E30 325i Sport - Exhaust Options

[161BMW]

Hi I have E30 325i Sport. This is the early type ie Tech1 and is 1987 model.
The centre box of the exhaust has a crack as seems like has scraped along a speed bump even though the vehicle is standard suspension. The exhaust currently on there is Bosal exhaust which is NOT Genuine BMW and I have been told is "cheap and nasty"

As the centre box will need replacing I thought this be a good opportunity to get a new exhaust system. I posted here rather than BMW section hoping I'll get more replies :-)

I did think - New Genuine BMW - but I been told this is too quiet

The options I am considering are:
- Scorpion full exhaust system 3 piece £560 (http://www.scorpionexhaust.co.uk/scorpion-exhausts-bmw-325-e30-85-86-87-88-full-system-stainless-steel-1998-p.asp)
- Powerflow UK exhaust system which is maybe £300-400

Also should I get straight through or not ????

My main criteria is has to sound good and be LOUD, reverberate in tunnels, bridges, everywhere and few pops and bangs like TVR. But not kind of gruffy with a poor note. If it could sound like a TVR (which have NA straight sixes) or V10 NA F1 car (pretty sure I'm asking too much here) I would be happy.
A guy who lives near me has New bmw 6 series (current shape). He has powerflow exhaust and I can hear him a mile away and can hear each gear change. Something like that would be good :-)

Edited by 161BMW on Sunday 12th October 08:43

[Baked_bean]

I used to have a e30 325i (tech 2) and it had a full scorpion system..... I personally found it a little too loud. Was fun when in the mood and didn't drone when cruising but I found it a little antisocial.

[D1bram]

Best bet is a local custom builder - we had a guy in Leeds build a new exhaust for the wifes 350z, really quality job and he will try and make it sound exactly as you want. Cost us around £500 for a full cat back with a life time guarantee - it's a big exhaust so I thought that was great.

Long way from you, but surely there's somewhere similar local?

[BritishRacinGrin]

Pretty sure Bosal was OEM on my E34

[Mastodon2]

Go custom, a good exhaust fabricator will be able to work with you on what you want. Nothing you can do will make a staight 6 sound like a V10 though.

If you just want loud, a straight pipe with silencers will be loud as fk. I had one my Civic Type R and it was ridiculous. Make sure you're on good terms with your neighbours. Try and find someone with a similar exhaust, be it on a 4 cylinder, 6, 8 etc, to get an idea of the volume. I loved mine but the builder who made it said he had loads of customers get straight systems as they were adamant it was what they were after, only to come back a week later asking for a quieter system.

[Cotty]

I have a stainless steel Blue Flame exhaust on my 325i touring http://www.blueflameperformance.com/
The site only seems to have motorbike exhausts on it now so I don't know if the got taken over or just stopped doing car exhausts. The might be able to make another in which case they will be able to make it as loud or as quiet as you like.

I need to get it refitted as its a bit crooked

[E30M3SE]

Getting rid of the lump of 'pig iron' on the right hand side of the engine will help liberate some 6 cylinder zing.

Bosal are one of the better non genuine exhaust manufacturers out there ime.

BTW, it will never sound like a NA V10 F1.

[E30Addict]

BTB exhausts are very nice and not too loud. Quite pricey though...

[Mastodon2]

E30Addict said:

BTB exhausts are very nice and not too loud. Quite pricey though...

He does mention in the OP that he wants a loud exhaust though.

[161BMW]

Had a look on BTB website been told they sound good but very expensive

Full BTB with exhaust manifold is £1800
£1k without exhaust manifold
http://www.racecar.co.uk/bmwexhausts/bmwe30exhaust...

Scorpion full exhaust system 3 piece is £560
I did send an email to Scorpion today asking whether they can do a straight through
Maybe could just buy the rear box and get custom the rest

Man so hard to know what to choose without hearing it
Had a look on YouTube at lots of E30 325i exhausts didn't think they sounded that good tbh

[161BMW]

Thanks very much for all the replies so far much appreciated
Still deliberating on what to choose

[E30M3SE]

If you want off shelf and loud go for a Scorpion.

[Cotty]

If price is an issue my Blue Flame system less manifold cost less than £400. The guy that fitted it said it looked like a work of art, the quality was/is stunning. Its worth a call if nothing else.

Your profile says London, if you are local I could give you a spin in mine.

[Googie]

I find the Scorpion just too loud now and considering replacing with a Supersprint but have no experience of that.

[Googie]

I find the Scorpion just too loud now and considering replacing with a Supersprint but have no experience of that.

[Googie]

I find the Scorpion just too loud now and considering replacing with a Supersprint but have no experience of that.

[matchmaker]

Googie said:

I find the Scorpion just too loud now and considering replacing with a Supersprint but have no experience of that.

I have a Supersprint on my Octavia. Top notch quality and sounds good* and not too loud.

• As good as an inline turbo 4 is going to sound

[TSCfree]

When I had the the Z3, Eisenmann exhausts had a good reputation and hard to beat.

[E30M3SE]

Yes, Eisenmann are very good but they only sell a rear silencer for E30 325i's and they're over £600, which makes a BTB better valve at £1000 for manifold back system.

[rallycross]

I recently had a 325 E30 with a Scorpion exhaust and it was too loud, not in a nice way, also don't like the look of the rear silencer on these exhausts, would not recommend buying one unless you find a cheap 2nd hand one.

Plenty of good used parts come up on E30 zone see what you can find on the for sale section.

325 makes a lovely sound don't ruin it with a chav exhaust!