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

[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

[161BMW]

Thanks very much for everyone's opinions
Looks like I will be going for a custom exhaust made by Powerflow straight through and possibly x-pipe ? The exhaust tail tips will look as close to OEM as possible for the OEM look.

I have asked the guy to make it sound like a TVR I6 but LOUDER. Fingers crossed :-)

[161BMW]

Dannbodge said:

What's so special about a TVR I6?

TVRs sound awesome
And given the E30 is I6 then hopefully they can replicate TVR I6 sound

[161BMW]

Dannbodge said:

So do BMW I6s without needing stupid exhausts though.

BMW I6s are in general too quiet IMO

[161BMW]

That looks really smart Leins!
Looks similar to OEM :-)

[161BMW]

Ok supposed to be getting new exhaust today

I was going to get
Straight through plus back box plus x pipes (to help back pressure on Kos reccomebdation) plus OEM type replica exhaust tail trims
The exhaust guy at top gear power was saying with I6s don't need x pipe just with v8s for back pressure
Mine has no catalytic convertor

For straight through plus back box plus trim = £570 which seems a lot to me
I got him done to £500
Tbh I didn't want to pay more than £400 for custom exhaust
He is proposing keep original down pipe at my request (he was originally going to cut the bend from my down pipe till I told him not to)
then Y piece connected to down pipe
Then straight through
Then rear box with 1 outlet as don't have any with 2 outlets
Then y piece for tail trim
What do u think ????

The exhaust trim options not a great deal
There is one that looks similar to OEM kind of like that I have already
There is AMG type tail trim
There is 2 massive exhausts trim

He charging £500
I told him let me think about it and I left u know end of the day

Scorpion is £560 plus labour

Help!!!!
What do I do ????

Thanks very much

[161BMW]

Thanks very much everyone for their opinions.

BMW I6s exhaust systems do have x-pipes such as Alpina's, E36 328i

I have just bought brand new Scorpion exhaust :-) !!!!

[161BMW]

Dino D said:

Re the X pipe.
I've seen systems on YouTube clips on various i6 BMW's mentioning X pipes and comparing systems with and without and there is an audible difference.
What does the X pipe actually do?

Not too clued up on it but apparently helps back pressure and scavenging

[161BMW]

Power flow / Longlife I think are life time guarantees as long as you own the car
The guarantee is done by the exhaust fitter

Tbh I think a lot of these "custom exhaust" places are cowboys.
Better to go for proper product designed by professional engineers.

[161BMW]

E30M3SE said:

161BMW said:

I have just bought brand new Scorpion exhaust :-) !!!!

You are aware that they don't have a 'X' pipe?

http://www.scorpion-exhausts.com/siteadmin/site_im...

I didn't know whether they did or not
I went for it because should be a better product than most of these custom exhausts and you know what your getting

[161BMW]

jonnM said:

Why not just replace the damaged centre box with a straight thru pipe? That can make a world of difference to the sound

I just wanted to get a complete exhaust system
Yes that was an option and would probably be the cheapest way

[161BMW]

The Sport was dynoed on Saturday with the exhaust which has cracked centre box.
Produced 165bhp

Cannot wait for the New Scorpion full sports exhaust system :-)

[161BMW]

Finally, the New Scorpion Full Sports Exhaust system is fitted.

The power delivery is much smoother and really brings the creaminess of BMW NA I6s. Feels more powerful. Has a discreet note at idle and low revs.

Initially I thought was quiet when I went through the revs to the red line but I been told to wait till it carbonises and the baffles become worn. A week later is a bit louder than the first drive.

[161BMW]