Trying to make my E39 540i exhaust note sound better, more like M5 (+ other small qs)

[MarlberCruz]

So, After a few months of listening to the stock 540i Msport exhaust I think its time to beef it up.
I want to do the dual exhaust set up on it and get a really aggressively deep sound, maybe even in idle
(& yes, I know about losing the spare tire and getting some metal fab done too). I have asked
around and it seems that a lot of guys go for the Magnaflow #14816 mufflers (that look great btw)
but all the sound clips I find are dull at best. I was discussing this with my old man and he suggested
that maybe removing the stock resonator completely may have the sound I'm looking for.
I see that some guys guys have removed the "Y" resonator and run the straight pipes
from the cats to the mufflers:


while others just do straight pipes all the way (Sounds WAY better but too raspy):



What is a good way to achieve this?
Does anyone have any other examples? Something w/sound clips or videos PLEASE!

P.S. I was also hoping to upgrade to a set of European M5 headlights with
the super bright angel eyes, and M5 auto fold mirror (umnitza maybe).
Does anyone know of great replicas that still look stock and are reliable?

[MarlberCruz]

Hello?... Hello?... Hello?...

Anyone?... Anyone?... Anyone?...

[overwerked1]

Bump.

[elvirb87]

Well, where should i start.

I had a 03 540i and i used the Magnaflow Muffler. I deleted the Y reg to give it a more of a sound, but IMHO it did not sound anything like an M5. I have an M5 now with SS x pipe and Dinan exhaust and it just sounds like a real gentleman's car. When i start it it sounds like a you have awaken a beast. Nothing like a annoying mustang sound. This is more of a respectable strong chilling sound.

In the 540i M-Tech the drone was annoying. In the M5 i have no drone just pure Zen.

I think if you went With the Dinan muffler for the M5 and ss pipes and install it in the 540i you might, i am using the word lightly, might get the same sound. The dinan has be designed not to give you drone feedback.

I have driven a e39 m5 with ramus exhaust and ss headers & a supercharger. It sounds amazing but then again it is screaming on the road. You can hear the exhaust in the car and its not something i would like to drive on a long distance trip with kids in the car.

What it comes down to what kind of sound do you want. Not every car will sound the same. My friend has a m5 with same setup and his sounds louder for some reason. Good luck with your quest.

[Only1Balto]

I cut out the res and tanks while adding a magnaflow muff- sounds incredible IMO. Quiet at idle, throaty/rumbbly/gurggy around town, and just screams at WOT. Definitely noticeable

[YotaMike]

This is one of the forum members
Straight pipes cat back sounds devine
http://youtu.be/gbcyEj_r5Bg

[bmac1996acc]

This is one of the forum members
Straight pipes cat back sounds devine
http://youtu.be/gbcyEj_r5Bg

Sounds like a Civic with a Fart can to me.

[YotaMike]

Sounds like a Civic with a Fart can to me.

You're delusional

[MEbimmerboy]

Save your money for the fab work by making it dual and straight piping it with an x pipe. It's a V8, treat it like one. Every straight setup I've heard sounds amazing and is silent at cruise, V6 included.

[bmac1996acc]

Try this one:



I'll just continue to relish in my delusion.

[jamesdc4]

Try this one:



I'll just continue to relish in my delusion.

That IS an M5.

[bmac1996acc]

I am aware... good for comparison since that is the sound he's going for and it sounds way better than that video of the 540 with straight pipes

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It's also an M5 with aftermarket exhaust

[MarlberCruz]

I cut out the res and tanks while adding a magnaflow muff- sounds incredible IMO. Quiet at idle, throaty/rumbbly/gurggy around town, and just screams at WOT. Definitely noticeable

Nice! Have any vid or sound clip of it?

- - - Updated - - -

Save your money for the fab work by making it dual and straight piping it with an x pipe. It's a V8, treat it like one. Every straight setup I've heard sounds amazing and is silent at cruise, V6 included.

Although I do like the idea and the sound, it has that raspy sound and lacks a deep aggressive sound to it. Maybe a mix of the straight pipes with the Magnaflow 14816 mufflers might do? it?

- - - Updated - - -

This is one of the forum members
Straight pipes cat back sounds devine
http://youtu.be/gbcyEj_r5Bg

Not bad, getting there... perhaps if I do that with bullet resonators it may eliminate the raspy after sound ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . I'm not familiar with exhaust so I'm just guessing...

