[DmanRealty15]

Hey everyone, first post here but have been trying to read for the past few days to answer my question, and I haven’t figured out an exact answer… so anyways here it is.

I have a 2023 M8 comp being delivered this weekend from Texas (I live in PA). I haven’t heard it yet, but I’m assuming it doesn’t have the pops and bangs or burbles on downshifts and overrun and all that. The reason I say that is because I have read on here that they “nerfed” those in the ecu updates or whatever, but please correct me if I’m wrong. I just checked out an m8 at a local dealer and it wasn’t making those noises when the guy let me rev it up, so of course I got disappointed and am looking for a solution to that.

I had a local bmw specialist shop check into getting an Akra evo exhaust for me, and should be no problem. My only question or concern is, if I spend 12k on this exhaust, I want it to be exciting and pop and burble and sound good and everything, but still tasteful lol, and I’m worried if I do get it installed the ecu update won’t let it make those noises and I will essentially have just wasted lots of money. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me please?

I have watched A LOT of exhaust vids the past few weeks, and of course they all sound great and make those noises I’m looking for, but I can’t tell if that’s because they did their own tune or if the car is before the ecu update or whatever.

Lastly, if changing the exhaust won’t bring the good sounds back, is there anything that will? Or would I have to get the whole ecu tune and possibly void the warranty? Thanks in advance for the help!

[jhill]

Originally Posted by DmanRealty15

...I just checked out an m8 at a local dealer and it wasn’t making those noises when the guy let me rev it up, so of course I got disappointed and am looking for a solution to that.

Was the car in comfort mode, which is the default when you start it? To maximize exhaust sound, it needs to be in 'sport plus' mode with the exhaust button on so the flaps are open.

[r33_RGSport]

You will need secondary cat delete and full Akra to have the superb pop and bangs.

Maybe some of my customers will be able to chime in.
Like ed4 Vic55

[DmanRealty15]

Originally Posted by jhill

Was the car in comfort mode, which is the default when you start it? To maximize exhaust sound, it needs to be in 'sport plus' mode with the exhaust button on so the flaps are open.

I am not totally sure. The sales associate was standing there watching me with the door open so I felt weird and rushed cause I was not considering buying the car haha. I know that the exhaust button next to gear selector was on, and I pressed the M2 button, but don’t actually know if it was on or not, I’m not sure if you have to double press to confirm or anything. I do know that I don’t think the exhaust sounded really any different after I pressed it.

[Justao]

I don’t really see how the exhaust can make pops n bangs to appear… it will just change the tone… US spec don’t have the OPF filters… replace the secondaries with catless cats and resonator with straight or x pipe for the best results… but all those burbles and pops n bangs really come from ecu tune… you can completely remove those or make your car shot like ak47..😉

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

You will need secondary cat delete and full Akra to have the superb pop and bangs.

Maybe some of my customers will be able to chime in.
Like ed4 Vic55

Yes I have heard many a full Akra and yes, software (Sports Plus) makes a huge difference but adding the free flow and reduced can size of the hardware (Akra) partners up very well overall.

Its a loud ass exhaust for sure...

[ed4]

IMO a full Akra-only system gives the car a very nice overall exotic sound. The pops are sharper for sure.

Adding secondary catless downpipes truly amplifies all the sounds by an estimated factor of 1.6x. A full catless downpipe setup seemly doubles the mayhem.

Who's your dealer? I got mine from Thompson BMW in Bucks County.

[ed4]

Also FWIW, I'm on my third Akra system thanks to r33_RGSport

[DmanRealty15]

Originally Posted by ed4

IMO a full Akra-only system gives the car a very nice overall exotic sound. The pops are sharper for sure.

Adding secondary catless downpipes truly amplifies all the sounds by an estimated factor of 1.6x. A full catless downpipe setup seemly doubles the mayhem.

Who's your dealer? I got mine from Thompson BMW in Bucks County.

Thank you very much for the responses everyone! I feel like all you kind of think the pops and burbles will be there, so I guess that’s the first thing I need to figure out, whether they are or not. I was worried because I feel like a lot of what I have been reading on here has said the new updates have gotten rid of all of the extra theatrics in regards to the exhaust… but maybe that’s not the case. However, if by chance the exhaust burbles have been removed with a recent ecu update, is the only way to get them back by doing an ecu tune?? Which in turn will cause problems with my warranty?

Also, thanks for the advice on the secondary catless downs/cat delete (is that the same thing? Sorry, I’m new to modding cars, this will be my first time). I want it to be loud and fun, but also somewhat quiet if necessary, I’m assuming the Akra system with the valves and comfort mode on the car will still allow that correct? I’m in love with the way the huracan sounds yet how it can also be pretty quiet if necessary. So with the m8, If I’m pulling into work and around my house/neighbors I’d like to not have everyone hate me.

[DmanRealty15]

Thompson bmw is where I went to check out the m8, but the one I’m getting is coming from Fort Worth.

[DmanRealty15]

Originally Posted by Justao

I don’t really see how the exhaust can make pops n bangs to appear… it will just change the tone… US spec don’t have the OPF filters… replace the secondaries with catless cats and resonator with straight or x pipe for the best results… but all those burbles and pops n bangs really come from ecu tune… you can completely remove those or make your car shot like ak47..😉

Is there a secondary catless downpipe brand that is the best? Or do you guys think that will be too much for what I’m looking for? Lol and be honest.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by DmanRealty15

Is there a secondary catless downpipe brand that is the best? Or do you guys think that will be too much for what I’m looking for? Lol and be honest.

