[Uli21s]

I'm currently looking to make my 2011 328i sound more aggressive and of course louder but not too loud to where it sounds like a shitty honda. I don't know which will do the job, a muffler delete or resonator delete. Looking for that crackling sound at the end when letting off the gas. Any videos or opinions you guys are willing to share?

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by Uli21s

I'm currently looking to make my 2011 328i sound more aggressive and of course louder but not too loud to where it sounds like a shitty honda. I don't know which will do the job, a muffler delete or resonator delete. Looking for that crackling sound at the end when letting off the gas. Any videos or opinions you guys are willing to share?

Hey there. For me, I started with a muffler delete. It sounded way more aggressive than stock (obviously) and I was able to hear dull crackles as I let off the gas and blipped the throttle.

I later grew accustomed to the sound (no drone at all) and wanted something more aggressive, so I decided to also get a secondary cat delete. This made the exhaust sound more open and made the crackles and burbles sound like they had more "force" behind them. Still no drone.

I am eventually going to get a resonator delete too, because I have gotten used to the muffler and secondary cat delete and still want something more aggressive. I know for a fact that taking out the resonator makes the burbles sound more sharp and crisp, as opposed to the original low "blop blop blop" sound.

In the end, it all depends on what you want for the long run. If you want to lean on the more conservative side, I would start with a muffler delete only and see if that's loud enough for you after one month. Then make a decision after one month if you are to take out the resonator as well (or secondary cats, in my case). Hope this helps!

[Jashan90]

None. Get a muffler swap. I have a corsa muffler. Couldn't be happier

[colorado.e9x]

I'm pretty content with my muffler delete, it's way better than stock. It does have some light burbles in sport mode as well. Cold starts sound amazing imo.
After what stellarbaboon said I'm extremely tempted to get a secondary cat delete and later down the road a res delete. stellarbaboon Do you have clips of your current setup?

[Jashan90]

Originally Posted by Uli21s

I'm currently looking to make my 2011 328i sound more aggressive and of course louder but not too loud to where it sounds like a shitty honda. I don't know which will do the job, a muffler delete or resonator delete. Looking for that crackling sound at the end when letting off the gas. Any videos or opinions you guys are willing to share?

I have a corsa muffler and I get that sound when I decelerate! Sounds exactly like a e46 m3 when I accelerate.

[Jashan90]

Here is a link to my video that I JUST UPLOADED FOR YOU ALL.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Hey don't want to hijack thread but I figured since we're here... I have a 335is and I also want the same results as OP.

I was about to get downpipes. Would those do well?

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by Valant

I'm pretty content with my muffler delete, it's way better than stock. It does have some light burbles in sport mode as well. Cold starts sound amazing imo.
After what stellarbaboon said I'm extremely tempted to get a secondary cat delete and later down the road a res delete. stellarbaboon Do you have clips of your current setup?

Hey man. Definitely do the secondary cat delete. It makes a huge difference - way improved over just the muffler delete.

I do NOT have any clips, surprisingly. I will go out and record some this weekend, if you don't mind waiting! I will get some exterior clips (including drive-bys and decelerations), as well as interior clips (windows down and up).

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Hey don't want to hijack thread but I figured since we're here... I have a 335is and I also want the same results as OP.

I was about to get downpipes. Would those do well?

Sorry to double post. But yes, downpipes will definitely make a difference.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by stellarbaboon

Sorry to double post. But yes, downpipes will definitely make a difference.

Ok thanks. Can't wait to buy them.

[mecheng77]

Will you not have engine codes with cat delete. We have emissions testing where the ECU is scanned.

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Will you not have engine codes with cat delete. We have emissions testing where the ECU is scanned.

There are no sensors attached to the secondary cats underneath the car. Therefore, removing the secondary cats will not throw a code, and will still pass emissions testing (even with a sniffer test!).

However, the primary cats are on the headers and have the sensors. Removing these cats will throw a code.

[6ixSpd]

For what it's worth, a resonator delete on my 328i with an otherwise stock exhaust system made absolutely zero difference. Zero. No change in volume or tone, or even bass undertones. I don't know what it's doing on there to be honest.

