More & better sound from my 325Ci
Discussion
Hi guys,
Got a few interesting things to decide about. Topic it hand is the exhaust note of my 2001 325Ci (M54B25 engine). Currently, it's all stock. Because of that, sound is definitely recognizable as an inline six, but it's both too silent and too smooth for my preference. Par example, I also own a 2016 Miata 1.5L and that sounds a lot more aggressive and loud (even while its only a four cylinder) due to the standard sport exhaust system it has. A good friend owns a 2007 335i and the sound coming from that is great, especially when cold started it growls, crackles, and pops a lot while it's still stock.
So far, I've gathered a few options but I need some help to decide which is best, also for the budget of course:
- open air intake (will probably do this regardless of the other options)
- remove the resonator (i think it has only one but not entirely sure) and replace it with a straight pipe part
- swap the stock muffler for a sports oriented one (delete it entirely will probably make the car too loud, if YouTube offers any indication)
- the cats need to stay due to them being mandatory when I do the yearly checkup here in the Netherlands
- find a nice spot to drill some holes close to the muffer, saw some videos about this mod
- also seems to be a 'golf tee' mod, not sure what it is
most straightforward option, to replace the entire exhaust from the headers to the muffler tip by a better system (eisenmann or akrapovic) is too expensive for the budget I'd like to spend right now. Car has quite high mileage and the cost of such an operation wouldn't balance against the car's current value.
Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
Got a few interesting things to decide about. Topic it hand is the exhaust note of my 2001 325Ci (M54B25 engine). Currently, it's all stock. Because of that, sound is definitely recognizable as an inline six, but it's both too silent and too smooth for my preference. Par example, I also own a 2016 Miata 1.5L and that sounds a lot more aggressive and loud (even while its only a four cylinder) due to the standard sport exhaust system it has. A good friend owns a 2007 335i and the sound coming from that is great, especially when cold started it growls, crackles, and pops a lot while it's still stock.
So far, I've gathered a few options but I need some help to decide which is best, also for the budget of course:
- open air intake (will probably do this regardless of the other options)
- remove the resonator (i think it has only one but not entirely sure) and replace it with a straight pipe part
- swap the stock muffler for a sports oriented one (delete it entirely will probably make the car too loud, if YouTube offers any indication)
- the cats need to stay due to them being mandatory when I do the yearly checkup here in the Netherlands
- find a nice spot to drill some holes close to the muffer, saw some videos about this mod
- also seems to be a 'golf tee' mod, not sure what it is
most straightforward option, to replace the entire exhaust from the headers to the muffler tip by a better system (eisenmann or akrapovic) is too expensive for the budget I'd like to spend right now. Car has quite high mileage and the cost of such an operation wouldn't balance against the car's current value.
Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
mpc007 said:
Hi guys,
Got a few interesting things to decide about. Topic it hand is the exhaust note of my 2001 325Ci (M54B25 engine). Currently, it's all stock. Because of that, sound is definitely recognizable as an inline six, but it's both too silent and too smooth for my preference. Par example, I also own a 2016 Miata 1.5L and that sounds a lot more aggressive and loud (even while its only a four cylinder) due to the standard sport exhaust system it has. A good friend owns a 2007 335i and the sound coming from that is great, especially when cold started it growls, crackles, and pops a lot while it's still stock.
So far, I've gathered a few options but I need some help to decide which is best, also for the budget of course:
- open air intake (will probably do this regardless of the other options)
- remove the resonator (i think it has only one but not entirely sure) and replace it with a straight pipe part
- swap the stock muffler for a sports oriented one (delete it entirely will probably make the car too loud, if YouTube offers any indication)
- the cats need to stay due to them being mandatory when I do the yearly checkup here in the Netherlands
- find a nice spot to drill some holes close to the muffer, saw some videos about this mod
- also seems to be a 'golf tee' mod, not sure what it is
most straightforward option, to replace the entire exhaust from the headers to the muffler tip by a better system (eisenmann or akrapovic) is too expensive for the budget I'd like to spend right now. Car has quite high mileage and the cost of such an operation wouldn't balance against the car's current value.
Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
When I still had my E46, I had a catback Supersprint exhaust fitted. Not cheap but a great, deep rumble, cold starts in particular sounded very nice.Got a few interesting things to decide about. Topic it hand is the exhaust note of my 2001 325Ci (M54B25 engine). Currently, it's all stock. Because of that, sound is definitely recognizable as an inline six, but it's both too silent and too smooth for my preference. Par example, I also own a 2016 Miata 1.5L and that sounds a lot more aggressive and loud (even while its only a four cylinder) due to the standard sport exhaust system it has. A good friend owns a 2007 335i and the sound coming from that is great, especially when cold started it growls, crackles, and pops a lot while it's still stock.
So far, I've gathered a few options but I need some help to decide which is best, also for the budget of course:
- open air intake (will probably do this regardless of the other options)
- remove the resonator (i think it has only one but not entirely sure) and replace it with a straight pipe part
- swap the stock muffler for a sports oriented one (delete it entirely will probably make the car too loud, if YouTube offers any indication)
- the cats need to stay due to them being mandatory when I do the yearly checkup here in the Netherlands
- find a nice spot to drill some holes close to the muffer, saw some videos about this mod
- also seems to be a 'golf tee' mod, not sure what it is
most straightforward option, to replace the entire exhaust from the headers to the muffler tip by a better system (eisenmann or akrapovic) is too expensive for the budget I'd like to spend right now. Car has quite high mileage and the cost of such an operation wouldn't balance against the car's current value.
Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
Don't change the intake, stock intake is fine & it will upset your MAF if you do.
tty drone can exhaust, you won't impress anyone and just annoy people.
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