Exhaust upgrade - recomendations? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M5 Dave · 28th January 2006, 06:32

Bought a 2000 M5 in November '05 and looking to upgrade exhaust system. I want decent sound and reasonable HP increase but I don't want to pay the price of a new economy car to get it. So I have resorted to the fact that I won't get headers or flo through type racing cats. I think catback systems are are the best way to go but not sure on this. I think some replace the original resonators and and this may increase noise level inside the car too much.

Questions...

1) Pro's and con's on just the exhaust, in other words, no catbak?
2) Input on Super Sprint X pipe with SS muflers?
3) SS X pipe with Kellners?
3) What about Britalman Catbacks?
4) Tubis seem way too expensive and I don't like the tips. Are they worth it?
5) I want to get AA CAI and chip also. They have a chip for stock, another with CAI and still another with CAI and exhaust system upgrade. If you don't upgrade the exhaust "system" and go with only cat back, would the last chip version I mentioned apply?

As you can see I'm full of questions

Any advise ?

cableguy · 28th January 2006, 11:18

Try and familiarise yourself with the Search facility

, as all of your questions have been raised and answered many times in the past.

Good luck in your decision.

C.

Blue Thunder · 28th January 2006, 13:28

I don´t think that you will reach your goal of "reasonable HP increase" with just a catback exhaust upgrade.

As Cableguy mentioned this issue has been discussed alot so probably all the info you need is just a search away.

Jayson · 28th January 2006, 17:53

For the price of any combo you just said you where interested in, you could have headers and a chip and way more power.

mottati · 28th January 2006, 19:10

keep in mind that you are doing this just for sound quality and looks. You will see 3-5hp, if you're lucky with any aftermarket exhaust system (assuming you keep the stock exhaust manifolds). So you need to go listen and look, and buy what you like. I didn't care for the look of the tubi either, so that was off the list from the beginning for me. I had the supersprint mufflers and x pipe, and after a while, i felt that it sounded like a set of glasspacks, so i put the stock resonator back in and put on a set of dinan mufflers that I found on ebay. I'm happy with the look and the sound quality. But it's all subjective. There was a thread recently about someone with a brittleman having some rusting problems. I'd want to look and make sure that he was taken care of before i went that route.
Mike

M5 Dave · 28th January 2006, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Try and familiarise yourself with the Search facility

, as all of your questions have been raised and answered many times in the past.

Good luck in your decision.

C.

Thanks for your feedback. I have tried the search but found that much of the input is dated. Thought that things may change with time or maybe some of you have experimented with differnt systems over time. Looking for the latest feedback.

Dave

M5 Dave · 28th January 2006, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

keep in mind that you are doing this just for sound quality and looks. You will see 3-5hp, if you're lucky with any aftermarket exhaust system (assuming you keep the stock exhaust manifolds). So you need to go listen and look, and buy what you like. I didn't care for the look of the tubi either, so that was off the list from the beginning for me. I had the supersprint mufflers and x pipe, and after a while, i felt that it sounded like a set of glasspacks, so i put the stock resonator back in and put on a set of dinan mufflers that I found on ebay. I'm happy with the look and the sound quality. But it's all subjective. There was a thread recently about someone with a brittleman having some rusting problems. I'd want to look and make sure that he was taken care of before i went that route.
Mike

Thanks mottati. Good feedback and is what Iwas looking for. Someone who has experimented with different systems until they found what they want and could pass along their experiences.

Again, thanks, Dave

M5 Dave · 28th January 2006, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

I don´t think that you will reach your goal of "reasonable HP increase" with just a catback exhaust upgrade.

As Cableguy mentioned this issue has been discussed alot so probably all the info you need is just a search away.

Good point. I think maybe best HP gain per $ maybe CAI. Catback is for sound and looks primarily.

M5 Dave · 28th January 2006, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayson

For the price of any combo you just said you where interested in, you could have headers and a chip and way more power.

True, and I know you were addressing my comment about power. But headers and a chip w/o an exhaust... I think maybe exhaust, CAI and chip would be best $ for the bang. So now back to the exhaust any recomendations?

Looking for little to know rersonation in the cabin, good sound w/o very loud sound and a system that is reasonably quite untill you get on it.

Jayson · 29th January 2006, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5 Dave

True, and I know you were addressing my comment about power. But headers and a chip w/o an exhaust... I think maybe exhaust, CAI and chip would be best $ for the bang. So now back to the exhaust any recomendations?

Looking for little to know rersonation in the cabin, good sound w/o very loud sound and a system that is reasonably quite untill you get on it.

Figureing $1800 ish on average for any exhaust system, $1000 for Cai's, and $1000 for Chip...thats $3800 total for about 10hp total.

Figure $3000 for headers which will also add some sound and $1000 for a chip, thats $4000 for 30-40 rwhp.

Choice is of course yours, but if power is what you want then it's clear.

As far as which exhaust I'd pick, id go tubi first more exotic sound. 2nd would be B&B or supersprint for american sound.

Headers I'd suggest either supersprint or RD sport. Or for more money Hartge and of course really expensive Dinan.