OMG... I hate the raspiness of the exhaust! Gosh, I never realized how bad it sounded until I installed my Eisenmann rear box. Maybe I'm just noticing the rasp more because I've been paying attention to how the Eisenmann sounds. At first I thought something was loose, but now I think that high pitched vibration I'm hearing is actually the rasp. Welp, time for the UUC RaspX or Eisenmann Sections 1 & 2. I think I'll go with the RaspX, because isn't it one piece, versus two pieces with the Eisenmann? I figure less pieces means less chances for rattling, leaks, etc.

Opinions anyone?

OMG... I hate the raspiness of the exhaust! Gosh, I never realized how bad it sounded until I installed my Eisenmann rear box. Maybe I'm just noticing the rasp more because I've been paying attention to how the Eisenmann sounds. At first I thought something was loose, but now I think that high pitched vibration I'm hearing is actually the rasp. Welp, time for the UUC RaspX or Eisenmann Sections 1 & 2. I think I'll go with the RaspX, because isn't it one piece, versus two pieces with the Eisenmann? I figure less pieces means less chances for rattling, leaks, etc.

Opinions anyone?

Active Autowerkes exhaust.

Active Autowerkes exhaust.

So what are you saying, AA also sells mid-pipes that eliminate the rasp?

From what I understand of AA, they only make the rear box. Besides, I love my Eisenmann! :buttrock

Hmm, from what I've heard in videos the Eisenmann is still raspy at high RPMs. I knew some guy that just got the Active Autowerkes exhaust with no midpipes and it has nice deep growl. I didn't hear any rasp.

Sorry, but what do you guys mean when you talk about rasp from an exhaust?

Sorry, but what do you guys mean when you talk about rasp from an exhaust?

Never ridden or heard an E46 M? It's kind of a high pitched rattle and high rpms.

You need Euro cats and headers.

Never ridden or heard an E46 M? It's kind of a high pitched rattle and high rpms.

Oh... Nope, I've never ridden or heard an E46 M before. I long for the day when I can drive an M3.

I like the rasp... make it different that every other car.

I like the rasp... make it different that every other car.

i agree, i've always liked it. :buttrock

I like the sound of the stock exhaust. Definately nothing else like it, kinda reminds me of a sport bike sound.

Alex

Personally I think my M is the worse sounding car I've ever bought. But that's just me. My friend who followed me one night said his wife started laughing histarically and thought my car sounded like a duck gone postal.

:confused :eyecrazy :rolleyes :embarrasm

You need Euro cats and headers.

I'd love to do that, but I live in CA where SMOG rules are very very very strict. I don't want any smog issues.

Personally I think my M is the worse sounding car I've ever bought. But that's just me. My friend who followed me one night said his wife started laughing histarically and thought my car sounded like a duck gone postal.


You're absolutely right. After much debate, I finally sunk over $3000 into fixing that noise. It is and isn't worth it.

There's some glaring problems evident with the car after owning it for 2+ years. Its not that fast, not compared to lots of cars just over half the price. Its very lacking in torque - I hate having to wind the car up to make it go. The steering isn't nearly as good as the E36 M3. Neither is the ride or the road holding.

Even so, the build quality on the E46 makes my last M3 seem like a Hyundai by comparison. The interior is almost completely free of noises. The entry level stereo blows away both the E36 and E46 HK options. SMG kicks butt.

Also - this is one of the few cars that looks perfect from any angle, in nearly any color. For a Bangle design (correct me if I'm wrong) this is the gold standard of vehicles.

There's some glaring problems evident with the car after owning it for 2+ years. Its not that fast, not compared to lots of cars just over half the price. Its very lacking in torque - I hate having to wind the car up to make it go. The steering isn't nearly as good as the E36 M3. Neither is the ride or the road holding.

See... now I happen to think the opposite on these issues. I love winding the engine up to 8k rpms. It has enough power to toodle around town without much effort, but when I want to go... I make that engine sing. I find that this car (even in stock form) out performs my old E36 M3 in every aspect.

The interior is almost completely free of noises.

They are coming... I've found that after a bunch of miles, interior noises are becoming more and more apparent, but I guess that's just the age starting to show through.

I'd love to do that, but I live in CA where SMOG rules are very very very strict. I don't want any smog issues.


I'm curious how they could give you problems if you used all factory euro parts? You're putting BMW headers and cats on there, and the finished install looks totally stock. The cats even have Roundels on them. You'd have to have the most detail oriented inspector to know the car wasn't US Spec.

did bmw PUT the rasp in or was it just a byproduct they were to lazy to fix?

I like the rasp... make it different that every other car.

What he said ^... It sounds even louder and better with the Eisenmann Meisterschaft!!!

Yes... I too like the rasp sound...

did bmw PUT the rasp in or was it just a byproduct they were to lazy to fix?

Its part of the normal exhaust sound, but it becomes dominant through the deficient design of the US spec headers, cats, and pipes. Replace those and you end up with a much fuller sound. The rasp isn't masked, and it doesn't go away; its now part of a very sweet, european sound. Mine was made perfect through the addition of a Remus muffler.

I'm only lucky enough to have test driven an E46 M3, and I wasn't in love with the rasp, but found it rather tolerable, and at times very pleasing to the ear.

I definitely agree that a Remus muffler would improve upon the exhaust note, and really make the car sing at high rpms....(tough to compare the 2, but...)
I have a '03 Jetta 1.8T with a Remus turbo-back, and (IMHO) the Remus volume and pitch is absolutely perfect for a powerful German auto.

:alright German Cars Rock ! :buttrock

Just so ya'll know, the BimmerForums is way more civilized and mature than the VW Vortex. Can't wait 'til I can afford the M3 in a year or 2. :help