[-=TSL=-]

First Impressions

When I first sat inside, I thought... EH!? Can't really hear much.. Its only when you stand outside you and give it some gas!!
It has a nice rumble at idle and progressively turns into a mechanical rasp as the revs rise. I honestly thought it was going to be a very conservative upgrade, like your standard accessories range exhaust. Wonderful!

The intake isn't exactly in CSL territory but it does give the engine a sound more akin to BMW's of old. More pronounced inside the cabin and out.

On The Road

Inside the cabin, you can only hear a slight rumble from the back and under acceleration the engine is certainly more aural thanks to the intake. When you inch the window down a notch the sound is fantastic! The higher the revs rise, you can always hear the exhaust no matter how fast you are going. Its by no means Fast and Furious loud, it sounds more like a extension of the engine now rather than just an exit for gaseous waste!
The engine feels more responsive than before, notably the revs tend to rise much quicker. Not sure how many horses the products have added, but it is definitely more urgent.

Although I haven't heard it drive past while standing on the street, the dealer was adamant it is more akin to a 335i sound


The quality of the intake and exhaust is as good as you'd expect from BMW, not to mention they look ace! The exhaust tips are surprisingly larger than I expected to be honest, so may to be to everyones taste. All in all I wouldn't change anything, a perfect combination.

Here's some pics....









Now the question that begs to be asked.. What next?

TSL

[canucklion]

that's one sexy intake right there, very clean engine bay too! Thanks for sharing your review with us.

[bavarian19]

I went with the exhaust only. It sounds fantastic! Just wait until you put a couple more miles on. I thought at first it only sounded best in the first 4k revs. Now it sounds MUCH better at higher revs. We have also had better weather in the past few days, so I have driven with the windows down.

Im still not 100% sold on the intake. That seems kinda expensive for some sound (but some will say so is the exhaust). Have you noticed any difference performance wise?

[bavarian19]

I was also expecting a little more conservative exhaust note. It is rather sports oriented.

I was trying to fly it under the radar with the fiance. She has not noticed the grumble yet.

The exhaust does have a crackling sound when engaged in a gear at higher revs, but letting off the gas. While some might say it is a sportier sound, that is my only complaint with it. I think it is an otherwise PERFECT exhaust.

[-=TSL=-]

Originally Posted by canucklion

that's one sexy intake right there, very clean engine bay too! Thanks for sharing your review with us.

Thanks canucklion, no problem!

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I went with the exhaust only. It sounds fantastic! Just wait until you put a couple more miles on. I thought at first it only sounded best in the first 4k revs. Now it sounds MUCH better at higher revs. We have also had better weather in the past few days, so I have driven with the windows down.

Im still not 100% sold on the intake. That seems kinda expensive for some sound (but some will say so is the exhaust). Have you noticed any difference performance wise?

Yes, I have heard about the sound improving with mileage. Trying to drive it as much as possible!
In response to your query with the intake, I actually have no idea how the car would sound with a Performance exhaust alone. Whether the intake affects the exhaust note is beyond me as I've yet to listen to a car with just the exhaust fitted.
But I see your point, you are paying quite a lot for something that virtually doesn't improve the cars performance like other mods do. But I have experienced more sound from the engine bay, and what seems after recently driving a loan 325i, a much 'happier' motor! Seems to rev much easier!

I to, do love the exhaust!

[a l l a n]

Congrats TSL!

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I was trying to fly it under the radar with the fiance. She has not noticed the grumble yet.
.

My wife is not bothered by the louder sound either. From the inside it's not that much louder but definitely sounds great when you step on the pedal.

[nevets1]

Awesome ain't it

[wig]

TSL,

Did BMW or a performance shop install your Exhaust and what did they
charge? I'm considering replacing my Ikon with the BMW performance
exhaust. I'm located in the New Market area.

Thanks,
Wig

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by wig

TSL,

Did BMW or a performance shop install your Exhaust and what did they
charge? I'm considering replacing my Ikon with the BMW performance
exhaust. I'm located in the New Market area.

Thanks,
Wig

I could give you some insight to this as well since I got my exhaust installed last week. BMW wanted 4.5 labor hours or $532. A local performance shop wanted 2.5 hrs or 250. There was a muffler shop I took my car to and they took 15 minutes and charged by $60

[bayerischeperformance]

if they have flanges and bolt up which i assume they would its as easy as lifting the car up unbolting the old one and throwing the new one on.

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by bayerischeperformance

if they have flanges and bolt up which i assume they would its as easy as lifting the car up unbolting the old one and throwing the new one on.

This exaust utilizes no flanges. It requires cutting of the twin piping leaving the secondary cats.

[-=TSL=-]

Originally Posted by a l l a n

Congrats TSL!

Thanks mate!

Originally Posted by nevets1

Awesome ain't it

Its fantastically awesome!!!!

Originally Posted by wig

Did BMW or a performance shop install your Exhaust and what did they
charge? I'm considering replacing my Ikon with the BMW performance
exhaust. I'm located in the New Market area.

