Cars We Drive! - Page 520

I agree with Pio. Sunroofs are completely different than a drop top. A bit too much given up in terms of handling and not as much gained in terms of experience. But most don't care/are ignorant to this anyways.

I am sorry, but this is just incorrect. Cold air will not influence your exhaust note no matter how hard you think it gains you 50 extra horsepower. If you add a cold air intake and a K&N intake sticker though, I hear those add about 50hp on the butt dyno.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/how-does-a-cold-air-intake-system-improve-engine-performance

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Audi has a new moby dick themed commercial, does that make it audi dick?

You are incorrect. Cold air is denser and a CAI will give your engine a very marginal boost in power -- around 1-2 horsepower. All this DOES affect your exhaust note.

Variances in ambient temp make huge differences in power, my car feels like its on steroids in these low 50 degree temps.

Absolutely. Only an idiot wouldn't be able to pick up on the increased power and louder exhaust. It's very noticeable. I also have a CAI so that helps a lot when it comes to improved airflow.

^ You still driving the e46 m3?

Funny this should come up. Was noticing how the MB was even more responsive than normal and was mentioning to Mrs. Piob how it's even more noticeable on a motorcycle. I used to love the cool fall weather when I was growing up and the bike really just purred.

I'm curious to hear yours guys' takes on exhausts -- which of the following sounds the best to you? These are all M3s. I recommend headphones if you have any.

Meisterschaft GT2

Akrapovic

BMW Performance exhaust

i like 3rd.

fwiw the RR Evoque looks stupid as hell, it's small and cheap looking. To add insult to injury, the 'coupe' is more expensive than the 4 dr, but in this case the 'coupe' really does nothing for the design.

On the other hand, saw a CLS63 Shooting Brake, it's seriously one of the coolest cars out right now. I even normally loathe matte/satin paint jobs, but I can get down with the flat gunmetal they have for that car.

The Meisterschaft is louder, which is what most "modders" mean by 'sounds better'. But I prefer the note of the Akrapovic. The Akra also has the SF cred of being more expensive and made of exotic materials (titanium)

I never said that cold air won't increase performance. This is indeed a fact. I said that cold air won't change your exhaust note. Check out Eisenmann for a great sounding exhaust. I have one on my MCoupe.

Cars always seem to run better at night too.


#1 as long as its no louder than the original. I'm not that loud phony race car sound.

I would go OEM upgrade aka. No. 3.

I'm sort of liking it. Fit and finish is just fine; nothing "cheap" looking about it. The back window and the tiny turbo would be my sticking points.

I've never heard the meisterschaft in person and it sounds like it'd be really, really loud, but I like it the best from this bunch.

Regarding titanium exhausts, I've never really enjoyed the note they produce. They sound ever-so-slightly tinny to my ears. It definitely is a very nice exhaust system though.

Cold air for sure changes the exhaust note, but not dramatically. It changes it enough for me to pick up the difference -- like it just passes the barely noticeable threshold. We can argue this all day and night, so agree to disagree. FWIW, I'm talking about the difference between 75 degree weather and 30 degree weather.

Do you have an e92 m3?

Imagine driving your car through Texas 100+ degree summers. I feel bad for mine.

#1 is my favorite, too. It is very much so louder than the OEM exhaust, as are the other two that I posted. But it's definitely the loudest out of the bunch.

Nice. That's my second favorite. Probably the exhaust I'd go for if I were older and more mature :P