[daddyjaxx]

Providing more data for the thread.

Gen 1 AA EL + Stock DP and Muffler + Valve Controller = Clip

I switched to the Gen 2 AA EL and will post sound clips soon.

[1BAD4DR]

Originally Posted by viciousmo

Active Autoworke GESI dp.

Valvetronic, Milltek 4'' single, and CSZ so far.

What did you prefer with careless dps? I have mad catted down pipes and stock axle back and was thinking of getting the Millitel 4” midpipe to replace the single cheap one I bought. Low end rpm with ethanol sounds like ass but full throttle sounds decent.

I’m lost lol

[rs911]

Originally Posted by SLE3PER

I gave it some thought and looked at AA's EL design for the X3M, which is the sound I was looking for. Although I know it won't be the exact same sound, I'm hoping I could get close to it as much as possible. They have an xpipe on their design so I've regretted my decision going without the xpipe. So I've asked Emily from CSZ if they could change my order to resonated xpipe with 3" diameter "equal length." She has confirmed that she could change my order since I ordered a custom midpipe from them. We'll see if the changes are made when it comes. I have good faith in them, as I've seen the x3m pages give high praises to their company through Alibaba.

Good move, I'm pretty sure you would have regretted it without the x-pipe.

Originally Posted by daddyjaxx

Providing more data for the thread.

Gen 1 AA EL + Stock DP and Muffler + Valve Controller = Clip

I switched to the Gen 2 AA EL and will post sound clips soon.

To be honest, I don't really feel the EL vibe/tone with the G8X AA EL midpipe.
This CSZ midpipe and the AA EL X3M feel like they sound different.
More like the S55 AA EL I already heard IRL.

[viciousmo]

Originally Posted by 1BAD4DR

What did you prefer with careless dps? I have mad catted down pipes and stock axle back and was thinking of getting the Millitel 4” midpipe to replace the single cheap one I bought. Low end rpm with ethanol sounds like ass but full throttle sounds decent.

I’m lost lol

Right now, Valvetronic was the cleanest. However, I am going to frankenstein the Milltek to an aftermarket muffler and give that a shot with catless downpipes.

I will have my CSZ EL midpipe for sale in the next few days if anyone is interested for $450 shipped.

[daddyjaxx]

Originally Posted by rs911

To be honest, I don't really feel the EL vibe/tone with the G8X AA EL midpipe.
This CSZ midpipe and the AA EL X3M feel like they sound different.
More like the S55 AA EL I already heard IRL.

I agree, the G8x AA EL has a different tone compared to the F8x AA EL, x3M AA EL, and CSZ EL.

However, I feel the G8x AA EL does a good job smoothing out the exhaust frequencies to produce a "clean" sound (which is the whole point of an EL, right?).

I'm excited to hear more setups with the CSZ EL midpipe. Especially the resonated non-x-pipe CSZ EL.

[azlightning213]

Just test drove my buddy’s M3CS with the Milltek 4” and that’s the definitely the route I’m going after hearing it in person. Sounds insanely good! Exotic-esque with some higher pitched notes

[Giak]

Originally Posted by viciousmo

Active Autoworke GESI dp.

Valvetronic, Milltek 4'' single, and CSZ so far.

I see you have tried quite different midpipes. Which one would you recommend with OEM DP and Muffler?

[viciousmo]

Originally Posted by Giak

I see you have tried quite different midpipes. Which one would you recommend with OEM DP and Muffler?

With the OEM DP/Muffler, you have a lot of great options. Essentially, none will have rasp given the primary cats in place. My suggestion to you is try and find a local BMW group and see if you can hear these exhausts in person. YouTube videos will certainly help, but they don’t capture everything. My video of the Valvetronic with the stock muffler sounds pretty bad to me on video, but sounds great in real life.

I personally like the single midpipes from Miltek, IRL, MAD, Valvetronic, etc. What I’ve noted is when you’re full tilt, they are a bit louder than dual setup midpipes (CSZ, Active Autowerke, PSi, ARM). At the end of the day, it’s preference. You will get a dozen different answers if you ask various members. Exhaust note is one the most important feat to me so I like to experiment.

I’m unsure if you have one, but I’d also suggest getting a valve controller or getting tuned to have full control over the valves. That opens up the low and mid range volume quite a bit over the OEM valve mapping.

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by viciousmo

My suggestion to you is try and find a local BMW group and see if you can hear these exhausts in person. YouTube videos will certainly help, but they don’t capture everything. My video of the Valvetronic with the stock muffler sounds pretty bad to me on video, but sounds great in real life.

Bingo, videos made with phones don't capture sound perfectly unless you have some high end mic attached to it. Try to find local owners in your area, one guy actually reached out to me the other day and he wants to hear it himself.

[AhsanU]

Even after hearing viciousmo's resonated DP + CSZ midpipe, I opted to keep the midpipe non-resonated to go alongside my catless dp's. I have a valve controller and ASD coded off, and I typically drive around with valves closed but when the mood does strike for some noise, I really like some noise.

If it truly is too much then I'll just go back to stock dp's or see how much it'd cost to add resonators to the midpipe. It's also a good thing MAD's catted dp's aren't too expensive.

[Giak]

Originally Posted by viciousmo

With the OEM DP/Muffler, you have a lot of great options. Essentially, none will have rasp given the primary cats in place. My suggestion to you is try and find a local BMW group and see if you can hear these exhausts in person. YouTube videos will certainly help, but they don’t capture everything. My video of the Valvetronic with the stock muffler sounds pretty bad to me on video, but sounds great in real life.

I personally like the single midpipes from Miltek, IRL, MAD, Valvetronic, etc. What I’ve noted is when you’re full tilt, they are a bit louder than dual setup midpipes (CSZ, Active Autowerke, PSi, ARM). At the end of the day, it’s preference. You will get a dozen different answers if you ask various members. Exhaust note is one the most important feat to me so I like to experiment.

I’m unsure if you have one, but I’d also suggest getting a valve controller or getting tuned to have full control over the valves. That opens up the low and mid range volume quite a bit over the OEM valve mapping.

Thank you very much for your answer. I am in Italy and it's not easy to find people with US exhausts here.
I actually have an Akrapovic midpipe (resonated) and already have SST valve controller.
Would like to try a different midpipe setup to have a more exotic sound.
I see that Valvetronic produces the only single midpipe having also an equal length configuration. This feature makes it different from MAD, IRL and Milltek. Does it make a big difference? Is this the best solution to go?
I see the trend here is to go with single midpipes... Thanks

[Shaninnik]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Bingo, videos made with phones don't capture sound perfectly unless you have some high end mic attached to it. Try to find local owners in your area, one guy actually reached out to me the other day and he wants to hear it himself.

Met with forcefed today in person and I am sold. Not farty or boomy at all, higher pitched sound than single midpipe, but also much more "interesting" IMO. Absolutely no drone and maybe just a tiny little hint of rasp when revving at idle (I like it that way btw), but not when driving. It has been some time since I swapped my single midpipe back to stock so I might be mistaken, but I think it is not as loud at WOT, even with valves 100% open with controller.

I have Active 400cel downpipe so I will most likely try to order resonated with X sometime in January, but first valve controller for me.

[AhsanU]

Small update on my end: Emily still hasn't shipped out the midpipe despite paying the invoice 3 weeks ago.

Was looking to do an alignment + this midpipe at the same time but it's looking like that won't be happening.

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by AhsanU

Small update on my end: Emily still hasn't shipped out the midpipe despite paying the invoice 3 weeks ago.

Was looking to do an alignment + this midpipe at the same time but it's looking like that won't be happening.

Mine took about 2 weeks to make, a local guy just received his from Emily but different design, I'm sure it'll ship soon.

[SLE3PER]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Mine took about 2 weeks to make, a local guy just received his from Emily but different design, I'm sure it'll ship soon.

What design did he go with?

[Th3DarkSide]

Originally Posted by AhsanU

Small update on my end: Emily still hasn't shipped out the midpipe despite paying the invoice 3 weeks ago.

Was looking to do an alignment + this midpipe at the same time but it's looking like that won't be happening.

Same. I was going to post something similar this weekend. Had the wife hit her up (I have zero social media) on Facebook and she is looking into it. I was hoping to do the CS grille and midpipe at the same time.

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by SLE3PER

What design did he go with?

Valvetronic equal length single style since he's catless.

[SLE3PER]

Originally Posted by AhsanU

Small update on my end: Emily still hasn't shipped out the midpipe despite paying the invoice 3 weeks ago.

Was looking to do an alignment + this midpipe at the same time but it's looking like that won't be happening.

I also purchased around the same time as you. Although I requested a different setup, so I assume they are making a jig out of it, just in case other people decide to go with a similar midpipe design.

[Th3DarkSide]

Just an update. My Midpipe shipped out today. 👍

[SLE3PER]

Originally Posted by Th3DarkSide

Just an update. My Midpipe shipped out today. 👍

Same here! 3” “equal length” with xpipe and resonators.

[Lee_in_SC]

SLE3PER & Th3DarkSide

After installing, would love to hear some clips and your impressions. I’ve been searching for the right setup for a couple months now and was leaning towards the CSZ EL. Was a bit hesitant about the purchase/shipping process, so good to hear you all received your parts!

[Th3DarkSide]

Originally Posted by Lee_in_SC

SLE3PER & Th3DarkSide

After installing, would love to hear some clips and your impressions. I’ve been searching for the right setup for a couple months now and was leaning towards the CSZ EL. Was a bit hesitant about the purchase/shipping process, so good to hear you all received your parts!

I’ll post up my thoughts and some vids when I get it all sorted out and setup. Not sure how long shipping time will be so it might be a couple weeks.