Exhaust on these cars only good for sound and vanity?

RTPenland · 07-16-2018, 05:30 PM

As I fluctuate between a mid pipe, resonator delete or a cat back....and read all the posts I don't see anything that has indicated a performance gain as a result of installing a cat-back -

That said does that mean that cat back systems on these cars are only good for whatever sound the various versions may produce and vanity (tips, a shiny muffler that says m performance on it, mandrel bent tubing etc...)?

Mind you I am not on either side of this argument - I simply don't have enough facts to have an opinion.....enlighten me oh forum

Please note I am strictly speaking of a cat-back system and dont want to throw DPs into the mix.

Thanks!

RTP

TheBingoBalls · 07-16-2018, 05:51 PM

Pretty much. I mean all exhaust manufacturers quote a certain HP bump but nothing you could really feel and definitely nothing matching it's price. I mean it's another piece of the whole picture if you plan on upgrading other parts (sum of its parts) but the exhaust alone isn't doing a whole lot and is mainly purchased for sound.

bimmer456 · 07-16-2018, 10:06 PM

You need a tune to make more power. A tune by itself with no exhaust will make more power than exhaust alone and for much cheaper.

dorkiedoode · 07-16-2018, 10:15 PM

If you’re going for power to cost then an exhaust is not going to do it, save it for last. Most of us in here that go for exhaust first is strictly for sound. Me personally, the stock power is good enough as I’m always stuck in traffic. I just want to be stuck in traffic sounding bad ass.

jalkster · 07-17-2018, 08:13 AM

The stock exhaust (midpipe) is plenty wide for 330hp.

kern417 · 07-17-2018, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkiedoode

If you’re going for power to cost then an exhaust is not going to do it, save it for last. Most of us in here that go for exhaust first is strictly for sound. Me personally, the stock power is good enough as I’m always stuck in traffic. I just want to be stuck in traffic sounding bad ass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalkster

The stock exhaust (midpipe) is plenty wide for 330hp.

Exactly. Modern exhaust designs just aren't as restrictive as they used to be, so there aren't many gains to be had. I just did a muffler delete with bigger exhaust tips and called it a day. It's surprisingly more fun to drive when you can hear the exhaust. And of course looks better than the stock pea shooters.

bimmer456 · 07-17-2018, 08:52 AM

Sounds great especially through an overpass. Nice and loud so the whole world can hear you. But only if you want to as you can turn it off or drive slower or shift earlier so it's not as loud. The amount of noise is directly related to the amount of fuel being burned. Love the snap, crackle pop and gun shots. Next thing is to have flames coming out the back with a cat-less down pipe.

07-16-2018, 05:30 PM	#1
RTPenland Lieutenant 407 Rep 557 Posts Drives: Many BMWs Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: East & West Coasts iTrader: (0)	Exhaust on these cars only good for sound and vanity? As I fluctuate between a mid pipe, resonator delete or a cat back....and read all the posts I don't see anything that has indicated a performance gain as a result of installing a cat-back - That said does that mean that cat back systems on these cars are only good for whatever sound the various versions may produce and vanity (tips, a shiny muffler that says m performance on it, mandrel bent tubing etc...)? Mind you I am not on either side of this argument - I simply don't have enough facts to have an opinion.....enlighten me oh forum Please note I am strictly speaking of a cat-back system and dont want to throw DPs into the mix. Thanks! RTP
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07-16-2018, 05:51 PM	#2
TheBingoBalls Brigadier General 3820 Rep 4,659 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 F36 BMW 440i x ... [0.00]	Pretty much. I mean all exhaust manufacturers quote a certain HP bump but nothing you could really feel and definitely nothing matching it's price. I mean it's another piece of the whole picture if you plan on upgrading other parts (sum of its parts) but the exhaust alone isn't doing a whole lot and is mainly purchased for sound.
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07-16-2018, 10:06 PM	#3
bimmer456 Major General 2959 Rep 5,991 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	You need a tune to make more power. A tune by itself with no exhaust will make more power than exhaust alone and for much cheaper.
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07-16-2018, 10:15 PM	#4
dorkiedoode Private 21 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 340i M Performance Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: SO.CaL iTrader: (1)	If you’re going for power to cost then an exhaust is not going to do it, save it for last. Most of us in here that go for exhaust first is strictly for sound. Me personally, the stock power is good enough as I’m always stuck in traffic. I just want to be stuck in traffic sounding bad ass.
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07-17-2018, 08:13 AM	#5
jalkster Lieutenant 220 Rep 579 Posts Drives: X3MC Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (3)	The stock exhaust (midpipe) is plenty wide for 330hp. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i Previous: 2020 X3M Comp BM3 E30 & 2016 340i 8AT DME Stage 2 \| FBO/Catless Meisterschaft Catback \| Ohlins R&T
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07-17-2018, 08:52 AM	#7
bimmer456 Major General 2959 Rep 5,991 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	Sounds great especially through an overpass. Nice and loud so the whole world can hear you. But only if you want to as you can turn it off or drive slower or shift earlier so it's not as loud. The amount of noise is directly related to the amount of fuel being burned. Love the snap, crackle pop and gun shots. Next thing is to have flames coming out the back with a cat-less down pipe.
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