Best E46 M3 Full Exhaust setup for the money?

[Brandon]

I’ve got the Megan Race Headers (had them ceramic coated), added an AR25 in my section 1 (to cut down the earth-shattering rasp I had), stock section 2 and RE El Diablo section 3...I have yet to hear a better exhaust set-up on the E46

Got a sound clip?

That El Diablo sounds like a must have portion of the set up. This one sounds really good to me.

[ethan]

I’ve got the Megan Race Headers (had them ceramic coated), added an AR25 in my section 1 (to cut down the earth-shattering rasp I had), stock section 2 and RE El Diablo section 3...I have yet to hear a better exhaust set-up on the E46

Had exactly this setup sub Megan for unknown, uncoated eBay headers. It's antisocially loud and has significant drone somewhere in the 3000s. If you have an airbox, this setup ruins it. If you have track noise limits, you'll be nervous. You'll be a Harley rider in that South Park episode. Having said that... it sounds better than any other exhaust I've heard on the car. Downshifts are absolutely savage.

[LukesM]

Had exactly this setup sub Megan for unknown, uncoated eBay headers. It's antisocially loud and has significant drone somewhere in the 3000s. If you have an airbox, this setup ruins it. If you have track noise limits, you'll be nervous. You'll be a Harley rider in that South Park episode. Having said that... it sounds better than any other exhaust I've heard on the car. Downshifts are absolutely savage.

You had the AR25 welded in as well?

I have SGT headers and el Diablo sitting in my garage waiting to be installed. Dont want it to be crazy loud though. Also have Borla on the car which I’m assuming would be more tame.

[ethan]

You had the AR25 welded in as well?

I have SGT headers and el Diablo sitting in my garage waiting to be installed. Dont want it to be crazy loud though. Also have Borla on the car which I’m assuming would be more tame.

Right - one AR25 (or was it AR20?) and one stock resonator in the otherwise stock S1. To be fair, the El Diablo I had was very old - came on the car when I purchased it in 2013, and I'm sure it had been there for quite some time already. It's been through some revisions since (larger pipes) and according to a call I had with Rogue, they're quieter when new vs. a decade old.

It's a great muffler, but make sure you want race volume before buying a race muffler (SS Race, El Diablo, etc).

[LukesM]

Right - one AR25 (or was it AR20?) and one stock resonator in the otherwise stock S1. To be fair, the El Diablo I had was very old - came on the car when I purchased it in 2013, and I'm sure it had been there for quite some time already. It's been through some revisions since (larger pipes) and according to a call I had with Rogue, they're quieter when new vs. a decade old.

It's a great muffler, but make sure you want race volume before buying a race muffler (SS Race, El Diablo, etc).

What did you end up settling on?

[WOLFN8TR]

Here is my SGT catted setup for comparison.

SGT Ceramic Coated Headers
SGT Sect 1 with 200 Cell Cats
OE Sect 2
SCZA Muffler
TTFS SMG and Engine Tune

[poth2034]

there is nothing wrong with running Megan headers with stock section 1 and Megan muffler. you can add magnaflow cats in your stock section 1 and have them weld new bungs for the o2 sensors.

[Redline]

Stock headers
Status Gruppe rasp eliminator
stock H pipe
OG status gruppe muffler with burnt titanium csl tips

https://youtu.be/UNf85V3U88o

[R1pilot]

I have euro headers and cats coupled to a SuperSprint Performance (Gen 2) cat-back. Sounds great and no weird smells. Would do it again.

[old///MFanatic]

Wait, for the money. just add an AR20 next to the stock resonator. A muffler shop can do this pretty quickly. Think it was under an hour and that included letting it cool down and getting it up and down off lift.

As for sound that's subjective. Everyone has their own opinion.

[hemi6]

Best bang for buck is euro headers and section 1, stock section 2 and muffler.

Yep, the best and it fits with no problems.

[eXpensiveGears]

Anyone have/had this setup: Euro Headers, Borla Mids and RE Diablo Exhaust?

I remember watching a youtube video of it on the old forums, sounded really nice and throaty with a deep grumble.

[USM3C]

I'm trying to eliminate some of the rasp as well and I'm in the process of putting together my own set up. I'd like to get some HP out of it, be it louder, and a deeper tone. This is what I'm thinking: SGT catless headers, SGT x2 resonated sect 1, OEM sect 2, and either a Megan Racing exhaust or the Gruppe M. Anyone run a similar set up? Thoughts/Advice?

Follow my build on IG: USM3C

[Rich022]

I've had the Meagan for 5 yrs. now. Pleased with the build quality and best bang for the buck IMO. not too loud...Pretty lightweight. added the 2nd resonator too ie... the AR.. all good fit and finish.

[dilmorecg]

AR20 & AR25 are the same resonator just different in/out diameters. You can get either and an exhaust shop can cut and/or spread to match the section 1 pipe diameter. I had mine off the car and took it in to a shop. Cost around $100.

I currently have an AR20 in Sec 1, Rogue X-pipe (Un-resonated) and stock headers & Sec 3. Definitely tame and sounds okay to me. For sound mods I am planning on going with a CSL style intake instead of exhaust.