Exhausts why did hey switch to 2x2 pipes v 1x2?

[steakandchips]

Isn't it obvious that the main reason (the only reason, possibly) is to provide a strong visual clue that the car is something a little more special than the rest of its cheaper brothers and sisters. Audi, MB and BMW do the same thing.

[survivalist]

steakandchips said:

Isn't it obvious that the main reason (the only reason, possibly) is to provide a strong visual clue that the car is something a little more special than the rest of its cheaper brothers and sisters. Audi, MB and BMW do the same thing.

This. The M used to be a Q-Car (or 'Sleeper' if you prefer American terminology), looking more sporty but essentially similar to the standard car it was based on. BMW then cottoned on to the fact that plenty of people would pay more for the 'top of the range' model as long as everyone knew they had done so. Same reason people plaster ///M badges on MSport cars. It was the beginning of the halo model - now you don't even need aftermarket stuff - MSport cars are plastered in ///M badges - using the M3/M4 to sell 320d's.

It clearly works. Used to see loads of Golf R on the roads. Now starting to see loads of R-Line models - all the looks with a 1.6 Diesel engine.

Give me the Q-Car anytime. Really regret not buying an E36 M3 Saloon when they were cheap.

[Output Flange]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

as does e28 m5 with its single disceet pair on one side.

Again, it's pretty much central.

Do you mean E34?

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Output Flange said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

as does e28 m5 with its single disceet pair on one side.

Again, it's pretty much central.

Do you mean E34?

Sorry - yes - know it's almost central... but not quite! The asymmetry is critical! Absolutely central and just wouldn't work. I like the e28 exhaust better than e34...

[E24man]

Was the E31 the car that started the four exhausts rot with BMW?

[rassi]

E24man said:

Was the E31 the car that started the four exhausts rot with BMW?

At least the first with 4 exhaust but somehow acceptable on the 12 cylinder 850i. Even the M1 had "just" dual exhausts.

[E24man]

But also four exhausts on the V8 840's and probably the 830's too.

[JakeT]

E24man said:

But also four exhausts on the V8 840's and probably the 830's too.

All 830 models were pre production mules and then destroyed, so heinous acts of exhaust fakery there.

[Welshbeef]

Is it anything to have symmetry of weight on either side of the car? Or is the E46 exhaust down one side then a wide back box with 2 pods of 2 tips.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Welshbeef said:

Is it anything to have symmetry of weight on either side of the car? Or is the E46 exhaust down one side then a wide back box with 2 pods of 2 tips.

No. It's just to do with the sad pimping of their previously discreet cars to attract people who like Halfords bling.

[Wills2]

GroundEffect said:

Most of it is style.

And so what?

My M3 looks better with 2x2 than it would with 1x2.

Indeed so what, but that won't stop the PH bores from droning on, I mean who cares, I wouldn't be bothered by 2 pipes but I certainly don't care why it's 4.

All M cars look good to me, be that an E30 M3 or E28 M5 or the latest F80 and all the others in between.

[Welshbeef]

Wills2 said:

Indeed so what, but that won't stop the PH bores from droning on, I mean who cares, I wouldn't be bothered by 2 pipes but I certainly don't care why it's 4.

All M cars look good to me, be that an E30 M3 or E28 M5 or the latest F80 and all the others in between.

That wasn't the point though.
It should only be there if it enhances performance otherwise it's more weight &/or to differentiate it from its other model siblings (which for the M5 specifically is losing a part of its history).

[Slippydiff]

Everything right about Alpina exhausts of old : Subtle, discrete and understated, so much so that only the cognescenti would know what it was.



Everything wrong about modern Alpina exhausts : Gauche, heavy, bling which shouts "Look at me".

[Sadface]

NickXX said:

Probably doesn't add a lot of weight on the e46 at least- it's a single backbox just turned 90 degrees with 4 holes cut into the side.

i own a e60 m5 which i swopped the oem with a supersprint xpipe and straight pipes with no boxes..i guess youve never felt the weight of a oem exhaust have you..it beggers beleif how heavy the quad set up is.the supersprint is 2/3 lighter

[Zod]

Slippydiff said:

Everything right about Alpina exhausts of old : Subtle, discrete and understated, so much so that only the cognescenti would know what it was.



Everything wrong about modern Alpina exhausts : Gauche, heavy, bling which shouts "Look at me".

I think you are somehow missing the massive bling Alpina badges.

[TheAngryDog]

Zod said:

Slippydiff said:

Everything right about Alpina exhausts of old : Subtle, discrete and understated, so much so that only the cognescenti would know what it was.



Everything wrong about modern Alpina exhausts : Gauche, heavy, bling which shouts "Look at me".

I think you are somehow missing the massive bling Alpina badges.

I do not see much wrong with the bottom pic tbh.

[zainster]

I love the look of the quad exhausts on M cars and along with the side vents has become one of their signature items.

[AW10]

Unfortunately the side vents are purely decorative and now they (or something similar enough) are on non-M cars as well.

[zainster]

AW10 said:

Unfortunately the side vents are purely decorative and now they (or something similar enough) are on non-M cars as well.

Yep, but I like 'em! (I haven't seen any vents that are similar on non-M F10's though?)