living with a M3 Akrapovic exhaust
Discussion
I have recently bought a E93 M3 and like it very much. I use it as a GT for holidays and a blast at weekends. I have owned loads of fairly loud cars: Four TVRs, 911, XKR, Lotus Exige, Caterham and sometimes had to wear hearing protection!
I am considering an Akrapovic exhaust or similar. My main concern is a potential drone when on motorways etc at cruising speeds.
Any advice gratefully received.
I am considering an Akrapovic exhaust or similar. My main concern is a potential drone when on motorways etc at cruising speeds.
Any advice gratefully received.
Can't comment on the full system but if you're just going for the backbox only then it's fine.
Maybe an idea to give Jason Barker @ Birds Auto a call. They regularly fit them and he'll be more than happy to give you his thoughts.
Not cheap though: £2.5k for backbox and £4.5k for complete system. Fitted.
Maybe an idea to give Jason Barker @ Birds Auto a call. They regularly fit them and he'll be more than happy to give you his thoughts.
Not cheap though: £2.5k for backbox and £4.5k for complete system. Fitted.
If you're a badge jockey and have to have the Akra, fair enough, otherwise invest 10 minutes of your life watching this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sUx_j56_AM
and save yourself a fortune.
Properly (ie carefully done with a small slitting wheel rather than a huge cutting wheel) the temporarily removed panels can't be seen once welded back in and the exhaust back on the car. No warranty issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sUx_j56_AM
and save yourself a fortune.
Properly (ie carefully done with a small slitting wheel rather than a huge cutting wheel) the temporarily removed panels can't be seen once welded back in and the exhaust back on the car. No warranty issues.
Edited by Slippydiff on Tuesday 7th May 21:15
You could always try the OEM BMW M Performance Exhaust. I very much doubt they would design an exhaust that drones.
http://youtu.be/YBcH_F6IA80
A friend of mine has a full Evolve system on his E90 M3 and it doesnt drone at all. And it sounds amazing but is quite loud. But at the end of the day thats what you want. But its not TVR loud. lol
http://youtu.be/YBcH_F6IA80
A friend of mine has a full Evolve system on his E90 M3 and it doesnt drone at all. And it sounds amazing but is quite loud. But at the end of the day thats what you want. But its not TVR loud. lol
The main issue with aftermarket exhausts is the start up routine of the E9X M3s - it's loud even on the standard exhaust and is anti-social with aftermarket exhausts.
Normal running and once warm, aftermarket exhausts are fine, but considering you'll probably want to keep your neighbours/people you're visiting friendly, it's loud at completely the wrong time.
The other issue is the BMW sound proofing - they're designed to be quiet in the cabin, so to be able to hear the exhaust inside, it has to be very loud outside.
The exhaust note does sound fantastic once unleashed though!
Normal running and once warm, aftermarket exhausts are fine, but considering you'll probably want to keep your neighbours/people you're visiting friendly, it's loud at completely the wrong time.
The other issue is the BMW sound proofing - they're designed to be quiet in the cabin, so to be able to hear the exhaust inside, it has to be very loud outside.
The exhaust note does sound fantastic once unleashed though!
Having an Akrapovic myself I guess I will be slightly biased but I have to disagree with a couple of points mentioned.
A) if you can afford that money on an exhaust it's BY FAR the best mod you can do an m3. The noise (which stocks is somewhat muted) changes totally into a full NASCAR like sound.
Secondly there are noticeable power changes and significant weight reductions. Having done the original oem mod myself previously and owned an eisenman race I can tell you first hand nothing sound and performance wise is like an akrapovik.
Specially when it's hot it just adds some lovely lovely burbly noises (:
Cheers
Antonio
A) if you can afford that money on an exhaust it's BY FAR the best mod you can do an m3. The noise (which stocks is somewhat muted) changes totally into a full NASCAR like sound.
Secondly there are noticeable power changes and significant weight reductions. Having done the original oem mod myself previously and owned an eisenman race I can tell you first hand nothing sound and performance wise is like an akrapovik.
Specially when it's hot it just adds some lovely lovely burbly noises (:
Cheers
Antonio
antoniodias7777 said:
Having an Akrapovic myself I guess I will be slightly biased but I have to disagree with a couple of points mentioned.
A) if you can afford that money on an exhaust it's BY FAR the best mod you can do an m3. The noise (which stocks is somewhat muted) changes totally into a full NASCAR like sound.
