[///M235i BMW GUY]

Hey all! I work for BMW of Devon. I’ve been a BMW nut since my E46 M3 Comp Package, and have gotten to know these cars inside and out since then, not to mention the fact that I touch these cars every day. So in early 2014 when AWE Tuning confidentially let us know that they wanted to acquire their development M4 from us, and would be creating a full product catalog for a 2015 launch… I offered up my brand new M235i as a dev car for the exhaust and the intake. So yes… I was the first on the planet to have an AWE Tuning M235i exhaust and was sworn to secrecy for months! Here’s my take on the system!

I have been following the M235i ever since I saw the “M235i” as a future trademark. Then the car came to visit us as the test car -- and I was hooked. I knew I wanted it and nothing else. I’ve owned a lot of performance cars over the years and something about this one sparked an interest much like my E46! Once it was available for order I jumped all over it. After driving it for a little while I noticed that the stock “sport” exhaust was nice, but was not what the doctor ordered. I had the choice of the BMW M-Performance exhaust but for the money and what you gained out of it, I didn’t pull the trigger….I’m glad I waited!

The M235 - Stock

My biggest complaint with the stock exhaust is the valve, yes --- BMW does this for their reasons but I can’t stand having one pipe be the exhaust channel on start-up….It looks quite silly IMHO….one pipe working and the other dormant.

For me, owning a BMW comes down to quality and performance without sacrificing daily drivability so emulating that in my aftermarket modifications is important. I do use my M often for business, so keeping a professional demeanor is important. AWE seems to have that down while still sounding pretty mean when you get on it.

Working w/AWE

Everyone at AWE was courteous, friendly and overall just nice to deal with during the whole process. The system I have is the Touring Edition + performance mid pipe, with black 102mm tips. I gotta say this setup is impressive, what's more impressive is when you drop the stock exhaust and put the new side by side, outside of pure size, the new system was lighter than the stock. The muffler has "180 Technology" embossed on it, which I'm sure has everything to do with how the sound and power all come together representing AWE in all it's exhaust applications. The tips are fantastic....honestly it looks like a real deal ///M car with them in the arches of the rear bumper.



Pic from AWE, letting her sing on the dyno!!!


START Button and Enjoy..........

This is where the real fun begins, break out the Go-Pro’s! From the very first push it was all show and all go! I was very pleased from minute 1 with the performance of the exhaust system, both with the sound and then on-road driving. I’ll lay out my thoughts from initial start-up to WOT on the highway. As I said above, from the first push of the start button you know there is something different. The N55 motor and this exhaust are a match made in heaven. When the car is cold you’ll get the higher RPM with louder notes until 60 seconds or so later it will then settle at normal RPM with a great tone at idle. The system works for everyday driving, meaning that if the M235i is your everyday driver then you will have NO problems listening to music or taking a phone call via bluetooth. Standing still and launching the car is probably the most fun you’ll have with it. The AWE exhaust lets you know there is a tremendous amount of power being transferred to the wheels! I have yet to take the car to a track yet, which is the next step for me personally, but I feel this isn't the only AWE power adder I’m going to outfit my car with….I can’t wait for their carbon fiber intake!

Now, onto the highway...I found the first entrance on ramp and hit it from 2nd gear on up. Since all this is public I will not disclose where I ended up but I can say once again this exhaust system is legit and the best part is NO DRONE!!!! The first thing you need to do is purchase the M235i, then the second thing you need to do is buy this exhaust. I have put together a video for your enjoyment. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I love this car and this system. I really couldn't be any happier! Thank you AWE and keep up the great work that you guys are all known for! I will recommend everyone to you for anything BMW related!!!!

[Josh/AWE]

Awesome review, Frank! Thank you!

Frank and I met on a cross country rally 7 years ago. To work with him again is quite the coincidence! It’s no coincidence that AWE Tuning called upon him for our M235i product development, he has been pivotal in helping with our BMW launch and for that we offer our sincerest thanks!

Here is a directory of all the mentioned products above, if you have any questions about them please let me know!

AWE Tuning F22 M235i Exhaust Suite
AWE Tuning F22 M235i S-FLO Carbon Intake Available soon - Visit the link to be notified of release!

[Iceman51sn]

Great review! Thank you for sharing! This system sounds beautiful!

[supremepower]

Thanks for doing a review. AWE never disappoints

[///M235i BMW GUY]

Originally Posted by Mike/AWE

Awesome review, Frank! Thank you!

