M Performance Exhaust - Why?

[jimmyM2C]

I apologize in advance if this has been answered already (I suspect it has, but finding it...?).

Why is there any need for the MPE? I understand that it is 8 kg lighter (or something like that). And it definitely looks better. If that is the motivation, then OK, I understand.

I don't understand why there should be any sound difference. I have not seen a good A/B comparison where only the exhaust is changed (i.e., cats left alone).

When the bypass valves open up, isn't the exhaust essentially straight-through? In that case, the exhaust wouldn't make any difference. True?

Thanks for the clarifications!

[Brady1984]

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

[jimmyM2C]

Brady1984, thank you so much for the explanation (and for going easy on me as a noob). Even after getting "conditioned" to Porsche prices, I was a bit surprised to see the price of MPE, especially considering the questionable benefits.

Apparently, I have to get with the program, thanks for the guidance! Excellent primer!

[Richy Rich]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

I'm going to frame this.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

I would say that's accurate.

[jimmyM2C]

BTW, I get my Sakhir Orange M4 this coming Friday. I will start working on the list above.

[Richy Rich]

Originally Posted by jimjoeM4

BTW, I get my Sakhir Orange M4 this coming Friday. I will start working on the list above.

I've done everything but the race, the exhaust, and the wheels.

[DandyKing]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

[Schullz51]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

We can officially shut down the forum. Every thread is right here!!

[JonnyM3]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

You're the fucking man

[smedin]

That's really awesome! Except for the part where the question needs to be answered...

[NorCal f80]

Originally Posted by jimjoeM4

I apologize in advance if this has been answered already (I suspect it has, but finding it...?).

Why is there any need for the MPE? I understand that it is 8 kg lighter (or something like that). And it definitely looks better. If that is the motivation, then OK, I understand.

I don't understand why there should be any sound difference. I have not seen a good A/B comparison where only the exhaust is changed (i.e., cats left alone).

When the bypass valves open up, isn't the exhaust essentially straight-through? In that case, the exhaust wouldn't make any difference. True?

Thanks for the clarifications!

Looking at the bottom picture I photoshopped, I'M GUESSING that little bit of pipe going through the muffler is what makes it sound so shitty? So if you capped the piping off like I photoshopped maybe it will sound different/better?

[maxd23]

Originally Posted by jimjoeM4

I apologize in advance if this has been answered already (I suspect it has, but finding it...?).

Why is there any need for the MPE? I understand that it is 8 kg lighter (or something like that). And it definitely looks better. If that is the motivation, then OK, I understand.

I don't understand why there should be any sound difference. I have not seen a good A/B comparison where only the exhaust is changed (i.e., cats left alone).

When the bypass valves open up, isn't the exhaust essentially straight-through? In that case, the exhaust wouldn't make any difference. True?

Thanks for the clarifications!

I can only suspect that your post received a sarcastic response because the MPE is discussed to death on these forums. Just search.

I'll summarize: it's expensive, sounds great, and you can re-sell it for a good price when you're done with it.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by jimjoeM4

BTW, I get my Sakhir Orange M4 this coming Friday. I will start working on the list above.

You are late already per Brady.

@Brady1984 it was priceless, actually laughed my ass off, ty!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by jimjoeM4

I apologize in advance if this has been answered already (I suspect it has, but finding it...?).

Why is there any need for the MPE? I understand that it is 8 kg lighter (or something like that). And it definitely looks better. If that is the motivation, then OK, I understand.

I don't understand why there should be any sound difference. I have not seen a good A/B comparison where only the exhaust is changed (i.e., cats left alone).

When the bypass valves open up, isn't the exhaust essentially straight-through? In that case, the exhaust wouldn't make any difference. True?

Thanks for the clarifications!

