[645Nm]

The 335/135/535 community is spoilt for choice when it comes to exhaust modifications.
Sport or racing, cat-back, axle-back, single and quad mufflers, downpipes, mid pipes, straight pipes, catless or catted, complete exhaust systems, larger exit tips, stainless steel or black polished, to the rare titanium tipped ones.
Modifying the exhaust is probably the most important power mod to consider before anything else. During 2007, I saw a 335 coupe in Austria with an Eisenmann race exhaust and could never get the amazing raw and guttural sound out of my head and soul. It was “love of sound @ first sight" before performance but of course if one could get both even better!
Three months ago, I shopped around for the Eisenmann and was able to get a good price but eventually decided on the BMW performance exhaust, because even though I preferred the Eisenmann race version (it suited my personality) I was not sure if the family would be able to live with the loud, daring sound in the long term.
It took awhile to see and hear decent YouTube videos of the BMW performance exhaust but I read the excellent e90post BMW exhaust review and pulled the trigger: (http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234838&referrerid=43021).
In fact, YouTube videos of the BMW performance exhaust is not convincing and does not do justice to the unique sound. I compiled a few pictures and video clips and hope it will at least give an idea of what to expect.
Neither does the BMW international website have decent descriptions/pictures or reviews of their performance products especially of its performance exhausts and I think this is unfortunate for a company that supposedly spends so much on marketing its cars. The thumbnail picture and brief description of the BMW performance exhaust (on the BMW website) compared to the marketing of Eisenmann and other brands leave much to be desired.
On first sight the performance exhaust looks completely stock and does not “look” the heavy price tag. The mufflers and X pipes are not the good looking crafted polished types either such as Active Autowerke, Remus or even RissRacing.
Except for the corrosion resistant chrome-plated stainless steel tail tips everything else looks stock. The chrome tips are far more attractive compared to stock though, but are also the same size in diameter as the stock tips (80mm exactly; the stock outlet tips are just thicker). I would have preferred larger and more aggressive tail tips (101mm) to fill the diffuser openings more completely. For the adventurous: since the performance tips are the same as stock one could consider the Bimmian Dimisa aftermarket tips with 90mm and 101mm diameter – this could be interesting?
The performance exhaust comes with two silencers or mufflers (separated) and two mid pipes running from the second cats connected by an X pipe which replaces the stock resonator. The pipes are bolted together with 10 clamps (instead of flanges) which alone will set you back over $600 (R4,000).
The performance exhaust improves air and gas flow and reduces backpressure. BMW claims a weight saving compared to stock and when I held (tried) the two exhausts in my hands (one after the other) I could certainly feel the significant weight difference in favour of the performance exhaust.
The installation was done by my local BMW dealer and took about 2 hours. The stock exhaust had to be cut (after the second cat) to attach the new exhaust (see picture inserts) but is essentially a perfect fit.
The sound has been described as deep, moving and spine-tingling, with an aggressive engine note! Which is all true! But it is the beautiful sounds and tone through the rev range that excites; growling and roaring at low revs with howling crescendos at higher revs. There is zero drone in the cabin, just the pleasing sounds of the exhaust. At cruising speeds the exhaust sound is almost completely stock but wakes up with the slightest touch of the throttle.
Those with manual transmission will have fun tapping the throttle/revving at every occasion. The car is loud from the outside and can be heard from a long distance but is not annoying, just enough to draw attention. With an aftermarket DP the sound will certainly be much louder. The JB3 tune detects the performance exhaust and on map 6 the sound is louder (in cabin and outside) and simply amazing!
The car pulls stronger, which is very noticeable in DC mode with the rev needle zipping easily to 5000rpms. I have been driving it for two months and the exhaust has settled and opened up nicely.
This BMW performance exhaust system will NOT disappoint!
I am pleased with the performance of the exhaust but cannot really reconcile the BMW steep price compared with other quality performance exhausts on the market. And most other aftermarket performance exhausts are also complete units without the need for expensive clamps in between the mufflers and between the mufflers and the mid pipes.
I guess the BMW product warranty as well as its two year installation guarantee justifies the total cost.
Hmmm.....Okay, there are those moments when I am at a traffic light and a boy racer next to me revs up his tinny exhaust... that I wish (just briefly) I had the Eisenmann race sound to scare the hell out of him...
So enjoy the pics and video....

[645Nm]

Here is picture of the stock BMW exhaust..

[645Nm]

Sorry guys got too much flack...

Video of revving exhaust (The Cape was very cold this morning):

A short clip of stunning tail-tip and exhaust still in the box:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSFB6A2_5Tg

[335stepitup]

congrats, nice zuast, have you dyno'd it wb4 and after fitment to gauge difference. I have heard these on both a 135 and 335 and it sounded pretty cool while driving...though better on a MT.

