[e90driverXXE]

So I’m new to the bmw scene but I want to buy an aftermarket exhaust system for my 2006 330i. I want performance gains but mainly just something better sounding than the stock exhaust I was looking into a magnaflow exhaust 16539 but I can’t find them anywhere (they all seem to be discontinued) so I’m just wondering what other 2006 330i owners might recommend for me. Budget isn’t exactly a problem in my opinion if it’s worth it down the road.

[3PedalJake]

Can't comment on the Magnaflow or any others but I have Supersprint on my 330i and I'm real happy with it. The Italian craftsmanship is superb and has a sweet low growl. If you're looking for a lot of sound this isn't the one for you but if you just want sweet straight 6 music at a lowish level I'd rec this.

[e90driverXXE]

It is louder than stock tho?

[3PedalJake]

Oh yes it's louder than stock, you can hear it fine with the windows up running the gears, that's what I love about it. It's just not obnoxiously loud.

[e90driverXXE]

Thanks! I’ll have to try this out then. Where did you buy yours from and did you buy the full kit? Just out of curiosity, did you feel any performance gains after the install or nah

[3PedalJake]

I got it from ECS Tuning, yes got the full kit with the non cat intermediate pipes. I put AFE catted headers on at the same time. TBH I didn't notice any huge performance gain but a little more kick in the butt dyno. It was worth it for the sound.

[e90driverXXE]

Solid.

[The Nightman]

You could also try keeping the muffler valve open all the time. Free and loud!

[3PedalJake]

All due respects to the 330i exhaust it's a remarkably sorted piece of hardware, that's why there's not much power to be had with an aftermarket exhaust, the 330 flows really well. That said, it's very quiet unless you compare it to a 325/328 exhaust and even with it's vacuum cut off it doesn't sound anything like a supersprint.

[chris55552]

Originally Posted by e90driverXXE

So I’m new to the bmw scene but I want to buy an aftermarket exhaust system for my 2006 330i. I want performance gains but mainly just something better sounding than the stock exhaust I was looking into a magnaflow exhaust 16539 but I can’t find them anywhere (they all seem to be discontinued) so I’m just wondering what other 2006 330i owners might recommend for me. Budget isn’t exactly a problem in my opinion if it’s worth it down the road.

Im in the same boat looking for something to tune that inline 6 note just a tad, nothing too loud, just bring the note to the surface. I know Remus makes a great sounding kit that does just that, its pricey though. AA autoworks, and megan racing are 2 others. On my way now to go checkout the supersprint just mentioned.

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

You could also try keeping the muffler valve open all the time. Free and loud!

LOL, I did that once with my ex 330i, was nice for the first 10 minutes, then the constant drone was too obnoxious for me. My current one simply has a gutted rear box with the exhaust flap still operative, and it's definitely got a more vocal exhaust note, pops and burbles when you reduce or close throttle, and is definitely louder on heavy acceleration, but still not obnoxious at all. Oh, it also has slightly bigger custom steal tips on that sort of act like a horn I would say. This was done by the previous owner, and he had kept the original intact rear box which he passed along to me.

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

All due respects to the 330i exhaust it's a remarkably sorted piece of hardware, that's why there's not much power to be had with an aftermarket exhaust, the 330 flows really well. That said, it's very quiet unless you compare it to a 325/328 exhaust and even with it's vacuum cut off it doesn't sound anything like a supersprint.

I agree 100%, there is absolutely no significant power gains to be had, it's purely to change the exhaust tone and how loud you want it to be. The stock exhaust is a tad subdued, and especially if the car doesn't have the euro style air intake which provides such a nice induction noise.