[drp087]

So I need some advice on maybe installing the MPE on my X4.

Before all that, just some background.

I loved the X4 since it was first announced- I've been wanting this car for the last few years, and about 6 months ago, I was fortunate enough to purchase a 2015 X4 CPO Elite, 9K Miles (Previously Personal Lease), for $45K- Fully loaded- Original MSRP was $60K. It was however, a 28i. This car never with the M-Sport came out in the used market, and I thought this was my only chance to get into the car I've been waiting for.

Anyways, after about half a year of ownership, there is just ONE thing I keep thinking is missing.

Exhaust Sound.

Obviously I would've gone for the 35i at the time if it was available. X4's are hard to come by, and 35i would have been near impossible (Maybe in 2018 when original leases are up, but not 6 months ago).

I live in LA, so the "usable" speed of the N20 engine is sufficient, but I just can't seem to get over the lack of exhaust noise.

So looked into some exhausts- M Performance Exhaust in particular. Aftermarkets with quad tips are a little excessive IMHO, especially for a N20 engine. Also feel I'll have less issues with warranty if I ever need it. Contacted getbmwparts, they said it is compatible only with the 35i. Looked into the actual parts of all - 28i, 35i, and MPE.

Several of the 328i /428i owners have been adapting their exhausts to fit the MPE for the 35i's.

However, I am no exhaust expert- so anyone with advise on if an adaptation would be pretty easy to do? Is it just not worth the hassle/cost of ~$3K?

FYI I plan on keeping this car for another 4-5 years.

[Tjalle]

Yes! It's worth the cost! - however there might be some extra cost or work for a 28i - non-M.

A lot of INFO in:" Anyone installed X4 35i M Performance Klappenshalldämpfer" - thread at X4 threads.

You might have to "adjust" connection at old exhaust - if different diameter.
I don't know if rear cover is same on a non-M model - you may have to adjust.
You have to paint shrouds at end tips - I used spray can.

[drp087]

Tjalle, thanks for your input!

Just to clarify, I have the 28i M Sport.

How did you integrate the remote? Any pics?

[Tjalle]

M makes it a lot easier. There are material for the cutout included.

There is a Bluetooth connection in my car at right rear - you just connect with supplied cables - at least om my car- then operate pushbutton.

Valves are operated by supplied pushbutton, which I have in supplied string hanging on gearlever.

If you buy from dealer, you will have very good instructions.

[Lotus99]

Wrong forum... Got me excited at first.

[drp087]

Lotus, sorry about that- just thought I might get some more input here with more activity.

HOWEVER, I just checked the X3 35i Exhaust parts, and they are exactly the same as the X4 35i, so I don't see why you couldn't fit the X4 MPE to the X3.

See attached.

[Lotus99]

I didn't know there was one for the X3's. That's cool But what's your question? I thought you're asking something about fitting it on the X4, hence why I directed you to that forum, thinking you have mistakenly posted here.

[drp087]

I only posted here because given that theres alot more members here, and that the X3 and X4 are mechanically very similar, that I would get more exhaust-experienced advise on whether this would be worth the time/money. The X4 forum is unfortunately not as active..

Also I was somewhat hoping someone would give me a reality check and tell me to go save that money for a M40i or something lol...

[Tjalle]

The only problem I can see if installing on a X3 35i is rear cover - I believe it is different from X4 - why would otherwise BMW specifically say it's for X4 35i only?

Should be possibel to adapt.

[mge92]

Check out remus and supersprint.

[drp087]

I've checked out both-

Saw your vid with the supersprint. Hows the sound at low rpms?
However for the ~2K, I'd rather get the MPE. Also I prefer the dual tips vs quad.

So I did more research:

1. The 28i has 2 Front mufflers + 1 Rear, whereas 35i has 1 front muffler+1 Rear.
2. 28i has the vibration absorber on the rear silencer, whereas 35i has it on the exhaust pipe.

Couple options:
1. Remus Quad Axleback (~$1200)- Cheapest option but saw a post saying the the sound is not much different from a 35i?

2. X4 MPE "Axleback" adapted to 28i (~$2200)- With the extra muffler, I have a feeling the sound will be more muted compared to the 35i+MPE (Not to mention the N20 engine). Correct me if I'm wrong.

3. X4 MPE + 35i Front exhaust pipe "Catback" (~$2900)- This would mean adapting the front end of my 28i front exhaust pipe to fit the 35i's, which the MPE would just bolt onto at the rear end. Any technical complications with this?

