ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Engine, Exhaust, Drivetrain Modifications
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-14-2010, 11:12 PM   #1
nmulax
Brigadier General
nmulax's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
4,320
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2007 Z4M Coupé  [7.66]
RPI exhaust Review

So got my RPI axle-back on about two weeks ago, but have only put about 300 miles on it so far. I'm interested to see how the tone is after a thousand miles or so.

Fit/Finish:
I didn't have the right metric sockets, so I had the dealer install it. The tech commented that it was one of the best fitting setups he's seen. Welds look good, and it was packaged great!

Looks:
The tip design works well for our cars, and I've gotten a handful of compliments on that. It's something different when every other car has one size of tips. Plus when looking at the car from the rear, you no-longer see the mufflers hanging down below the rear bumper.

Sound:
Yes, it's loud.
I mean really effing LOUD.

Drone on the freeway is intense to say the least, it feels like you're getting hit by a jackhammer. I'm working on sound deadening the trunk and I think that'll really help. Today I put a couch pillow in the lower recess of the trunk and it made a noticeable difference. I had two phone calls and while they both immediately said "you're in the car right?", neither had a problem hearing me during the conversation.
The burble and pops on downshifts and when letting off the throttle are downright intoxicating.


The car just sounds so mean!
The drone and all-around loudness is the only downside, but it sounds great from outside the car; the coupe just amplifies the sound.
Attached Images
   
__________________

Last edited by nmulax; 06-19-2010 at 03:10 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-15-2010, 12:18 AM   #2
ga41
Lieutenant
ga41's Avatar
Cyprus
30
Rep
503
Posts

Drives: Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Paphos

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 Z4 M Coupe  [0.00]
Pretty much my views exactly. I've now put some 2-3k miles on it and i've found that the sound has mellowed down. Not quieter just less rough and racy. Drone is still pretty severe on the motorway although slightly less than in the beginning. I still think it sounds brilliant.

I'm going to be buying some sound insulation as well for that recess in the rear trunk for future motorway trips. It should help a lot.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-15-2010, 08:14 AM   #3
schwank
First Lieutenant
United_States
30
Rep
317
Posts

Drives: 06 z4 m coupe
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: cincinnati

iTrader: (0)

I love the look, I want a set, but I'm afraid my neighbors would hate me arriving home at 2 am with them hahaha.
Appreciate 0
      04-15-2010, 08:21 AM   #4
crfine88
Colonel
crfine88's Avatar
437
Rep
2,747
Posts

Drives: E86M
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cave Creek AZ.

iTrader: (19)

Installation looks good.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-15-2010, 09:02 AM   #5
nmulax
Brigadier General
nmulax's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
4,320
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2007 Z4M Coupé  [7.66]
Quote:
Originally Posted by schwank View Post
I love the look, I want a set, but I'm afraid my neighbors would hate me arriving home at 2 am with them hahaha.
Yeah, I make it a point to be as quiet as possible when driving through the subdivision at night. But my neighbor has a 997 Turbo with an exhaust that's just as loud.

Quote:
Originally Posted by crfine88 View Post
Installation looks good.
Haha thanks man! That says a lot knowing how picky you are
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-15-2010, 11:04 PM   #6
Master Apex
Private
United_States
17
Rep
99
Posts

Drives: '17 F80 M3 '07 Z4M '06 E60M5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by schwank View Post
I love the look, I want a set, but I'm afraid my neighbors would hate me arriving home at 2 am with them hahaha.
I keep hoping that RPi will add the remote switch which will allow dual mode (loud vs. quiet) for exactly this purpose.
This option is available on Vette C6 for mere $100
http://shop.corvettecentral.com/C6-2...-p6716314.html
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 05:09 PM   #7
MIKe86
Lieutenant
25
Rep
457
Posts

Drives: 90 332is
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 18045

iTrader: (0)

hoping somebody relatively near me gets one on their zed 4 so I can have a listen. Anybody having issues hearing people while on their bluetooth with this exhaust installed?
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 06:19 PM   #8
The__J__Factor
Major
The__J__Factor's Avatar
Australia
88
Rep
1,090
Posts

