[pdx]

this is a follow up to: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...3#post27101183

i am writing this because i can't seem to find any of these kinds of reviews. i like these kinds of reviews, so i would imagine at least one other person does as well.

for those that cant be bothered to read a little:
skip it. avoid it. save your money.

the preface: this review applies to *MY* 2018 m240xc (F22 B58). i usually drive in "ECO Pro" mode because im trying to consume less gas. i was interested in the MPE because i thought it would be fun, and carbon fiber, and logos, and superficial reasons.

as i mentioned in the quick review, had the following installed:
M Performance Muffler (18-30-2-424-608)
Carbon Tailpipe Finishers (18-30-2-355-889)

it may be a small thing, but the websites all say "M Performance Exhaust", but the receipt says "M Performance Muffler". it is not an exhaust system. its a muffler. no new pipes. it doesnt add any power. it doesnt increase performance. it modifies exhaust sound.

this review is based on about 200 miles of time spent with the muffler. i took a "spirited" road trip yesterday, which really motivated me to write this review.

there was a big chunk of the trip that was on the highway driving in ECO Pro mode, cruising in the 1,000 - 2,000 RPM zone. by the end of the trip i was actually ANGRY that i got the muffler. the drone is depressing.

years ago i read a review about Chris King hubs for bicycles. one reviewer complained about how much noise they made. a response suggested the noise should be incentive to actually pedal rather than coast.

i feel i can apply this same logic to the muffler. if i dont like the drone, i should change the drive mode to Sport, or use the gas pedal more. anything to get out of the 1,000 - 2,000 RPM band.

one of the valves is closed in ECO Pro, which traps the noise and vibrations within the muffler more, which gets trapped in the car more. opening the valve allows it to escape.

"but i really want to get those fun carbon-fiber tailpipes!":

then get some. get some of the ebay knock-off ones or the official ones. cut those little bars, buy those extra clamps, do whatever it takes to get them installed. yeah, they look cool.

"but i really want to lay on the ground and see the M Performance logo on the muffler!":

you know what would be more cool? taping a bunch of hundred-dollar bills along the length of the muffler instead. that would be awesome.

"but i want to hear the bap-bap-bap of the exhaust when i am driving or downshifting!":

in Sport mode you dont hear much of that with the windows up. if you turn off the stereo you can hear a little "puh-puh" from time to time. even putting down the back seats doesnt change the sound. i will say that if i really get on the gas i hear ONE loud pop when the car shifts. because its only one, it almost feels like its a bad pop compared to a fun pop.

"but i want to piss off my neighbors on cold-start!":

mission accomplished. you are officially annoying.

in summary: i spent $2,061.23 to get a new muffler installed and i am seriously contemplating spending $1,300 to put a stock muffler back on. i can even keep the carbon-fiber tips.

please, no comments / arguments like "why didnt you do it yourself and save the labor?". i had the dealership do it for all the reasons you have a dealership do anything.

[Sportstick]

I don’t have the original desires for an exhaust mod, but much appreciate your honesty and openness about the experience.

[babaikram]

I have had my MPE for more than 2 years and I have put 35,000 miles on the car. The driving has included 600 mile round trips and 86 miles commutes. First there no drones in EcoPro. 2 You get the crackles only in Sport and Sport+ at RPM 2,500 to 3,500. The pops comes in in Sport and Sport+ when you upshift beyond 3000 rpm. The starting noise is not necessarily louder than that of stock exhaust. You need about 1000 miles to allow the exhaust to bed in. To be sincere the MPE is the single most enjoyable mod I have ever done to a car. If you accelerate from 2500 rpm or close to 3000 rpm, you would experience a deep but reasonably loud enjoyable exhaust note that make the car vibrate mildly. It is intoxicating to me. If you are still having problems after 1000 miles take it back to them to examine.

[dradernh]

Thanks for your review.

The price of the MPE muffler has always been a major indicator for me – like most BMW parts, it's wildly overpriced. The beauty of this situation is that there are a number of muffler manufacturers out there who provide all sorts of mufflers at very competitive prices. Plus, any qualified muffler shop or race shop can install them for you at very competitive prices. It doesn't need to be crazy expensive for what you get.

If I wanted more of anything out of my muffler, BMW and BMW dealers are the last places I'd go to get it done.

[Outlaw 06]

Thank you for the review.

IMO, there's never any reason to drive these cars in eco mode.

[KennyFSU]

Thanks for the honest review. I may just delete both resonators to give it a little more sound for cheap.

[XutvJet]

Perhaps the M240 has a different design, but I've had the MPE on my M235 for 4.5 years. It's simply amazing sounding. I've had lots of cars with exhausts and none, and I mean NONE, have come remotely close to the sound quality, build quality, perfect fitment, and lack of drone as the MPE manages to deliver.

I am all about honest reviews. I've wasted thousands on mods over the past 20 years that were hyped up, the negatives underscored, etc. I've gotten rid of many mods within a week or less, especially exhaust systems, because they were terrible and submitted reviews on tons of forums over the years.

The MPE, while laughably expensive, is not one of these crap mods. The sound is so damn sexy and fluid. With my catted downpipe (installed 3 years ago), which increases exhaust volume and overrun, the car is still completely sane in daily driving and I routinely have my wife and kids in the car and it's still WAY quieter on the inside than my wife's 2020 4Runner. Roll down the windows and the MPE is so sexy, especially when temps are warmer as the exhaust has more volume and way more warble. I've never had so many people say how great the car sounds. It's sounds slightly exotic and somewhat like a first gen NSX but with overrun.

