Originally Posted by P1100' post='1046535' date='Nov 3 2009, 06:46 PM

I went with opening the second pipe by locking the valve open. Like you i just wanted it a bit louder and more of a rumble at idle. Works great for me.

Originally Posted by spandex' post='1046479' date='Nov 3 2009, 08:19 PM

I actually posted this on bmw5.co.uk a few days ago, but I'm starting to think I'm the only person on that forum, maybe I'll have a bit more luck here as it seems a little busier:

I've been looking around at aftermarket exhausts for my car and it seems to be a bit of a minefield as you can never be sure what you're getting, sound-wise, until it's on your car. I know it's fairly rare model (at least here in the UK), but hopefully someone reading this will have some experience of exhaust systems for my car.

What I don't want is a loud, 'aftermarket' sound. I had a 645 for a while and something that sounded like this would be perfect really (it was fairly tame and OEM sounding, but with a bit of a burble at idle and some noise when you got higher up the revs). The 545 is obviously tuned to be as refined as possible, which is nice most of the time, but I'd just like to hear the V8 every so often.

Anyone have any ideas? It would be great if you can personally recommend an exhaust that you've heard on the 4.4V8, but even if you've not heard what the exhaust sounds like yourself, it'll be good to get a list of possible manufacturers so I can try to find out more myself.

Originally Posted by RemusExhaustShop' post='1046877' date='Nov 4 2009, 11:05 AM

The REMUS exhaust would definately fit your needs

It is TUV approved and comes with a EU certificate stating it is street legal in regards to sound levels. The decibel level is fairly close to stock, REMUS engineers focus on changing the sound frequencies of your exhaust system in order to provide a better tone, richness and deepness to your car without being overly loud. All the above while aiming for great performance with straight through mufflers and mandrel bent piping.

Link:
http://www.remusexhaustshop.com/series-e60...-c-1_16_23.html

Let me know!

Originally Posted by spandex' post='1046506' date='Nov 3 2009, 06:49 PM

That's interesting... It might be enough for me if I can stop the valve closing.

Judging by the size of the tips on the RPi one in the photo I can already tell it would probably be more volume than I want... This is the problem with exhausts though. It's hard to describe a sound and everyone will have a different idea of what's 'subtle'.

Originally Posted by RPIpower' post='1046977' date='Nov 4 2009, 05:55 PM

The tips have nothing to do with the sound. The best thing I would suggest is to find people with the same exhaust and ask if you can hear it, ride/drive in it in person. I have had people call and want an exhaust but when its on the car its either too quiet or too loud. From my experience the Remus and Dinan are rather tame but for someone that wants a "tame" exhaust, you really cant beat the stock one. One thing you can consider is gutting the cat. It will give you good performance as the OEM exhaust is VERY well designed, while giving you some more exhaust volume.

Originally Posted by spandex' post='1047006' date='Nov 4 2009, 11:33 AM

The trouble is, here in the UK the 545 is very very rare. It would be hard enough to find someone with the same car, let alone with an aftermarket exhaust too. I'd love the chance to test out a few exhausts, but I just don't think that'll happen.

I don't really want to de-cat or do anything to affect emissions as I'd only have to reverse the procedure when it gets tested. Hopefully disconnecting the valve will be enough of a tweak to keep me happy.

Thanks for the replies. Glad to see there are some E60 forums with people actually posting on them...