Hi,

I'm new to this forum... so hope I can get some of my questions answered!

I currently have a Alta exhaust on my R56 and droning became a problem. I got this exhaust from a friend and what was done to the exhaust is that they had the 2nd cat delete and now it created droning when I'm driving on highway.

Long story short... Because my wife couldn't stand the droning, I have couple option... (And I don't like to patch problems... I like to fix it):

a) going back to OEM (gonna cost about $3k)
b) install a resonator (probably cheapest but still doesn't guarantee the problem fixed)
c) go with another full exhaust system

When I go and look for the full exhaust system, I found couple...

NM / QuickSilver / Akrapovic

I try to look around the forum for the answer to droning and seems no one have an answer because droning is very subjective.

Now I'm leaning towards Akrapovic because they have a resonator build in and it says on their website that "The system has a sporty and aggressive tone, without any unwanted droning, that’s in keeping with the character of the car it’s designed for"

However, on the same token, my Alta exhaust is not suppose to drone on highway speed too... (so my answer to my current droning problem is either the guy who cut the exhaust didn't do it right or the company lies)

I know some of you have Akrapovic Evolution line SS installed. I wonder if you guys are generous enough to record the Cabin noise from 80km/h - 140km/h so I can make my decision on which to pick.

Thank you!

 

i have a milltek DP back exhaust on my 2012 CMS ALL4

it eliminated both the resonator and second cat

no drone at any speed/rpm

here is a link to their R56 page

http://www.millteksport.com/products...cfm?modelid=93

sorry, no recording

scott

 

The resonator is a good first try. If not, look at a different system!

 

Why is it going to cost you $3K to go back to stock?! Did you throw out your old exhaust?

If your wife is sensitive to noise, just go back to stock. They're all going to be loud. You will spend a lot of cash just trying to find the "right one". Forget that! A cat-back exhaust on this car is kind of like a noisemaker and not much more.

 

Well.. I'm in a tough situation... When my friend gave me the Alta he took my OEM for lease return... so.. I don't have my old pipe any longer... Plus because they took out the 2nd cat. So... even I don't get the mid-pipe, I will still have some problem...

So going back to stock will cost me $3000 from the dealer...

 

What I have in mind is that if the OEM is gonna cost me $3000... aftermarket is gonna cost me less and it can make less drone... I'm ok with that... The Alta installation that is on my car right now is more than just the "instruction" that Alta provide... there were some tweaks to it which maybe that's why the drone has amplified.

 

If you went the Akra route you'll be happy with it. It never drones and is one of the cleanest sounding exhausts for the mini. It's not very loud but when in wot it'll sing

I sold my Akra but have been considering returning to it only because I know there hasn't been any other exhaust I can think of that I would consider.

 

Do you know of anyone that can record the Akra cabin sound?!? Why did you sell your Akra?

 

And I'm sure there is a difference between "loud" and "drone", isn't it? I hear my buddy's M5 with a Dinan exhaust... it's loud, but it doesn't drone!

 

You'll have to trust me when I say it's not loud. My fiancée can't stand me having a loud exhaust. I want the challenge exhaust but there's no way she'd be able to sit thru a ride with that exhaust. I sold it for personal reasons but that's another story.

Also if you looked up the Akra exhaust on the current gen e90/e92 m3 with the Akra exhaust, just listen to it. It's such a clean note. It's not raspy or extremely loud. I consider it a very "classy" exhaust note. It won't drone

 

Which downpipe do you have? Some people say that the exhaust tone changes dramatically if they have a stock or aftermarket downpipe. There are several guys here who like the OEM JCW exhaust, which is slightly louder than the normal exhaust on an S.

I have a stratmosphere exhaust, and I am putting in a resonator next week. I will let you know if it fixes my problems or not. The car drones from about 2500 to 3500 rpm, but sounds great except for that range.

A resonator is about $80 or so, and would have slip fit flanges like a muffler, so installation should be OK on your 3" exhaust.

Mike

 

I understand! I bought an nvidia exhaust which was ok if I was 20. So after a week I order an Akrapovic and haven't stopped . It's truly the nicest exhaust I have ever seen and very low drone if any. It's super nice!

 

You can try one of these. You can never go wrong with Vibrant. Also there are very few exhausts that don't drone to some degree. Are you sure it is drone or is it just loud as hell? Because drone is just one sound typically between 2k rpm and 3.5 rpm the reverberates and vibrates the car.

 

Go with the Akrapovic you'll love it. Every customer that has got one has loved it, and they fit absolutely perfect. And don't forget the carbon tips.

I'm actually putting this Akrapovic on my new GP.

 

I would imagine that you should be able to find a cheap used stock system from someone else who installed an aftermarket one. Check performance shops around you and online forums or ebay. This was easy to find when I had my M3. Regarding the Akra it is fairly mild on the M3, and it looks like a clean non-obnoxious good quality exhaust on the mini as well, even though I don't have personal experience with it.

 

I think buying the second cat and having it rewelded would be the cheapest route, but it seems like your more interested in getting a new system itself

 

eliminating that cat surely didnt help,Borla makes a "Touring" version that keeps the noise level down. You can listen to it on U- Tube

 

I have the Akrapovic DP mated to the VIP Custom DP-back. Amazing bass-like sound.

 

Thank you guys! I just had the Akrapovic installed... sounds great and NO DRONE at all!!! What should be the next mod?!?

 

See I knew you'd be happy with the Akrapovic!

 

Yes ra2fanatic. haha.. it's time for next project :D

 

You should install a downpipe and get an intake if you haven't already. downpipe will make the Akra sing an even nicer tune. With still no drone.

 

Any pics? Interested to see how the tips fill the rear? Is it 3" piping?

 

Nice!

With DP? CF tips?

+1 for pics!