Hi everybody, just got back into the bmw game with a 1995 540i. Got a deal that was too good to pass up. The only thing that needs work right now is the exhaust system. It looks like the resonators and the cats have been deleted and straight piped back to the stock muffler. Sounds like trash and I didn’t think it was possible for a bmw v8 to sound like a Honda but somehow it was managed.
What are my options for getting this thing to sound like it should? I don’t want a loud tone or all the raspiness I currently have. Just a sporty low sounding exhaust. Will an aftermarket exhaust help the situation? Any help is certainly appreciated, thanks!
Used OE parts. I have the resonators but no cats.
PM if you are interested.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
Resonator delete on a BMW sounds terrible. Cats don't seem to affect sound. Used OE would be the cleanest solution. Aftermarket cat-back is another option; Search for the (poorly maintained) Exhaust Sound Archive for some ideas. I like every Eisenmann exhaust I've heard.
Or custom with an X-pipe and butterfly valve. Here's what I'd do:
e34 exhaust.JPG
Semi-relevant to this thread: my old 544iTM (M62, 6-speed, lightweight flywheel) taken for a drive by its new owner with headers/downpipes only. Only one redline pull but 0:30-0:50 is worth the listen. Password is "e34".
Last edited by moroza; 06-12-2019 at 01:06 AM.
Reinstall cats and resonators and delete that rear muffler and you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for.
Thanks for the replies, sounds like I should get resonators back on there. This might be a stupid question, but I have a set of resonators from an e30 laying around. Would it be worth it to get those installed?
The setup I run in my 540i/6 is a "Y" pipe from the stock cats then a 3" straight back (resonator deleted) to a Magnaflow muffler. 7 years later and it does not get old.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
I had a 4.4 that breathed ok with 3.0 pipes. I think it did choke a little top-end power, but midrange was formidable.
my exhaust setup above + UUC SHort shifter + 3.15LSD + DUDMD chip = fun daily driver
Bookmarks