RE: Chasing hybrid owners, Milltek launches M5 exhaust

RE: Chasing hybrid owners, Milltek launches M5 exhaust

Monday 12th May

Chasing hybrid owners, Milltek launches M5 exhaust

'Electrifying power and sound' promised from fruitier pipes for hybrid G90


Without wishing to bleat on about it too much, there are a few not-quite-perfect elements to the latest BMW M5. You’ll probably have your own primary grievance, but sound almost certainly features on more than a few shortlists. While what the driver hears inside the cabin is slightly more convincingly V8 than before, that which leaves the quad exhausts remains a bit plain. To say the least. 

It’s always been a bit of an issue for this 4.4-litre twin-turbo, with rivals like Mercedes-AMG often able to create more rousing soundtracks from similarly configured engines. It’s good news at least for the aftermarket, which can offer up something more stimulating to make the V8 sound as good as it goes. Already modifying is underway for plug-in M5s, so now Milltek is joining in the fun with its latest range of exhausts for hybrid performance cars - a market the firm is doubling down on. 

Both saloon and Touring can be fitted with the new Axle Back Exhaust System, which Milltek says brings ‘improved airflow and refined sound’. Customers can choose from Burnt Titanium, Brushed Titanium, Polished and Cerakote Black tip finishes for the 80mm outlets. The result, as can be heard in the video, is certainly an improvement, the V8 boasting some extra gurgle and burble even before M Sound is engaged, if still some way from truly exhilarating.

The likely solution to that is to go for a Milltek system that bypasses the OPF and, presumably, really helps the M5 find its voice. We don’t know for certain though, because it hasn’t been filmed. Probably as everyone would then want one, and it’s technically a track-only setup. But it’s there should you want it, and have access to the same sort of private roads so many YouTube folk find themselves on. Prices are TBC, though given a similar system for the old M5 (i.e. from the filters back) will currently set you back around £2,500, somewhere in that region seems likely. With the cars currently available in the classifieds, it looks possible to make a Milltek’d M5 for around about £100,000. Expect the really silly power upgrades along in due course.     


Author
Discussion

Ashok

Original Poster:

616 posts

273 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
I had a full (from the headers to the tips) Milltek exhaust on my E39 M5 and it was perfect. Just loud and fruity enough without sounding boomy. Excellent quality products. Sadly completely wasted on the new M5 IMHO... the phrase "lipstick on a pig" comes to mind frown

WPA

11,740 posts

128 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
Pointless on something so heavy

GTRene

18,848 posts

238 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
I think it sounds way better, sadly not really a V8 sound, but better then standard.
looks better as wel, maybe even a bit more hp toppend?

Terminator X

17,499 posts

218 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
I had a 2018 M5C. With a few revs the car rocked side to side and the noise was immense. How the mighty have fallen.

TX.

Snubs

1,288 posts

153 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
Interesting as I'm seriously thinking of putting a Milltek exhaust on my M4. The result sounds pretty good in that video (granted it's a different car), but then I've seen others saying that no exhaust makes them sound particularly good.

Mouse Rat

1,949 posts

106 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
If G90 M5 owners wanted a better sounding car they would of bought a Maserati.

CH80

116 posts

11 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
Still sounds and looks ste. No offence to Milltek, they did their best.

The Pistonsdead

5,122 posts

221 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
Ashok said:
I had a full (from the headers to the tips) Milltek exhaust on my E39 M5 and it was perfect. Just loud and fruity enough without sounding boomy. Excellent quality products. Sadly completely wasted on the new M5 IMHO... the phrase "lipstick on a pig" comes to mind frown
Fair comment

GTRene

18,848 posts

238 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
Mouse Rat said:
If G90 M5 owners wanted a better sounding car they would of bought a Maserati.
hehe good one thumbup

tripleB

35 posts

102 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
If it’s lightweight and saves 600kg vs the stock exhaust then fantastic…
Videos out already of the 1000hp Evolve tune, which is slower with 1k bhp than the previous M5 with 800hp…

pacdes

644 posts

175 months

Monday 12th May
quotequote all
I saw one of these in the flesh. It has to be one of those rare examples that look better in the photographs.

Jon_S_Rally

3,926 posts

102 months

Tuesday 13th May
quotequote all
Nice to see companies still doing stuff like this, but lordy aftermarket exhausts have got expensive, haven't they?

I remember buying a stainless exhaust for an Escort I had in about 2005 for around £300. I know an M5 is a bit bigger, but £2,500?! Even with inflation, my Escort one would still be less than £600, but it seems that even many hot hatch systems seem to be getting on for £1,000 these days.

WPA said:
Pointless on something so heavy
What on earth does the weight have to do with making it sound better?

E90_M3Ross

36,147 posts

226 months

Tuesday 13th May
quotequote all
WPA said:
Pointless on something so heavy
What does the weight of the car have to do with the enjoyment one can get from the sound of the exhaust?

Robertb

2,672 posts

252 months

Tuesday 13th May
quotequote all
Still sounds dull, just louder.

How on earth did BMW manage to make a V8 sound so flat? Mercedes-AMG and Audi sound better so it can’t just be down to turbos/GPFs.

Vertical Drive

25 posts

24 months

Thursday 15th May
quotequote all
It's disappointing to see how heavy the latest M5 has got - though I guess it was partly inevitable due to the hybrid gobbins -, but I don't understand why BMW decided to make it even larger, in terms of dimensions, than the already more than large enough F90! It's now bigger than the 7 series from only a couple of generations ago!
All that said, I don't get the hate for the car's looks. It might be the greatest looking saloon ever, but it looks fine to my eyes at least.