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Pick Your Favorite Exhaust for the BMW M4: Hamann vs Akrapovic vs Stock

The debate regarding whether the exhaust sound of the new M3 and M4 models is worthy of the M badge is still pretty heated. Most of the naysayers claim that there’s simply too much synthesized sound being pushed into the cabin while the other camp uses videos like the one below to prove their point.
m4 vs akrapovic model vs hamann 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
It’s true, the new M3 and M4 models use BMW’s Active Sound Design that ‘emphasizes’ the sound the S55 engine makes, playing it through the car’s speakers inside the cabin. However, that’s a move more and more companies make these days.

That’s not an excuse, but there are logical arguments behind such decisions. First of all, the modularity of the car is improved. While you’re traveling on your holiday, you might want your car to be silent instead of a gruff monster. At the same time, on the track, you want to hear your engine so that you can control your car better.

That duality is hard to achieve, and that’s why more and more companies are using such artificial tricks to meet their customers’ demands. However, for those wanting for a bit more madness, there are solutions out there, namely aftermarket exhaust. But what to choose?

Shmee got three cars together to see which one sound best. In this test, he used a stock car, one fitted with the uber-expensive Akrapovic exhaust and one from Hamann featuring their complete exhaust.

The result is closer than you might imagine. We couldn’t believe how similar the three were and had to admit that some acceleration shots would’ve been more helpful. In the meantime, we’ll make due with what’s on hand here. Enjoy and let us know which one sounds best according to you!

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