[GXDFTHR]

Hi all,
Picking up my 22 G80 xdrive tomorrow! I need help understanding what options are out there for a full exhaust system upgrade- downpipe, midpipe… whole shabanggg
And would like an exhaust with a valve.
I don’t want to cut anything
Anyone has a similar setup??

[Mikey00]

Active Autowerks catted downpipes, AA resonated mid pipes and there axle back.

[TopJimmy]

All of the aftermarket exhaust systems or components assemble together with round ball or straight slip clamps. There will be some minor leaks at joints as the usual buildup over time fills the cracks.

Stock cats flow great and remove all gas stink. Downpipes with sport cats reduce half the gas stink, barely a power increase. DPs without cats add a little power but stink running gas. E85 isn’t bad. De-cat DPs can add rasp so I choose resonated ones.

Most midpipes change the sound…larger diameter steel lowers tone…titanium increases it…equal length steel passes through what you get off your cats/DPs.

Most rear sections do nothing different than stock, since they all bypass the rear can when valves are open. The different rear can sizes and configurations do change the sound some, since stock valve action is never fully open, and some exhaust always goes through the rear can.

I like the low growl, so I recommend newcomers start with a big single resonated midpipe (Active or MAD) and a valve controller (one that works with stock console M-sound button). If you still want louder then plan for downpipes. Leave the rear for last since it does the least.

If you buy a race exhaust it will sound like a race exhaust. I can’t start my car before 9am!

mike@x-ph.com has great advice and great prices, just ask!

[GXDFTHR]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

All of the aftermarket exhaust systems or components assemble together with round ball or straight slip clamps. There will be some minor leaks at joints as the usual buildup over time fills the cracks.

Stock cats flow great and remove all gas stink. Downpipes with sport cats reduce half the gas stink, barely a power increase. DPs without cats add a little power but stink running gas. E85 isn’t bad. De-cat DPs can add rasp so I choose resonated ones.

Most midpipes change the sound…larger diameter steel lowers tone…titanium increases it…equal length steel passes through what you get off your cats/DPs.

Most rear sections do nothing different than stock, since they all bypass the rear can when valves are open. The different rear can sizes and configurations do change the sound some, since stock valve action is never fully open, and some exhaust always goes through the rear can.

I like the low growl, so I recommend newcomers start with a big single resonated midpipe (Active or MAD) and a valve controller (one that works with stock console M-sound button). If you still want louder then plan for downpipes. Leave the rear for last since it does the least.

If you buy a race exhaust it will sound like a race exhaust. I can’t start my car before 9am!

mike@x-ph.com has great advice and great prices, just ask!

Genuinely appreciate you taking the time to give such a detailed response!!!!!! I got homework to do then to plan which route to take!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by GXDFTHR

Hi all,
Picking up my 22 G80 xdrive tomorrow! I need help understanding what options are out there for a full exhaust system upgrade- downpipe, midpipe… whole shabanggg
And would like an exhaust with a valve.
I don’t want to cut anything
Anyone has a similar setup??

I recommend you start by deciding which sound you want.

As Jimmy said, if you like the deep low to mid-range sound, the single midpipe is an excellent option. It is also the cleanest sounding, with zero rasp, zero drone, and none of the metallic rattle on a cold start.

If you get the axle back and midpipe together, no cutting is needed (AWE, Akrapovic, REMUS are exceptions to this rule, their full catback will still require cutting).

[GXDFTHR]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I recommend you start by deciding which sound you want.

As Jimmy said, if you like the deep low to mid-range sound, the single midpipe is an excellent option. It is also the cleanest sounding, with zero rasp, zero drone, and none of the metallic rattle on a cold start.

If you get the axle back and midpipe together, no cutting is needed (AWE, Akrapovic, REMUS are exceptions to this rule, their full catback will still require cutting).