Best bang for the buck without compromising quality, I do recommend Evolution Racewerks.

https://www.rgsportshop.com/evolutio...bm-EXH022-SECO

[jhill]

I was concerned reading about the exhaust not being loud enough, no pops and burbles etc, before buying my 2024 M8C. However I think it's really well balanced stock. Cold starts are really loud and the exhaust has a lot of bass. And when revving in sport plus, there are pops and burbles. I'm coming from an AMG C63S with a V8 and great exhuast note, and to me anything more than stock on the M8 would be way too much, esp if you want to have the option for keeping it quieter (in comfort mode) when you need or want a more GT-like driving experience and keep things a bit more chill. Then when you want the sound, pops and burbles, put it in sport plus, drivelogic set to III (highest) and push on the gas. Best of both worlds. I think BMW got it right, and to me, is well balanced.

[M8Bimmer]

I'm also pretty happy with the stock exhaust note. I have the Dinan controller so I can have it either way in any mode.

[DmanRealty15]

Originally Posted by jhill

I was concerned reading about the exhaust not being loud enough, no pops and burbles etc, before buying my 2024 M8C. However I think it's really well balanced stock. Cold starts are really loud and the exhaust has a lot of bass. And when revving in sport plus, there are pops and burbles. I'm coming from an AMG C63S with a V8 and great exhuast note, and to me anything more than stock on the M8 would be way too much, esp if you want to have the option for keeping it quieter (in comfort mode) when you need or want a more GT-like driving experience and keep things a bit more chill. Then when you want the sound, pops and burbles, put it in sport plus, drivelogic set to III (highest) and push on the gas. Best of both worlds. I think BMW got it right, and to me, is well balanced.

Wow, great to hear, thank you! I think I’ve decided to wait until I hear my car first before I purchase anything! And a local member with an Akra M8cgc reached out to me, so I’m gonna try to hear that before making any decisions as well!

[Sho Me M8]

Originally Posted by M8Bimmer

I'm also pretty happy with the stock exhaust note. I have the Dinan controller so I can have it either way in any mode.

Did you install your Dinan controller yourself? If so, any issues or what is it pretty straight forward? Thanks!

[SmokieRiver]

Originally Posted by jhill

I was concerned reading about the exhaust not being loud enough, no pops and burbles etc, before buying my 2024 M8C. However I think it's really well balanced stock. Cold starts are really loud and the exhaust has a lot of bass. And when revving in sport plus, there are pops and burbles. I'm coming from an AMG C63S with a V8 and great exhuast note, and to me anything more than stock on the M8 would be way too much, esp if you want to have the option for keeping it quieter (in comfort mode) when you need or want a more GT-like driving experience and keep things a bit more chill. Then when you want the sound, pops and burbles, put it in sport plus, drivelogic set to III (highest) and push on the gas. Best of both worlds. I think BMW got it right, and to me, is well balanced.

I have to agree with this (IMO). I feel the exhaust note and level is a good balance. Very deep bass on start up. “Booms” out the back when accelerating and upshifting. Can make it crack and pop when downshifting at moderate RPMs. All while being able to tone it down when driving normal (e.g., my work campus parking lot/roads).

The stock version fits my needs perfectly, but I can understand where others may want something a little more amped up.

[M8Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Sho Me M8

Did you install your Dinan controller yourself? If so, any issues or what is it pretty straight forward? Thanks!

Actually no I didn't install it myself. My local dealer did it for me. I have no access to a lift or anything.
There is a control box. Not sure where it's located in my car. Looked like something for under the dash.
It does work well.

[GodzillaM8]

On my 2020 M8 I replaced the secondary cats and also installed the X pipe and I have great pops & bangs with the oem exhaust.

[Powerwhee]

I think the oem system is quite nice too, with a few mods. I had a straight pipe res delete and an x pipe. The straight pipe sounded louder and rowdier, while the x pipe is more refined and exotic. Straight pipe res delete is no joke like 80% louder than stock or my muffler guy somehow messed up the job lol. X pipe is like 30% louder than stock. For most people I feel a res delete and secondary cats would be more than enough, and you can do those mods for like $2k installed.

[TupperBMW]

So I heard the most aggressive set up you could have with the S63 engine a few days ago (catless with straight pipe valveless exhaust) and filmed it in my recent video (see my thread where I show my new Fi Exhaust that was just installed). It’s not an M8 but an X5M Competition. That particular car was tuned as well.

In person and in my video, you can’t hear any significant pops and crackles. It’s loud and mean, but not a “poppy” sounding tune like you get with the N63

I definitely think that’s just a software thing

[Cfabrizio]

I just installed a full Akra system with ER carless secondaries on a 22 M8 Conv. and it, for the most part, is what I was looking for. When in Sport + and you get into it, it comes alive and is load with load barks between shifts. On decel, you get some pops and bangs but my only complaint is they are short lived. I have a lot of warranty left so I don't want to tune anything but when the time comes I would like to extend the burbles. You can also hear the turbos in the exhaust which is an added bonus with this set up. There are times that the exhaust flaps don't open like I would like so I may add the Akra sound kit in the near future. Many guys talk about disconnecting the exhaust valve motors but I need them to be functional out of respect for the neighbors when I go to work early in the morning (4AM) or when I come home late in the evening. When I drop into comfort mode and turn the exhaust valves off, the car is tame enough that it's not obnoxious to the hood. When I first came home after getting the exhaust work done, I drove into the community in sport + and trans at 3 and the neighbor next to me said he could hear my coming several blocks away.

I bought my ER secondaries from r33_RGSport....great dialog back and forth with a few of my questions, customer service, and pricing.

I have loaded couple of days but I'll try to capture some video clips of the exhaust.