I have video's floating around this forum somewhere. I think there's an exhaust video compilation thread somewhere.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

For reference when Chris rode in my car it was mapleridge headers into stock midpipes(with catalysts) with stock resonator and a 135i Muffler. I paid $50 for my 135i axleback from a buddy of mine.

As to why mine's louder than Stigs, i can only presume its equal length headers reduce volume compared to the Mapleridge(stock without catalysts) design.

Catless headers without any other exhaust changes are my preferred N52 exhaust setup. Loud enough to enjoy, quiet enough to not be noticed. That being said mine gets quite loud about 5K when dat vanos kicks in.

I've tried stock headers with a resonator and muffler delete. Sounds great but is stupid loud. Tried stock headers with 135i axle back(no 128 resonator) and it sounded great but too quiet. Catless headers with 135i axleback(no 128 resonator) was really loud and raspy. Adding the stock resonator back in place quieted it down significantly and took away a bunch of rasp.

I have video's floating around this forum somewhere. I think there's an exhaust video compilation thread somewhere.

Great, thanks for confirming. Yea I'm pretty sure whatever setup I have will leave the factory mid-section and (resonator and secondary cats) in place. I did like Stig's videos where he had all stock exhaust except for the SS catless headers, but was hoping for a bit more "tone" - then again it is hard to tell over a youtube video rather than in person.

Overall I think I will try out the 135i axleback first, and then when the headers come along worst case I can stick the stock axleback on if it's too loud.

I will dig for that exhaust compilation thread....

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by asbrr

All,

I've been scouring through the archives, youtube etc looking for the above combination to get an idea on sound, haven't found it exactly

As i'm local to you, PM me and I can explain all the above posts to you.

[1Hokie]

I recently had a 135i stock exhaust welded onto my 128i, no other exhaust mods and i really don't hear much of a difference at all really tempted to get the supersprint section2 resonator delete mids

[Taskmaster]

:facepalm: this section is...hopeless.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by 1Hokie

I recently had a 135i stock exhaust welded onto my 128i, no other exhaust mods and i really don't hear much of a difference at all really tempted to get the supersprint section2 resonator delete mids

Yea the 135i axelback and ss resonator delete is a nice civilized combo. I did expect it to be a little louder though based on videos i saw of the same combo. I'm going for the performance exhaust next in addition to my resonator delete

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

:facepalm: this section is...hopeless.

You are hopeless!

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

:facepalm: this section is...hopeless.

Lol - you lose patience easily. Everyone has a different threshold / sensitivity to exhaust changes/noise. I could easily tell the difference with the simple golf tee mod for example, hence my preference is to make changes in small increments, with my eventual preference for an OEM+ sound that is not too loud.

No point in going out and buying exhaust components without doing a bit of research on your sound preferences and then regretting it and changing after the fact. The above poster seems to have made this mistake...

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

As i'm local to you, PM me and I can explain all the above posts to you.

Yea, we need to get together one of these days.....your exhaust combo is an entirely different proposition

[Taskmaster]

I'm grumpy when I don't have enough sleep, sorry guys. But don't pay money for OEM parts with no benefit!

[chris82]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I'm grumpy when I don't have enough sleep, sorry guys. But don't pay money for OEM parts with no benefit!

That's why we only pay a max of $150 for a 135i part!

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I'm grumpy when I don't have enough sleep, sorry guys. But don't pay money for OEM parts with no benefit!

Haha, point well taken....just that sometimes 'benefit' is quite subjective...a 20% increase in sound is plenty for me...especially for 150 or whatever the 135 mufflers go for....

[Chandon]

Someone here had a PE with SS headers.. Don't know where he went but pretty sure his videos in the exhaust thread somewhere.

[Taskmaster]

My vote goes back to the Magnaflow OR Borla muffler.

Here is a magnaflow on an otherwise stock car.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...2&postcount=22

OP stated that he deleted the secondaries later on, and it didn't change the tone too much either.