Active Autowerke Mid-Pipe - Any drone?

[Dav3]

I'm on the wrong forum (M2C future owner) but wanted to know if anyone could give me some insight on the AA Mid-Pipe.

From the video's I have listened to it looks like it is really promising. I'd argue that it sounds better than most aftermarket exhausts.

This said, the drone on my last car's exhaust was quite unbearable and I'd really avoid having to listen to an insistent humming while on the highway.

Couldn't find much in any other threads I've searched and would really appreciate it if someone could tell me if there is any drone.

Thx

[cwazy1]

Nope, no drone. Behaves the same as OEM, but just a tad deeper

[Justin.AutoTalent]

No drone at all but it all depends on what you pair it with.

I had no issues with aa mid pipe plus zcp muffler and stock downpipe, but when I added downpipes and MPE it did drone a bit.... cruising with the valves open at around 3k | 6th gear | 6mt car

The change in tone and sound from the AA is still the best though especially for the price

[Dav3]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

No drone at all but it all depends on what you pair it with.

I had no issues with aa mid pipe plus zcp muffler and stock downpipe, but when I added downpipes and MPE it did drone a bit.... cruising with the valves open at around 3k | 6th gear | 6mt car

The change in tone and sound from the AA is still the best though especially for the price

Good to hear

MPE on M2 same story at 3k 6MT. Avoiding that for now.

Do you know if the AA mid-pipe is same size for m2 and m4?

[Alvinized52]

I added AA to my MPE.... slight drone especially on WOT... but not that bad. I hardly notice it now. Significantly changes the sound to a much deeper tone so its worth the mod in my opinion. I love the new tone and brings MPE to life. Just be warned that you have to cut the MPE in order to fit the AA mid pipes... so there is no turning back.

[chujk1985]

I have the aa midpipe with Remus rear. I think because of how deep it sounds at times can drone a bit. Nothing really that bothersome.

[mike@x-ph.com]

No drone on stock exhaust

[JupiterM418]

No drone. Awesome mid pipe!

[Commanderwiggin]

M2C with AA midpipe here...no drone and like maybe 10-15% increase in sound...barely anything imo. M2C sounds better/deeper than an M3/M4 stock fyi so I would imagine that's why M3/M4 owners generally say the change is more noticeable.

[Dav3]

Originally Posted by Commanderwiggin

M2C with AA midpipe here...no drone and like maybe 10-15% increase in sound...barely anything imo. M2C sounds better/deeper than an M3/M4 stock fyi so I would imagine that's why M3/M4 owners generally say the change is more noticeable.

Eh, to be honest M2C sounds as bad as M4. Not so much in MDM with valves open but in comfort with valves closed it really sounds terrible.

From what I have listened to, the mid-pipe offers a bit more dark growl to the exhaust. Not looking to make the sound much louder, just a bit deeper. As long as there's no drone, with a bit more than 1000$ you're getting a better sound than what most 5-10k exhausts offer.

Also will be installing ASD bypass as soon as I can, so noise in cabin will be much tamer too. If by any chance you've done the ASD bypass, would like to hear how it is!

Only real thing that's making me doubt the Mid-Pipe is the necessity to cut the stock tubing. I'm guessing I'd need to re-purchase the entire block if re-selling / trading the car in the future with the dealership.

[Commanderwiggin]

Originally Posted by FiatMultiplaAkrapovic

Eh, to be honest M2C sounds as bad as M4. Not so much in MDM with valves open but in comfort with valves closed it really sounds terrible.

From what I have listened to, the mid-pipe offers a bit more dark growl to the exhaust. Not looking to make the sound much louder, just a bit deeper. As long as there's no drone, with a bit more than 1000$ you're getting a better sound than what most 5-10k exhausts offer.

Also will be installing ASD bypass as soon as I can, so noise in cabin will be much tamer too. If by any chance you've done the ASD bypass, would like to hear how it is!

Only real thing that's making me doubt the Mid-Pipe is the necessity to cut the stock tubing. I'm guessing I'd need to re-purchase the entire block if re-selling / trading the car in the future with the dealership.

I drive around in Sport most of the time with valves open...I hate the burbles so that'll be the first thing I tune out. Having driven multiple M3/M4's over the years I will say the M2C does sound better than both of them. Maybe not a ZCP however...it's really close.

Maybe the ASD is throwing you off because I've never had the ASD on in my M2C. That was literally the first thing I coded out with Bimmercode before I even started the car in the showroom on my delivery. I do have the Technic harness bypass as well which "apparently" gets rid of a slight hiss in the speakers which remains even after coding out the ASD. I haven't heard the hiss yet but whatever.

The cuts are a no-hassle thing and you can easily get them welded back up at any shop or just use exhaust clamps if you wanted to go back to OE. Not a big deal. Paint the muffler black and tell the dealer you made the cuts to paint the muffler

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by FiatMultiplaAkrapovic

Good to hear

MPE on M2 same story at 3k 6MT. Avoiding that for now.

Do you know if the AA mid-pipe is same size for m2 and m4?

Piping is almost the same, it's just the connecting points.

Since the M2C has a much shorter exhaust, the AA mid pipe connects just after the resonator, versus on the M3/4 which connects right at the axle back section of the stock exhaust

[Dav3]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

Piping is almost the same, it's just the connecting points.

Since the M2C has a much shorter exhaust, the AA mid pipe connects just after the resonator, versus on the M3/4 which connects right at the axle back section of the stock exhaust

I see they offer both a M2C and M3/M4 Mid-pipe

Same identical pipe with different instructions or did they shorten it for the M2?

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by FiatMultiplaAkrapovic

I see they offer both a M2C and M3/M4 Mid-pipe

Same identical pipe with different instructions or did they shorten it for the M2?

The M2 is connected after the resonator.

Here is a pic of a M4 with AA bolted:



Compared to M2C with AA bolted: