pkgb@xtra.co.nz 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 Hey guys, I've recently bought a mint 1990 E31 850i, with only 50,000 kms on the clock. It's my 4th BMW. I'm looking to update the stereo system, and change the mufflers. At the moment it sounds like a family sedan, and I want it to sound like a V12. I realise the 850i is extremely rare, but I'm guessing the 750i has a similar exhaust system. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3568 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 Very nice car!! Plate to match as well.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 Beautiful car. Very jealous. Not a huge fan of the wheels though but hey, I wouldn't care if I owned and 850! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Matt_ 42 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 was this the one off trade me that was de-registered? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 Very nice score if it has done a genuine 50,000ks! Ill be interested to hear what you do with the exhaust, the key will be to get the v12 sound out of it, rather than getting V6 or Inline 6 kind of sound I've heard some V12s ending up with when fitted with louder exhausts. Perhaps it comes down to the header design and the balancing pipe(s) used between the exhaust banks? Hmmm. This example sounds rather good, has quite a distinctive tone: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2122 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 (edited) 750iL exhaust is quite different. most obvious is that it only exits on one side rather than two like the 850Ci. front half is very similar if not the same. Very nice score if it has done a genuine 50,000ks! Ill be interested to hear what you do with the exhaust, the key will be to get the v12 sound out of it, rather than getting V6 or Inline 6 kind of sound I've heard some V12s ending up with when fitted with louder exhausts. Perhaps it comes down to the header design and the balancing pipe(s) used between the exhaust banks? Hmmm. This example sounds rather good, has quite a distinctive tone: ohhhhhhh Edited January 11, 2013 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pkgb@xtra.co.nz 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 was this the one off trade me that was de-registered?I bought it off trade me, but it wasn't de-registered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pkgb@xtra.co.nz 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 Very nice score if it has done a genuine 50,000ks! I'm pretty sure the k's are accurate. It's New Zealand new and in near new condition. The previous owner had it in a private car collection and kept it mint. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ssbmw 185 Report post Posted January 11, 2013 Congrats Peter, welcome to the e31 club. It is hard to get a nice one these days and yours would have to be one of the lowest k 8's in the southern hemisphere. Not sure what type of exhaust system is best for enhancing the soundtrack - mine is factory original. Calypso red was a popular colour with the E31 and yours looks immaculate. All the best, SS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pkgb@xtra.co.nz 0 Report post Posted March 15, 2013 (edited) I'm thinking of going with a pair of XForce Varex mufflers. Does anyone have any experience with them? Seems like they are very good quality and a great idea. Quiet when you need it, and full volume when you want it at the push of a button! Need to check the legality first. Edited March 15, 2013 by pkgb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted March 15, 2013 (edited) Just so you know exhausts that can be changed like that are illegal. The car won't pass a warrant with it. (As far as I'm aware) EDIT: Noticed you mentioned checking. Nonetheless, nice car! Edited March 15, 2013 by Tristan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted March 15, 2013 Correction, adjustable mufflers are ok ONLY if the dB rating stays within limits even on the loudest setting. Those varex mufflers are a gimmick, I have a friend in Australia who had some experience with them, fairly generic quality and the mechanism is bound to fail with such a design after a few years max - they should have used reliable vacuum actuators. They aren't cheap either. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted March 15, 2013 Correction, adjustable mufflers are ok ONLY if the dB rating stays within limits even on the loudest setting. Thanks for that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2122 Report post Posted March 16, 2013 There must a legal solution for those variable mufflers? 96dB which i think is the legal limit is still reasonably loud. I think the only time you can go over that is if its louder that from the factory, but how many wif officers would know how loud a v12 is. But mine is swapped so that doesnt apply probably Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeveus 81 Report post Posted April 29, 2013 Dunno about them being illegal as previously mentioned, my GTS Commodore had it factory (bi-modal) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted April 29, 2013 Dunno about them being illegal as previously mentioned, my GTS Commodore had it factory (bi-modal)They are completely legal as long as the loudest setting stays under the dB limit for the engine specification. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2373 Report post Posted May 4, 2013 Has the rule changed? i was under the impression they were illegal if they could be adjusted on the fly from the cabin. Couple of mates got around it by having it ECU controlled when they went to Link ECUs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Murray 0 Report post Posted July 22, 2013 Beautiful car. Very jealous. Not a huge fan of the wheels though but hey, I wouldn't care if I owned and 850!Agree, beautiful car but please change those wheels !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