Secondly there are noticeable power changes and significant weight reductions. Having done the original oem mod myself previously and owned an eisenman race I can tell you first hand nothing sound and performance wise is like an akrapovik.
Specially when it's hot it just adds some lovely lovely burbly noises (:
Cheers
Antonio
Is that with the Slip-on or the Evo?A) if you can afford that money on an exhaust it's BY FAR the best mod you can do an m3. The noise (which stocks is somewhat muted) changes totally into a full NASCAR like sound.
Secondly there are noticeable power changes and significant weight reductions. Having done the original oem mod myself previously and owned an eisenman race I can tell you first hand nothing sound and performance wise is like an akrapovik.
Specially when it's hot it just adds some lovely lovely burbly noises (:
Cheers
Antonio
Looking at them myself, but finding it hard to justify the extra 2k for the Evo.
phatgixer said:
The Miltek backbox is on mine (over 5 years with it) and apart from the tips going a bit rusty it is excellent.
No boom, but a definite new menace in the song
Bigger than the peashooters the standard car comes with...
Is it much louder than standard? When I watch youtube clips I can hardly tell any difference from standard, I want the exhaust that I swap for to make a noticeable difference & you seem happy with yours. No boom, but a definite new menace in the song
Bigger than the peashooters the standard car comes with...
Many thanks for all your views.
There are two Akrapovic EVO (full length) sets for sale, one on here and one on M3cutters (Antonio's). They clearly look amazing with carbon tips and have a good soundtrack if the youtube clips can really capture the sound. £2800 which is about half price. 25kg saving too.
Milltek cat back are roughly a grand new and there is an option for black tips.
Jury is still out.
D
There are two Akrapovic EVO (full length) sets for sale, one on here and one on M3cutters (Antonio's). They clearly look amazing with carbon tips and have a good soundtrack if the youtube clips can really capture the sound. £2800 which is about half price. 25kg saving too.
Milltek cat back are roughly a grand new and there is an option for black tips.
Jury is still out.
D
Bringing back an old thread.
The OEM exhaust modification to the backbox is very good indeed, however it is only for sound.
I've got an Akrapovic full system on mine, and along with a remap, i've got an extra 40bhp throughout the rev range, and an extra 30 ft lbs of torque throughout the rev range.
The Akrapovic full system does away with the primary cats and replaces the secondary for cats for high flow cats. This is where the performance gain comes from.
The exhaust note of the Akrapovic is a lot more refined (almost supercar-like) compared to the OEM modification which does sound good but in a different sort of way (its more raw and raspy, like a Merc C63)
There is absolutely no exhaust drone with the Akrapovic. I've been on tour with it in Europe, covering over 2000 miles in 5 days.
Yes, its expensive, but do what I did and buy a second hand one. They go for approximately half price, and seem to hold their value very well after that (e.g. you could buy a full system for about £2.7k or whatever, enjoy for as long as you have your car, and when you sell the car, take the exhaust off, sell it separately and you will recoup most if not all of your initial outlay of £2.7k)
The OEM exhaust modification to the backbox is very good indeed, however it is only for sound.
I've got an Akrapovic full system on mine, and along with a remap, i've got an extra 40bhp throughout the rev range, and an extra 30 ft lbs of torque throughout the rev range.
The Akrapovic full system does away with the primary cats and replaces the secondary for cats for high flow cats. This is where the performance gain comes from.
The exhaust note of the Akrapovic is a lot more refined (almost supercar-like) compared to the OEM modification which does sound good but in a different sort of way (its more raw and raspy, like a Merc C63)
There is absolutely no exhaust drone with the Akrapovic. I've been on tour with it in Europe, covering over 2000 miles in 5 days.
Yes, its expensive, but do what I did and buy a second hand one. They go for approximately half price, and seem to hold their value very well after that (e.g. you could buy a full system for about £2.7k or whatever, enjoy for as long as you have your car, and when you sell the car, take the exhaust off, sell it separately and you will recoup most if not all of your initial outlay of £2.7k)
I have the 'slip on' akra and for me it sounds absolutely perfect - gives you a bit of V8 burble that the standard exhaust lacks but really isn't too intrusive (I'm very picky about this too)
Having had a Milltek on my RS4 I can tell you that there is a good reason for the differing price points...
