[iullah]

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions for a quality aftermarket exhaust system for my e92 328i. I'm looking for a deep note with decent amount of noise that'll be satisfying when I put my foot down, but not so overpowering that I won't be able to deal with my 20 mile highway commute.

I've been reading a lot of conflicting opinions, but I think I've ruled out a total muffler delete. I've also read that a catback exhaust may not provide as much bang for my buck for what I want, especially since any performance gains are going to be near zero for a 328.

Right now I'm leaning toward getting a Magnaflow exhaust (most likely off Amazon), but I'd really appreciate other suggestions. Also when it comes to installation, should I look for a skilled shop to do it, or will any ordinary Midas/Monroe muffler shop be adequate?

[krhodes1]

Assuming it is still available, you can't go wrong with the OEM BMW Performance Exhaust system. It fits, it sounds great, and after being on my car 5 years in Maine looks just like it did the day I put it on. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

[Sumptuous Hummus]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Assuming it is still available, you can't go wrong with the OEM BMW Performance Exhaust system. It fits, it sounds great, and after being on my car 5 years in Maine looks just like it did the day I put it on. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

$1000 for a couple horsepower, deletes your factory resonator which is an excellent design, and doesn't even remove your secondary cats which will easily yield better gains alone then the whole PE exhaust.

Now replacing your secondary cats with two resonators along with the PE exhaust would be one of the best 328i sounds period.

[Pidipompi]

Originally Posted by Sumptuous Hummus

$1000 for a couple horsepower, deletes your factory resonator which is an excellent design, and doesn't even remove your secondary cats which will easily yield better gains alone then the whole PE exhaust.

Now replacing your secondary cats with two resonators along with the PE exhaust would be one of the best 328i sounds period.

+1

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Sumptuous Hummus

$1000 for a couple horsepower, deletes your factory resonator which is an excellent design, and doesn't even remove your secondary cats which will easily yield better gains alone then the whole PE exhaust.

Now replacing your secondary cats with two resonators along with the PE exhaust would be one of the best 328i sounds period.

It's not about the horsepower, because there isn't enough to be bothered with to be gained from the exhaust on a 328i anyway. It is about the sound. Which to my ears, is perfect, and what the car should have had to start with. And then add the fit and finish and I would look nowhere else. You get what you pay for.

I have no interest in removing any part of the emissions system, so my secondary cats are staying right where they are.

[hongsc]

At this point, I wouldn't spend on a PE exhaust and I have one. Just get a muffler delete. It sounds pretty good and it's cheap or a PE mod.

[Sumptuous Hummus]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

It's not about the horsepower, because there isn't enough to be bothered with to be gained from the exhaust on a 328i anyway. It is about the sound. Which to my ears, is perfect, and what the car should have had to start with. And then add the fit and finish and I would look nowhere else. You get what you pay for.

I have no interest in removing any part of the emissions system, so my secondary cats are staying right where they are.

The fact that a $100 secondary delete yields more gains then the PE exhaust speaks for itself. The PE on its own, I would never buy. But replace the secondaries with resonators and that becomes the best N52 exhaust sound you can possibly buy.

I would suggest just doing the PE mod in your situation.

Originally Posted by hongsc

At this point, I wouldn't spend on a PE exhaust and I have one. Just get a muffler delete. It sounds pretty good and it's cheap or a PE mod.

Muffler delete sounds like ass and drones tons. My friend had a muffler delete on his 525i for a while. He put the muffler back on because it was so awful.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Sumptuous Hummus

The fact that a $100 secondary delete yields more gains then the PE exhaust speaks for itself. The PE on its own, I would never buy. But replace the secondaries with resonators and that becomes the best N52 exhaust sound you can possibly buy.

I would suggest just doing the PE mod in your situation.



Muffler delete sounds like ass and drones tons. My friend had a muffler delete on his 525i for a while. He put the muffler back on because it was so awful.

Are there any dynos of a secondary cat delete?

[STRMTRPR]

I took out my muffler and resonator, the sound is so goood for something so cheap . Next i am going to take out my cats . If you are not into taking out ur muffler , you should look into Rogue Engineering exhaust.

[Sumptuous Hummus]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Are there any dynos of a secondary cat delete?

Haven't really found anyone willing to dyno for such a small exhaust gain, but my butt dyno feels about 2-3HP. You feel it in the higher end for sure, better response and breathes nicer. I had the muffler shop make a custom muffler for me, the secondary delete easily yields better gains then just the new muffler alone. You can feel the exhaust flowing nicely now.

