[plasma23]

Hi guys, I finally got my PE fitted on my e90 330i (N53) M Sport auto. I got it fitted by the dealer (BMW Reading) for £102 inc VAT which I thought was a pretty reasonable price.

Please look at my previous post of when my BMW PE was delivered:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=872327

Anyway I had really high expectations for this exhaust, sound wise that is. After speaking to several forum members with this particular exhaust as well as reading numerous positive reviews I though the difference would be day and night, compared to the stock exhaust.

After waiting for an anxious 1 and a half hours at the dealer, I was eager to start up my car with the new exhaust.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: VERY subtle! not much of a difference compared to stock! Admittedly there was VERY slight deeper burble but hardly enough for a noticeable difference and something you had to listen very hard to notice. As I drove home, I opened up the engine (plus 4k) on DS mode thinking it would sound more raspy but again not much of a difference between stock. I was/am thoroughly disappointed.


I thought something must be wrong, so I read up on the instructional manual and it stated "Only for the 330i: Remove the exhaust flap control."

Emailed the dealer in reference to this and they told me the manual was referring to a small vacuum pipe and it had to be removed before fitting the PE otherwise it can break off as you take off the stock exhaust. They also said that only the 330i and 335i models have this vacuum pipe attached to the exhaust, this could affect on the sound because the flaps won’t be performing as they should. This will have a negative effect on the performance and air flow through the exhaust however.

I thought perhaps my flapper was closed, hence the reason why it sounded so muted. The flap is open when the engine is off. Turn on the engine (park mode) rev it up and it is still open. So why does still sound so muted??!! I then tested both tail pipes were exhausting gas with a piece of paper and I can confirm they both were.

Here are a couple of pics:









As shown in the pics, the vacuum pipe comes from the acoustic damper, (black knob connected to the tail pipe) and goes towards to boot.
So I am guessing if my flapper is open, its the same as this 'golf tee mod' people are talking about to make the car sound louder? Read up on some other forums and apparently the flap controller is in the boot of the car and that must be disconnected? I am guessing this is what the dealer did?

[cuiter23]

The PE isn't very loud to begin with...

[benzo23]

If I remember correctly you're the chap who had just the rear section only. Yours didnt have the center resonator delete pipe with it. Perhaps deleting your resonator will wake it up a bit. Mine is plenty loud and more noticeable over stock

[calypsoe36]

Yeah, the mid-pipe that deletes the resonator is a crucial part. Without that in place, the sound will be still be substantially dampened. The PE is not overly loud anyway, but it should be much more noticeable than what you have described.

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by calypsoe36

Yeah, the mid-pipe that deletes the resonator is a crucial part.

Not on European versions it isn't. The resonator on EU models is substantially smaller than those for the USA. And in any case, on Euro models there is an additional exhaust sensor post-resonator - hence the PE is rear muffler only.

I agree with you though, there must something wrong with the OP's set-up for him to complain it's too quiet!

[Volasko]

Breaking it in makes it louder. +1 on the mid pipe comment

[plasma23]

thanks for all the response guys. This exhaust situation has really done my head in!

Seeing as my exhaust flapper is always open, it should make it loud.

My only hope now is for the exhaust to get louder over time during the break in period?

Unless the dealer didn't seal the clamp properly from the pipe to the muffler but then this would make it louder I assume

[Rival]

Originally Posted by plasma23

thanks for all the response guys. This exhaust situation has really done my head in!

Seeing as my exhaust flapper is always open, it should make it loud.

My only hope now is for the exhaust to get louder over time during the break in period?

Unless the dealer didn't seal the clamp properly from the pipe to the muffler but then this would make it louder I assume

delete 2nd cats.

[SDemetris]

Originally Posted by Rival

delete 2nd cats.

second to that.. a bit louder and more fun burbley backfire noises

[plasma23]

Originally Posted by SDemetris

second to that.. a bit louder and more fun burbley backfire noises

So how do I go about deleting the secondary cats? Can I do it myself or would it need to be taken to the garage?

Because my car is still under the BMW warranty, I would not want to void it, but perhaps the dealer can delete 2nd cats? Would it effect my emissions, as I still want my car to pass its MOT

[SDemetris]

Originally Posted by plasma23

So how do I go about deleting the secondary cats? Can I do it myself or would it need to be taken to the garage?

Because my car is still under the BMW warranty, I would not want to void it, but perhaps the dealer can delete 2nd cats? Would it effect my emissions, as I still want my car to pass its MOT

it should not affect emissions. it is after all O2 sensor so you would not get a code.. and yes, welding is involved so you would most likely have to take it to an exhaust shop

[mammothboarderdc]

random... how much did you get the pe for?

[mccannable]

Is that different than the us. I looked at mine and no valve on mine.

[essex_lad]

If your not happy with it and you want something louder I would happily buy this off you.

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by essex_lad

If your not happy with it and you want something louder I would happily buy this off you.

Yours is a 325i, so a different part number than the OP's (no flap mechanism!)...

[essex_lad]

im sure it has the flap mechanism even if it doesn't I can just leave it open.

[essex_lad]

So I'm happy to have it off you if your getting a louder exhaust.

[essex_lad]

If you want it loud just go to a custom exhaust place and have them put a straight through system in so they do away with all the silencers and keep the cats. It will be nice and loud and still pass mot emissions test.

[plasma23]

Originally Posted by essex_lad

Yep it has the flap mechanism. Everything is the same On the 2 cars except the intake manifold has 2 adjuster units in it.

Hi mate. You have the e90 325i n53 and it has the flap mechanism? Sounds odd

[plasma23]

Originally Posted by mammothboarderdc

random... how much did you get the pe for?

got it for £680 inc VAT plus £100 inc VAT fitting at the stealer

[plasma23]

Originally Posted by essex_lad

If you want it loud just go to a custom exhaust place and have them put a straight through system in so they do away with all the silencers and keep the cats. It will be nice and loud and still pass mot emissions test.

Hmm sounds like an interesting thought. Im going to the stealers hopefully this weekend so they can check the PE and see if everything is performing as it should.

Perhaps I can ask them to put a straight through system but my cars still under the BMW warranty so i dont know if I can do this.

just on a side note, I had a bit of a drag race (no pedestrians were around, wide empty road) with a Vauxhall Astra diesel (2 litre) and past 5k the PE was quite loud. And of course I obliterated him pulled multiple bus lengths

[essex_lad]

Good man lol and I'm sure there's company's out there that can do the system without voiding your warranty and having to go to the stealers.