Having had a Milltek on my RS4 I can tell you that there is a good reason for the differing price points...
isherdholi said:
Bringing back an old thread.
The OEM exhaust modification to the backbox is very good indeed, however it is only for sound.
I've got an Akrapovic full system on mine, and along with a remap, i've got an extra 40bhp throughout the rev range, and an extra 30 ft lbs of torque throughout the rev range.
The Akrapovic full system does away with the primary cats and replaces the secondary for cats for high flow cats. This is where the performance gain comes from.
The exhaust note of the Akrapovic is a lot more refined (almost supercar-like) compared to the OEM modification which does sound good but in a different sort of way (its more raw and raspy, like a Merc C63)
There is absolutely no exhaust drone with the Akrapovic. I've been on tour with it in Europe, covering over 2000 miles in 5 days.
Yes, its expensive, but do what I did and buy a second hand one. They go for approximately half price, and seem to hold their value very well after that (e.g. you could buy a full system for about £2.7k or whatever, enjoy for as long as you have your car, and when you sell the car, take the exhaust off, sell it separately and you will recoup most if not all of your initial outlay of £2.7k)
Without wanting to knock the Akrapovic exhaust, I think you and others who have bought one are trying to justify it on entirely the wrong benefits.The OEM exhaust modification to the backbox is very good indeed, however it is only for sound.
I've got an Akrapovic full system on mine, and along with a remap, i've got an extra 40bhp throughout the rev range, and an extra 30 ft lbs of torque throughout the rev range.
The Akrapovic full system does away with the primary cats and replaces the secondary for cats for high flow cats. This is where the performance gain comes from.
The exhaust note of the Akrapovic is a lot more refined (almost supercar-like) compared to the OEM modification which does sound good but in a different sort of way (its more raw and raspy, like a Merc C63)
There is absolutely no exhaust drone with the Akrapovic. I've been on tour with it in Europe, covering over 2000 miles in 5 days.
Yes, its expensive, but do what I did and buy a second hand one. They go for approximately half price, and seem to hold their value very well after that (e.g. you could buy a full system for about £2.7k or whatever, enjoy for as long as you have your car, and when you sell the car, take the exhaust off, sell it separately and you will recoup most if not all of your initial outlay of £2.7k)
The weight saving (although sounding a lot when written in kg) is negligible - you won't notice it.
The power gain is zero over a comparable stainless system - there is nothing special about the design of the Akrapovic exhaust in terms of power.
The real gain of the Akrapovic is the sound, as I wrote above titanium exhausts produce a different sound to stainless, which many would say is worth the £££ alone.
Are you referring to the Akrapovic Slip On? If so, agreed, the only real benefit is sound, no performance gain. If however, you're referring to the Full system (aka Akrapovic Evolution System), then you're totally mistaken.
The Akrapovic Evolution system is a full system, i.e. header-back, i.e. an X-pipe and a pair back boxes.
The standard x-pipe has 4 cats - 2 primary and 2 secondary. In the standard exhaust system, the primary cats are very restrictive. This is where the Akrapovic's power advantage comes in. In the Akrapovic x-pipe, there are no primary cats, only high-flow secondary cats.
Coupled with a remap, I got a total gain of 40bhp and 30 lb/ft of torque, verified on a dyno. Its a great benefit and one which can be felt in day-to-driving as the gain is acheived throughout the rev range.
I'm not saying the Akrapovic is the ONLY exhaust system which gives a power gain. Similar results can be acheived by gutting the primary cat out of the standard system, or any other stainless steel x-pipe with similar cats (The Russ Fellows x-pipe comes to mind to name but one)
The Akrapovic Evolution system is a full system, i.e. header-back, i.e. an X-pipe and a pair back boxes.
The standard x-pipe has 4 cats - 2 primary and 2 secondary. In the standard exhaust system, the primary cats are very restrictive. This is where the Akrapovic's power advantage comes in. In the Akrapovic x-pipe, there are no primary cats, only high-flow secondary cats.
Coupled with a remap, I got a total gain of 40bhp and 30 lb/ft of torque, verified on a dyno. Its a great benefit and one which can be felt in day-to-driving as the gain is acheived throughout the rev range.
I'm not saying the Akrapovic is the ONLY exhaust system which gives a power gain. Similar results can be acheived by gutting the primary cat out of the standard system, or any other stainless steel x-pipe with similar cats (The Russ Fellows x-pipe comes to mind to name but one)
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