Put the Stromung on last night . . .

[Mad Dog 20/20]

I've had a slew of exhausts: Oe, System-U, TSE, SuperSprint and now Stromung.

Supersprint was great for my car and my needs when the car was a daily driver. Very sweet/refined sound and not too loud. However, sometimes I would have trouble hearing it at the track . . . and it was just time for a change. So I went Stromung.

First of all, its is light as hell - about 25lbs. Much lighter than Supersprint, which is almost OE weight. The stromung is constructed EXTREMELY well, with gussets and supports in key places. As a result, it feels very solid - just as solid as the Supersprint, which is constructed like a tank. By contrast, the exhausts of a particular brand (which are also very light) felt a bit flimsy. Pick them up and shake'em around and you could feel them flex.

The Stromung was packaged very well and well protected. However, it did have a slight ding on one tip, which actually looked to be a manufactuing defect. It was small enough so as not to be a deal-breaker for me.

I mounted the thing in less than a half hour, which is a new record for me. It just went right on with zero drama. Tip alignemt and spacing in the diffuser cut-out is near perfect. There was no need to re-mount/adjust/tweak/bend anything.

The tips look sweet. They actually protrude just a tad beyond the diffuser and the stagger is perfect.

After removing all my grubby finger prints with alcohol, I started her up . . . and to my surprise - the car was pretty damn quiet. Checked for leaks, and there were none. So I dropped it like it was hot and bolted out of the garage like an emu in heat. :eek:

It was a COLD night, so I was unable to get any al fresco listening in. The car sounds VERY much like it did before from inside the cabin with all of the windows up. This is good. Very civilized. There is a slight rawness and distinct character now that was missing before. Decibel level increased a bit above 4k rpm as well. Overall, it is a very very nice sounding slightly louder exhaust that is pretty much exactly what the doctor ordered. When I docked the car, I checked the tips and they were in exactly the same position as before. Other exhausts of a particular brand had flimsy hangers that allowed the tips to migrate into the diffuser - melting it badly. Not the case here.

The tubing diameter of the Stromung is significantly smaller than the Supersprint's. I "think" the Stromung gives better mid-range throttle response at the expense of some top-end breathability, but I did not really have the chance to open her up, as I just did a suspension swap on the car and have not re-aligned yet.

This is a great exhaust. :D

[alexd]

I couldnt agree more, I have had a SS and a TSE as well and the Stromung is far superior.

[Keda]

Garrett, will you take some pics? Nice review.

[hinzm3]

Nice!

Who wants to trade my AA Gen 3 for their stromung :D

[giterdone]

yeah good review. Would love to see some pics.

[revenson10]

I have the Stromung as well for about 6 monthes and it was quiet when I first started her up. It gets louder trust me. Only a little though.
Good purchase BTW

[Jean-Claude]

I love mine. My first and only aftermarket exhaust.

[Dinanify]

One thing you all should check out when installing an aftermarket cat-back, or even just do (Because they're cheap), is get new muffler hangers. I went to bimmerparts.com, was able to order the muffler hangers, and the mid-section donuts, all shipped, for like $54 (comparison: local dealer wanted $54 for one muffler hanger+tax, sigh). Anyway, when you talked about the shifter of the exhaust tips, this reminded me of this since this has a HUGE amount of control over the tips staying put. Sorry about the thread intrusion, back to work :)

[Serious]

we need clips.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

There are tons of sound clips on www.understeer.com. BTW, Chris' customer service is excellent. Although my car has a track pipe and headers, I think my car is quieter than the clips on the site - perhaps mine needs to be broken-in. But cars always sound different from the saddle vs. outside.

I'll try to get some pics up later.

[M3 Pete]

I got mine used, so I don't know how it breaks in. It's not that loud in the cabin, but it always surprises me when our parking garage guys have to take the car, they rev it up and it sounds badass. :devillook

I think it sounds totally different being in and out of the car.

