[Guerreroneek]

hello I just bought a brand new car. I'm new to BMW and want to put some mods on my new car! just got a 328i with 29k miles and its all-wheel drive. I just wanna know what exhaust to put it on or do i put only downpipes or only an axle back? I'm new to this so sorry. I just want something that sounds good and isn't too loud. The stock exhaust sucks. Thanks for the help!


also plan on buying a grill and rear spoiler for the 328i. let me know what else i should get! thanks guys!



edit: i hear people say do a muffler delete. will that do any good? i also hear people do the AWE exhaust but that cost a lot...

[CandyRedRC46]

The first question you need to ask yourself is, "does my state have annual emissions inspections?"

If you have emissions in your state, a downpipe might not be your best bet. If you don't have emissions, a catless down pipe is a great way to free up some sound and power (especially after tuning).

Now if you have emissions testing, an axle back will free up some sound.

Muffler deletes are trash by the way, don't do that. If you have an n26 with the secondary catalytic converter, and you are again in a nonemissions state, I would delete that.

[Guerreroneek]

Originally Posted by CandyRedRC46

The first question you need to ask yourself is, "does my state have annual emissions inspections?"

If you have emissions in your state, a downpipe might not be your best bet. If you don't have emissions, a catless down pipe is a great way to free up some sound and power (especially after tuning).

Now if you have emissions testing, an axle back will free up some sound.

Muffler deletes are trash by the way, don't do that. If you have an n26 with the secondary catalytic converter, and you are again in a nonemissions state, I would delete that.

omg i forgot about that. i live in missouri and i have no idea if they testing for my exhaust! im scared now to put an exhaust on. i dont plan on tuning so do you suggest doing a downpipe or rear axle back? I plan on just doing only one and keeping the rest stock.

[esoj37]

Don't do a muffler delete, it sounds like shit and it will drone your teeth out.

Any decent exhaust set up will cost you some money. I like the MPE on the N20/N26, but it is a bit quiet for a lot of people. Remus and AWE are popular choices as well.

Like CandyRedRC26 mentioned, if you have an N26 deleting that secondary catalytic converter is a good starting point.

Since you are xDrive, I would start with coilovers.

[Guerreroneek]

Originally Posted by esoj37

Don't do a muffler delete, it sounds like shit and it will drone your teeth out.

Any decent exhaust set up will cost you some money. I like the MPE on the N20/N26, but it is a bit quiet for a lot of people. Remus and AWE are popular choices as well.

Like CandyRedRC26 mentioned, if you have an N26 deleting that secondary catalytic converter is a good starting point.

Since you are xDrive, I would start with coilovers.

people have told me in order to get an exhaust i need to get a tune... is that true? I was planning on just buy an exhaust and thats it. But the tune is suppose to make it where codes dont show up on my computer is that right? didnt know a tune is required

[leeicedtea]

Originally Posted by Guerreroneek

people have told me in order to get an exhaust i need to get a tune... is that true? I was planning on just buy an exhaust and thats it. But the tune is suppose to make it where codes dont show up on my computer is that right? didnt know a tune is required

A tune is not at all required for an aftermarket exhaust system. A tune however MAY free up a little extra horsepower when paired with a lighter, more freeflowing aftermarket exhaust.
What you are thinking of is probably an aftermarket downpipe, that is when a tune would be necessary to rid of the CEL.

[rjd_F30]

Here are your options:

Downpipe: good for power, not great for sound unless paired with an axle-back. Emissions also has to be considered.

Axle-back: great for sound, no power increase, no emissions considerations.

Axle-Back + Downpipe: great for sound, noticeable increase in power, but emissions has to be considered.

When I mention an increase in power, that is assuming that you get a tune to accompany the downpipe. No increase in power will be had if you don't get a tune with the downpipe.

[Guerreroneek]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

Here are your options:

Downpipe: good for power, not great for sound unless paired with an axle-back. Emissions also has to be considered.

Axle-back: great for sound, no power increase, no emissions considerations.

Axle-Back + Downpipe: great for sound, noticeable increase in power, but emissions has to be considered.

When I mention an increase in power, that is assuming that you get a tune to accompany the downpipe. No increase in power will be had if you don't get a tune with the downpipe.

Awesome do you know a good rear axle back for the 2016 328i? I only plan on getting a rear axle back because I don’t want to get a tune. I don’t want my car throwing a bunch of codes to my computer. Thanks for help

[Guerreroneek]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

Here are your options:

Downpipe: good for power, not great for sound unless paired with an axle-back. Emissions also has to be considered.

Axle-back: great for sound, no power increase, no emissions considerations.

Axle-Back + Downpipe: great for sound, noticeable increase in power, but emissions has to be considered.

When I mention an increase in power, that is assuming that you get a tune to accompany the downpipe. No increase in power will be had if you don't get a tune with the downpipe.

Do you know what is a good rear axle back for the 2016 328i?. I only want a rear axle back because I don’t want a tune. I also don’t want my car having a bunch of codes thrown to the computer. I just want a simple exhaust w no problems lol. Thanks for help p

[CandyRedRC46]

Originally Posted by Guerreroneek

Do you know what is a good rear axle back for the 2016 328i?. I only want a rear axle back because I don’t want a tune. I also don’t want my car having a bunch of codes thrown to the computer. I just want a simple exhaust w no problems lol. Thanks for help p

My wife has a full catless exhaust on her n20 328i. No tune. No codes thrown up to the computer. Just an o2 spacer on the upstream o2 sensor, its not that big of a deal. Eventually, I'll flash it with a bm3 tune, but its not necessary.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Guerreroneek

Do you know what is a good rear axle back for the 2016 328i?. I only want a rear axle back because I don’t want a tune. I also don’t want my car having a bunch of codes thrown to the computer. I just want a simple exhaust w no problems lol. Thanks for help p

Remus, AWE, MPE are all good and popular options.

[andino]

Congrats on the new car. Before jumping right into mods, I would make sure your maintenance and things are up to date.

If you're only after sound and not more performance, an axleback muffler is prob all you need for some added sound. Anything on the market is a good choice for an axleback, just listen to a lot of videos and check some out in person if you can. Exhausts are all personal preference and you've been given some good popular options already.

If you're after performance, you'll want to spend a good bit of time reading up on the paths to take and what all supporting mods they'll require.

[Guerreroneek]

what about a muffler delete? someone recommended a muffler should i just do that? its only 60 dollars or something compared to 500 for a rear exhaust

[CandyRedRC46]

Originally Posted by Guerreroneek

what about a muffler delete? someone recommended a muffler should i just do that? its only 60 dollars or something compared to 500 for a rear exhaust

Muffler deletes are ricer trash. Now if you would like to cut off your muffler and replace it with a high flow quality muffler like magnaflow etc.... I could get behind that...

Or you could just take the advice from this forum and figure out what your states annual inspection situation is....
(St. Louis, Missouri has testing)