Originally Posted by STRMTRPR

I took out my muffler and resonator, the sound is so goood for something so cheap . Next i am going to take out my cats . If you are not into taking out ur muffler , you should look into Rogue Engineering exhaust.

Once you delete your secondary cats it will sound like shit. Strongly recommend you put the res back in by that point, it will sound much, much better.

[Indyeah]

ah yes. The age old question that gets asked once a week. Anyways. I went through this as well. After months of research I settled for the OEM BMW Performance Exhaust. Set me back a grand. If you can afford its hands down the best one you can get. I never regretted it for a second.

[Sumptuous Hummus]

Originally Posted by Indyeah

ah yes. The age old question that gets asked once a week. Anyways. I went through this as well. After months of research I settled for the OEM BMW Performance Exhaust. Set me back a grand. If you can afford its hands down the best one you can get. I never regretted it for a second.

Someone on here has the PE, replaced their secondaries with resonators. Incredible sound.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Sumptuous Hummus

Haven't really found anyone willing to dyno for such a small exhaust gain, but my butt dyno feels about 2-3HP. You feel it in the higher end for sure, better response and breathes nicer. I had the muffler shop make a custom muffler for me, the secondary delete easily yields better gains then just the new muffler alone. You can feel the exhaust flowing nicely now

Hard to back up a power argument with this mod, then.

Think I'd prefer the nice sound and proven quality of the PE and not pollute more than I need to.

[Sumptuous Hummus]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Hard to back up a power argument with this mod, then.

Think I'd prefer the nice sound and proven quality of the PE and not pollute more than I need to.

Agreed, but the power/driveability benefits are undoubtedly there.

The secondary delete on its own is not enough to make a loud sound because our stock mufflers are very restrictive. I think a secondary cat delete WITH the PE exhaust is ideal in terms of not only sound, but making a high flow exhaust that still passes emissions. Also, if you want Resonators, I doubt you're gonna wanna cut up the PE exhaust to add them (even though resonators should be usner esth the rear passengers) so your only real option would be to add them where the secondaries used to be.

[cheeseforlunch]

Originally Posted by Sumptuous Hummus

Haven't really found anyone willing to dyno for such a small exhaust gain, but my butt dyno feels about 2-3HP. You feel it in the higher end for sure, better response and breathes nicer. I had the muffler shop make a custom muffler for me, the secondary delete easily yields better gains then just the new muffler alone. You can feel the exhaust flowing nicely now.



Once you delete your secondary cats it will sound like shit. Strongly recommend you put the res back in by that point, it will sound much, much better.

I have a muffler delete right now, thinking about removing the secondaries as well (I have the resonator in place, however). Do you think this will sound bad as well? I have found videos with both the secondaries and muffler removed but I can't tell a difference between that and just a muffler delete, besides having crackles.

Thanks in advance.

[STRMTRPR]

Originally Posted by stellarbaboon

I have a muffler delete right now, thinking about removing the secondaries as well (I have the resonator in place, however). Do you think this will sound bad as well? I have found videos with both the secondaries and muffler removed but I can't tell a difference between that and just a muffler delete, besides having crackles.

Thanks in advance.

When i took my resonator out i got the crackles which sound really nice , i got a muffler delete and resonator as of right now , thinking about doing my cats , everyone asks me if i got a exhaust but i always say its just a muffler and resonator delete LOL.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Active Autowerke Gen II sounds really good

Also REMUS

[gds52]

I searched a lot and checked a lot of videos on YouTube. Finally I settled with BMW PE.
1. BMW Performance Exahust
2. Later I did secondary cat delete with straight pipes.

That's it, you get the best sound, no drone, good popping sound and cruising speeds no noise.

I have Active Autowerke tune, so that may add to little bit more quality sound.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Active Autowerke Gen II sounds really good

+1


This is the best I've heard so far. Has a nice smooth sound. The PE is a bit too raspy/tractor sounding in my opinion.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

This is the best I've heard so far. Has a nice smooth sound. The PE is a bit too raspy/tractor sounding in my opinion.

Agree

[tgyberg]

Dang, that AA sounds good! (Sounds awesome on the E36 also)

[ThugzZ BunnY]

I had the Dinan exhaust on my 328 when i had it and it sounded amazing. actually enjoyed the note more than my 335.