- - - Updated - - -

That IS an M5.

Agreed... And although I would like nothing better then to have an M5, its not a possibility at the moment.

- - - Updated - - -

I am aware... good for comparison since that is the sound he's going for and it sounds way better than that video of the 540 with straight pipes

- - - Updated - - -

It's also an M5 with aftermarket exhaust

Thanks for the input, it is a good example too

[MEbimmerboy]

Although I do like the idea and the sound, it has that raspy sound and lacks a deep aggressive sound to it. Maybe a mix of the straight pipes with the Magnaflow 14816 mufflers might do? it?

- - - Updated - - -

Not bad, getting there... perhaps if I do that with bullet resonators it may eliminate the raspy after sound ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . I'm not familiar with exhaust so I'm just guessing...

That may not be bad, if you're not gonna do straights get as close to it as possible. From what I've heard, deep sounds bad and means drone. I love low end crackle and pop with high end F1 style scream. I actually like my friend's 2012 45th anniversary V6 camaro's sound more than a 4.6 Ford V8 with stock H-pipe, although it's the nicest V8 I've heard. The camaro is running separate pipes btw. I thought it'd sound like shit but its great.

[overwerked1]

You can't per-say make it sound 'like' an M5, its a different motor entirely..

My mtech doesn't have a 'drone'..

I have the dinan cat back set up, can't hardly hear it inside the car.
Sounds awesome from outside the car.
I don't need to sound all whaam bam boom kapow, I just like some extra rumble.

[PRO]

I should probably update the video. Took it on a camera phone a year or so ago.

[Only1Balto]

I don't have a good camera- all I have is my phone. My exhaust sounds around where this one sounds. Maybe a little better.




- - - Updated - - -

I should probably update the video. Took it on a camera phone a year or so ago.

Is your left taillight out?

[russell5951]

Having personally heard Only1Balto's exhaust, that is the setup I plan on going with. Sounds like a beast.

[PRO]

Is your left taillight out?

twas lol

[jamesdc4]

-Subwoofer or good headphones recommended.-
If you want something a bit more on the tame side, here's my car with Y res and first scuba deleted.




Here's what she sounds like now with a bullet res added to the above setup.

[MarlberCruz]

I should probably update the video. Took it on a camera phone a year or so ago.

What was your set-up?

- - - Updated - - -

Well, where should i start.

I had a 03 540i and i used the Magnaflow Muffler. I deleted the Y reg to give it a more of a sound, but IMHO it did not sound anything like an M5. I have an M5 now with SS x pipe and Dinan exhaust and it just sounds like a real gentleman's car. When i start it it sounds like a you have awaken a beast. Nothing like a annoying mustang sound. This is more of a respectable strong chilling sound.

In the 540i M-Tech the drone was annoying. In the M5 i have no drone just pure Zen.

I think if you went With the Dinan muffler for the M5 and ss pipes and install it in the 540i you might, i am using the word lightly, might get the same sound. The dinan has be designed not to give you drone feedback.

I have driven a e39 m5 with ramus exhaust and ss headers & a supercharger. It sounds amazing but then again it is screaming on the road. You can hear the exhaust in the car and its not something i would like to drive on a long distance trip with kids in the car.

What it comes down to what kind of sound do you want. Not every car will sound the same. My friend has a m5 with same setup and his sounds louder for some reason. Good luck with your quest.

I agree, not every car will sound the same. And yes, it does come down to the sound you (I, in this case) want.
I believe that this subject matter is good enough to have many different opinions that could help me make my final decision.

I came across this setup that look promising (all be it, on an M5),



however (this is just me) I don't like straight pipe look too much. Something about it bugs me...

Also came across an e39 M5 Borla exhaust on CL for 1k

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/pts/3656198865.html

Any thought on this set up?

[jamesdc4]

You want super aggressive ! It'll be a PITA on the ears, but why not do the 3" straight pipe cat back with the small res? It's the closest you'll come without spending mega bucks.
The Borla setup will take significant modification.

[Only1Balto]

Here's what she sounds like now with a bullet res added to the above setup.

Sounds real good James- Real crisp!

[WeekendCeleb]

I spent $250 at the muffler shop and $120 on the tip.

Just cut off the silencer and muffler. Run a 3" pipe back from the y resonator. Sounds perfect

[PRO]

What was your set-up?

dual 2.5" pipes + gutted cats + small magnaflow round resonators.

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