Frank and I met on a cross country rally 7 years ago. To work with him again is quite the coincidence! It’s no coincidence that AWE Tuning called upon him for our M235i product development, he has been pivotal in helping with our BMW launch and for that we offer our sincerest thanks!

Here is a directory of all the mentioned products above, if you have any questions about them please let me know!

AWE Tuning F22 M235i Exhaust Suite
AWE Tuning F22 M235i S-FLO Carbon Intake Available soon - Visit the link to be notified of release!

Thank you Mike and THANK YOU AWE!!!!! This has been nothing short that the best experience EVER!!!!!

[///M235i BMW GUY]

Originally Posted by Iceman51sn

Great review! Thank you for sharing! This system sounds beautiful!

It really does!!!! Not to mention the look as well!!!!

I get compliments everywhere I go about it!!!!

Next is some on track "testing"!!!!!

[///M235i BMW GUY]

Originally Posted by supremepower

Thanks for doing a review. AWE never disappoints

NO PROBLEM!!!! If you want any other feedback please let me know!!!!

Everyone at AWE is just the best.....I would give them ANY car of mine at anytime!!!!

[Iceman51sn]

Originally Posted by ///M235i BMW GUY

It really does!!!! Not to mention the look as well!!!!

I get compliments everywhere I go about it!!!!

Next is some on track "testing"!!!!!

Yes let the fun begin!!!!!! Those tips...... I almost pulled the trigger on this one but I went with the Lightweight system instead. Very tough decision.

[slider86]

Was your car also the test car for the exhaust without the midpipes? If so, how was that?

[///M235i BMW GUY]

Originally Posted by slider86

Was your car also the test car for the exhaust without the midpipes? If so, how was that?

It was!! The tone was fantastic, just not as loud. I prefer the extra aggression of the midpipe!!!

[slider86]

Originally Posted by ///M235i BMW GUY

It was!! The tone was fantastic, just not as loud. I prefer the extra aggression of the midpipe!!!

Thanks. I'm not looking for anything too loud, so would you say the tone is the same with or without midpipes, and that the midpipes just make it louder?

[Josh/AWE]

Originally Posted by slider86

Thanks. I'm not looking for anything too loud, so would you say the tone is the same with or without midpipes, and that the midpipes just make it louder?

I've been around both setups. The tone will be very similar. Our Performance Midpipe will allow more high end frequencies, crispness, and burble through. Volume, imagine on a scale of 1-10, it adds one level.

I definitely find the full setup liveable, blue tooth calls are completely possible, and overall the tone is very refined in the cabin.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thank you for the review

[///M235i BMW GUY]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Thank you for the review

Thank you! People do ask a lot about this setup....its such a great road car!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ///M235i BMW GUY

Thank you! People do ask a lot about this setup....its such a great road car!

Agree.

[BMW GENIUS]

is the midpipe any bigger in diameter than the OEM? What material used?

[supremepower]

Originally Posted by BMW GENIUS

is the midpipe any bigger in diameter than the OEM? What material used?

AWE utilizes larger piping 3" diameter and made with T304 SUS

[///M235i BMW GUY]

Originally Posted by supremepower

AWE utilizes larger piping 3" diameter and made with T304 SUS

....and loss of weight as well!

[slider86]

Originally Posted by Mike/AWE

I've been around both setups. The tone will be very similar. Our Performance Midpipe will allow more high end frequencies, crispness, and burble through. Volume, imagine on a scale of 1-10, it adds one level.

I definitely find the full setup liveable, blue tooth calls are completely possible, and overall the tone is very refined in the cabin.

Would you say this is as loud as the S5 touring exhaust w/ stock the midpipes? That was probably my upper limit in terms of volume.

[Josh/AWE]

Originally Posted by slider86

Would you say this is as loud as the S5 touring exhaust w/ stock the midpipes? That was probably my upper limit in terms of volume.

I'd say the M235i system is quieter off throttle than the S5. I'm confident you would find the Touring Edition most agreeable. Frank and I went out to lunch one day and I was able to have a phone call just fine even at speed.

[chaddy74]

3" is actually smaller than stock isn't it ?

Originally Posted by supremepower

AWE utilizes larger piping 3" diameter and made with T304 SUS

[supremepower]

Originally Posted by chaddy74

3" is actually smaller than stock isn't it ?

It's much less than 3". It's around 2"