Great point- I think I previously wanted deep low, but now I'm shifting towards racecar scream basically (with valves open)
But I do want a set up that doesn't sacrifice performance/ rather will add to performance once I get tuned and continue to build the car. Even though I know exhaust gains are minimal.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by GXDFTHR

Great point- I think I previously wanted deep low, but now I'm shift towards racecat scream basically (with valves open)
But I do want a set up that doesn't sacrifice performance/ rather will add to performance once I get tuned and continue to build the car. Even though I know exhaust gains are minimal.

The good news is that none of the popular exhaust setups will sacrifice performance, but if that's a concern, you might want to get a titanium setup, which will save a lot of weight compared to the stock exhaust.

Since you are looking for that high RPM scream, I recommend the Active Autowerke X-pipe. You can pair it with the Active/MAD/Valvetronic axle back; they will all sound the same with open valves.

[GXDFTHR]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

The good news is that none of the popular exhaust setups will sacrifice performance, but if that's a concern, you might want to get a titanium setup, which will save a lot of weight compared to the stock exhaust.

Since you are looking for that high RPM scream, I recommend the Active Autowerke X-pipe. You can pair it with the Active/MAD/Valvetronic axle back; they will all sound the same with open valves.

Exactly! I'm thinking titanium too. Do the options you listed come in titanium?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by GXDFTHR

Exactly! I'm thinking titanium too. Do the options you listed come in titanium?

MAD, Valvetronic & Akrapovic offer titanium options

unfortunately, Active Autowerke does not

[GXDFTHR]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

MAD, Valvetronic & Akrapovic offer titanium options

unfortunately, Active Autowerke does not

Gotcha,,,and for downpipes i was thinking CTS or VSRF 200 cel

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by GXDFTHR

Gotcha,,,and for downpipes i was thinking CTS or VSRF 200 cel

out of the two, i would choose CTS , but you should also add MAD and ARM to this list.

[GXDFTHR]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

out of the two, i would choose CTS , but you should also add MAD and ARM to this list.

Yeah I had CTS for my 340. .. I just don't know when I'll tune it so I don't have to deal with cel.

[christianb5s4]

Originally Posted by GXDFTHR

Gotcha,,,and for downpipes i was thinking CTS or VSRF 200 cel

I was in the same camp and just went through with downpipes, ended up with Fabspeed 200cell and they have been fantastic if anything for the quality and no CEL.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

I was in the same camp and just went through with downpipes, ended up with Fabspeed 200cell and they have been fantastic if anything for the quality and no CEL.

the Fabspeed is excellent, its 200 CEL for max airflow and sound and no CEL

[Info@mad-us.com]

We have a bunch of options for you. https://mad-us.com/m3/

Downpipes - Resonated 3", 200 cell Catted 3", Catless 3" Catless 3.5''

Single Midpipes- Ti resonated, Ti Non Res, Stainless Resonated, Stainless Non Res

Axleback- Ti Valved , Stainless valved


When it comes to cel and downpipes there are a few methods around this that work very well.

[AlpineG05]

I went AA Gesi dps, AA single resonated mid pipe, stock muffler, and bought a valve controller. Have valves open @ 50%.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by AlpineG05

I went AA Gesi dps, AA single resonated mid pipe, stock muffler, and bought a valve controller. Have valves open @ 50%.

Catted downpipes + resonated single + valve controller is probably the most popular setup

[Info@mad-us.com]

The two above comments are surely great setups and highly recommended but you will have to cut the stock exhaust if you do not add an axle back. No way around it.


However, cutting the stock exhaust at the "bmw cut points" is not a huge deal like it once was and it's completely normal these days to see a returned lease car with stock parts and clamps between the midpipe and axle back. Bmw uses these cut points all the time when they replace stock axle backs that suffer from valve rattle.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Info@mad-us.com

The two above comments are surely great setups and highly recommended but you will have to cut the stock exhaust if you do not add an axle back. No way around it.


However, cutting the stock exhaust at the "bmw cut points" is not a huge deal like it once was and it's completely normal these days to see a returned lease car with stock parts and clamps between the midpipe and axle back. Bmw uses these cut points all the time when they replace stock axle backs that suffer from valve rattle.

+1

another option is to get the MAD axle back, you will avoid cutting, wont cost a lot of money and sounds 100% times better than stock