I think from the beginning I wanted to order the MTM downpipes and catback. Performance was at the top of my list but I did not want very LOUD exhaust. I called Alex @ Europrice and after discussing the total including delivery, customs and fees it was going to be around $8000. I just couldn't justify spending that much on an exhaust. At that point I decided that even if I was worried about the JHM exhaust being too loud it was worth me at least giving it a shot since it was less than half the cost of the MTM and much easier to get in the US. Most of the reviews said if you go with the resonated catted set-up it is pretty "mild". This is the video which really sold me on pulling the trigger for the JHM...
I placed the order for the JHM Resonated Cat-back and Downpipes with High Flow Cats. I have always heard really great things about JHM customer service and got to experience it first hand during this transaction. The exhaust was completed in just 2 weeks from when I placed the order. JHM called me before shipping it out to make me aware that it may not be a direct fit on the cab and gave me the option to cancel the order. After speaking to my tech Rick ("your daddy") he said he would make it work and go ahead with the order. A week later I dropped it off at Auto Engineering for Rick to complete the install. He was able to make everything fit by using washers as spacers and trimming some of the exhaust shield. BIG SHOUT OUT to Rick for your attention to detail and your quality work. My first impression on start-up was "DAMN this is really LOUD" It was raining the night I picked it up and I remember driving home with my window down just so I could get the full effect. Downshifts made me giggle like a little kid and when you are at full throttle WOW.. the thing just sounded so mean. The power bump from the 2.75" downpipes was very noticeable and the car just pulled with so much more ease. I REALLY loved it but at the same time had some concerns. The first thing that drove me crazy was the tips were not flush with the bumper. This is not an issue for sedan owners as those bumpers are straight but on the cab the rear bumper is curved which causes the end the tips to stick out 1-2 inches. My second issue was that as amazing as it sounded, the drone between 1800-2100 RPMs is especially annoying. It is also very difficult to stay under the radar. In a quiet neighborhood like mine whenever I was coming or going you could hear it before I even turned onto our street . The first thing my wife said to me was "I heard this loud car and I was hoping that wasn't you and your new exhaust!" I even tried keeping the RPMs low but it is still really loud under 2500RPMs. 4rings-rs4 once said "The tone changes around 2500 RPMs and it gets quieter". At the time it didn't make much sense to me but now I know get exactly what he was talking about. I decided to put about 1000 miles on it to figure out whether my love for the exhaust would outweigh the things I hated. Whenever I wasn't in residential areas I loved it and the noise grew on me. It is perfect for when you are in one of those moods where you just want to open it and and let people know whats up. The problem is I am not in that mood all the time and sometimes I am just looking to cruise under the radar. The JHM just made such sweet sounds I was willing to deal with the drone and significantly increased noise level but the tips coming out too far just bothered me too much. Just my OCD I guess. "Swiss Bluemoon" and "JoeyManhattan" both posted really good videos of the MTM exhaust but this one that really sold me on it...
I contacted Alex at Europrice once again and explained how I had went with the full JHM exhaust and decided that it was not for me. The price would be much lower now that I wouldn't need downpipes as the JHM downpipes were already installed. The only real benefit of the MTM downpipes was the 100 cell cats which is not drastic enough to warrant a switch. I placed my order on December 21st but knew that wait time would be a longer because MTM takes Holiday Break from the Dec 23-Jan 8 (Must be Nice!) Alex from Europrice was awesome!! He was so quick about getting back to me whenever I PM'd him. I think we had over 30 PM correspondence about the exhaust, the process and the price. BIG SHOUT out to Alex for being so thorough, professional and dealing with all my questions/concerns. We are very fortunate to have him in this community allowing us to get great products that are not easily accessible in the US. It was a long wait but after holiday break, build time, shipping and customs clearance I picked up my exhaust almost two months after placing the order. I dropped it off to be installed the next week and according to Rick even though he had to make some modifications to get the JHM to fit he said the MTM was much more difficult to get straight and he spent a lot of extra time trying to get it right. I love how he is a perfectionist that way. It's funny that going from the JHM exhaust to MTM exhaust my initial reaction was "DAMN.. this thing is almost TOO QUIET!" I originally had Rick install it with the valves hooked up but that didn't last more than 40 miles. As soon as I got home from the shop I plugged the vacuum lines and went for another ride. MUCH MUCH better. There is no Drone at all. It is definitely deeper than stock but even when you get higher in the RPM band it stays pretty quiet. The tips fit perfectly and are nice and flush with the rear bumper. I was worried that I would miss out on the benefits of the X-pipe on the JHM but there is no noticeable difference in performance maybe just a little easier to blip the throttle on downshifts with the JHM. I did not want to write this review until I had 1000 miles of seat time with the MTM exhaust and I am very happy with my decision. Was it worth the money? At first I did not think so but after driving it over the past few weeks it just keeps getting better. I would say it is much more exotic sounding than the JHM and to me it fits the character of the car better (Personal opinion of course). The JHM has more of an american muscle car sound which is not to say that is bad just not as "refined". Do I miss the JHM? Sometimes... In those times where I want to be heard there was nothing better. In a perfect world I wish I could have the MTM for cruising, residential driving and around law enforcement and then flick a switch to have the JHM for those times I want to be heard!!!
I will apologize in advance but I won't be posting any videos of the MTM exhaust partly because I do not have the proper equipment to provide a quality clip and truthfully a video will not do it justice. I listened to numerous videos of the MTM exhaust and it just sounds so much better in person. I am willing to meet up with anyone who lives locally so you can hear it for yourself. I started this thread for anyone who may be trying to decide between these two exhausts and I tried to be as objective as possible but at the end of the day it comes down to your own personal preference. My advice to anyone thinking about purchasing an exhaust whether it be MTM, JHM or any of the other options is try to meet up with someone who currently has one so you can hear it in person. You should listen to it inside the car as well as outside under a variety of different driving dynamics. Sorry for the length of this post. I just wanted to make sure I covered everything. On to the pics...
JHM
MTM
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Originally Posted by your daddy
makes me miss the old RS4 days.....
Mugello Blue with Ebony interior, CF trim, Prem. Pkg
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