[Chris_B]

Hey guys. I'm back with another plunge for the team.

Here, we've got the BRAND NEW ARK Performance GRiP Catback Exhaust.

This is a full 3" Pipe to Res/Muff, 2.5" out to tips.

Tips are Welded on, dual-layered and baffled

Offered in both a burnt tip and stainless.

Take a peak at these

http://www.arkperformance.com/ARK-GR...m235i-grip.htm

Honest opinion time.

I was unsure of how I felt about the deeper tone originally.
This exhaust reads brand new @ 92 decibels, just under the legal 95 decibel limit in California I believe?

Over 400 miles, I can tell you it sounds fantastic. Almost as if over time, it's gotten a bit more depth in sound. Almost as if it's got a wider overall range. (I'll add new exhaust clips soon)
I feel like I'm more in love with the sounds now that it's broken in than I was when it was brand new.

I'm not a huge fan of the tips.
I wish they were adjustable, and/or came in Carbon Fiber.
(I've already spoken with ARK and they are starting to test with adjustable tips)

No clearance issues as of yet. Speed bumps are no issue for the exhaust joints underneath.

Naturally, works well with OEM exhaust valve actuator.

If you're looking for a full catback exhaust, and aren't trying to spend an arm and a leg.

Highly recommended

[Pray for Mojo]

The video is with a catted downpipe correct?

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

The video is with a catted downpipe correct?

Actually no, ER 4" catless downpipe.

[Pray for Mojo]

Interesting, not as loud as I would have thought. Although a video doesn't really give that away.

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

Interesting, not as loud as I would have thought. Although a video doesn't really give that away.

Yeah. It definitely isn't a high pitch sound.

(It's loud in overall sound but doesn't break that barrier of annoying tings and pops.)

It's got a very deep tone surprisingly.

Like I said above, I'll take more casual clips of the sound and bring them on here.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thank you for sharing OP

[Neophyte]

I have this exhaust on my G37 and I love it. Just about a month I was looking to see if they had one for the M235i and now they do :O

Buying ASAP

[Dinoman]

Damn i love your car. Now i know what wheels and exhaust i want. I wasn't even in the market for them either... lol

[K8_M235i]

Cool design. From the pics it looks like the pipe that leads to the left tip only goes through the resonator. It must sound good with the valve open.

[bryan_G01]

im about to pull trigger on a catback system.
Im looking at this one vs. AWE vs. fabspeed vs. everything else..


the fact i have to use thier tips pisses me off. i want to use CF tips i already have.

I also dont fully understand the value of the resonator in this config. it seems to only resonate sounds after leaving the muffler, and only when valve is open?

Am i seeing this correctly?

Any drone with this muffler setup?

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Thank you for sharing OP

Thanks for participating, Mike 😂

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by Neophyte

I have this exhaust on my G37 and I love it. Just about a month I was looking to see if they had one for the M235i and now they do :O

Buying ASAP

You won't be disappointed with this exhaust. It's quality. And they are running 30% off right now I believe

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by Dinoman

Damn i love your car. Now i know what wheels and exhaust i want. I wasn't even in the market for them either... lol

I really appreciate it.
The wheels are VMR V801's as well. Got them from Kevin @ Mod barg. I can get you a hookup when time comes!

I've put a lot of love into this car

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by K8_M235i

Cool design. From the pics it looks like the pipe that leads to the left tip only goes through the resonator. It must sound good with the valve open.

It is beastly dude. Super high air flow, almost no restriction so you can hear everything.

[Neophyte]

Originally Posted by Chris_B

You won't be disappointed with this exhaust. It's quality. And they are running 30% off right now I believe

It's already installed lol! I literally ordered it ASAP. It's absolutely perfect. No drone at all and very deep and smooth. I have it paired with the Fabspeed Sports Cat.

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

im about to pull trigger on a catback system.
Im looking at this one vs. AWE vs. fabspeed vs. everything else..


the fact i have to use thier tips pisses me off. i want to use CF tips i already have.

I also dont fully understand the value of the resonator in this config. it seems to only resonate sounds after leaving the muffler, and only when valve is open?

Am i seeing this correctly?

Any drone with this muffler setup?

Hey boss. Obviously I'm a little bias toward my exhaust, but you can't go wrong with any choice as long as you're happy. I went from MPE to this, and I'm receiving nothing but compliments. You are welcome to ask them if they would cut the pipes at the end to use your own tips.

I'm not too experienced with exhaust systems so I couldn't tell you why they do it this way. They would be more than happy to answer though!

There is almost no drone at all.
If I'm in first gear holding 2200 to 2500 Rpms theres a TINY amount of drone. But, thats about it.

Side note I believe they are having a 30% off sale.

[Chris_B]

Originally Posted by Neophyte

It's already installed lol! I literally ordered it ASAP. It's absolutely perfect. No drone at all and very deep and smooth. I have it paired with the Fabspeed Sports Cat.

Love it bro! I'm glad you're happy with it!

[bryan_G01]

hows the cold start?

early morning wake ups going to piss of neighbors?

[Pray for Mojo]

If you get bootmod3 you can turn off cat heating on cold start. My neighbors seem friendlier ever since I turned mine off.

[bryan_G01]

After talking with the folks, i have also purchased the exhaust setup.

Pics and videos to come...

Looking forward to this arriving and seeing how it looks with mperformance diffuser.

[K8_M235i]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

After talking with the folks, i have also purchased the exhaust setup.

Pics and videos to come...

Looking forward to this arriving and seeing how it looks with mperformance diffuser.

Let me know how it fits with the mp diffuser. I'm still rocking the "sunken in" look while I've been trying to figure out what exhaust to get.

I feel like I may also buy the ARK exhaust...

[Neophyte]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

hows the cold start?

early morning wake ups going to piss of neighbors?

In my case, the exhaust shop couldn't figure it how to install the cotter pin which controls the valve so I have to manually open and close the valve for now lol.

With valve closed, there is minimum difference in sound on cold start. I have it paired with the fabspeed sportscat.

With valve open it is noticeably louder but still not crazy loud where you get the feeling that neighbors are going to be annoyed.


I have a video with cold start on valve closed.

I'll try to get one with valve open tomorrow.