[jtgm3]

I also just got my stomung exhaust a week ago, and installed it the same morning. When I started it, I thought it was quiet. I mean coming off of a TSE, lol. It sort of reminded me on my first exhaust which was an AA, but slightly louder. I know I need to break it in, but for how quiet it was it wouldn't bother me at all if it gets slightly louder. It's also louder than the AA at mid to top range. Before, with the TSE, my lightweight flywheel sorta blends with the exhaust on the sound. Now I can hear it, at least till it warms up. I love the tips too, although the pipes didn't look poslished. Also the TSE felt way lighter than this exhaust. I'd say at least 5 lbs. Anyways, I would definitely recommend this. I'm planning on installing the AA trackpipe and I believe it would get a little louder.

[samm3]

It will definitely get louder! - in a good way. Most people say that exhaust only get louder over the first couple months, but felt that mine got louder and louder over the 1st year+. Now it's to the point where- If I feel like setting a car alarm off its no problem. If I pass a car with a very sensitive car alarm and I'm trying not to set it off- it will go off.

Honestly, now that I'm out of college and in a corporate job, I feel like it may be a little too loud when I'm driving around in a parking garage.

Suprisingly, my dad, who hates me modding my car, talked me into keeping the exhaust.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

Pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/xsverdict/stromung2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/xsverdict/Stromung.jpg

[GotBHP?]

Pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/xsverdict/stromung2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/xsverdict/Stromung.jpg

Oooooo soooo clean :D .

I wish I had more exhaust options for my car :(

[giterdone]

It will definitely get louder! - in a good way. Most people say that exhaust only get louder over the first couple months, but felt that mine got louder and louder over the 1st year+. Now it's to the point where- If I feel like setting a car alarm off its no problem. If I pass a car with a very sensitive car alarm and I'm trying not to set it off- it will go off.

Honestly, now that I'm out of college and in a corporate job, I feel like it may be a little too loud when I'm driving around in a parking garage.

Suprisingly, my dad, who hates me modding my car, talked me into keeping the exhaust.
you do that with a stromung?




Garrett the exhaust looks nice on your car. Give us an update down the road after it has broken in some.

[M3 Pete]

you do that with a stromung?
.I have set off several alarms in my garage by just driving by.

[m3fuz]

I love my Stromung - great fit, finish, sound, etc. Mine got louder over the year (installed early 04), but not that much louder.

[Keda]

That looks great. Where did you buy it at?

[Serious]

That looks great. Where did you buy it at?

understeer has them for $619. maybe GB???? im starting to come around on the Stromung over SS.

[Mode]

Awesome detail Garrett. On my list. . . :)

[Mad Dog 20/20]

Thanks guys. :)

Update: Twas a pretty nice day today . . . and I'm sick with the flu, so didn't go in to work. So I blasted around with the new exhaust - windows down, roof open - prolly added another week to my flu. Saw a guy in a black M3/2 on Norbeck (what-up bro! :stickoutt ). Anyway, the thing sounds plain SICK above 4k at WOT. Not loud - just awesome. Kinda exotic. No other way to articulate it. Has a nice meaty idle, too.

Very happy with this.

Got it from Chris' (bimmer95) site at www.understeer.com. Took about 10 days to ship and then another week in transit. Worth the wait. :buttrock

[Serious]

did u have to do the SS hammer mod to this one too? i dont think i could take a mallet to a $600 exhaust system.

[Vio]

did u have to do the SS hammer mod to this one too? i dont think i could take a mallet to a $600 exhaust system.
I didnt have to bang on mine at all, it fit pretty damn perfect. I love the way the exhaust sounds when it is echoing in a parking garage or under an overpass, but I also love how the exhause is quiet enough so that you dont really hear it much if you don't want to. I am extremely happy with the sound of mine, i have had it for about a month now and that nasty smell finally went away after 2.5 weeks.

[Vio]

understeer has them for $619. maybe GB???? im starting to come around on the Stromung over SS.
That is what I paid for mine from understeer, no group buy or anything.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

did u have to do the SS hammer mod to this one too? i dont think i could take a mallet to a $600 exhaust system.


