Which exhaust shall it be?

[uginer]

Im trying to figure out wheather to get a B&B tri flow or order a Eisenman.
Both are sepose to be great. Tri flow is cheaper tho.

[Jon K]

B&b

[brodee]

Matt had the B&B on his 540/6 and it really didn't sound any louder than my stock one to me. If I'm paying that much I want some grunt to it. I wish I could get an AA G3 for my 540 like I had on my m3.

[Gayle]

I got the eisenmann. They are special order and it takes about 3 months for them to come.

I picked the eisenmann under the 3 bears theory. Supersprint is too soft, tri-flow is too loud, and eisenmann is just right.

It turned out to be a little less loud than I was expecting. The internet sound clips I had heard were on a 540, and it just doesn't sound as throaty on the 535.


I also replaced the resonnator at the same time. I drove away and thought "I just paid $1400 (combined) for this?". Then a couple of hours later I handed it off to a valet parker and went "wow, that's awesome!". So essentially, the car sounds great outside and I never get to hear it driving it. The resonator is amazingly effective.

Knowing what I know now, I would probably go with the tri-flow but only if I was replacing the resonator. I think without doing that, it would be too loud.

At the e34 event in Chicago, you would have an opportunity to hear the different mufflers on 535s and 540s and M5s. If you can hold off til June, you would have an opportunity to know what you would be getting. That is assuming you are in the US and travel is feasible. If not... nevermind.

[Jon K]

Matt had the B&B on his 540/6 and it really didn't sound any louder than my stock one to me. If I'm paying that much I want some grunt to it. I wish I could get an AA G3 for my 540 like I had on my m3.

Your friend didn't have a B&B then - there is NO ****ING WAY that a B&B Triflow sounds anywhere NEAR like a stock exhaust - you would have to be out of your mind if you thought so. Sounds like your friend got a SuperSprint.

[Gayle]

Your friend didn't have a B&B then - there is NO ****ING WAY that a B&B Triflow sounds anywhere NEAR like a stock exhaust

Agreed.

[uginer]

Do you think that if a get an eisenman for my 530i and completely get rid of the resonator with a straight pipe from the muffler to the cat it will be too lout?

The way B&B puts it, their exhaust when out on my car does get rid of the rsonator and thats what makes it as loud as it is.

My car is a V8 so it should sound kinda nice eather way. I just do not what it to sound like a mustang.

[Gayle]

My understanding is that the focus of the resonator is reduction of noise in the passenger cabin. Without it, the interior noise can be irritating and wearing. That is the reason I did not eliminate it.

Here is the thread in which I solicted input into my decision in the same way you are. There is discussion of the resonator that comes from the mouths of people far more knowledgeable than I am and maybe it will help you. It also has the links to the sound clips.

Help me make a ss exhaust decision (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=16967)

Whether it would be too loud sort of depends on how loud you want it to be. I am a female and an accountant. There is a limit on how loud I could go and maintain a professional image.

At Bimmerfest, the was an e34 M5 that had an eisenmann that was straight piped and it was LOUD. But then, it was an M5. These mufflers really sound different on the different engines.

Sorry not to be of more help. It is a very difficult decision to make because it is so subjective and so difficult to get sound information for comparison. It is not an inexpensive mod either, so you want to give it your best shot in deciding. Good luck.

[Johntee540]

B&B is the way to go. It is a very good sounding exhaust and still quiet enough in the cabin to enjoy the car on 9 hour trips. This is the second B&B Exhaust I have had. The first was on my 99 M Roadster. - JT

[Jehu]

B&B is the way to go. It is a very good sounding exhaust and still quiet enough in the cabin to enjoy the car on 9 hour trips. This is the second B&B Exhaust I have had. The first was on my 99 M Roadster. - JT

How does that strut brace improve your handling? I'd heard hinged braces aren't as effective as those welded solid.

[DABIMR]

On a slight tangent, I have no resonator and a Magnaflow exhaust, straight pipes from the catback to Magnaflow muffler. It's loud, but sounds really bada$$!! Very throaty too.. The only drawback as Gayle mentioned, is that w/o the resonator it can get pretty "boomy" inside the cabin especially in slow moving traffic situations.

