Better sounding exhaust

[TOMGREEN413]

Good evening folks,
Just a quick question regarding any cheap and easy ways to improve the sound of the standard E89 with the 2.0 four pot. I'm sure this has been done to death.....so apologies.....but I'd like to know if my wife's Z can be made to sound just a little bit more sporty? Thanks in advance Tom

 

[B21]

Enable ‘sports mode’ on the exhaust by holding the exhaust valve vacuum line open with a golf tee..if you must….must be the cheapest option by a long long way..

 

[biZ4rreMids]

Supersprint make a full exhaust system for the 20i but it costs c£2k. I ran just the down pipe (decat) which adds a bit of a growl when hooning it but won’t pass an mot.

 

[B21]

Supersprint make a full exhaust system for the 20i but it costs c£2k. I ran just the down pipe (decat) which adds a bit of a growl when hooning it but won’t pass an mot.

4 golf tees £1.99…Supersprint £2k…not exactly ‘cheap’ related to the OP question?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Longridge-Unisexs-Short-Plastic-Assorted/dp/B000L0SFK6/ref=asc_df_B000L0SFK6/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=390760649439&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5779167225614988201&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007348&hvtargid=pla-833549370464&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=80486657272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=390760649439&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5779167225614988201&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007348&hvtargid=pla-833549370464

 

[biZ4rreMids]

Supersprint make a full exhaust system for the 20i but it costs c£2k. I ran just the down pipe (decat) which adds a bit of a growl when hooning it but won’t pass an mot.

4 golf tees £1.99…Supersprint £2k…not exactly ‘cheap’ related to the OP question?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Longridge-Unisexs-Short-Plastic-Assorted/dp/B000L0SFK6/ref=asc_df_B000L0SFK6/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=390760649439&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5779167225614988201&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007348&hvtargid=pla-833549370464&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=80486657272&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=390760649439&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5779167225614988201&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007348&hvtargid=pla-833549370464

Ah, missed the ‘cheap’ comment, apologies OP.

 

[Smartbear]

Good evening folks,
Just a quick question regarding any cheap and easy ways to improve the sound of the standard E89 with the 2.0 four pot. I'm sure this has been done to death.....so apologies.....but I'd like to know if my wife's Z can be made to sound just a little bit more sporty? Thanks in advance Tom

I disconnected the vacuum pipe from my 20i’s rear silencer, it gives a modest but noticeable increase in exhaust sound.
Rob

 

[Jay-Jay]

I started off with the golf tee mod which was good then did a res delete which is just removing the mid box on the exhaust system, cost about £120, it made a small difference, you hear the difference more when accelerating or coming down the revs where it will pop & burble a little.

 

[Pondrew]

Cheapest way is to drill some holes in the rear silencer. It's not the best but is the cheapest.

If you put a better quality free-flowing air filter in the airbox, you get a much better induction/turbo noise; that's obviously on the 'in' rather than the 'out', though.

It's such a shame BMW don't do an M Performance exhaust for the Z4. It would make the N54 sound great (cos I know it makes the B58 sound like a V8 on speed in sport with the valves open). Would help the little N20 immensely too.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Wow, epic information, thank you.
I must confess I only clean n polish the wife's e89, so not very closed up on the engine bits......could someone kindly post a pick of where I stick the golf tee or describe where this vacum pipe is located ?

 

[flybobbie]

Something i tried, cheap experiment, buy cheap radio mic.
One i bought was only £8-10.
Small transmitter and receiver.
Transmitter mic i put in boot and put the mic various positions around exhaust.
Then receiver into aux radio port.
Some interesting noises made.
I think the novelty quickly wore off.

 

[Smartbear]

Wow, epic information, thank you.
I must confess I only clean n polish the wife's e89, so not very closed up on the engine bits......could someone kindly post a pick of where I stick the golf tee or describe where this vacum pipe is located ?

Get on the ground & look up at the rear silencer and you will see the vacuum pipe attached to the baffle actuator.
Rob

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Thanks for the information, I'll give it a try.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Thanks again for the information re exhaust system, so I successfully removed a d plugged the hose when the wife wasn't around and waited for her to make a trip in it (today).......then kinda casually asked "how the Beemer went and sounded today?"......."same as any other day "...came the reply!!!!!!........." why are you asking?"......oh..."no reason dear ?"...

Conclusion......... why did I bother :roll:

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks again for the information re exhaust system, so I successfully removed a d plugged the hose when the wife wasn't around and waited for her to make a trip in it (today).......then kinda casually asked "how the Beemer went and sounded today?"......."same as any other day "...came the reply!!!!!!........." why are you asking?"......oh..."no reason dear ?"...

Conclusion......... why did I bother :roll:

It’s only a subtle difference but definitely sounds better, maybe she has the radio turned up loud :?
Rob

 

[TOMGREEN413]

 

[BeardyJon]

I started off with the golf tee mod which was good then did a res delete which is just removing the mid box on the exhaust system, cost about £120, it made a small difference, you hear the difference more when accelerating or coming down the revs where it will pop & burble a little.

Did you have any issues at the MOT with the mid-box delete? I’m considering doing this as I’ve heard the improvement it can make to sound.

 

[Jay-Jay]

No issues with MOT as it does nothing to the catalyst, it literally is just straight piping the mid-section of the exhaust system

 

[brillomaster]

Sorry, who wants the car to sound more sporty? You or your wife?

Id suggest doing a backbox delete, she'd definitely notice that....

 

[daveion]

Mine is a 3.0i but I had the same requirement. I also have some age related hearing loss so was disappointed with the exhaust note. I changed the back box and rear section for a REMUS stainless steel system that cost me £700 fitted. That was 7 years ago and I remain really pleased with it. Doesn't drone at cruising speeds and has a great sound especially when changing down when I drive in manual mode.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Sorry, who wants the car to sound more sporty? You or your wife?

Id suggest doing a backbox delete, she'd definitely notice that....
[/quoteit was the wife that was looking for a better sound, but to be honest I think we're going to keep the e89 standard and do a back box delete on the E86 Coupe when I hopefully pick one up in the new year so we can enjoy the best of both worlds.