Haha. No. I don't think I'll need to. Seems to have plenty of tire clearance. Won't know until I get to the track and generate some g's, though.

[nismo skyline]

its a sweet exhaust, i've had mine on for about 3 months now and it sounds better each day.

[nmaino]

Does the Stromung keep all the factory heat sheilds, or do you have to dump them when you put on this exhaust?

[revenson10]

The heat shields will stay on your factory exhaust. No shields on the Stromung.

[alexd]

All this talk is making me want to drive my car, dammit!! come on spring where are you???!!!

[Mad Dog 20/20]

The heat shields will stay on your factory exhaust. No shields on the Stromung.

Yeah, the only aftermarket exhaust (that I know of) that is set-up to retain the OE heat shields is the Supersprint. I've never seen anyone actually bother to swap the shields onto one, however.

[beatniks325]

All this talk is making me want to drive my car, dammit!! come on spring where are you???!!!

I hear ya bro, I hear ya.

[Casebrius]

75 and Sunny here! Too bad the water stretches to the horizon in every direction I look! :(

[blackm3]

did u have to do the SS hammer mod to this one too? i dont think i could take a mallet to a $600 exhaust system.

Mine fit just fine with 255s...give it a couple of weeks to break it in...sounds pretty damn loud at WOT. My neighbor told me she knows when I am coming home couple blocks away!!

[Rav3Cultre]

I heard a request for some pics. :D
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/711000-711999/711067_10_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/711000-711999/711067_11_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/711000-711999/711067_12_full.jpg

[nmaino]

Very Nice!!! Looks good.

Thanks for the info on the heat sheilds with the SuperSprint.

[slcook54]

I wish I had actually put mine on for a few days, but I sold it the day I bought it for the Eisenmann Race. Definitely the best bang for the buck exhaust, but I got a deal on an Eisenmann I couldn't pass up.

[jworms]

I wish I had actually put mine on for a few days, but I sold it the day I bought it for the Eisenmann Race. Definitely the best bang for the buck exhaust, but I got a deal on an Eisenmann I couldn't pass up.


if i understand this right you had the stromung exhaust but sold it for the eisenmann. is the eisenmann better for some reason? lighter in weight? more hp gain? better quality build?

[Captain]

Boy you should some how draw the attention of Stromung to this thread, they would love you for bringing it up. Everyone seems to love their exhaust, and it seems like you convinced a lot of people that this is the one to get. I am almost convinced that my M3 exhaust is not good enough. :confused

[giterdone]

Boy you should some how draw the attention of Stromung to this thread, they would love you for bringing it up. Everyone seems to love their exhaust, and it seems like you convinced a lot of people that this is the one to get. I am almost convinced that my M3 exhaust is not good enough. :confused
on a 3 series, an M3 exhaust is considered an upgrade. But most aftermarkets are an upgrade from the M3 exhaust. I have heard nothing but good thigns about stromung. I plan on getting it when I turn to exhaust. My friend Vio also got it, and as he posted, he loves the sound of it.

To the poster asking about eisemman and stromung, from what i hear is that eisemann is one of those top of the line exhausts; as is it's price. slcook got a great deal and couldn't pass it up. I'm not sure what the differences are, probably sound, maybe a hp or two gain more, and maybe a few lbs lighter. But I have to say I don't know, just giving some info until slcook posts.

[RedV]

Another happy Stromng exhauster here. I love this thing... I've had it since last August and it got a bit louder once it got broken in. It is the perfect exhaust in my mind since it sounds great when you open up the throttle, but when crusing on the freeway you can't hear it at all. It sounds great in conjuction with my dinan intake and yes... you can hear me coming from a few blocks away. :buttrock

[tEckniks]

i wanna hear this in person sometime maddog! nice write up



if i understand this right you had the stromung exhaust but sold it for the eisenmann. is the eisenmann better for some reason? lighter in weight? more hp gain? better quality build?

the sound of the eisenmann is worth every penny. :drool:

[Vio]

Another happy Stromng exhauster here. I love this thing... I've had it since last August and it got a bit louder once it got broken in. It is the perfect exhaust in my mind since it sounds great when you open up the throttle, but when crusing on the freeway you can't hear it at all. It sounds great in conjuction with my dinan intake and yes... you can hear me coming from a few blocks away. :buttrock
I have the dinan intake as well and in my opinion the stromung and intake sound great together.

