[chuckles1313]

I've read through what I can find on this forum (and youtube videos) on exhaust options. Right now I'm leaning towards trying a resonator removal (would remove both and was quoted $200 by a local muffler shop). I want something more aggressive sounding in sports mode, but want to retain the option to put it in comfort mode and have a normal driving experience.

Anyone who has done a resonator removal on these cars, do you get any cabin drone with any of the drive engine sound modes? I've seen some videos claim it doesn't make it any louder, just sound different, but it seems like everybody here claims it is louder (and much better sounding). Thoughts?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

I've read through what I can find on this forum (and youtube videos) on exhaust options. Right now I'm leaning towards trying a resonator removal (would remove both and was quoted $200 by a local muffler shop). I want something more aggressive sounding in sports mode, but want to retain the option to put it in comfort mode and have a normal driving experience.

Anyone who has done a resonator removal on these cars, do you get any cabin drone with any of the drive engine sound modes? I've seen some videos claim it doesn't make it any louder, just sound different, but it seems like everybody here claims it is louder (and much better sounding). Thoughts?

There are several YT videos out there with M550 resonator deletes.
Suggest you do one first (closest to muffler), then if you want it louder have them cut the other one off. With both removed, its quite loud in my opinion.

[chuckles1313]

Yeah I've watched probably every YT I could find. Hard to get an idea though from a video. Saw this video (

) that showed a decimal reader next to the car before and after and it said from like 90 db to 108 db. Is that a huge jump? Don't know.

I think my biggest question is, is it loud all the time? Or in comfort mode is it pretty quiet again? How much control do you have with the valves?

[chuckles1313]

herk sounds like you have heard it in person or maybe have done it yourself?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

herk sounds like you have heard it in person or maybe have done it yourself?

I have not had it done, but if I were to do it, I would start with just one first.
Probably the resonator closest to muffler. I like the quiet/comfort mode when highway driving. The one thing I would not want is exhaust drone. Not saying that happens, but it might if you remove both. Good thing is you can just have them weld them back into place if you dont like it.

[chuckles1313]

Yeah that's why I'm hoping to find someone who has done it to see if there was any drone or not. All the videos are cold starts, revving in neutral, but hard to find someone doing highway driving.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

Yeah that's why I'm hoping to find someone who has done it to see if there was any drone or not. All the videos are cold starts, revving in neutral, but hard to find someone doing highway driving.

If you want to do it the right way, the Dinan X Pipe is currently on sale and appears to be in stock.

https://www.dinancars.com/products/e...arts/D660-0080

[DrVonkle]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

Yeah that's why I'm hoping to find someone who has done it to see if there was any drone or not. All the videos are cold starts, revving in neutral, but hard to find someone doing highway driving.

I just did this as well on my '21 M550. Had both resonators removed and added a custom X pipe. Definitely worth the money but not a dramatic change in sound. A little more aggressive sound and a few more burbles on downshifts in sport mode. No drone whatsoever. Hoping after installing the catless dp's the sound will be more noticeable.

[chuckles1313]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

If you want to do it the right way, the Dinan X Pipe is currently on sale and appears to be in stock.

https://www.dinancars.com/products/e...arts/D660-0080

What are the pros of using an X pipe vs just removing the resonators?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

What are the pros of using an X pipe vs just removing the resonators?

Engineered for maximum airflow and sound.

[chuckles1313]

Ok did a bit more research on straight pipe, X pipe, H pipe, and double helix (double H). Sounds like differences of performance will be very negligible between the options, it's more on the sound you're going for.

[chuckles1313]

DrVonkle given your setup do you find your valves still make a big difference? Like comfort mode still sounds pretty close to stock?

[chuckles1313]

Got a hold of a local shop that is familiar with these cars. He said if you keep the rear muffler and only remove the resonators, you will not experience any cabin drone. He said BMW's have a variety of anti-drone and anti-vibration devices on the subframe and in other parts of the exhaust.

I'm going to start with removing the resonator and see how it goes. Not sure if I will do straight pipe or X pipe yet.

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

Got a hold of a local shop that is familiar with these cars. He said if you keep the rear muffler and only remove the resonators, you will not experience any cabin drone. He said BMW's have a variety of anti-drone and anti-vibration devices on the subframe and in other parts of the exhaust.

I'm going to start with removing the resonator and see how it goes. Not sure if I will do straight pipe or X pipe yet.

Please give us an update afterwards!

[chuckles1313]

Will do. I think the hard thing about this is it's really hard to get a true feel for "sound" via videos. Like how loud is it? Well depends on your computer speaker volume or phone mic etc. Really hard to know what it actually sounds like.

[DrVonkle]

Originally Posted by chuckles1313

DrVonkle given your setup do you find your valves still make a big difference? Like comfort mode still sounds pretty close to stock?

Yeah, still basically stock in all drive modes. Literally the only difference is a louder cold start and a few more burbles in sport mode. Unless under wide open throttle, the car sounds exactly the same as it did before the delete.

[chuckles1313]

Well dang after watching this I'm now wondering if this is even worth it:

[chuckles1313]

Ok I think I'm going to do the X pipe. Sounds like it's been proven to perform better than straight pipe.

[NGT2]

If you're trying to keep it less expensive, all the things mentioned seem to have good feedback. If money isn't an issue, there are multiple axle back (basically muffler replacement only) systems that retain the factory valves or have the option of a remote controlled valve system to control the volume of your exhaust.

[Matt2020m550]

Has anyone tried the Eisenmann exhaust with the Dinan x-pipe? It looks like it would fit

[chuckles1313]

She's up on the lift now. We will post how she sounds with double resonator delete and X pipe once she's done.

Here is a before pic of the stock resonator setup.

[Matt2020m550]

I got the dinan x-pipe on my car 2 weeks ago and it definitely makes a difference l! But I’m craving a little more growl when in sport mode. I’ve heard the dinan axle back but wasn’t as impressed as the Eisenmann exhaust which looks like an axle back