So I ended up changing the muffler to a Magnaflow 13266 as well as the resonator delete. Sounded awesome.

[n0tm3]

i second the secondary kitty delete and/or resonator. muffler off sounds trash on the highway

[atmosphericM]

These cars don't have dedicated resonators. The box in the mid section is a muffler.

How loud do you want it to be? Give us a comparison with other cars on the road. Muffler delete is this

Originally Posted by Uli21s

too loud to where it sounds like a shitty honda.

IMO. To each his own. I'd start by replacing the rear muffler if you want a good sounding car that doesn't annoy anyone. That barely costs more than a muffler delete.

To the guy that says a muffler delete plus secondary cat delete doesn't result in drone.. that's the biggest LOL I've had in days. Thanks.

My BMW Performance Exhaust drones, technically, with all else stock, exhaust wise.

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by atmosphericM

These cars don't have dedicated resonators. The box in the mid section is a muffler.

How loud do you want it to be? Give us a comparison with other cars on the road. Muffler delete is this IMO. To each his own. I'd start by replacing the rear muffler if you want a good sounding car that doesn't annoy anyone. That barely costs more than a muffler delete.

To the guy that says a muffler delete plus secondary cat delete doesn't result in drone.. that's the biggest LOL I've had in days. Thanks.

My BMW Performance Exhaust drones, technically, with all else stock, exhaust wise.

Glad you had a laugh. I daily the muffler/kitty delete and there is no drone if you know how to control the throttle. When moving at a constant speed, lift your foot up about a centimeter and the car goes silent. It appears you haven't experimented with this setup, so I will let you find out by trial and error.

And personally, I cannot justify spending upwards of 1k on exhaust that barely adds hp. I like to enjoy my car for what it's worth, regardless of performance capabilities. In the end, it's over a decade old.

[colorado.e9x]

stellarbaboon I definitely got time to wait but if it's a cheap upgrade I might just have to, definitely been wanting a secondary cat delete for awhile now

[e90yyc]

Neither.

If this is what you're after, I'd recommend ownership delete instead

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

For what it's worth, a resonator delete on my 328i with an otherwise stock exhaust system made absolutely zero difference. Zero. No change in volume or tone, or even bass undertones. I don't know what it's doing on there to be honest.

So I ended up changing the muffler to a Magnaflow 13266 as well as the resonator delete. Sounded awesome.

What numbers did you put out?

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by Valant

stellarbaboon I definitely got time to wait but if it's a cheap upgrade I might just have to, definitely been wanting a secondary cat delete for awhile now

Then I would definitely say go for it! I don't regret it one bit. It crackles so nicely.

[atmosphericM]

Originally Posted by stellarbaboon

I daily the muffler/kitty delete and there is no drone if you know how to control the throttle. When moving at a constant speed, lift your foot up about a centimeter and the car goes silent. It appears you haven't experimented with this setup, so I will let you find out by trial and error.

If that works for you when traveling at 80+ mph on the highway, or when going up any sort of hill/incline at all, then I'm very surprised. I can't let off my throttle as you suggest without the car slowing... drag and gravity can be a b*tch...

I agree that nearly a grand is a lot for some sound, but that's typical and some of us pay to play. A quality part that can be swapped without welding, is guaranteed to sound good without experimentation, and fits, was worth it to me considering that my car is relatively new and 'clean' ... nowhere near a decade old. Most 328's sell for half what mine is worth though, so I understand the part not being worth it for most. I didn't say a BMW PE was the only way to go, though, and don't feel that way at all.

I wasn't even going to mention this but one thing that most people don't consider when thinking exhaust is aerodynamics. The OEM muffler, and the OEM Performance Exhaust, are both designed around the car and thus fill a gap in the rear of the car. Without that muffler shape, air gets trapped in the rear bumper and acts like a parachute. Some of us are perfectionists like that, and only want what is "right."

[Jashan90]

I have a manual so I can decide usually if I'm going 55mph I can have it in 5th with no drone and 6th when I'm on highway no drone. However if I'm driving in 4-5th doing 35 mph, there sure is drone