Drives: ///M Coupe
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Gold Coast, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Exhaust control valve. You could add this to the RPi exhaust if you wanted.
http://www.importscene.com.au/prod466.htm
__________________
135i N54 manual
MR-S with a 2zz swap and mods Sold
EVO X MR - Phantom Black - Ti Exhaust - Ti UICP - AQM Intake - Sold
Z4 M Coupe - H&R - RE Diablo - RPi - Tekarbon - Sold
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 12:48 AM   #9
ga41
Lieutenant
ga41's Avatar
Cyprus
30
Rep
503
Posts

Drives: Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Paphos

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 Z4 M Coupe  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by MIKe86 View Post
hoping somebody relatively near me gets one on their zed 4 so I can have a listen. Anybody having issues hearing people while on their bluetooth with this exhaust installed?
I dont have any problems hearing anyone unless i'm gunning for it.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 04:19 AM   #10
Beedub
Major General
United Kingdom
423
Rep
5,327
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

ive had mine for quite a while now, over a year i think, in my roadster its just perfect, infact its mellowed so much im having BT converations again, if i step on the gas tho it really sings!! Probably my fave mod ive done on my ///m. i really do think the coupe makes it alot louder tho as i dont seem to have the same complaints in my roadster!
Appreciate 0
      06-01-2010, 09:19 PM   #11
MIKe86
Lieutenant
25
Rep
457
Posts

Drives: 90 332is
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 18045

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ga41 View Post
I dont have any problems hearing anyone unless i'm gunning for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
ive had mine for quite a while now, over a year i think, in my roadster its just perfect, infact its mellowed so much im having BT converations again, if i step on the gas tho it really sings!! Probably my fave mod ive done on my ///m. i really do think the coupe makes it alot louder tho as i dont seem to have the same complaints in my roadster!

Thanks guys...
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2010, 03:47 PM   #12
007MCoupe
Lieutenant Colonel
007MCoupe's Avatar
United_States
91
Rep
1,546
Posts

Drives: '18 Sakhir M3 ZCP
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ( ///// )

iTrader: (5)

is there any chance you could takea video from inside and outside during idle and on the throttle? i'm very much into making mine louder and a little more rumbly but don't know what to get. these sound like what i want...just want to make sure!
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2010, 03:22 PM   #13
nmulax
Brigadier General
nmulax's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
4,320
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2007 Z4M Coupé  [7.66]
Sorry, didn't get a video before the exhaust was damaged when I was rear-ended.
The RPI system sounds godly, but it is LOUD. It seems that most guys running it (especially those with the coupe) are doing some sort of sound-deadening to help alleviate the drone. But the pops/burbles of this near straight-pipe have no equal.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2010, 05:35 AM   #14
ZM4000
Private First Class
9
Rep
123
Posts

Drives: Z4M
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Luxembourg

iTrader: (0)

Just had mine installed this weekend and yes i also confirm the sound is top. BUT the drone is really heavy even my voice vibrates when i talk gonna try dempening also the trunk area and behind the back
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2010, 08:11 AM   #15
j03chu
Captain
United_States
56
Rep
615
Posts

Drives: 08 SG/IR Z4MR | 07 AW/Blk Z4MC
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SOCAL: 626/909/949/323

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM4000 View Post
Just had mine installed this weekend and yes i also confirm the sound is top. BUT the drone is really heavy even my voice vibrates when i talk gonna try dempening also the trunk area and behind the back
WOW haha this quote convinced me that this exhaust is LOUD. Hmm, i wonder if RPI could add a custom exhaust valve ( on / off ) like mentioned above on mine if i ordered them..
__________________
08 Z4MR | Space gray on Imola red, carbon trim
BC racing coilovers | Titan TS7
07 Z4MC | Alpine white on black, aluminum trim
KWV3 | CCW LM20 | Eventuri | Rogue Engineering short shifter, mounts and exhaust | BMW Motorsports shift knob | mudflaps | stubby antennas
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2010, 03:32 AM   #16
Maroon
Private First Class
Maroon's Avatar
Qatar
5
Rep
129
Posts