[mge92]

Originally Posted by X4Fanatic

I've checked out both-

Saw your vid with the supersprint. Hows the sound at low rpms?
However for the ~2K, I'd rather get the MPE. Also I prefer the dual tips vs quad.

So I did more research:

1. The 28i has 2 Front mufflers + 1 Rear, whereas 35i has 1 front muffler+1 Rear.
2. 28i has the vibration absorber on the rear silencer, whereas 35i has it on the exhaust pipe.

Couple options:
1. Remus Quad Axleback (~$1200)- Cheapest option but saw a post saying the the sound is not much different from a 35i?

2. X4 MPE "Axleback" adapted to 28i (~$2200)- With the extra muffler, I have a feeling the sound will be more muted compared to the 35i+MPE (Not to mention the N20 engine). Correct me if I'm wrong.

3. X4 MPE + 35i Front exhaust pipe "Catback" (~$2900)- This would mean adapting the front end of my 28i front exhaust pipe to fit the 35i's, which the MPE would just bolt onto at the rear end. Any technical complications with this?

Honestly I wouldn't go the adapting route just to get an exhaust which may or may not sound good on another engine. If you want something cheaper then you might as well go custom and go to an exhaust shop and get them to custom make you one. Then they can tune the sound to your taste. What is your goal? If you want to make it crazy loud then you might as well go straight pipe and go with a catless dp from Evolution Racewerks. The supersprint exhaust is good but it drones at 1500 rpm. Supersprint makes a single side exhaust so does remus.

- Get ER DP (catless or catted) with custom exhaust
- Get ER DP with remus exhaust or supersprint
- Get ER DP with straight pipe

[drp087]

I dont want it crazy loud- a little quieter than M40i but deeper/louder than 35i would be ideal.

Also I'd rather not go custom or catless for warranty/reliability/resale hassles.

With the 35i discontinued in the US (not sure of everywhere else), maybe the MPE prices will go down?

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by mge92

Honestly I wouldn't go the adapting route just to get an exhaust which may or may not sound good on another engine. If you want something cheaper then you might as well go custom and go to an exhaust shop and get them to custom make you one. Then they can tune the sound to your taste. What is your goal? If you want to make it crazy loud then you might as well go straight pipe and go with a catless dp from Evolution Racewerks. The supersprint exhaust is good but it drones at 1500 rpm. Supersprint makes a single side exhaust so does remus.

- Get ER DP (catless or catted) with custom exhaust
- Get ER DP with remus exhaust or supersprint
- Get ER DP with straight pipe

Agree- adapting the 35i exhaust to the N20 might end up sounding terrible. Buy the tips/valence you want and have one fabricated to your liking.

[JupiterBMW]

Interesting you guys are talking about custom exhausts. I've always been a big fan of Dinan, always get compliments on all my cars with Dinan exhaust? So, given the stock setup on the X3 (lateral muffler with drivers side tips), I have decided to try and locate a Dinan muffler for an F30 328i and adapt it to my X3 35i. Checking on RealOEM, the pipe clamps are the same part number, so I assume the pipes are the same diameter... That's good...

Anyway, I'll update and post more as time goes on...

[drp087]

Roundown and mge92 thanks for your input. I'm no mechanical expert on exhausts so if you have reason to believe it might sound terrible I'll take your word for it. Exactly why I created this thread. Only reason why I even thought of this option was because a couple F30 28i owners have adapted 35i OEM exhausts or 35i MPE exhausts with success.

JupiterBMW, take a look at not only the diameter, but also the position/angle of the pipe coming from the muffler. Even if these all match you still gotta worry about how it's going to sound, as I am with my case..

[Tjalle]

If it works - soundwise - for F30 28i, it very probably works for you.

You could try e-mail to developer/manufacturer:Red Arch Manufacturing Ltd UK. Google to get e-mail address.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by X4Fanatic

Roundown and mge92 thanks for your input. I'm no mechanical expert on exhausts so if you have reason to believe it might sound terrible I'll take your word for it. Exactly why I created this thread. Only reason why I even thought of this option was because a couple F30 28i owners have adapted 35i OEM exhausts or 35i MPE exhausts with success.

No one here to my knowledge has done it, so nobody here has any direct experience to share, which is why it's a crapshoot how it will turn out, like everyone is telling you. You take your chances and be a pioneer about it on the X3.

If you're going to go off what the F30 guys have done, which you say was a success sound wise, then I don't see why you are asking here about it, and not just trying it.