I also have to address the cost here because you don't have to spend even half as much as the OP did. You can source the MPE online for FAR cheaper than what the OP paid from a dealer. I got my MPE for $750. Having a dealer install is hilarious too. A simple measurement, a slice with a Sawzall, a little elbow grease with a file to clean burrs, unclip the exhaust valve, unbolt the exhaust hangars, and drop out the old muffler. Add the pipe clamp and install the new system. That's EXACTLY what the dealer does. Sawzall and all. Seriously it takes all of 1 hour of your time if you've never done it and that includes backing the car onto ramps and jacking up the rear. I can have the muffler off in 5 minutes now.

The OP should also understand that there is no exhaust overrun in ECO or Comfort mode. Only in Sport ("Drivetrain" selected), Sport+, Traction, or DSC Off does the exhaust overrun occur and is at it's more aggressive overrun setting in Sport+ and Traction modes.

Also, the exhaust takes about 500-1,000 miles to bed in and sound its best.

Lastly, I've had my MPE through 4 salty Kansas winters. The stainless muffler case and welds tarnished a bit, but were easily cleaned with soap, water, and a scouring pad. I cleaned my MPE last summer and painted it flat black to clean up the back of the car. Paint has held nicely.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

Thanks for the honest review. I may just delete both resonators to give it a little more sound for cheap.

Don't. It sounds terrible. You need the resonator. If you haven't already, get a catted DP first and see how you like it and it will increase exhaust volume and overrun.

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Don't. It sounds terrible. You need the resonator. If you haven't already, get a catted DP first and see how you like it and it will increase exhaust volume and overrun.

Disagree. I have both resonators deleted and other than a loud cold start, it's just a slightly louder, less breathy version of the original B58 sound. The rear muffler does most of the work on this exhaust system.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Perhaps the M240 has a different design, but I've had the MPE on my M235 for 4.5 years. It's simply amazing sounding. I've had lots of cars with exhausts and none, and I mean NONE, have come remotely close to the sound quality, build quality, perfect fitment, and lack of drone as the MPE manages to deliver.

100% agree. The MPE on the N55 is excellent. It sounds even better if it's on a M235i with the top down I really like the MPE on my N54, but the sound on the N55 is much better.

[babaikram]

As I said above. it is an exotic mod. No drones at all.

[513Mugsy]

As far as price goes. I had been seeing them for sale for $1000 or so. But ECS had a sale about a month ago. Picked mine up for around $800. You just need to be on the look out for it. Plan on installing it myself as soon as my down pipe gets here.

[Finn Germai-Yaz]

The MPE was not meant to be driven in Eco Mode all the time, only for long distances under 80 mph if you want to "save gas" on a sports car.

Driving in Eco Mode will drone because you are asking the engine to go up several gears to conserve fuel. When the transmission is 2 or 3 gears ahead of course it is going to drone.

There are no valves on the MPE for that model.

You can find the exhaust for around $1000 and a local muffler shop can install it for you for around $100.00.

You should've put your car into Sport and just unplug the OEM exhaust valve to leave it open in the first place.

[Ron Jeffries]

I have heard from my dealer that some people have returned the MPE because of drone. I could imagine they were driving in Eco Mode. If I put my car in Eco Mode, it stops and demands to see my ID.

[XutvJet]

I could not fathom driving this car in ECO mode. It is terrible with a 6MT and nearly undriveable because the throttle is so laggy. Perhaps it's not as bad with the automatic.

I also fail to see ECO mode is that effective because it takes SO long to get up to speed. You'll actually get better MPGs briskly accelerating up to speed rather than taking a long time to get up to speed and laboring along.

[albertw]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I also fail to see ECO mode is that effective because it takes SO long to get up to speed.

Absolutely true, provided you have an aversion to pushing the throttle in farther.

[ljason8eg]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I could not fathom driving this car in ECO mode. It is terrible with a 6MT and nearly undriveable because the throttle is so laggy. Perhaps it's not as bad with the automatic.

It is awful with the automatic too. Maybe a slight exaggeration but it feels close to when I had to limp home with a busted charge pipe, minus the rough idle and occasional stumbling.

[Mizuno]

I got the MPE a few months ago and love it. You wont notice much of a difference from stock in ECO Pro mode...because well..why the hell would you get an MPE and expect a difference when you drive in ECO Pro mode below 3000 RPM all the time...but I digress...

When its in sport+ and in manual shift mode and you can take it to 6000 RPM yeah it is noticeably Louder than stock (maybe...15-20%??) and sounds good. It may not be as loud as some folks WANT it to be but Im glad it can be tamed in comfort mode.

[mevans313]

Perhaps this is a little late but I’m willing to buy the MPE from you (or anyone here)

[Ron Jeffries]

When I put the MPE on my 2018 F23 xDrive, the service people said they would save the old muffler a while. I asked why and they said people didn't like the drone. I have never heard any drone and never use ECO mode. I guess we have confirmation that ECO+MPE isn't joyful.

I wish I had more snaps and pops and a bit more snarl. My 135is's sound was better.

The 2018 MPE does not have the electric valve, I was told. Whether it's in mode A, or mode B or mode (A+B)/2, I do not know.

I'm glad I got it and wish it was, oh, 25% more snarly than what it is.

[RGM330i]

I did a lot of listening to clips of the various back boxes (mufflers) for my 2018 m240i. I finally decided to go with the M Performance. For me......it is exactly what I was looking for......a number of the other mufflers have a more tinny, raucous sound. I wanted the lower tones that the M Performance appeared to (and does) deliver. I only drive in Sport mode and am very happy with the sound, popping and (for me) 0 drone. Net net, this is what makes horse races. FYI--I had a Dinan on my 2018 330i (also no valve) and I found that it had some drone....not excessive but it was there.

[Le frog]

Buy it used. I Got my M235 the MPE for $350 4 years ago. A great mod!
The sound is way better than stock.