Custom exhaust for an M3 E92. Gamble?
Discussion
Right, had Charlie at Prospeed Cardiff fit a custom made exhaust. I had been looking at the expensive boxes you can get and the various different sounds they make and was put off by a: the price and b: not being able to properly see and hear what I would be getting for £2k +. Moreover, as getting an exhaust done can be a little hit and miss as reviews are subjective (one mans elixir can be another's poison), I decided to get a custom made job. Doing this has the double benefit of being able to talk to the manufacturer and request what sound I wanted and also tweak it if necessary after its fitted. Not only that, it is surprisingly much less expensive than the ridiculous titanium systems on offer. I mean, what is the point in trying to save 10kg on a car with air con, leather heated seats etc?
I took it in monday evening and picked it up 6.30 this evening, 24 hours later. Charlie gave me a courtesy car for the duration, which did the job. At first glance, the tips are very similar, if a little bigger and better than the originals they replaced. They are very well fitted and there is no discernible problems with fitment or positioning.
But, I didn't get this done for the looks. At this level of cost and car, you would expect the thing to look a1. I got this done for the sound.
The M3 has a very difficult sound profile to get right. Previous V8's I have had were easy to make sound good. Less muffle = better sound. This one can be very droney if you are not careful, or too quiet if you don't push the boat out. So, I chatted with Charlie, told him I do a good deal of motorway driving at around 2800 - 3000 rpm and that range needed to be resonated so as to be quiet in the cbin. Lower down revs should be rumbley and above 3-3500 simply louder. As its a DCT, the revs cannot so easily be adjusted to suit the exhaust, as I did with my old RS4. So the detail of sound and when it appears is important.
So, what has he created. Well, a simple system similar to the chambers that went before but with slightly larger chambers with semi padded interiors. He used 3" stainless steel, which comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What does it sound like? Well, I have only done 15 or so miles and it is raining and dark here in cardiff, so me impressions are first impressions only. But I have to say he has done exactly what he said he would. The bass note at 1-2.5k revs is much deeper without drone of any note. Idle is almost stock in the cabin, but much louder and deep outside. (Not sure how thats done?) As the revs go up, he has kept the mid range sensible and the upper ranges race car like in their sound. Much more aggressive. In the car, the noise is fine with no major issue. If anything, its too quiet.
Now, he has told me the exhaust will take around 100 miles to bed in, so will get louder. I will go back for a check up then and he will make any adjustments if necessary. So follow this story!
For now, I am very pleased. This is more than likely as good if not better than most of the axel back systems on offer and cost a fraction - i will pm exact details to anyone interested. I would like a few more db's if I'm honest, but as there is a bedding in process, i may be due them anyway. I will see. If they don't come, Charlie has said he will alter if necessary within the cost. So again, this is an interesting one to follow!
Pics and video will follow, so you can all have a proper look. Also, a car mag may be doing a piece on it. In the meantime, hold off on that £3k system. There may be a better way to get that sound your after.
I took it in monday evening and picked it up 6.30 this evening, 24 hours later. Charlie gave me a courtesy car for the duration, which did the job. At first glance, the tips are very similar, if a little bigger and better than the originals they replaced. They are very well fitted and there is no discernible problems with fitment or positioning.
But, I didn't get this done for the looks. At this level of cost and car, you would expect the thing to look a1. I got this done for the sound.
The M3 has a very difficult sound profile to get right. Previous V8's I have had were easy to make sound good. Less muffle = better sound. This one can be very droney if you are not careful, or too quiet if you don't push the boat out. So, I chatted with Charlie, told him I do a good deal of motorway driving at around 2800 - 3000 rpm and that range needed to be resonated so as to be quiet in the cbin. Lower down revs should be rumbley and above 3-3500 simply louder. As its a DCT, the revs cannot so easily be adjusted to suit the exhaust, as I did with my old RS4. So the detail of sound and when it appears is important.
So, what has he created. Well, a simple system similar to the chambers that went before but with slightly larger chambers with semi padded interiors. He used 3" stainless steel, which comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What does it sound like? Well, I have only done 15 or so miles and it is raining and dark here in cardiff, so me impressions are first impressions only. But I have to say he has done exactly what he said he would. The bass note at 1-2.5k revs is much deeper without drone of any note. Idle is almost stock in the cabin, but much louder and deep outside. (Not sure how thats done?) As the revs go up, he has kept the mid range sensible and the upper ranges race car like in their sound. Much more aggressive. In the car, the noise is fine with no major issue. If anything, its too quiet.
Now, he has told me the exhaust will take around 100 miles to bed in, so will get louder. I will go back for a check up then and he will make any adjustments if necessary. So follow this story!
For now, I am very pleased. This is more than likely as good if not better than most of the axel back systems on offer and cost a fraction - i will pm exact details to anyone interested. I would like a few more db's if I'm honest, but as there is a bedding in process, i may be due them anyway. I will see. If they don't come, Charlie has said he will alter if necessary within the cost. So again, this is an interesting one to follow!
Pics and video will follow, so you can all have a proper look. Also, a car mag may be doing a piece on it. In the meantime, hold off on that £3k system. There may be a better way to get that sound your after.
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