I will probably look into getting some sort of resonator in the near future, I stupidly threw the stock one away.:(

I love the sound but the cabin noise can be annoying in traffic.. Sounds great in tunnels and under overpasses though!! :p

[brodee]

On a slight tangent, I have no resonator and a Magnaflow exhaust, straight pipes from the catback to Magnaflow muffler. It's loud, but sounds really bada$$!! Very throaty too.. The only drawback as Gayle mentioned, is that w/o the resonator it can get pretty "boomy" inside the cabin especially in slow moving traffic situations.

I will probably look into getting some sort of resonator in the near future, I stupidly threw the stock one away.:(

I love the sound but the cabin noise can be annoying in traffic.. Sounds great in tunnels and under overpasses though!! :p

Which magnaflow did you use? I had one on my e30 and really liked it but I can't find any that are dual in, dual out with tips. Not big on the idea of putting a Y pipe in front of it but I guess it doesn't matter that much.

[DABIMR]

Which magnaflow did you use? I had one on my e30 and really liked it but I can't find any that are dual in, dual out with tips. Not big on the idea of putting a Y pipe in front of it but I guess it doesn't matter that much.
Don't remember the model number but I want to say 12XXX or something? And it was dual in/out.. :)

[Digita1 Ecstasy]

i dont see why picking an exhaust is such a big deal. sure its kind of expensive for what your getting (basically nothing) and their are alot of choices, but no need to walk on thin ice. I personally can only make a difference between exhausts on volume, none of this throaty deeper bs.


I honestly I think money is better spent on other mods. e34 suspension sucks. thats a good start. you'll actually notice quite a difference too. then again i dont know what mods you already have. good luck on finding what you want.


p.s. if it was free id get the eisenmann

[Boone.Msi]

after hearing this i hope you change your mind and get a remus! Also on a selfish note i want you to get it to see how it sounds on the 530i, im dying to get one now.

http://www.dinan540.com/VIDS/Exhaust.mov

[DABIMR]

Also on a selfish note i want you to get it to see how it sounds on the 530i, im dying to get one now.

http://www.dinan540.com/VIDS/Exhaust.mov
Imagine that, ^^ but deeper with the Magnaflow (remember, I also have no resonator) - although pc speakers don't really produce the "true" sound .. :)

[Johntee540]

Some people say that these things are engine jewelry anyways. To be honest when I added it I did Shocks / Sways / Springs / Toyos at the same time. So - it all felt good when I was done. There really was no way to tell the difference the Strut brace made on its own.

I will tell you this - on the track the car is totally stiff and turns in very very well. I guess that's how I would measure it. On my M Roadster I had the BMP Strut brace and couldnt tell any difference as I only did shocks on that car. - JT

[DABIMR]

Some people say that these things are engine jewelry anyways. To be honest when I added it I did Shocks / Sways / Springs / Toyos at the same time. So - it all felt good when I was done. There really was no way to tell the difference the Strut brace made on its own.

I will tell you this - on the track the car is totally stiff and turns in very very well. I guess that's how I would measure it. On my M Roadster I had the BMP Strut brace and couldnt tell any difference as I only did shocks on that car. - JT
Thought we were talking about exhausts?? Oh well.. :)

[Gayle]

Thought we were talking about exhausts?? Oh well.. :)

A thread that stuck to one topic? How boring.

I have the RD sways and strut brace. They were on my car when I bought it so I don't have a before and after comparison. I can tell you that this car screams around corners without any sway.

Is there a problem with engine jewelry? Mmmm, blingy engines--my favorite. Regarding hinged vs welded--the indy took the brace off to do the valve adjustment. How would that work with welded?

[brodee]

Regarding hinged vs welded--the indy took the brace off to do the valve adjustment. How would that work with welded?
It's not welded to the car, just a one piece bar. you just unbolt it from the strut towers when you need it off.