MPE Questions

I just installed an MPE (new), and while it is very nice, it isn't exactly what I was expecting. The youtube videos make it out to be much louder than it actually is. It's really very tame in the volume department. Refined but tame.

My wife hasn't been in it since it was installed, but I doubt she will notice the difference. For those who have had one since new, I have a couple of questions:

Did it get noticeably louder over time?

Did the cold start routine seem quieter than before (stock exhaust)? It sure seems that way to me.

The engine seems a little more willing to rev than before, and the car feels faster by a touch. I'm sure it's a placebo -- but I'm good with placebos.

Coming from stock, to full Akra EVO, to MPE I can tell you
1. It is tame. No drone at lower RPM's like the Akra (not that it was unbearable unlike others out there)
2. She may not notice the difference unless outside or she's the attentive type. My wife noticed (yay) which is what I was aiming for when I switched from the Akra
3. The cold start is bassier that stock but not by much. That was the most noticeable for me
4. It does get louder over time (or at least some say it does). I have a used kit so can't tell you for sure

I achieved what I was looking for. A different exhaust note but not one that was overly "loud". When you romp on it after it heats up a bit, it takes on a whole new dimension of sound. I have a MS intake and it really compliments well.

BzsBimmer wrote

Coming from stock, to full Akra EVO, to MPE I can tell you
1. It is tame. No drone at lower RPM's like the Akra (not that it was unbearable unlike others out there)
2. She may not notice the difference unless outside or she's the attentive type. My wife noticed (yay) which is what I was aiming for when I switched from the Akra
3. The cold start is bassier that stock but not by much. That was the most noticeable for me
4. It does get louder over time (or at least some say it does). I have a used kit so can't tell you for sure

I achieved what I was looking for. A different exhaust note but not one that was overly "loud". When you romp on it after it heats up a bit, it takes on a whole new dimension of sound. I have a MS intake and it really compliments well.

1-3 seem accurate from my short time with it. Regarding 3 -- it seems quieter but a little bassier. Smoother sounding -- not as metallic. No one else would notice, nor do I care, but the tips are fascinating to me. I'm interested in how the MS intake changed the sound. Thanks in advance.

The intake (probably any intake for that matter) creates a slight growling noise up front when accelerating. The MPE has a nice howl at the rear with a hollow tinny sound when romping on it.

Couldnt tell if i changed my exhaust in first couple hours

e90sexion wrote

Couldnt tell if i changed my exhaust in first couple hours

How long did it take before you could tell...and was the change dramatic?

Most of the difference is heard outside and at WOT. It starts to roar with harmonics. Like Godzilla. Drive through canyons or a tunnel or something and hear the music.

badbeef wrote

How long did it take before you could tell...and was the change dramatic?

No not really, pretty much stays same
But could tell different above 3.5k rpm. I went with Gt2 after, and i missed mpe lol. If you are looking for loud, mpe isnt for you.

e90sexion wrote  

badbeef wrote

How long did it take before you could tell...and was the change dramatic?

No not really, pretty much stays same
But could tell different above 3.5k rpm. I went with Gt2 after, and i missed mpe lol. If you are looking for loud, mpe isnt for you.

If you barely heard the MPE, then what did you miss?
The GT2 is a extreme opposite!
Are you wishing to go back to the MPE?

It will sound better after a few hundred miles. You have to give it a chance to break in.

I thought my MPE was too quiet at first too, contemplated adding test pipes but I've grown to like now. Definitely a great sound when in the mountains, windows down of course or you can't hear much... quite on the inside but sounds great outside imo.

I've had mine installed for several years now, and like you, was disappointed at first. It has "matured" over time and several thousand miles, and sounds glorious now. My first wish was to go full AKRA, however my vehicle was under warranty at the time and I did not want to risk losing coverage, additionally the cost of the full AKRA was too steep for my blood. Give it some time.

It indeed does get louder over time. There was a smoking tire video on the M3 where Matt Farah noted how over time, the sound insulation in the MPE breaks down over time. Also, try having someone else drive by with it, it sounds very loud from the outside. But ya it is on the quite side, I think it's how it should have come stock then ppl can go louder from there if they want.

Are you listening to it from inside the car with the windows up? The sound insulation in these cars is really good, it's hard to hear even my loud-ish test pipes/exhaust from inside the car, but from the outside it sounds pretty loud. Like the others said the MPE is also supposed to get louder over time.

It does sound louder over time. Much more throatier than the stock exhaust. Unfortunately, with the windows up you can't get the full effect. Roll your windows down, drive through a tunnel, downshift and hammer the "go fast" pedal and you will be amazed. Its fun to drive into the service bay at my local dealer, hear the exhaust bouncing off the walls and see everyone turn and look to see what beast just drove in.

This is the allure and charm of the M Performance exhaust: excellent sound, no drone, good weight reduction, and subtle classy looks.

MPE and Euro MDM best mods IMHO. Both are oem.
When I first had my MPE fitted it was quiet and I was relieved it was not too loud and ghetto. It has definitely become louder and sounds absolutely perfect for what I wanted.
I CONSTANTLY have strangers tell me how great my car sounds. Even milfs.

I love the way the MPE balances with the intake. It's a subtle but noticeable difference in the cabin, more noticeable outside compared to stock. Most aftermarket exhausts have some annoying drone, the MPE never irritates me. The sound comes on in a linear fashion, it really comes alive over 4K. Rev match downshifts are so much nicer than stock too. Love it!

The MPE gets better over time and with test pipes, sounds really good. I posted a video over on the "what did you do your M today" thread. BTW, mine is a v1 and probably has about 11K on it.

The packing material will settle over time so expect a minor change in sound, but it will not be "substantial". I can't really advocate getting test pipes with the MPE; the sound gets really weird. It was designed to be used on stock headers/cats/midpipe.

I'll take it off your hands if you decide it's too quiet. I'm local!

badbeef wrote

I just installed an MPE (new), and while it is very nice, it isn't exactly what I was expecting. The youtube videos make it out to be much louder than it actually is. It's really very tame in the volume department. Refined but tame.

My wife hasn't been in it since it was installed, but I doubt she will notice the difference. For those who have had one since new, I have a couple of questions:

Did it get noticeably louder over time?

Did the cold start routine seem quieter than before (stock exhaust)? It sure seems that way to me.

The engine seems a little more willing to rev than before, and the car feels faster by a touch. I'm sure it's a placebo -- but I'm good with placebos.

Denk wrote

I love the way the MPE balances with the intake. It's a subtle but noticeable difference in the cabin, more noticeable outside compared to stock. Most aftermarket exhausts have some annoying drone, the MPE never irritates me. The sound comes on in a linear fashion, it really comes alive over 4K. Rev match downshifts are so much nicer than stock too. Love it!

+1, further to my earlier comments, it's subtle when needed and therefore does not attract unwanted attention except when you are leaving the girlfriend's house at 5.30am....

radiofrequency wrote

+1, further to my earlier comments, it's subtle when needed and therefore does not attract unwanted attention except when you are leaving the girlfriend's house at 5.30am....

If I was leaving the girlfriend's house at 5:30 AM my wife would be livid.