Does the MPE Increase HP or Torque?

[Super Spartan]

I've read online that it doesn't do anything for performance but then on the BMW site they say it adds a bit:

Turn your power loose.
Like a world-class athlete, your BMW's engine needs increasingly more oxygen as it reaches its physical limit.

To accommodate this need, BMW engineers looked to the other end of the vehicle, namely the exhaust system. The very act of controlling exhaust gases — to reduce noise and heat — restricts their exit. And overcoming this restriction, or back pressure, forces the engine to work harder, using its energy for something besides moving you forward.

Enter the BMW Performance Exhaust System. This solution produces an outflow of exhaust gases that is so free (though still under control) that it markedly reduces back pressure. The flow is free enough, in fact, to actually pull more air into the engine. So while it's saving power at one end, it's increasing power at the other. Engine performance is increased by up to 5hp and 3 ft-lbs of torque at 6600 RPM. (on select models)

The result is that your engine runs more smoothly, revs higher, and accelerates faster. And its new, deep, racing growl will be music to your high-performance-attuned ears.

What do you think? just marketing or is it true that it adds a few horses and a whooping 3 ft-lbs of torque?

[jpdchicago]

Neither but it is all worth it for the sound alone. Night and day...
Had it in my f80.

[danniexi]

note the phrase "UP TO". it's typical marketing speak.

i highly doubt a resonator delete and different muffler design (which is basically what the MPE is) does anything significant to free up back pressure and allow for more power.

that being said, idgaf. it sounds great and i love mine. i still personally think its one of the best sounding exhausts in the market for the S55.

[logicalunit]

MPE kicked in YO

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by danniexi

note the phrase "UP TO". it's typical marketing speak.

i highly doubt a resonator delete and different muffler design (which is basically what the MPE is) does anything significant to free up back pressure and allow for more power.

that being said, idgaf. it sounds great and i love mine. i still personally think its one of the best sounding exhausts in the market for the S55.

I see, you're getting me more excited to get my car man! The painful wait!

The dealership already got the MPE that I ordered in stock not just waiting for the car to be made/delivered from Regensburg

I am more excited about the MPE than the M4 to be honest

[CanAutM3]

Like a world-class athlete, your BMW's engine needs increasingly more oxygen as it reaches its physical limit.

To accommodate this need, BMW engineers looked to the other end of the vehicle, namely the exhaust system. The very act of controlling exhaust gases — to reduce noise and heat — restricts their exit. And overcoming this restriction, or back pressure, forces the engine to work harder, using its energy for something besides moving you forward.

Enter the BMW Performance Exhaust System. This solution produces an outflow of exhaust gases that is so free (though still under control) that it markedly reduces back pressure. The flow is free enough, in fact, to actually pull more air into the engine. So while it's saving power at one end, it's increasing power at the other. Engine performance is increased by up to 5hp and 3 ft-lbs of torque at 6600 RPM. (on select models)

The result is that your engine runs more smoothly, revs higher, and accelerates faster. And its new, deep, racing growl will be music to your high-performance-attuned ears.

Note that on the E9X M3, BMW did not claim any power gains for the MPE. But I remember two independent shops that did before and after MPE installation dyno runs and got 2 and 7hp gains respectively. Not much and probably within test variation. But at least the MPE did not provide less power.

[mike@x-ph.com]

As posted above, it wont add any power.

To get power from exhaust components, you need to get high flow downpipe and/or single midpipe (Active Autowerke)

[Bluer2]

It's all about the sound. The OEM exhaust system is very well designed.

[M3Fury]

New Law of the Universe:

MPE + ZCP = ROBM (Raucous overrun burble magnificence)

[4everkidd]

Personally I thought the MPE sounded like a slightly louder, higher pitched garburator with rocks in it. Pair that with the tendency for the titanium welds to crack and you have an over priced, under engineered system in a market with several superior choices.

Just my 2 cents...

Then again it took me 4 exhaust renditions before I found a system and setup I liked.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Then again it took me 4 exhaust renditions before I found a system and setup I liked.

You know, that's an interesting point - I came from a 981 CS --> F80 ZCP, and I truly love the M3. It is so good in so many applications...but the sound (even in the ZCP) is just far too muted for my taste.

I've been listening to and watching YouTube videos incessantly since getting the car, and there's no clear aftermarket or OEM exhaust upgrade "winner", at least to my ears. The sound of the stock/ZCP system is so different than what I had grown accustomed to with the 981 that maybe there's no fixing it for me...

Not to mention that the MPE is like 6K out the door for retrofit.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Personally I thought the MPE sounded like a slightly louder, higher pitched garburator with rocks in it. Pair that with the tendency for the titanium welds to crack and you have an over priced, under engineered system in a market with several superior choices.

Just my 2 cents...

Then again it took me 4 exhaust renditions before I found a system and setup I liked.

You have a point, but in my case, I have no choice but to go with the MPE here in Dubai. Anything else would void my car's warranty so at least I can get the best that I can whilst keeping my warranty

[Tan]

No power, all sound!

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

Then again it took me 4 exhaust renditions before I found a system and setup I liked.

That's intense man! how much did all those experiments cost when all was said and done and what set up did you eventually find worked?

I have MPE and will be adding a downpipe this summer.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

That's intense man! how much did all those experiments cost when all was said and done and what set up did you eventually find worked?

I have MPE and will be adding a downpipe this summer.

I agree that it's intense, but sound is an important aspect of the enthusiast experience, right?

I too am interested in the final setup that he went with. It's funny...so many choices for an improved sound on the S55, but to my ears (admittedly not in person), I have a hard time distinguishing or differentiating between them.

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

That's intense man! how much did all those experiments cost when all was said and done and what set up did you eventually find worked?

I have MPE and will be adding a downpipe this summer.

I went through numerous variations of the stock system; x-pipes, H-pipes, resonators and cats removed.

Then over to Dinan rear section with the custom mid pipe setup.

Then over to a full ARK catback, where I eventually removed the center resonator on the system.

That's where I ended up; full ARK catback with center resonators removed and so far its the best (to my ears) system I have heard.

I was chasing the sound of my '12 ISF with HKS SSM catback

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

I went through numerous variations of the stock system; x-pipes, H-pipes, resonators and cats removed.

Then over to Dinan rear section with the custom mid pipe setup.

Then over to a full ARK catback, where I eventually removed the center resonator on the system.

That's where I ended up; full ARK catback with center resonators removed and so far its the best (to my ears) system I have heard.

I was chasing the sound of my '12 ISF with HKS SSM catback

thats awesome man, do you have any videos?

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

thats awesome man, do you have any videos?

+1 on that request. let us hear the aural pleasure