[Pino]

Hows the tone between 2-3k rpm? I HATED the TSE in that range and im getting a bit tired of the SS right now. The AAgenIII is still my #1 choice right now though.

[Casebrius]

For those that have had several exhausts, which one drones the least on the highway?

[sunir]

G...congrats on the new exhaust...are you going to be at the NJ chapter DE at Summit Shennandoah in a few weeks? I may be there instructing, still :dunno yet...you can hear your exhaust all day long at WOT ;) :D ...hopefully the tips don't turn bronze though :(

[Vio]

Hows the tone between 2-3k rpm? I HATED the TSE in that range and im getting a bit tired of the SS right now. The AAgenIII is still my #1 choice right now though.
The stromung has a deep, mellow sound to it at those revs.

[Pino]

Like the shaking rumble that makes you want to let the car go up in revs?

[Vio]

Like the shaking rumble that makes you want to let the car go up in revs?
The stromung sounds good at all revs in my opinion. Goes from a throaty deep sound at lower revs to a scream at higher revs.

[madmguy]

any and every exhaust will drone, if driven at low rpm... these cars need to drive at 3k or higher, just downshift
bimmers are not gas conserving auto's might as well get over that issue

[sunir]

I think that flowmasters on a mustang sound awesome, I owned 2 mustangs and loved the way those cars sounded...can't seem to replicate that tone in any other car! :buttrock

[JClark]

^^^^ What he said.

[jworms]

I think that flowmasters on a mustang sound awesome, I owned 2 mustangs and loved the way those cars sounded...can't seem to replicate that tone in any other car! :buttrock

put one of those large displacement [inefficient american] v8 engines in and flowmaster exhaust and you'll get that sound you want. ;)

[s_ribs]

if i understand this right you had the stromung exhaust but sold it for the eisenmann. is the eisenmann better for some reason? lighter in weight? more hp gain? better quality build?

There is not a significant impact on hp numbers for any of the aftermarket exhausts. It's all about sound and looks. The Eisenman race model sounds straight bad-ass. :evil2

Stromung has certainly caught my eye though. Just listened to the in car clip @ understeer.com and it sounds really nice.

Thanks for the review!
Seth

[Casebrius]

any and every exhaust will drone, if driven at low rpm...
BMW seemed to have designed one that wouldn't drone. I guess I want tooo much, one that won't drone bad at low RPM's, yet sounds deeper than stock at high RPM's. I need a switch for on/off wake the neighbors mode! Doesn't one of the newer cars out have such an exhaust bypass switch of sorts? So has any coparison of the most recent exhausts been done on a dyno? The last one I saw, the highest gain was about 6-7 whp.

[Balthazarr]

Bought mine through Bimmer95 and picked it up at Stromung.
Scott weighed it for me before I left with it. 28 lbs on his scale.

I love the quiet idle in the driveway between brick wall and house. Very civilized.

[giterdone]

BMW seemed to have designed one that wouldn't drone. I guess I want tooo much, one that won't drone bad at low RPM's, yet sounds deeper than stock at high RPM's. I need a switch for on/off wake the neighbors mode! Doesn't one of the newer cars out have such an exhaust bypass switch of sorts? So has any coparison of the most recent exhausts been done on a dyno? The last one I saw, the highest gain was about 6-7 whp.
I am like you. I don't like hearing my exhaust at all. I like hearing my engine. My buddy who has the stromung says it sounds great though, like it was made for hte car. But he says it is slightly louder and deeper at idle, you can't really hear it at low rpms and screams at WOT, but I know I coudl probably still hear it at low rpms. and I hate attracting attention with exhausts. So I'm torn, I figure for now, I will go without modding exhaust. :)

[Mad Dog 20/20]

G...congrats on the new exhaust...are you going to be at the NJ chapter DE at Summit Shennandoah in a few weeks?

