All,
Wanted to share my journey thus far on the exhaust front.
I had no issues or complaints with the stock exhaust, but I haven't left exhaust stock on anything I've ever owned. The M posed a significant challenge because of M tax on parts. The last thing I would ever consider is dropping $3k on tubing and a muffler combo. Seems totally insane... (HEAR THAT AKRAPOVIC??? LOOKING AT YOU!!!)
What I have done thus far and plan to do:
First, I bought the downpipes at a ridiculous cost of around $1200 (minus 8% in ebay bucks)... I wanted these to be resonated and paid dearly for it...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...72.m2749.l2658
If I had the downpipe purchase to mulligan I would go with these and save $400:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X6M-E71...19.m1438.l2649
I bought this muffler on eBay new for $395.24 - (Current cost is ridic.) It arrived with scratched tips so I negotiated 10% refund with the seller bringing my cost to $350, but used an opportunely delivered 10% ebay bucks as well making my final cost $310... Still too much for a muffler IMO, but whatever...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGAN-RACIN...1WAZ9d&vxp=mtr
Try this price instead:
https://autoplicity.com/3479632-mega...8aAn3yEALw_wcB
I also bought one of these, based purely on my love of the sound of an x-pipe... Arguments can be made that the turbos defeat the purpose of an X I know, but I'm not convinced that scavenging still doesn't occur and thus a minor benefit can still be attained. Unproven, don't care...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...72.m2749.l2658
After install of the muffler I loved the sound, but one of the most awesome things about the X5M is the M button changing the exhaust note. I LOVED pressing the button and hearing the SUV change into "business" sounds. Soo...
The M is still having the motor built as referenced in another post, but upon return, it is my intent to extend the vacuum lines from the original locations further up the tubing line to before the mufflers and attach them to these.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...72.m2749.l2658
I'll also be having these turn-downs welded on to the vacuum actuated dumps.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...72.m2749.l2658
All in I'm sitting at:
$1104 - DP
$310 - Muffler
$18 - X-pipe
$107 - Vacuum Actuated Dumps
$40 - Turn-downs
$1579 - Full exhaust w/ M button functionally changing the exhaust tone.
Now... it may sound like total shytburgers after it's all said and done, but youtube straight exhaust noises suggest that it won't be bad at all and V8/turbos to atmosphere typically sound pretty wicked.
Fingers crossed.
Hope this helps some of you on your journeys toward go fast/sound better! Be patient and you don't have to overpay (more that is...)
Cheers.