[johnnya]

Just upgraded my 2015 535i M Power with the M Performance exhaust. Huge difference in sound, very noticeable inside the cabin. I can't really say it's annoying, it's not drone. I'm very happy with the end result, it gives the 5 a little bit more character.

I don't think there is any HP gain as with most cat back system, but then again even a mild 5-7HP would not really make a difference.

Very pleased with the end result

[lsturbointeg]

let's see em'!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Lets hear it !!

[johnnya]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

let's see em'!

Here is a picture, how do I post a clip ? Do I need to uploaded first on YouTube?

[lsturbointeg]

That's awesome! Vids would definitely be cool!

[johnnya]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

That's awesome! Vids would definitely be cool!

Will be posting tomorrow. By looking at my picture I noticed the driver side exhaust was not aligned properly. Turns out the exhaust was not installed correctly and if fact it was not connected ! That explain why the sound was louder then my 435i. Got that fixed today. The inside cabin noise is almost eliminated. Not as quiet as stock but lot less noisy then yesterday!

Outside the sound is a little bit more civilized... I miss the loudness... Still vey happy!

Will post a clip but like all the video that I saw, none can give justice to the real sound. If anyone is in the greater Montreal area, just let me know

[Keyser Soze]

If you've ever driven an E90 335 sport that's what our 535's with PE sound like. It really brings the car to life and was greatly needed especially on my 6-speed.

It really should have came this way stock (with a flap for spot/comfort).

[lsturbointeg]

How much does this exhaust cost?

[Surly73]

I find that my 535 with PE drones. Install is pretty simple and I did it myself, not sure if there's a way that something in the install could make mine drone when no one else's seems to. Unless of course it's leaking or something - doesn't sound "farty" or anything.

It's not really bad but in any kind of windows up highway driving it's always "there" unless I get the revs above 2500 or so. In town throttle angles are lower and there's no noise once you level off your speed.

If I shouldn't hear any drone, I'd certainly love to get rid of it. I have a workaround for cold startup earth shattering racket which is my only other complaint About the system

[johnnya]

Originally Posted by Surly73

I find that my 535 with PE drones. Install is pretty simple and I did it myself, not sure if there's a way that something in the install could make mine drone when no one else's seems to. Unless of course it's leaking or something - doesn't sound "farty" or anything.

It's not really bad but in any kind of windows up highway driving it's always "there" unless I get the revs above 2500 or so. In town throttle angles are lower and there's no noise once you level off your speed.

If I shouldn't hear any drone, I'd certainly love to get rid of it. I have a workaround for cold startup earth shattering racket which is my only other complaint About the system

There was an issue when they first installed it. When they cut the original exhaust they didn't fix the clamp correctly and it was leaking and making a louder sound exterior and I guess you can call it drone in the inside. When they fixed it, the cabin is very quiet, city, highway... No complaints. I'm from Canada so my price doesn't make sense for you guys but do a quick search on google and I'm sure you will find a very decent price in. The USA

The part number for the exhaust is 18-30-2-354-362

[Surly73]

I'm in Canada too. I know that I didn't forget to clamp anything, and the clamps are centered fore / aft, and the tips end up pretty much where they should. I don't hear anything that sounds to me like an accidental leak not going through the muffler.

I guess maybe I should check it all again - who knows. I'd love to lose the drone.

I did buy mine second hand - I suppose there's a Chance the original owner modified it somehow but he was pretty clear he didn't (and didn't seem the type)

So are you saying that at 60mph in D (high gears, low revs) you can't tell the difference between stock and m performance with the windows up? I definitely can, but it's not obnoxious, but I'd rather it was gone. I'm actually considering going stock when my snow tires are on....

Hmmmm

[johnnya]

Originally Posted by Surly73

I'm in Canada too. I know that I didn't forget to clamp anything, and the clamps are centered fore / aft, and the tips end up pretty much where they should. I don't hear anything that sounds to me like an accidental leak not going through the muffler.

I guess maybe I should check it all again - who knows. I'd love to lose the drone.

I did buy mine second hand - I suppose there's a Chance the original owner modified it somehow but he was pretty clear he didn't (and didn't seem the type)

So are you saying that at 60mph in D (high gears, low revs) you can't tell the difference between stock and m performance with the windows up? I definitely can, but it's not obnoxious, but I'd rather it was gone. I'm actually considering going stock when my snow tires are on....

Hmmmm

at 60MPH stock you couldn't hear anything, pure silence!

now I can hear the engine but I can't qualify it as drone, I had 2 different cat back exhaust on my previous 5 and drone was present, an ambient noise that was really getting on my nerve. this is the perfect balance, gives the car a bit of character without loosing is finesse and luxury.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by johnnya

at 60MPH stock you couldn't hear anything, pure silence!

now I can hear the engine but I can't qualify it as drone, I had 2 different cat back exhaust on my previous 5 and drone was present, an ambient noise that was really getting on my nerve. this is the perfect balance, gives the car a bit of character without loosing is finesse and luxury.

