Best E46 M3 Full Exhaust setup for the money?

[simon_c]

The setup I want to test the most is this:
- Euro headers
- Euro cats
- Supersprint resonated x-pipe
- Supersprint sport exhaust or Dixis Titanium (pending $$ is no issue)

[Epsilon]

Totally agree with the F1 scream in the higher RPMs with the AR20s. It makes you want to keep the RPMs high during daily driving all the time.

[eXpensiveGears]

I had that set up. . BEST sounding from an S54, hands down! Rumbled down low and built up to an F1 scream above 6,000 RPM. Yes, it did drone a bit , when cruising. I listened to music or wore ANC noise canceling ear buds.
Sadly, you can only find the Borla mid section used now. Very hard to obtain.
IMO, there is NO OTHER mid section or weld-in resonators that KILLED 99% of the S54 horrific rasp.

And that's exactly what I wanted, to eliminate that mid section rasp and get a deeper rumble. But iy was loud enough that you needed to wear ANC buds? Then I'm a bit hesitant to even try going down this route.

I'm also looking at ONLY adding the new Rogue "el caliente" section 3, mostly for the weight reduction. OR finding a good Titanium/Inconel Section 3.

[BigDave]

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.

I had that set up. . BEST sounding from an S54, hands down! Rumbled down low and built up to an F1 scream above 6,000 RPM. Yes, it did drone a bit , when cruising. I listened to music or wore ANC noise canceling ear buds.
Sadly, you can only find the Borla mid section used now. Very hard to obtain.
IMO, there is NO OTHER mid section or weld-in resonators that KILLED 99% of the S54 horrific rasp.

[old///MFanatic]

Agreed the AR20 for the stock piping.
I actually had to replace mine after like 12 years, the internal perforation cracked and rattled.

old

new

[Tbonem3]

AR20 & AR25 exact same thing, just that the cone tapers down a little further to 2" from 2.5".

Better to buy the AR20 and let muffler shop cut it where they want so that it matches the 2.16-2.25 diameter of stock.

An AR25 would be fine for a full 2.5" or 63.5mm pipe.

[Circa Surviven]

Best price exhaust is Megan headers and a welded in AR20 on the stock sec 1. It'll sound pretty decent. You already have a muffler so really you need another $300-400 depending on the condition of your exhaust nuts and studs. You'll a good sounding exhaust for under $1000 at the end of the day

What's easier for an exhaust shop to install, an Ar20 or ar25? From looking into it, the Ar20 has a smaller diameter pipe that you have to weld into the larger oe diameter. I've seen one comment saying it makes more sense to use the larger diameter ar25 and would be easier to install? The official aero (ar) website lists both models as being compatible with our e46 m3.

[jet_dogg]

Ironically, the cheap stuff like Megan & SGT is a worse use of money than buying the best, expensive stuff like Supersprint v1.

Owning an M3 and being on a budget isn't a great combo, so i would recommend you keep the car stock and use all "car funds" to address maintenance. And don't say your maint is all done cause you changed the oil and the dealer "looked" at your subframe (RACP). You could spend tens of thousands refreshing the car, even at discounted online (OEM/OES) parts prices.

Lol my guy over here is a mind reader.

Luckily rising values are weeding out the people who can't afford maintenance. I wouldn't wish an m3 on my worst enemy.

[Arith2]

Best price exhaust is Megan headers and a welded in AR20 on the stock sec 1. It'll sound pretty decent. You already have a muffler so really you need another $300-400 depending on the condition of your exhaust nuts and studs. You'll a good sounding exhaust for under $1000 at the end of the day

[Circa Surviven]

It's interesting how many different configurations this car allows when it comes to exhaust components.

I started with just the b&b section 3 and I liked it, not too raspy but still had some signature sound. Now I added euro "style" headers to the mix and it's too loud and raspy...

https://youtu.be/QSN-UlfdO9w

Like what others have said in this thread, I'll be looking at adding an Ar20/25 or, a SS resonated section 2. I'm hoping to get the b&bs low tone more perfected to where it will hopefully have its own unique flair like the Scza/supersprint race have.

[tnord]

I went through this over the last 6 months so i will add my $0.02. I first did euro headers/section 1 with OEM section 2 and SCZA Muffler. while it sounded 'okay' from inside i could tell that it had a bit too much rasp (to some, this is great, but not for me), which made sense because if you do the math, i went from 2 cats/ 2 resonators to 2 cats / 1 resonator so i guess i expected more rasp.

Video: https://youtu.be/R4c_3CX1T0M

Once i accepted the fact i didn't like the rasp, i moved over to a SuperSprint Section 2. i read that it was an upgraded resonator, which makes up for only having one...it changed the tone to this:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D7A1Ewk3AU

i like the subtle rasp with a good tone. under normal driving conditions it doesn't sound loud at all. may not be what you want but at my age (40) i'm not looking to be driving down the street making too much noise.

this is encouraging. I have OE header, CPI RTX sect 1, SS Res X pipe, and SS Sport and mine sounds pretty similar. If I change it I'm leaning towards the same euro/CSL header and catted sect 1 of some sort. My primary objective was killing rasp, and my setup certainly did that. Good to know I still have room for improvement power wise without sacrificing sound.

[M3mike]

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.

Running this same exhaust setup!

[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.

[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.

[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