[Ninpo1]

I've long been wanting a different exhaust on my 328i. The exhaust sounds great, but you can barely hear it! I want more sound as it's intoxicating!

I've have been searching the forum on this topic for many hours and had come to the decision of getting a BMW performance exhaust. It's gotten a lot of good reviews, sounds great and I'm still under warranty.

However, this all changed when I went to 4ngiefest, an Atlanta German car show (mainly BMWs). There were a lot of E46 M3s and they almost all had Eisenmann exhausts. Now, I know that the E46 M3 is a whole different car and they should sound better than an E90 328i, but the E46 M3s sound incredible with the Eisenmann exhausts. I don't know if they were sport or racing, though.

This got me to thinking about which would sound better on my car. The BMW performance exhaust or an Eisenmann exhaust?

The problem is that I've never heard either exhaust in person in an E90 328i. My concern is that the BMW performance exhaust will not be loud enough and that the Eisenmann exhaust may be too loud, may drone or not sound as refined.

My biggest question between the two is which has the right loudness for me and which has the best sound quality (tone)?

My last point is that I want to spend comparable amounts of money, so I can get the cat back BMW performance exhaust for less than the Eisnenmann muffler, so I will not be buying the Eisnenmann muffler and mid pipes if I go with Eisenmann. I could get them at a later time, but not now. I really want to compare the two on the basis of the current upcoming purchase and not in comparison to adding the midpipes later.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've listened to many clips and read dozens of threads. I just want to hear more of my car, but not be overly loud and draw lots of attention. I'm driving a 328i, not an M3 or 911, if I had either of those, then I'd definitely lean towards a much more aggressive exhaust while I still have a concern that the BMW exhaust will not be loud enough.

Thanks for your help!

[benzo23]

1 vote from me for the PE. It suits my daily needs. It's quiet and civil around town and when I want to open it up it will scream above 4.5k. Tunnels, on ramp walls are really enjoyable and everyone that's ridden in my car loves it and says how mean it sounds. Love the subtle growl when you start it too. Both are great systems no one on here will knock that, but sound to cost factor you get more for your money with the PE and it's a perfect sound for me. If u want it louder delete the 2nd cats or add headers.

[mike@x-ph.com]

PE

[Ninpo1]

Originally Posted by benzo23

1 vote from me for the PE. It suits my daily needs. It's quiet and civil around town and when I want to open it up it will scream above 4.5k. Tunnels, on ramp walls are really enjoyable and everyone that's ridden in my car loves it and says how mean it sounds. Love the subtle growl when you start it too. Both are great systems no one on here will knock that, but sound to cost factor you get more for your money with the PE and it's a perfect sound for me. If u want it louder delete the 2nd cats or add headers.

Benzo23,

Does it sound more aggressive or louder than stock below 4.5k as well?

I want something that sounds good at low RPMs as well.

I agree that it's a great value, especially for a cat back exhaust!

[E93FTW]

I know it's neither but in my experience the AA Signature Is a great sounding/looking exhaust for a good price but if I had to pick between those two,of course the PE.

[J BONE]

What exhaust has the closest sound to the M3? Don't mean to thread jack but OP, the M3 exhaust is perfect IMO. Loud enough to know you're coming but not loud enough to piss off the neighbors. Missing my M already...

[TeinBMW]

PE all day man

[benzo23]

It sounds more aggressive from all rpms. I was just saying above 4.5 is when it really starts to start to really come alive. The gurgles and pops in first and second letting off the gas are my favorite. It's really the way to go. No ones ever disappointed in the setup

[Ninpo1]

Originally Posted by benzo23

It sounds more aggressive from all rpms. I was just saying above 4.5 is when it really starts to start to really come alive. The gurgles and pops in first and second letting off the gas are my favorite. It's really the way to go. No ones ever disappointed in the setup

Thanks for the information. So far, the PE sounds like the way to go (pun intended).

Can anyone with an Eisenmann exhaust provide feedback?

[dpilat8588]

the PE is the way to go...one thing I love about it is the gurgle it produces when you let off the throttle

[Casca]

Living in California, one thing I really like about the BMW Performance Exhaust is that it looks just like my old exhaust and that will be the major reason why I get it over other exhaust that have similar sound characteristics. Not sure if the smog shop cares about the muffler, but not looking for problems.