Ok. At 60mph I can clearly hear a difference with the windows up. To the point that it's obscuring low frequencies on the radio (at fairly low volume - kids in the car). If I let off the throttle then the "drone" goes away and I can hear things normally. The extra throttle on an uphill (still in 7th or 8th) gets annoying.

The problem is that describing things over the Internet is so subjective. Your character and finesse might be my "annoying" when it comes to highway cruising. In town I love it. No problem windows up or down. I still preferred the character of the Dinan exhaust on my E39 528i (partially design difference, partially the fact that it was one exhaust fed by all six cylinders instead of two 3 cylinder mufflers, partially the naturally aspirated character).

I think I'm going to get back under and check some stuff. I did not get the BMW clamps with mine but I got high quality stainless sleeve clamps of what I thought were the right diameter and tested them out on the muffler tubing before doing the job. I wonder if something is a little amiss. I'll post pics of my clamps when I'm not on my phone.

[Surly73]

This is the kind of clamp that I used - sized for 60mm tubing (same as the exhaust). As you can see it has multiple layers offset from one another that squeeze shut for a good seal and mechanical connection. I'd say this is arguably better than the BMW one that's included with the exhaust.

I am linking this straight to the source of the image instead of hosting it myself. Maybe I should put a strip of muffler tape around the actual pipes and then clamp over top to be 100% sure of seal?

[johnnya]

that clamp looks pretty good to me, I doubt my tolerance to noise is higher as a sold my Maserati Ghibli because of annoying rattles and loosing 30k

all can say is as soon as I hit the highway, my wife fall asleep!

best of luck and perhaps you will be better with stock.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by johnnya

that clamp looks pretty good to me, I doubt my tolerance to noise is higher as a sold my Maserati Ghibli because of annoying rattles and loosing 30k

all can say is as soon as I hit the highway, my wife fall asleep!

best of luck and perhaps you will be better with stock.

I've had non-factory exhausts before, but they didn't drone. I had a factory-equipped E90 between my E39 and F10 (which was even quieter than the F10) but still....

My PE, on my car, installed by me has one area of character I don't care for. There are lots of times that a low throttle angle and/or the way the turbo affects exhaust sound makes it that all there is is low tone. This is what makes the drone etc... Then you get on it a bit and get some "rasp", or "bark" or whatever you want to call it. If there's no rasp involved, I don't really care to drone around with low tone all the time.

Based on general Internet feedback, I'm going to triple check my installation.

Also, my part# is 18-30-2-293-447, just in case there's more than one exhaust out there for N55 535 and we aren't even comparing apples-to-apples.

Crap - just googled. Our mufflers may have different part numbers:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/18302354362 shows 18-30-2-354-362 includes mufflers 18 30 2 354 365 and 18 30 2 354 366

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/18302293447/ shows that 18-30-2-293-447 includes mufflers 18 30 2 293 448 and 18 30 2 293 449


I'd really love to know the difference from an authoritative source.

This thread (http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/bmw-p...-t4943644.html) seems to claim it's nothing but a change in tip spec so BMW can sell more expensive optional tips or something, but I wonder...

[Hasser]

different part numbers for different model years.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Hasser

different part numbers for different model years.

Nope

The "new" part fits all F10 535s.

Like I said, some German site that doesn't exist anymore said (using google translate) that it was just about going to a different set up for tips so that they could sell them separately in different styles (single wall, double wall, carbon fibre etc. ) and make more profit. Not so sure. Still looking for answers


For whatever it's worth, my tips are single wall.

[Hasser]

Originally Posted by Surly73

Nope

The "new" part fits all F10 535s.

Like I said, some German site that doesn't exist anymore said (using google translate) that it was just about going to a different set up for tips so that they could sell them separately in different styles (single wall, double wall, carbon fibre etc. ) and make more profit. Not so sure. Still looking for answers


For whatever it's worth, my tips are single wall.

It is according to realoem.

[PJinCA]

I was fortunate, my car came with M Performance exhaust when I bought it. However, it will probably be for sale here once I decide which exhaust I want

[vivanapoli806]

The m performance exhaust for the 535i is the same one for Xdrive as well correct? I have an Xdrive and want something louder than stock. It's between either this or as much as I would hate to say it Dinan

[PJinCA]

Originally Posted by vivanapoli806

The m performance exhaust for the 535i is the same one for Xdrive as well correct? I have an Xdrive and want something louder than stock. It's between either this or as much as I would hate to say it Dinan

I buy nothing Dinan, there is no benefit anymore. It used to be Dinan had a partnership with BMW and their parts fell under your BMW warranty, that is no longer the case, Dinan parts have their own warranty (this changed when BMW decided to start the M Performance parts company). Now Dinan is merely another tuner, and a very overpriced one at that.
Example:
My old E60, I wanted a BBK (big brake kit). Brembos from Tirerack were abotu $3200 per axle, the EXACT same brakes with a Dinan logo and Dinan "points" were $4800. This made the decision easy, only a moron would pay an extra 50% for a name and a stupid trunk badge