[645Nm]

Thanks man...the day (before install) I wanted to dyno at zeemax, but the dyno was being repaired. Could have been a good baseline...

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by 645Nm

The 335/135/535 community is spoilt for choice when it comes to exhaust modifications.
Sport or racing, cat-back, axle-back, single and quad mufflers, downpipes, mid pipes, straight pipes, catless or catted, complete exhaust systems, larger exit tips, stainless steel or black polished, to the rare titanium tipped ones.

Great review and photos! I can confirm that your exhaust sounds really excellent and it was a pleasure to hear it rev up while driving your car. I'm also aiming to write a review on mine (as well as comment on your suspension!) one of these days...

Alpina_B3_Lux

[645Nm]

Hey man...glad you arrived home safely...
Thanks, it was fun spending time with you and seeing how skillfully you tackled the mountain pass. Look forward to your review of your exhaust and the bilstein suspension...

[Slow BMW]

which dealer did you use for the mods? do you leave the jb when taking it in?

[645Nm]

Originally Posted by Slow BMW

which dealer did you use for the mods? do you leave the jb when taking it in?

Just sent PM. lets hook up.

[5soko]

So the only part of the stock exhaust you have to cut is by the secondary cats correct?
How do you know where to cut exactly?

Then the whole bmw performance exhaust clamps on from there right?

[Yankees 2010]

sick

[Mnini Galore]

Originally Posted by 335stepitup

congrats, nice zuast, have you dyno'd it wb4 and after fitment to gauge difference. I have heard these on both a 135 and 335 and it sounded pretty cool while driving...though better on a MT.

@ 335steitup , my man I am looking for the following:

1. Clear tail clusters/ Dimmed Tail Clusters
2. Carbon Fiber Splitters
3. Halogen Upgrade (currently using the boring old front lights)

How much do you think this will set me back(cashwise) and where can i get it done? I driver a titan silb E90 320i MSport.

[Menno11]

Originally Posted by mnini.utp

@ 335steitup , my man I am looking for the following:

1. Clear tail clusters/ Dimmed Tail Clusters
2. Carbon Fiber Splitters
3. Halogen Upgrade (currently using the boring old front lights)

How much do you think this will set me back(cashwise) and where can i get it done? I driver a titan silb E90 320i MSport.

1. The blacklines go for about R4k at the dealers, very nice upgrade.
2. The CF splitters you get for R1700 from Max motorsport
3. For the lights, you will have to upgrade to xenon headlights and reprogram the ECU to accept the new voltage. Expect to pay R6k up

[sheedyslick]

I love information and your post has a lot of it. thanks. I have a 2010 335i with 0ZMP and 0337 M SPORT PACKAGE. I just went under my car and the exhaust looks identical to the Preformance exhaust in your pictures. the only difference are the exhaust tips. mine look double walled and rolled. yours is single wall. I would like to upgrade to the preformance exhaust but i want to make sure I don't already have it. I'm pretty sure i don't but the pictures look the same!! If i don't then it looks like i'll only have to swap out the mufflers because the piping is exactly like your preformance exhaust pictures. Any one care to share their thoughts?
thanks

[Subtraxx]

Originally Posted by sheedyslick

I love information and your post has a lot of it. thanks. I have a 2010 335i with 0ZMP and 0337 M SPORT PACKAGE. I just went under my car and the exhaust looks identical to the Preformance exhaust in your pictures. the only difference are the exhaust tips. mine look double walled and rolled. yours is single wall. I would like to upgrade to the preformance exhaust but i want to make sure I don't already have it. I'm pretty sure i don't but the pictures look the same!! If i don't then it looks like i'll only have to swap out the mufflers because the piping is exactly like your preformance exhaust pictures. Any one care to share their thoughts?
thanks

I am also curious about this one.

[I3ossman]

Mine is sitting at the dealer waiting for me to pick it up

You need to do the golf tee mod bro.. Or just unplug it in the trunk like I did

[SuperBmw]

Originally Posted by sheedyslick

I love information and your post has a lot of it. thanks. I have a 2010 335i with 0ZMP and 0337 M SPORT PACKAGE. I just went under my car and the exhaust looks identical to the Preformance exhaust in your pictures. the only difference are the exhaust tips. mine look double walled and rolled. yours is single wall. I would like to upgrade to the preformance exhaust but i want to make sure I don't already have it. I'm pretty sure i don't but the pictures look the same!! If i don't then it looks like i'll only have to swap out the mufflers because the piping is exactly like your preformance exhaust pictures. Any one care to share their thoughts?
thanks

You don't have the performance exhaust just the stock.