E39 M5 Owners - Kent/London
E39 M5 Owners - Kent/London
Author
Discussion

_Neal_

Original Poster:

2,891 posts

243 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Hi guys

After looking at plenty of cars, I was lucky enough to buy a 2001 E39 M5 on Saturday. It truly is a lovely beast, and in great condition, but the conclusion I drew from test driving friends' and for sale cars, is that they don't sound "V8-y" enough on the standard exhaust. They are the only car I've ever owned where I'd want to install an aftermarket system.

Anyway, from research/listening to them on youtube/M5Board, I love the sound and looks of the Hayward & Scott system, and it's meant to be well-made.

However, I'm concerned that they may be droney on a cruise, and I'm really keen not to ruin the car's mile-eating ability, so is there anyone in the South London/Kent area that has an M5 with the H&S system that'd be willing to take me out in it on the motorway/fast A-roads, so I can see what it's like? Specific request I know!

Cheers

Neal

naefeart

147 posts

187 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
You should probably open this up to owners in general, with other after market setups - will give you a good idea how different systems sound. You might find you prefer something other than the H&S.

My beast is standard (and I'm the other end of the country anyway).

The H&S exhausts are just straight through silencers (effectively a back box delete) and although I like the sound, I'm not convinced they wouldn't be too boomy on a long journey.

Many owners feel the Eisenmann (and x pipe) setup provides the best V8 audio, but its not cheap.
SuperSprint and Evolve also do good systems and are worth having a look at.

CarbonBlackM5

3,078 posts

242 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Im having the back boxes in mine replaced on Thursday with straight through pipes so I will let you know how it sounds. I use my car for the family sometimes so I was worried about droning too. However, from what I have been told its fine at a cruise. TBH 80% of the time its just me in the car so I cant see it being a problem anyway smile


SignalGruen

632 posts

224 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Muffler delete will boom for the first couple of minutes when cold but after that it is fine. You'll be surprised at how unintrusive it really is.

Ritchie335is

2,042 posts

226 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
CarbonBlackM5 said:
Im having the back boxes in mine replaced on Thursday with straight through pipes so I will let you know how it sounds. I use my car for the family sometimes so I was worried about droning too. However, from what I have been told its fine at a cruise. TBH 80% of the time its just me in the car so I cant see it being a problem anyway smile
I did the muffler delete mod about a week after I bought mine and its very good.
It is quite loud on cold startup for a couple of minutes until the egr pump thing stops.
Obviously there is a bit of drone when up at speed but you can keep it pretty quiet if you want to with light throttle openings.
Initially I thought it was too loud and did consider putting it back but I love it and won't change it.
You can't beat the noise on WOT and if the sport button is on it occasionally crackles and pops on the overrun.
I had a run in a pals standard M5 the other day and it was far too quiet!
IMO H&S is a waste of money when you can just get a fabricator to make up straight through pipes for half the price. I did read somewhere that the H&S boxes are for show but I think they look a bit odd anyway.
smile

_Neal_

Original Poster:

2,891 posts

243 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
naefeart said:
You should probably open this up to owners in general, with other after market setups - will give you a good idea how different systems sound. You might find you prefer something other than the H&S.

My beast is standard (and I'm the other end of the country anyway).

The H&S exhausts are just straight through silencers (effectively a back box delete) and although I like the sound, I'm not convinced they wouldn't be too boomy on a long journey.

Many owners feel the Eisenmann (and x pipe) setup provides the best V8 audio, but its not cheap.
SuperSprint and Evolve also do good systems and are worth having a look at.
Good post, good point - but I want an exhaust where the tips look near-standard, and I want to retain the standard resonator as I only want it to be loud when I want (not all the time!). Eisenmann are excluded on grounds of price I'm afraid!

Right, so revised post - any E39 M5 owners with aftermarket (non-Eisenmann) exhausts in the S.London/Kent vicinity on here?

_Neal_

Original Poster:

2,891 posts

243 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Thanks guys, Ritchie/Carbonblack, if you don't mind me asking, where did you gets yours done, and how much did it cost? If you want to PM me instead feel free.

I've looked at/been in a couple of cars with the H&S system, and it's pretty unobtrusive, and I like the fit/finish and the fact that it almost looks OE, I've just not been out on the motorway in a car with it fitted.

plenty

5,036 posts

210 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Have you tried bmw5.co.uk or m5board.com - there are quite a few Kent-based folks who frequent those forums.

Alternatively, I'm near where the M25 meets the M1, and would be happy to take you out in my backbox-deleted car.

_Neal_

Original Poster:

2,891 posts

243 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Thanks Plenty, much appreciated. I'm about to post on M5board too.

CarbonBlackM5

3,078 posts

242 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
I've been quoted £180 all in and have been quoted as much as £240

Ritchie335is

2,042 posts

226 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Mine was £200 all in although a friend went to the place recently and was quoted £280 I think.

naefeart

147 posts

187 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Theres a good post here on BMW5.co.uk - http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=6...

_Neal_

Original Poster:

2,891 posts

243 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Thanks guys, sounds like something of a bargain smile