Hey wig, well it seems I'm not actually from your side of the pond.. I live in the UK so with all the differences in exchange rates and what not, I can assume the prices for the products and labour etc.. will be different.
But, yes, I ordered and got the parts installed by an authorised BMW dealer. Luckily as a goodwill gesture BMW didn't charge for labour/fitting (thanks to an on going issue I have with BMW, that has yet to be rectified )

We do get conned when it comes to fitting, esp from the dealership! Something ridiculous like £150 per hour (or around $220 per hour, thanks to the crappy exchange rate!!! )

Originally Posted by bayerischeperformance

if they have flanges and bolt up which i assume they would its as easy as lifting the car up unbolting the old one and throwing the new one on.

I think it is a pretty straightforward job, as you say.

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

I could give you some insight to this as well since I got my exhaust installed last week. BMW wanted 4.5 labor hours or $532. A local performance shop wanted 2.5 hrs or 250. There was a muffler shop I took my car to and they took 15 minutes and charged by $60

In that case, I definitely wouldn't mind getting it installed at any muffler shop! As long as it doesn't affect the warranty

[nevets1]

TSL-
Great to see your post. The engine is definitely flowing better, as evidenced by how much faster/more responsive revs are. Here's another thing I've found, it takes a few drives for your ECU to learn the new parts. The exhaust will also change it's note a little as it "burns in". I really wish one of us could get this set-up on the dyno...I would love to see the numbers. Enjoy

[just4kickz]

nice...

well whats next... haha headers?

[-=TSL=-]

Originally Posted by nevets1

TSL-
Great to see your post. The engine is definitely flowing better, as evidenced by how much faster/more responsive revs are. Here's another thing I've found, it takes a few drives for your ECU to learn the new parts. The exhaust will also change it's note a little as it "burns in". I really wish one of us could get this set-up on the dyno...I would love to see the numbers. Enjoy

Oh right! I didn't know the ECU would actually adapt to the new parts on the car... so would it actually improve performance a little more after a while?
I wonder how much gains we would see on a dyno... would definitely be interesting to see!

Originally Posted by ButterzM

After reading all the rave reviews I took the plunge and got the intake. Can't wait to get it next week!

Hey there, you will NOT be disappointed! However, do not expect massive gains from the intake alone.. I can only recognise the performance increase with the intake AND exhaust system. But I reckon you will feel an immediate difference once its on.

Originally Posted by just4kickz

nice...

well whats next... haha headers?

Thanks mate. Honestly, I have no idea! I was going to order the BMW brake kit along with the exhaust and intake, but its just too much money to be spending all at once!
Would definitely benefit from it seeing as I plan to visit the Nurburgring race track in Germany once again soon! With my current brakes, they got cooked way to quickly for my liking!
What benefits come from installing headers? Just sound?

[wig]

TSL,

I'm in the UK as Well, My Ikon exhaust was fitted by CA automotive and it
was about 300 Sterling Pounds!

Wig

Originally Posted by -=TSL=-

Thanks mate!



Its fantastically awesome!!!!



Hey wig, well it seems I'm not actually from your side of the pond.. I live in the UK so with all the differences in exchange rates and what not, I can assume the prices for the products and labour etc.. will be different.
But, yes, I ordered and got the parts installed by an authorised BMW dealer. Luckily as a goodwill gesture BMW didn't charge for labour/fitting (thanks to an on going issue I have with BMW, that has yet to be rectified )

We do get conned when it comes to fitting, esp from the dealership! Something ridiculous like £150 per hour (or around $220 per hour, thanks to the crappy exchange rate!!! )



I think it is a pretty straightforward job, as you say.




In that case, I definitely wouldn't mind getting it installed at any muffler shop! As long as it doesn't affect the warranty

[-=TSL=-]

Originally Posted by wig

TSL,

I'm in the UK as Well, My Ikon exhaust was fitted by CA automotive and it
was about 300 Sterling Pounds!

Wig

Ooops sorry mate! I must've misread your location thingy...
In total I paid £1000 for both exhaust and intake (excluding labour and fitting of course)

In that respect I reckon the BMW exhaust is quite a bit more than the Ikon! Around £600-650 if I remember correctly... but hey, thats BMW for you

[drZ]

wow..nice looking parts man..and for not too much money too..£1k for both exhaust and intake is quite a good deal i think.. put the car on a dyno already man!!

[dlbrooks18]

That's a nice looking intake! Why doesn't BMW make one for the 335? Congrats on your setup looks real nice!

[-=TSL=-]

Originally Posted by drZ

wow..nice looking parts man..and for not too much money too..£1k for both exhaust and intake is quite a good deal i think.. put the car on a dyno already man!!

Thanks mate! I want to put my car on a dyno, just need to find a time and place..

Originally Posted by dlbrooks18

That's a nice looking intake! Why doesn't BMW make one for the 335? Congrats on your setup looks real nice!

Thanks, I feel the exhaust and intake work really well together!
Maybe the current intake on the 335 is already at its optimum efficiency. i.e. BMW feels an aftermarket intake will yield no improvement. Just guessing, of course

[kadolege]

Nice.... I can see you have a 325i. Is it a 3.0 engine?

[mtechnik3]

Nice choices man, I'm sure it sounds amazing! I need to jump on this exhaust...