For many enthusiasts, sound is a critical part of the automotive experience. Some of the best-sounding cars actually have a musical quality to their delivery of noise. These days, top-tier sonic excellence rarely happens with a factory exhaust, however. Flat and underwhelming engine notes are even possible on high-performance cars like the BMW M3, particularly in the previous F80 generation. As a result, it’s also common to find artificial engine sounds coming from your interior speakers as a proposed substitute.
Due to a variety of factors and regulations that automakers must now satisfy, stock exhausts are often muted by nature. Even if they flow well, many are simply too quiet to be heard inside the cabin. Thankfully, companies like Supersprint have smart solutions to unlock more of the engine music. One of the firm’s latest product releases is for the new G80/G82-chassis BMW M3 and M4.
Continuous improvement on the turbocharged BMW M3 and M4
Since 2014, the BMW M3 and M4 have been equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine. With the latest S58 powerplant in the G80/G82 chassis, factory exhaust sound is noticeably improved over the version fitted to previous S55 motors. For many buyers, it will be just fine in stock form. But for those who would like to hear a bit more of the engine’s voice, modifications to the exhaust system will be necessary.
Swapping to an aftermarket cat-back or axle-back system is nothing new, and certainly an option. However, the M3 and M4 have a variable valved muffler setup that many drivers would like to retain. For street-driven cars, OEM catalytic converters must also remain intact to satisfy emissions requirements. Working around these issues, Supersprint has an interesting set of solutions.
Supersprint H-pipe exhaust mid-section for the BMW M3 and M4
It is possible to improve the sound on your G-chassis BMW M3 or M4 while leaving the OEM catalytic converters and mufflers in place. Supersprint claims that its H-pipe mid-sections do just that, since they are designed to bolt up to the pipes containing the primary and secondary cats. They are also compatible with either the standard BMW muffler or the M Performance option.
Included in the video is a comparison with an alternate setup that is a bit more raw: Supersprint’s J-pipe. However, it’s worth noting that configuration appears to delete the secondary catalytic converters, which may compromise emissions legality. As with any modification, it’s worth the time to research your local laws to see what is required for a street car.
Supersprint history
Based in Italy, Supersprint has been making exhaust systems since 1955. The firm has a long history of working with BMW cars, and produces exhausts for many German tuning companies. According to the firm, all Supersprint products meet or exceed Germany’s TÜV standards for quality. Piping, mufflers and racing headers are produced in-house, generally with 304 stainless steel, but sometimes using Inconel or 310S alloys.
Final thoughts
For anyone looking to upgrade the sound quality of their European vehicle, and especially BMW M3 or M4, Supersprint is an option to consider. The company’s focus on overall quality shines through in the innovative solution for BMW’s latest sport sedans and coupes. Sometimes just a small change is all that’s necessary to achieve better exhaust sound, while leaving many of the OEM components in place.
