Exhaust upgrade for 318is?

[jon-m42]

Hello Zoners,

I have googled a few searches and I found that for the 325i's the
eisenmann exhaust was rated fairly decent in comparison to the others alike.

The only problem here is I have a 318is and I was unable to find any decent exhausts systems that others have had used.

Is there any that you recommend for the old girl?

Id like twin pipes facing out the rear and something that sounds nice but not overly loud like some chavs 1.0 ford fiesta.

Thanks
Jon

[DHFiS]

The standard exhaust is a very efficient design and I have never heard of any power gains by changing it.

Would twin rear pipes mean cutting the rear valance?

[jmc330i]

^^ This.

And yes, the rear valance would need cutting for twin pipes and it's usually done badly and starts rusting fairly quickly after!

[jon-m42]

Ahh,

I totally agree with the standard one you really cant go wrong if that is all you are happy with. I am finding Id now like a twin pipe set up and something that sounds a little better. I am not looking for any performance agains by changing what effetely is just a long pipe to take out the gasses.

So am I right in thinking there is little to no hope for us 318is owners to upgrade or change to something which sounds a little better and looks far better ?

[pacerpete]

Definitely no hope for most IS owners

[jon-m42]

Sometimes I really do just wish I had got a 325i at some points. The power, sound and drive feels like a real car.

My 318is lacks in all areas apart from handling.

[jon-m42]

Is Jetex systems any good?

Also is there anything else out there that anyone could recommend (apart from putting a 2.5 in)

thanks
Jon

[jmc330i]

I've used the Jetex universal stuff and it's been ok, but I've not used the Jetex 318iS system. I think one or two on here have and have said its good, but personally I've never liked the tailpipe design it comes with. And they don't do a twin tailpipe system for the iS.

[theretroking]

Got a jetex on mine, tailpipe looks awful, get down to the dealers and pay the extra.

[jon-m42]

Thanks chaps

Do you have any pictures of the instillation to see how it looks ?

I have come across super sprint, cobra sport and of corse the eisenmann exhaust system on a 2.5.

Having herd the eisenmann exhaust in real life on a 2.5 im starting to think I have the wrong engine.

hard times.

[jmc330i]

Having herd the eisenmann exhaust in real life on a 2.5 im starting to think I have the wrong engine.

TBH, I should of stuck a 6 pot in my touring rather than the 16v, but insurance for the O/H was a consideration at the time. And I must keep telling myself that the touring is my daily work horse....

[jon-m42]

As much as i love the little 4 pot, I must also admit the sound and drive of the 325 was something else.

It just felt like an aircraft taking off, a tad slow getting up to speed but once in second gear and the sound of the engine and exhaust both in tune the car started to pick up speed rapidly.

The m42 feels quicker up to 80mpg and there after you realise you need the extra 2 cylinders to keep you going strong. The 325 just felt it had tons of power its almost like a lifting and pushing you back in your seat feeling where they is nothing alike.

The 325 had an eisenmann exhaust. Has anybody used this system on their 318iS?

Thanks
Jon

[jmc330i]

Not wanting to risk a 318iS/325i debate, an iS is not/does not feel quicker to 80 than a 325i

Do Eisenmann do a 318iS system?

[jon-m42]

Not wanting to risk a 318iS/325i debate, an iS is not/does not feel quicker to 80 than a 325i

Do Eisenmann do a 318iS system?

I am not sure if they do one for the 318iS.

The 0 to 80mph at the time felt quicker in the 318iS but I must say regardless the 325 felt better and more powerful which it is.

Seriously contemplating the swap.

Whats your thoughts Jmc?

[jmc330i]

If the iS is a good one and you've got space, I'd keep the iS standard and get a 325i to have some fun with. I've got my 16v touring for daily duties and have the 325i for fun... although it's currently off road again

Swapping an M20 in is all well and good, but you'll probably still want more so I'd be looking at an M52, although an M20 sounds much better than the 24v donk.

[jon-m42]

Is there any value left in keeping the iS standard as a whole car?

or should I just take the iS m42 lump out and put a m20 or m52 in ?

Or do I just buy a whole new car and start from scratch?

[bss325i]

If the iS is a nice one the leave it be. It's value is the fact is a 318iS and doing a conversion on it will just make it another molested car and devalue it and they are rare enough as it is.

Save the conversions for lowley 316's and 318i's.

