ATM 3.5" race exhaust for RWD installed on XI w/no mods:
I just had my local shop install this exhaust on my 08 e90 xi. I had been communicating with Dave and he was willing to let me test their new 3.5" race exhaust they have been working on for a while on my XI. Turns out, and despite the massive 3.5" piping, the system fit perfectly. The only thing that wasn't used was a minor bracket as the transfer case was present.
From the shop that installed it for me (Harrison Motorsports in Roswell, GA):
This is Sergio Ramirez from Harrison Motorsports, I wanted to provide and update for the 3.5 race exhaust we installed in Darren's 335xi. The install was pretty straight forward no custom fabrications was needed, it took a lot of adjustment and the clearances were a bit tight in some areas, but it was a straight forward bolt on job. The only bracket we were unable to use is the one that attaches to trans in center section due to transfer case, but we tested exhaust multiple times in different conditions and temperatures and found the exhaust held strong no signs of needing the extra mounting location. Below you will find a link to all the pictures we took and a video, if you have any more questions feel free to contact us thank you.
https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-LrQzbG/i-9khpGxN/A
The key to this install was the adjustability left to right and up and down with slip-joint connections. Again, this is huge. You can get the exhaust to fit perfectly with the right adjustment in several areas.
The system looks and sounds amazing. IMO, the noise is not bad. I went from stock to this so it's a big bump in sound volume, but there's no droning. Only a change in resonation between 2.5k and 2.9k. On WOT, this thing sounds
freakin' amazing from 5k - 6k. Startup is quite loud due to cold start, but idle is fine and I can make it quite a bit quieter during partial throttle.
Obviously, my opinion is just that and my observations are subjective. Full transparency, I did receive a discount on the exhaust (thanks Dave!), but only to make up for what a shop would charge for an install and any mods if necessary. TLDR; this isn't a freebie, fan boy review.
I have MMP3s on 25lb and e50 so next step is to get back on the dyno and see if it opened them up a bit. And tweak my tune.
Thanks for reading and I hope we can get more XI owners with as great an exhaust as I have around the country!