Sound of stock 540i with final muffler removed

[pm179]

Hi Group,

It was suggested to me that getting the "perfect" sound for these very quite cars is to just cut off the final muffler, add straight pipe back in with a new tip (this saves the muffler and original tip in case I don't like the new sound)

Question is ... has anyone gone this route already and what do you think of the sound?

I'd like a little something better / louder then stock when I get on it but no way do I want to scream at passengers to carry on a conversation while driving. Just something nice ;-)

I do not have the cash to buy aftermarket exhaust systems at the moment, nor is anything wrong with the stock system yet (except how very well it functions to muffle all exhaust notes lol)

I have searched the archives but have not seen this particular suggestion. I HAVE seen posts about removing the resonator (or is it the silencer?)

My e28 M5 had cats removed, straight pipes in their place and stock muffler. It was perfect volume, maybe leaning toward a wee bit loud for me, but it didn't really have a good muscular rumble or note to it. I'm hoping the V-8 might give a better sound with such an easy fix

Thanks again for all input,Michael in MD

2003 540i 6-speed
Sterling Gray / Black

[pm179]

Michael in MD

2003 540i 6-speed
Sterling Gray / Black

[petertaylor]

I have done this to my 540i and it is awesome ! The sound is just perfect and everyone comments at how good it sounds - very slight resononce under load but not annoying at all - definately do it !

[JimLev]

The NASCAR sound, just front CATS.

Click here, turn up the volume!

OK, so that was a little too rough for ya, here it is with just the muffler cut off. There was a bit of resonance at cruising speed which I didn't care for, maybe with an extension pipe back to the bumper it would be different.
Click here

And this is what it sounded like with no muffler going thru a few gears. Disregard the wind noise.
Click here

[JimLev]

different, only 2 CAT's and not 4 like the newer 540's have. Don't know if this would effect the resonance, but it might.

[fritracer]

straight pipe on so it was past the rear bumper? If so how does it sound and is there a lot od resonance under cruise and highway speeds?Fritracer
Cincinnati, OH
2000 540ia Sport Package 9/99 Silver/ Black

[JimLev]

a pipe to the rear for a day. There was resonance at cruise speed 50-60MPH, never went faster so I don't know if it would still be present. It did sound almost the same as my Eisenmann Race muffler, just a bit louder. If there were no resonance I would have sold the Eisenmann and run with no muffler. The V8 muffler weighs ~50 lbs, the Eisenmann is ~25 lbs.

[fritracer]

I haven't really looked at my exhaust lately, so I don't remember, does the stock 540 have a resonator and if so, did you still have it on in these videos?Fritracer
Cincinnati, OH
2000 540ia Sport Package 9/99 Silver/ Black

[JimLev]

when I recorded those clips, except for the no exhaust clip.
I only removed the Eisenmann muffler.
Yours should be exactly the same as mine except for the Eisenmann.

[pm179]

Oohhhh ... very nice Jim ;-)

The sound may still be a bit loud for me (not the nascar one, the no muffler one) ... but I am willing to give it a try. What I really am concerned about though is the higher frecq. sound I heard ... I was hoping for more of a V-8 low throaty tone

You know the worst thing is "seeing" a Corvette or modern muscle car go by and NEVER hearing it, not even a peep ... not a good thing in my opinion. I want to hear something from it ... anything ... it doesn't have to be loud and/or obnoxious ... just something to say POWER

That is what I'm hoping for with mine ... just a little something that says V8 ... so if just removing the stock muffler doesn't work I guess I'll be back looking for a new replacement muffler suggestion to quite it DOWN (lower note pun intended)

However ... my TRUE worry is MD emissions inspection with no identifiable muffler at all under there. Michael in MD

2003 540i 6-speed
Sterling Gray / Black