Or just sell the 318iS and buy a 325i.

[jon-m42]

Thanks Bss325i, I would say the old girl is in good shape for its age. It could do with a full respray at some point to get it back to its former glory days but other than that the mechanical work is spot on. I have loads of history with the car and it is sure a joy to drive.

I would guess finding a 316 or 318 would be the best bet as there is no point in molestring 318iS or 325I Sport.

My question now is do 316 and 318 come with disks and pads all round like my iS?

If not would it be a long shot trying to make the rear with added disks and pads? from the drums?

thanks

[ianev]

don't mess with an iS.

becoming recognised as desirable, therefore authenticity's key.

[Brianmoooore]

316i and 318i come with rear discs if they were specced. with ABS, or are a touring or cab.
Converting to rear discs involves fitting the complete trailing arms.

[jon-m42]

Some of the iS lovers will hate me for saying this but although I love the car for what it is and I really do think its a great car that BMW have built.

It gives me great mph on long runs and not so bad in town driving. On those long straights approaching a motorway it gets up to speed very well screaming past 4k all the way to 6500rpm and then changing up into gear.

I admire it all but and I say this with a slight sadness in mind feeling sorry for the iS, I think I should just have bought the 325i Sport instead.

I cant believe ive started this thread in the hopes to find a better looking and sounding exhaust and now I am thinking to get a 325i.

Whats all the fuss about keeping an iS and why is it so desirable? I cant see the logic in my old age the 325i is really sex on wheels in all ways.

help me somebody.

[jmc330i]

The iS was only built for two years over here and nice unmolested examples are very hard to find. And a nice iS will be miles better than a tired 325i.

An engine conversion is great as long as it's done well but the cost will always be more than you think which is why a lot of conversions are lashed together and never perform as well as the standard 325i you could of gone out and bought. Plus there's the extra hassle and expense of insuring a modified car.

Don't get too hung up on buying a 325i Sport, it's just a standard 325i with some extra tat bolted on and a higher price tag than a nice 325ise (and yes I own a 325i Sport).
You will think the 325i is great until you fill the tank up again, and again....

As I said above, if you're in the position to have 2 cars, keep the iS standard and for daily duties and get a 325i to have some weekend fun.

[jon-m42]

I have taken into consideration the information you all have kindly provided. I thank you all for it.

I think ill try and hunt down a good exhaust system for the old 4 pot as I am unable to afford 2 cars at one time. I am sure I could but im sure the wife would not be impressed.

I will allow myself some more time to dig deeper into research and general knowledge about the 325i while I try and enjoy the little iS and then next year be out on the hunt for one.

Rite back to exhausts, sure some of the iS lovers could shed some light in this area ?

[BHadley]

Standard stuff is still around new or used

Jetex make a mild steel system. 3" rolled single tip, don't know if its a option to choose your own style.

Places like long life or powerflow can make whatever you want from scratch

(powerflow is the budget end of the market, and is very dependant how arsed, hungover or bothered the fitterz are over welding well... I've had two on different cars..... From different sites..)

Fritz bits may do something but it costs a lot

[BHadley]

Why does the is get a slating?
Handles better and has less weight?

BTW I'm no "baby m3" sheep....

[jon-m42]

Thanks slideout. I have had a quick look into the site for Fritz bitz and right away something to highlight and take your lots oppnion on:

It states quite substantial gains in their description: http://www.fritzsbits.co.uk/shop/produc ... 42-system/

I presume this might all well be a sales wording put together but i am not sure if i believe the claims its making about up to 15bhp increase and 12 ft/lbs increase in torque.

Not sure if i believe these figures for that be on a totally standard healthy high milage M42 engine.

Whats your take on this?

[BHadley]

I read the exhaust analysis header on that page....

Does sound like strong claims, however the system has 3 boxes (2nd hand powerflow I bought had 2)
So noise should be ok, is made from a decent grade and material with a lifetime guarantee.

Price wise, it sounds a lot however some one on here paid the same for a powerflow set up...
maybe worth giving them a call if they sound shakey about it perhaps not!

Think I would consider it personally

Also, there is miltek system for sale on here in parts....

[BHadley]

Don't think it sold

See link;

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=261668

[DHFiS]

Whats your take on this?

Highly unlikely

[jmc330i]

Whats your take on this?

Highly unlikely

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