There are 3 different elements that make the MPE sound different. First, the MPE replaces the mid resonator with an H-pipe. Second the entire rear section is made of Titanium which has different acoustic resonance than stainless steel. Third, in by-pass mode (valves open), there is very little sound attenuation (almost none) on the MPE (the stock exhaust still has a silencer section in by-pass mode, see picture 3 posts above).

[Brady1984]

TY everyone. Now I will (hopefully) help answer the OPs question. MPE is expensive, looks cool, and is louder. Does it make the car sound good? No, car still sounds like shit but who cares; does it make more power? No but it is expensive, looks cool and is louder. If you have 8K and would like to have an exhaust that is expensive, looks cool and is louder BMW's accounting department would like to have a word with you.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

[Ross61]

My one question, and without sounding too ignit, does the MPE add HP or TQ?

Me personally, if it doesn't do either, and doesn't subtract from them, I would want the car quieter (think sleeper).

Now if the $2,500 fancy schmancy titanium tipped, 2x2 carbon fiber does nothing but remove 10 lbs of weight from the ass (equivalent of adding about 4 rwhp?), then it ain't my worth a round of Pappy Van Winkle.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

TY everyone. Now I will (hopefully) help answer the OPs question. MPE is expensive, looks cool, and is louder. Does it make the car sound good? No, car still sounds like shit but who cares; does it make more power? No but it is expensive, looks cool and is louder. If you have 8K and would like to have an exhaust that is expensive, looks cool and is louder BMW's accounting department would like to have a word with you.

Your wisdom is being wasted here my friend.

[FogCityM3]

Why is the MPE this generation so expensive? At least with the prior, it was made of an exotic alloy (Inconel, which made for a completely unique sound) that other manufacturers (e.g. Eisenmann) also offered comparable units for $7,500+, so the MPE was a bargain for what you got…not really seeing the price/value relationship in this case. Is it because of the valves that add all the cost or is BMW just trying to increase margins?

[Richy Rich]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Why is the MPE this generation so expensive? At least with the prior, it was made of an exotic alloy (Inconel, which made for a completely unique sound) that other manufacturers (e.g. Eisenmann) also offered comparable units for $7,500+, so the MPE was a bargain for what you got…not really seeing the price/value relationship in this case. Is it because of the valves that add all the cost or is BMW just trying to increase margins?

Margins, look at what they charge just for tips...

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

jimjoeM4 you are new so I will lay it all out for you in 10 easy steps, you need to go ahead and get on the bandwagon and stop thinking for yourself these mods have been carefully laid out for us:
Step 1) You order your car with super options XXXX and X and run down every other choice of color, interior and gadget.
Step 2) Before it arrives buy several thousand dollars in parts to put on it because chrome disgusts you or you just can't bear to touch anything not covered in carbon fiber and suede... sorry, alcantara.
Step 3) Get a JB4 without the slightest need for more power because hey, racecar.
Step 4) Get the MPE, Akra exhaust or local shop straight pipe and catless downpipes because you and your neighbor will just love the sound of the exhaust at 5 am. Also you definitely need a titanium pipe "down there" you know.
Step 5) Now you can finally take delivery of the car, bitch about your SA, CA or other guys at the dealership with an A in their title who won't answer your texts or e-mails at 5am.
Step 6) Now it's time to put on the ugliest most expensive wheels you can find, drop the car 11 inches so it rides below the surface of the road and handles like shit.
Step 7) Go to "Mexico" to race your buddies XXXXX mobile, which is a total POS, can't hang or is modded in such a secret and stealth way that no car on the earth can outrun it.
Step 8) Get bored with original ugly wheels, change wheels, apply hideous decal, lights, sirens, fuzzy dice and a matte wrap... that's what it needs a matte wrap.
Step 9) Add super secret map 99 with methanol, ethanol, menthol and eucalyptus injection. Complain that it cuts out and runs out of steam at 7,900 RPM.
Step 10) Remove crap, sell it to unsuspecting buyer; repeat.

This is joke...but on the other hand...so true.