[Meants]

So, I have a stock 2009 328i xdrive and will be adding some mods to it but wanted some opinions. I'm going to do the MILVs, 3IM and headers with a BPC tune guaranteed. (Maybe a charcoal delete also)

The problem I'm having is deciding on whether or not to do some sort of catback/axleback exhaust and which headers to throw on.

I'm leaning AA because they appear to be the best option at the lowest price (over supersprint or AFE purely for price unless those are that much better)

This is my daily driver so I'm trying to find a good combo of not having to worry about emissions testing (NYC), no/to minimal smell and not trying to wake up the neighborhood at 5 am. As for noise love the deep tones and no drone. I just want to not be that loud under 4k RPMs

Would AA headers, secondary cat delete and like a remus catback or BMW PE exhaust achieve this goal while still giving me a nice performance boost and sound?

Also the exhaust as a whole confuses the shit out of me with catback vs axleback, X, Y, J pipes and exhaust tips? Any suggestions to go a cheaper/easier route to achieve these goals would also be welcome, thanks.

[Phyrexia]

If you need to pass emissions and don't want to smell gasoline if you're standing behind the car while it idles, you need to use the AFE headers, or keep the stock manifold.

[MysteryMeat]

I have the AA headers with the stock secondaries and BMW PE exhaust. I'm 20 and it's almost too loud for me. However, when the exhaust was stock the AA headers made no difference in sound. I don't really notice any smell unless I have been idling for a while.

Honestly I would still go AA headers over AFE but I would not go with my exhaust setup if you want a quieter car.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by Meants

So, I have a stock 2009 328i xdrive and will be adding some mods to it but wanted some opinions. I'm going to do the MILVs, 3IM and headers with a BPC tune guaranteed. (Maybe a charcoal delete also).

You want to do 3im, headers and milvs, but you want to leave charcoal filter?

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by W37V

You want to do 3im, headers and milvs, but you want to leave charcoal filter?

Lol I missed that part. OP you definitely should do a K&N drop in filter, Rev Motoring silicone hose, and delete the charcoal. That is the cheapest ~8hp you will ever find on these cars.

[Meants]

Yea i said maybe but I will be doing that too, didn't realize it gave that much extra HP, thanks.

So right now I can get the AA header for $900 or the AFE for $1300-1500.

So between the headers and exhaust system I'd want to keep cost below or close to $2000.

Getting the AA headers would allow for me to splurge a little more on the exhaust or I could go AFE and then get like the AA gen 2 exhaust or remus axle back.

So between these set ups which do you guys think will give me the most power, the least noise (i still want to actually hear it/have it sound nice), and the least problem with emissions. I know that getting all of these isn't really doable but whichever set up gets me closest works.

1. AA headers, keep the secondary cat, and Eisenmann
2. AFE headers, sec cat delete, AA gen 2/remus axleback exhaust
3. AFE header, keep the secondary cat, AA gen 2/remus axleback exhaust
4. Either header, secondary cat delete and stock exhaust with some modifications to it?


Or it could be none of these and one of you guys has a better idea. Obviously still new to all of this so just trying to get a grip on what people think would be best.

[rick100]

From experience I can tell you that the cheapest option would be
AA headers, keep the secondaries and exhaust the same , charcoal delete with a k and drop in filter. The combo between AA headers and k and n filter is almost perfect, all the sound is at the front where it matters and everything is above 4k . You also get a more responsive car . So best of both worlds for much less than buying an exhaust
I ve had people on my car telling what type of exhaust I have , and I do not have one , just AA headers and k and n drop in filter so far everyone likes it .

If you want a more refine sound plus power, add the 3 stage intake and you will get that sound above 4k plus a nice bump in power.

Milvs are nice , but a pain in the cock to install , however if you are going to get it done right , do it .

Get BPC tune and there you go

there is not need for cat back exhaust. Unless you have the money to spend

[Meants]

Originally Posted by rick100

From experience I can tell you that the cheapest option would be
AA headers, keep the secondaries and exhaust the same , charcoal delete with a k and drop in filter. The combo between AA headers and k and n filter is almost perfect, all the sound is at the front where it matters and everything is above 4k . You also get a more responsive car . So best of both worlds for much less than buying an exhaust
I ve had people on my car telling what type of exhaust I have , and I do not have one , just AA headers and k and n drop in filter so far everyone likes it .

If you want a more refine sound plus power, add the 3 stage intake and you will get that sound above 4k plus a nice bump in power.

Milvs are nice , but a pain in the cock to install , however if you are going to get it done right , do it .

Get BPC tune and there you go

there is not need for cat back exhaust. Unless you have the money to spend

Thanks for the tips! Think this is the route I'll go, worst case if I don't like the sound I can buy an exhaust or remove the secondary cat from there.