There’s a good reason why aftermarket exhaust systems are among the first mods that most BMW E90/E92 M3 owners get for their vehicles. Whether it’s the 4-door sedan or the 2-door coupe, the BMW M3 E90/E92 exhaust sound is infamous for being mute as heck.
And although BMW did a really great job in creating one of the best naturally-aspirated cars that ever existed, they still have the mindset of a luxury carmaker that prefers to emphasize silence over a loud exhaust note.
Aside from full exhaust systems, there is another way of introducing a new auditory excitement to your BMW E90/E92 M3, and that is the removal of the primary catalytic converters. Car enthusiasts who aren’t big fans of exhaust systems replace their car’s two central pairs of cats with straight pipes (also known as test pipes).
This can be a cost-effective method of achieving a wild and aggressive exhaust note for your vehicle. This venture can be pretty risky, especially if you’re not experienced enough, because it may mess your exhaust up big time.
It will also inevitably lead some cops on your tail because straight pipes are notorious for being obnoxiously loud.
If you’ve finally decided to get an aftermarket exhaust system instead of DYI-ing your way to a better-sounding car, then we’ve got something special for you.
Scroll down to see the list of what we think are the best aftermarket exhaust systems available for the BMW E90/E92 M3. Whether it’s for sound or for power, we’ve got you covered.
Check the list out down below!
#1 Akrapovič Titanium Slip-On Exhaust System
- Manufacturer: Akrapovič
- Part Number: M-BM/T/2H
- Compatibility: BMW E90/E92 M3 (2008-2013)
Many car enthusiasts consider Akrapovič as one of the alpha when it comes to exhaust systems. They are widely famous for creating pure performance-based aftermarket parts that are usually made out of titanium.
They chose this material for their products because it’s light, and it substantially reduces the overall weight of the vehicles it’s installed into. The first exhaust on our list is the critically acclaimed Akrapovič Titanium Slip-On Exhaust System.
Many car enthusiasts love this BMW M3 E90/E92 Akrapovič exhaust because of the deep and bassy sound that it emits. The titanium construction makes the exhaust system lighter, which plays a big part in the car’s optimal power-to-weight ratio.
Not only that, but it can also give you an extra 2.9hp at 7160RPM and 2.7lb-ft of torque at 5930RPM, which is not that bad if you think about it. The real win in getting the Akrapovič Titanium Slip-On Exhaust System is the amount of weight your car can shed off.
Akrapovič Titanium Slip-On Exhaust System Features:
- Iconic deep and bassy Akrapovič exhaust note
- Titanium construction
- Offers 2.9hp at 7160RPM and 2.7lb-ft at 5930RPM
- Significant weight reduction (31lbs lighter than stock exhaust)
- Backed with Akrapovič 2-Year Limited Warranty
#2 Corsa Performance Sport Cat-Back Exhaust System
- Manufacturer: Corsa Performance
- Part Number: 14569BLK
- Compatibility: BMW E90/E92 M3 (2008-2011)
Drones are pretty important to consider when it comes to buying aftermarket exhaust systems. This sound can be incredibly annoying. It usually ruins a pleasurable driving experience. Luckily for you, there are drone-less aftermarket exhaust systems out there.
We’re specifically talking about the likes of Corsa Performance exhausts, which are made using their patented Reflective Sound Cancellation® Technology, often called RSC®.
So what does this RSC® Technology do to your car, and why should you care? The Corsa Performance Sport Cat-Back Exhaust system, integrated with the RSC® Technology, allows your Bimmer to sound aggressive at high revs.
At cruise mode, you’re guaranteed to experience no drone at all. This innovation is why this BMW M3 E90/E92 Corsa exhaust is amongst the most sought-after exhaust right now.
Corsa Performance Sport Cat-Back Exhaust System Features:
- Stainless steel construction
- Uses patented Reflective Sound Cancellation® Technology
- Easy bolt-on installation
- Sound level: Sport
- Backed with Corsa Performance Limited Lifetime Warranty
#3 Dinan Free Flow Exhaust System
- Manufacturer: Dinan
- Part Number: D660-0027
- Compatibility: BMW E90/E92 M3 (2008-2013)
As the leading BMW tuner in North America, Dinan has the know-how to improve the BMW E90/E92 M3. They’ve already produced tons of aftermarket products for a wide array of Bimmers, and for the E90/E92 M3, they have the Free Flow Exhaust System.I
t can make your car sound louder and sportier. On top of that, it can also give an extra oomph to your vehicle’s horsepower and torque department. Let’s see what this exhaust system can do to your BMW E90/E92 M3.
The Dinan Free Flow Exhaust System offers your car the following: drone-less exhaust note (Helmholtz chamber), more horsepower and torque (6hp and 5lb-ft, both at 6,800RPM), an enjoyable loud and sporty sound far from what the muted stock exhaust can offer, and significant weight reduction (10lbs lighter than the stock).