Yep, I'll be there. Can't wait :D

BTW, i drove around all day yesterday with the GF. Different speeds/rpm, downtown, hwy, etc. Pseudo-raced a G35 up rockV pike . . . and the GF never mentioned the change in exhaust.

It does not drone or vibrate the car anywhere in the rev range. There is no unpleasant range that you need to stay away from.

[cpcalkins]

how many people are running stromong with 9.5" wheels in the rear. Im running 245s now and want to go to 255 but the tire will hit the exhaust. any fixxes other than with a hammer to the corner of the exhaust.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

how many people are running stromong with 9.5" wheels in the rear. Im running 245s now and want to go to 255 but the tire will hit the exhaust. any fixxes other than with a hammer to the corner of the exhaust.

I run 255's on a 18x9 et45 with a 5mm spacer. I have prolly 2cm of clearance between the tire and the corner of the can.

Try running a spacer and rolling your fenders a bit more.

[cpcalkins]

do you need longer wheel studs with a 5 mm spacer...

[Mad Dog 20/20]

do you need longer wheel studs with a 5 mm spacer...

Most decent spacers are sold with the appropriate longer wheel bolts. If you have studs, they should easily handle a 5mm spacer.

[stealth M3]

All this positive feed back is driving me crazy waiting for my Stromung I just ordered to get here. It will be taking place on my POS aa gen 3 which split open twice. :mad

[Vio]

All this positive feed back is driving me crazy waiting for my Stromung I just ordered to get here. It will be taking place on my POS aa gen 3 which split open twice. :mad
You won't be disappointed

[M3 Pete]

All this positive feed back is driving me crazy waiting for my Stromung I just ordered to get here. It will be taking place on my POS aa gen 3 which split open twice. :madI'll be interested to hear what you think between the two.

[jtgm3]

I think that all exhaust drones, it's just how loud or soft the exhaust is. This depends on when you hear it. My tse was loud, hence I hear the drone more than my new stromung. The stromung still drones but the fact that it's a lot quieter than the tse, the drone is diminish by a lot. I had the AA too and that was pretty weak. By far the stromung is the best exhaust for the e36 cars IMO. Today, I just installed an AA trackpipe. I bought it from a friend used. Hence it's broken in, but the exhaust isn't really. With the trackpipe, it sounded meaner, especially on the higher RPM. It's amazing. I have an OBD II, and for those people that says there is no gain. I really don't believe it. I think having the M50 manifold, the trackpipe helps a lot. Definitely worth it and felt gains.

[bimmer95]

FYI, after the system breaks in a bit, any boominess around 2000 PRM mellows out completely. The only noise I get at those RPMs is from the gearbox due to my lightweight flywheel.

I do speak to Stromung's owner every week or two and I fill him in on any feed back, both good (often) or bad (extremely rare). He's very dedicated to making a great product.

[sunir]

I don't undertand what's the big deal about droaning at 2-3K RPMs...I mean how often do you really drive in that range anyhow? just be around 5K - 7.2K and your fine, and the car sounds great, carbon is not being built up cause your in higher rpms...and the power band is right there...these engines are meant to rev high folks!

[jtgm3]

everybody drives more often in the 3K rpm than 5 to 7k. People like to cruise too. That's a lot of fuel wasted if you're cruising at those rpm range, and probably be in a really low gear. you'll probably be in 3rd or 4th in the highway cruising, and that's dumb.

[sunir]

everybody drives more often in the 3K rpm than 5 to 7k. People like to cruise too. That's a lot of fuel wasted if you're cruising at those rpm range, and probably be in a really low gear. you'll probably be in 3rd or 4th in the highway cruising, and that's dumb.

yeah your right :(

[jtgm3]

that's why the best exhaust is quiet on low rpm and gets aggressive around 3500. the stromung has that feature.