Drives: Z4C
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Qatar

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM4000 View Post
Just had mine installed this weekend and yes i also confirm the sound is top. BUT the drone is really heavy even my voice vibrates when i talk gonna try dempening also the trunk area and behind the back
Hahaha that's cool
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2010, 05:25 AM   #17
Beedub
Major General
United Kingdom
423
Rep
5,327
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

that made me laugh my voice vibrates!! ha ha ha class!! the worset thing is, hes telling the truth, my teeth rattle!!
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2010, 07:10 AM   #18
007MCoupe
Lieutenant Colonel
007MCoupe's Avatar
United_States
91
Rep
1,546
Posts

Drives: '18 Sakhir M3 ZCP
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ( ///// )

iTrader: (5)

nmulax: SORRY to hear about your accident!

i've been reading that after 'x' miles the sound kinda dies down inside, mellows out and isn't as bad. is this true and how much? i don't want to get an exhaust that's "too" loud (if there is such a thing ) and then pay more money for dynamat or whatever b/c not only could that get epensive, it's also heavy too!

also, does this loudness come from the cans themselves or are you running with headers too? i don't know all that much about exhaust systems...but i want to!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2010, 07:35 AM   #19
ga41
Lieutenant
ga41's Avatar
Cyprus
30
Rep
503
Posts

Drives: Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Paphos

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 Z4 M Coupe  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 007MCoupe View Post
nmulax: SORRY to hear about your accident!

i've been reading that after 'x' miles the sound kinda dies down inside, mellows out and isn't as bad. is this true and how much? i don't want to get an exhaust that's "too" loud (if there is such a thing ) and then pay more money for dynamat or whatever b/c not only could that get epensive, it's also heavy too!

also, does this loudness come from the cans themselves or are you running with headers too? i don't know all that much about exhaust systems...but i want to!
Before buying mine i read that after 1-2k it mellows out. I think it needs about 3k to finally completely break in so to answer your first question yes, it is true that it softens up. It doesnt mellow down by much though. Drone only really affect you if you travel at a constant 2.5-3.2k RPM. If your engine speed when cruising is more than that then it doesnt drone. It's still loud but not that below 3k piercing drone that shakes your ear drums loose.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-06-2010, 07:03 PM   #20
MIKe86
Lieutenant
25
Rep
457
Posts

Drives: 90 332is
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 18045

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
that made me laugh my voice vibrates!! ha ha ha class!! the worset thing is, hes telling the truth, my teeth rattle!!
omg!! Alright, time for somebody fairly local to get one so I can get a ride. Don't want them to be too local, gotta stay original you know!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2010, 12:30 AM   #21
nmulax
Brigadier General
nmulax's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
4,320
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
2007 Z4M Coupé  [7.66]
Unfortunately my car was hit with less then 1k miles on the RPI setup, so I can't really vouch for how the sound changed with use. However the loudness/vibration was solely from the RPI. I don't have headers yet (or anything else that would change the airflow).
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2010, 09:08 AM   #22
ZM4000
Private First Class
9
Rep
123
Posts

Drives: Z4M
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Luxembourg

iTrader: (0)

I lucked allready and found some good Bass killers. if someone wants and can give u the link it really seems the best for low frequencies and u can cut it just right for where u need. Yesterday i drove all day and when i got out of the car and was at home drinking beer, my ears were beeping(like after a big rock concert)
Then later my girlfriend needed to go somewhere so it was my big luck to drive again the car and after 5 minutes i told her : u see it mellowed down. She looked at me an said: WHAT DID U SAY???? and exactly at that point i knew that my ears were starting to die slowly but surely

Last edited by ZM4000; 07-07-2010 at 09:17 AM..
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST