BMW M5 M Performance Exhaust First Look, Details and Great Sounds

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Boss330

It's not exchange rates, it's new car tax that more than doubles the price. Before tax the car costs the same in Norway as it does in the US, but tax more than doubles that price... The price I quoted was in USD so exchange rates doesn't make any difference here.

And, plenty of people would also laugh at the price of a M5 when you can get a Mustang with similar performance for a fraction of that price. Just as people laugh at an expensive exhaust when you could get a Walker system for a fraction of that price

Price often has two deciding factors:

Quality
Brand name

Quality allways comes at a price
Brand name is the deciding factor in the premium the customer is willing to pay over a "generic" manufacturer.

That last factor is a big factor in clothing, IT (smart phone and the Apple products), food etc. That's why famous or "exclusive" brand names can charge a premium. They know that a lot of customers are willing to pay that premium so they can "brag" about having this or that product. Like Rolex watches.

I think that many M5 owners are willing to pay a premium to be able to say that they have a Akra/BMW M Performance exhaust instead of saying that they have a Thrush muffler on their car. And for many it's the quality of the product as well.

Basically you pay for exclusivity.

Yes you do pay for exclusivity, quality, etc but there comes a point where it just gets ridiculous. To me this looks like a dick measuring contest to see who can overpay the most for something and play it off like it's nothing. At the end of the day it's just an exhaust - it doesn't exactly take a master welder to make one. Hell it doesn't even have features that normally shoot the price of an exhaust up like being a full titanium system, having the turbo manifolds included, adjustable valves for different sound levels (i.e. Kreissieg), etc. Even if the price is to be cut in half it'd still be outrageous.

[MilehighM3]

It sounded even better in person

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by TK-421

To me this looks like a dick measuring contest to see who can overpay the most for something and play it off like it's nothing..

Some people prefer OEM (like me) and if they can afford it then why not? I don't think the majority are doing it to feed their egos, though there are always exceptions.

[mindlessmark07]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

This is absolutely an Akra exhaust...sounds just like mine and the cans are EXACTLY the same. That's right, I had the M-performance exhaust installed back in January

+1

[avlnch]

It will be interesting to see how BMW prices the M5 MPE. We all know that BMW learned a lesson with their M3 MPE pricing strategy.

Due to their reputable name, high quality product, and relationship with BMW, Akra just became the safest exhaust choice for your factory warranty covered M5. Eisenmann is a close second.

Lets all not give BMW the wrong impression. I hope BMW continues to add new products to the F10 M5's Performance Parts catalog. Also, as I said before, I applaud BMW for choosing Akra as their MPE supplier. I hope they continue to choose top notch vendors for other future M5 performance parts.

Speaking of future M5 Performance Parts, what would you like to see next? How about:
- BMW PPK
HP and TQ increase. Speed limiter removal. MDM reprogram.
- BMW PP Front Splitter
Maybe something simple like the splitter that was eventually added onto the M6. Maybe something race inspired with functioning air ducts.
- BMW PP Steering Wheel
a slight flat bottom steering wheel offered in leather and alcantara, maybe with other M spec features.
- BMW PP Lightweight Wheels
offered in 19" and 20", black or brushed.
- BMW PP Suspension
Simple lowered suspension, bug nothing aggressive.. maybe 0.8 in the front and 0.6 in the rear.
- BMW PP M iDrive Tech
Added "M" menu on the iDrive. Ability to view driver type information on the iDrive. Such information would include oil and coolant temp, 0-60/0-100 M timer, HP and TQ meters. Ability to show specialized M view with this information on the HUD.


Lets stop complaining and begin thanking BMW and giving them further ideas of what we would like to see offered. Throw out ideas. After all, they do read these forums.. straight from the mouth of M engineers/designers and those who make real decisions. I met many that make up the M Division at the France dinner.. during the BMW closed track event (first time they let people onto their France track which they use for development and testing.. planes/hele's can't even fly over that place.. was a lot of fun and got a first glance at the 1M at the time).

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Boss330

The Akrapovic exhaust has full EC-component type approval and is legal "for sale and use" in every EU country. It's actually not legal for a member state NOT to approve products which has EU type approval (either component, system or full vehicle approvals).

It's "attention" that would be the problem, the police here love pulling "loud cars".
I am sure it's legal just a little attention grabbing.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

It's "attention" that would be the problem, the police here love pulling "loud cars".
I am sure it's legal just a little attention grabbing.

Yes, that's a different problem alltogether...

[h4nh]

It's not surprising for BMW to use akrapovic as their performance exhaust. If you guys ride motorcycles, bmw offers akrapovic as a performance upgrade. It's a good way to provide warranty as akrapovic makes really good quality stuff.

[UniqueCheese]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Happily for you there are other exhausts at other prices then

And you would probably get a kick out of the price tag for a new M5 in Norway ($ 310.000)

I've recently moved from England to the US. Apparently, moving the steering wheel from one side of the car to the other means a 30,000 dollar starting price difference - an M5 here costs the same as an M3 in England.

Made my decision as to "Do I finally buy an M3, or do I go for a 5-series on these wider roads?" much easier when I realized I could pay for an M3 at England prices and get an M5 here.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by UniqueCheese

I've recently moved from England to the US. Apparently, moving the steering wheel from one side of the car to the other means a 30,000 dollar starting price difference - an M5 here costs the same as an M3 in England.

Made my decision as to "Do I finally buy an M3, or do I go for a 5-series on these wider roads?" much easier when I realized I could pay for an M3 at England prices and get an M5 here.

That pricing coupled to the UK petrol prices makes a good case.

[UniqueCheese]

Oh, yes. I neglected to mention to the USians - fuel in England is around 8 US$ for a US gallon.

I wonder what it is in Norway...

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by UniqueCheese

Oh, yes. I neglected to mention to the USians - fuel in England is around 8 US$ for a US gallon.

I wonder what it is in Norway...

Norway 164P/litre =£7.45P per gallon UK.

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by avlnch

- BMW PP Suspension
Simple lowered suspension, bug nothing aggressive.. maybe 0.8 in the front and 0.6 in the rear.

This

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by UniqueCheese

Oh, yes. I neglected to mention to the USians - fuel in England is around 8 US$ for a US gallon.

I wonder what it is in Norway...

Roughly $9 per US Gallon

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by hyperboost

Should be standard. BMW is getting too greedy

I can agree that a louder stainless exhaust should be optional... or standard, if that's what M5 buyers want... but I don't blame them for charging more for a titanium exhaust. There is a real increase in cost (both in materials and fabrication).

[monkawekrue]

sick!

[Robert B]

That Akrapovic exhausts are offered as an aftermarket upgrade by BMW should be no suprise. BMW Motorad has been offering Akrapovic exhausts for Beemers in its accessary catalog. When I ordered my R1200 GS, I included the Akrapovic exhaust, which was installed on the bike when it was delivered.

I say BMW should offer more aftermarket performance equipment for those who want it. It would provide a line of aftermarket parts, sanctioned by the manufacturer that would raise no concerns about warranty issues. Indeed, BMW is late to game in this market. Porsche has been doing this for years. For example, after shelling out the premium for a 911S to get a higher performance 911, you can pay another $17,800 for the Carrera S Power Kit. Even Toyota is in the game through TRD and Chrysler has long been in this game through Mopar.

[jeejee]

Just been reading this thread - spoke to my dealer and he says Akra exhaust will void the warranty, only the BMW OEM (Akra) exhaust wont. Anyway, i suppose better to pay 2k more for the OEM exhaust with warranty rather than 15k for a larger engine/ gearbox problem when they say I voided the warranty putting on an aftermarket exhaust?

Not sure what to do now....

[mainly]

Originally Posted by jeejee

Just been reading this thread - spoke to my dealer and he says Akra exhaust will void the warranty, only the BMW OEM (Akra) exhaust wont.

lol, yeah what a load of bull.

i would tell them to eat a d!ck and then put whatever exhaust i wanted on MY m5.

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by jeejee

Just been reading this thread - spoke to my dealer and he says Akra exhaust will void the warranty, only the BMW OEM (Akra) exhaust wont. Anyway, i suppose better to pay 2k more for the OEM exhaust with warranty rather than 15k for a larger engine/ gearbox problem when they say I voided the warranty putting on an aftermarket exhaust?

Not sure what to do now....

The only warranty that's voided is the exhaust pipes and mufflers you replace. Do it without worry

[Green-Eggs]

Just make sure to keep your stock exhaust.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by jeejee

Just been reading this thread - spoke to my dealer and he says Akra exhaust will void the warranty, only the BMW OEM (Akra) exhaust wont. Anyway, i suppose better to pay 2k more for the OEM exhaust with warranty rather than 15k for a larger engine/ gearbox problem when they say I voided the warranty putting on an aftermarket exhaust?

Not sure what to do now....

£2K for a BMW sports exhaust in your dreams.