[mobil1]

everybody drives more often in the 3K rpm than 5 to 7k. People like to cruise too. That's a lot of fuel wasted if you're cruising at those rpm range, and probably be in a really low gear. you'll probably be in 3rd or 4th in the highway cruising, and that's dumb.


This is true, but damn its fun.

[sunir]

I've just forgotten how it was like to drive an M3 on the street :( ...my M3 LTW is a full on H-Prepared class race car now so it hasn't been on the street in over a year...it's always driven at 7,200 rpms so I forgot about highway cruisin' at 3K...but your right fuel conservation is good on the street, at the track I just refuel in 5 gallon increments for Practice, qaulifying, and races...

now I drive a ford F150 around on the street and use it to tow my car...all it'll do is around 3K prolly :(

[mobil1]

I've just forgotten how it was like to drive an M3 on the street :( ...my M3 LTW is a full on H-Prepared class race car now so it hasn't been on the street in over a year...it's always driven at 7,200 rpms so I forgot about highway cruisin' at 3K...but your right fuel conservation is good on the street, at the track I just refuel in 5 gallon increments for Practice, qaulifying, and races...

now I drive a ford F150 around on the street and use it to tow my car...all it'll do is around 3K prolly :(



:( I cry for you

[m3avrck]

So Stromung GB, anyone????? I'd totally be in... was thinking about going with SS but I think Stromung is going to give me a bit more and not be too loud or annoying for a daily driver.

Anyone? GB??? Going craaazy wanting one now. :eyecrazy

[Dan337]

So Stromung GB, anyone?????

Yes Please!!

dc

[giterdone]

seriously doubt it will happen. Chris already sells them the cheapest around. He had one not too long ago (couple months ago) and he said it will definately be some time before he does it again. Soembody trie dto get one going like a month ago and he said the same thing.

[phillyB///M3]

Yes Please!!

dc
I'd be down for one. :)

[bimmer95]

Not gonna happen, at least not until fall. Stromung is way too busy to even consider it.

[DarkVader]

Not gonna happen, at least not until fall. Stromung is way too busy to even consider it.

What @bout now?

is true you HAVE to cut your factory exhaust?

[revenson10]

Nope!
Direct bolt-on. Ask me how I know :evil2

(and perfect fit I might add)

get it!!!!

[Serious]

What @bout now?

is true you HAVE to cut your factory exhaust?

no.

[Loud_TIGER]

i will be down for a stromung late this year.. hopefully if a group buy is in place

[bimmer95]

What @bout now?
Seeing as we live in the northern hemisphere, May is not "the fall".

[donoman]

I'd be down for a GB too... right in time for summer vacation would make it a perfect time to throw down on a GB :)

[cpltk2]

Good to hear your review...I'm leaning towards this exhaust myself...I told myself, I bought the M3 so I wouldn't have to mod it...man that lasted 2 days since I bought the car.

[Dan337]

I didn't wait for the group buy, and I'm glad! The exhaust is fantastic and the tips are a perfect match (I got the staggered). The idle has a nice, reserved, bass-like burble to it that the stock exhaust completely lacks, and at about 4k+ rpm it's absolutely wonderful as it wakes up and announces it's intensions to the world! I find myself looking for places to hear the exhaust bellow: bridges, tunnels, freeway barriers :D

Thanks bimmer95 for putting up with me during the order process, we'll do business again!

dc

[Bav///Man]

I've had the Stromung on for a few years now. Yes, it has no problem setting off car alarms in parking garages. It is a loud exhaust, but not too loud. Perfect.

I'm running 265's on 10" wheels in the rear, and they don't hit. Yes, I know I have a different offset for the widebody rear. The car has has 19X10 in the rear with no rubbing.

[cpcalkins]

what offset wheels are you rubbing and are you using spacers....

[Bav///Man]

Offset is 22 or 24 mm. No spacers.