To add four cherries on top, this exhaust system has some sick-looking quad black ceramic exhaust tips, making the rear end of your car look better.
Dinan Free Flow Exhaust System Features:
- Drone-less sound
- Offers 6hp and 5lb-ft, both at 6,800RPM
- Loud and sporty exhaust note
- Significant weight reduction (-10lbs)
- Backed with Dinan 2-Year Limited Warranty
#4 Borla ATAK Axle-Back Exhaust System
- Manufacturer: Borla Exhausts
- Part Number: 11802
- Compatibility: BMW E90/E92 M3 (2008-2013)
Now, if you’re really hooked on aggressively loud cars, then you should definitely check out Borla Exhaust. Their exhausts, particularly the ATAK exhaust systems, are widely known for delivering an iconic Borla exhaust note, which some car enthusiasts know and love.
We stress out the word “some” because some car aficionados love loud cars, while some prefer silent ones. Whatever floats your boat, right?
The Borla ATAK Axle-Back Exhaust System features the famed ATAK technology. The term means Acoustically-Tuned Applied Kinetics, which is responsible for creating that loud and very aggressive Borla exhaust sound.
Since ATAK exhausts produce the highest decibels in Borla’s line, this BMW M3 E92 Borla exhaust is ideal for Bimmer owners who prefer the wild and untamed version of their BMW E90/E92 M3 instead of “that quiet kid at the back” stock exhaust.
Borla ATAK Axle-Back Exhaust System Features:
- ATAK® (Acoustically-Tuned Applied Kinetics) Technology
- Dual-split rear exit
- Iconic loud and aggressive Borla exhaust note
- Stainless steel construction
- Backed with Borla Exhausts Million-Mile Warranty
#5 aFe MACH Force XP Cat-Back Exhaust System
- Manufacturer: aFe Power
- Part Number: 49-36311-C
- Compatibility: BMW E90/E92 M3 (2008-2011)
If you want some actual horsepower gains by just installing an aftermarket exhaust system on a naturally-aspirated car like the BMW E90/E92 M3, then you’d best check out the aFe MACH Force XP Cat-Back Exhaust System.
According to aFe Power, this exhaust produces dyno-proven gains of up to 12hp and 11lbs-ft of horsepower and torque – not bad for an exhaust system. It’s also got a special exhaust note at par with the loud (but not obnoxious) cars you see on the streets.
The aFe Power MACH Force XP Cat-Back Exhaust System is race-inspired and is 15lbs lighter than the stock exhaust system. Add to that the dual mufflers capable of producing loud and aggressive sound at high revs while maintaining a relatively pleasing subtle tone while at cruise speeds.
And also, it’s got quad carbon fiber exhaust tips that are key to making the MACH Force XP lighter and sportier-looking.
aFe MACH Force XP Cat-Back Exhaust System Features:
- Offers 12hp and 11lb-ft of horsepower and torque
- Stainless steel construction
- Carbon fiber quad tips
- Significant weight reduction (15lbs lighter than stock exhaust)
- Backed with aFe Power 2-Year Limited Warranty
#6 Megan Racing Supremo Axle-Back Exhaust System
- Manufacturer: Megan Racing
- Part Number: MR-ABE-BE90M34D-VO
- Compatibility: BMW E90/E92 M3 (2008-2013)
Megan Racing is popular in the world of suspension upgrades. Who would’ve known that they produce rad aftermarket exhaust systems too? The last exhaust system on the list would be the Megan Racing Supremo Axle-Back Exhaust System.
It’s relatively more affordable than most exhaust systems on this list, but don’t underestimate this exhaust yet. Even though it’s cheap, the Supremo still packs quite a punch.
The Megan Racing Supremo Axle-Back Exhaust System features most of the essential things you need from a BMW M3 exhaust: weight reduction, power, sound, and style.
It’s lighter than the OEM exhaust, it provides extra horsepower, and it’s loud and satisfying (but not too different from stock). As for the style, it’s got burnt quad exhaust tips which really makes the car look good from the rear.
Megan Racing Supremo Axle-Back Exhaust System Features:
- Lighter than the stock exhaust
- Provides extra horsepower
- Gives off a deep and loud rumble (but not too far from the stock sound)
- Quad burnt exhaust tips
- Backed with Megan Racing 1-Year Limited Warranty
BMW may have created the E90 and the E92 to be too quiet for most car enthusiast’s tastes, but you can certainly do something about it to get that exotic car sound that you’ve always liked.
Or maybe you just want a lighter and better performing car – whatever floats your boat. We’re sure that the right BMW aftermarket exhaust system will reduce your car’s overall weight, provide some extra horsepower, and make up for your Bimmer’s sound output – or lack thereof.