[mechamanz]

Hi all,

As per my previous thread I am considering a downpipe for my car. But I am in 2 minds at the moment, I have a budget for either a 340i MPE axle back or a catted downpipe (considering ER catted downpipe). I am not after power gains but louder pops and bangs when in gear and more sound, so which option would achieve it better?

My current car setup is a 320i (b48) with a stock catback 340i exhaust and bm3 stage 1 flash. Pops and bangs when stationary are great, but not so loud when driving - see video:
https://youtu.be/l-BJLd4jem4

Thanks

[kristianl330e]

Well, you are probably going to destroy your standard cat pretty fast with pops so if burples is what you want, the choice is pretty clear.

[mechamanz]

Originally Posted by kristianl330e

Well, you are probably going to destroy your standard cat pretty fast with pops so if burples is what you want, the choice is pretty clear.

Fair point. I have been advised my current burble setting should be okay for the stock cat, so touch wood.

So in terms of loudness/sound, would I benefit more from an MPE axle back, or a Catted downpipe?

[jcdub]

I'm guessing a downpipe would be the best option

[mechamanz]

Originally Posted by jcdub

I'm guessing a downpipe would be the best option

Yeah, thought that may be the case. Read a few posts on some older threads, where people have mentioned that the downpipe did not add much volume, and that they may have benefited more from an aftermarket backbox. But it seems that the general consensus is that I will benefit more from a catted downpipe......

[mechamanz]

This was the post where people have suggested an axle back over a catted downpipe for general sound https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...atted+downpipe.
I have heard many other f30's with loud pops and bangs on stock system (including stock cats) but with an aftermarket muffler.

There seems to be a mixed bag of opinions from the research that I have done, hence my dilemma. I was initially leaning towards an aftermarket muffler, but now I'm more towards the ER catted downpipe (since my exhaust isnt stock anyways, as I'm running a full cat back 340i exhaust with golf tee mod). But, I don't want to spend all of that money, only to be disappointed by my choice. I'll await for more responses/opinions before i bite the bullet.