Sorry, another exhaust question
Discussion
Hi A110 owners!
I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on ordering a new A110 base model, and I'm really undecided on whether I need the sports exhaust (sorry if this has been discussed loads already, but I couldn't really see anything in previous threads that helped).
Is there anyone who hasn't gone for it, that is really happy with the standard exhaust, and are there any owners that wished that they'd have saved the money and not bothered?
Dealers only seem to have cars in with the sports exhaust, so it's not as though I can go and try one out without one.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on ordering a new A110 base model, and I'm really undecided on whether I need the sports exhaust (sorry if this has been discussed loads already, but I couldn't really see anything in previous threads that helped).
Is there anyone who hasn't gone for it, that is really happy with the standard exhaust, and are there any owners that wished that they'd have saved the money and not bothered?
Dealers only seem to have cars in with the sports exhaust, so it's not as though I can go and try one out without one.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Me. My Alpine has the standard exhaust and I'm quite happy with it. In normal mode it is quiet and unobtrusive, whilst still providing some noise in the cabin when moving up the rev range. Good for early morning starts and disappointing small boys (ooh err) at car meets.
In sport/track it is audible in the cabin all the way through the rev range and provides many a pop pop when changing down (either auto or manual) if that's your thing.
I test drove a car with the sports exhaust and commented to the dealer that it was too loud for me, being 65 and retired rather than in my 30s when I would have loved it.
My car was built late '22, registered Jan '23 so presumably has the GPF.
In sport/track it is audible in the cabin all the way through the rev range and provides many a pop pop when changing down (either auto or manual) if that's your thing.
I test drove a car with the sports exhaust and commented to the dealer that it was too loud for me, being 65 and retired rather than in my 30s when I would have loved it.
My car was built late '22, registered Jan '23 so presumably has the GPF.
If you're near me (GU24 or GU16 postcode) I can take you out for a ride in my MY22 standard exhaust car.
I would say if you think you might want one then you should get one, because the standard exhaust is really very quiet. Perfect for traversing Europe at autobahn speed, but if you want to enjoy some B roads to their full potential, being able to hear what the engine is doing gives important clues as to what the rear tyres are doing, and are about to do.
Also, I should point out that most of the aftermarket offerings are based on the assumption that you are upgrading from the OE sports exhaust, which has the valve control motor.
I would say if you think you might want one then you should get one, because the standard exhaust is really very quiet. Perfect for traversing Europe at autobahn speed, but if you want to enjoy some B roads to their full potential, being able to hear what the engine is doing gives important clues as to what the rear tyres are doing, and are about to do.
Also, I should point out that most of the aftermarket offerings are based on the assumption that you are upgrading from the OE sports exhaust, which has the valve control motor.
timbo999 said:
Me. My Alpine has the standard exhaust and I'm quite happy with it. In normal mode it is quiet and unobtrusive, whilst still providing some noise in the cabin when moving up the rev range. Good for early morning starts and disappointing small boys (ooh err) at car meets.
In sport/track it is audible in the cabin all the way through the rev range and provides many a pop pop when changing down (either auto or manual) if that's your thing.
I test drove a car with the sports exhaust and commented to the dealer that it was too loud for me, being 65 and retired rather than in my 30s when I would have loved it.
My car was built late '22, registered Jan '23 so presumably has the GPF.
Thanks that's really useful, being audible in the cabin in sport/track is what I'm after - I've got a Milltek aftermarket exhaust on my current car, but this was to replace the awful augmented sound that I turned off, but then made the car sound pretty dull without (but it's very loud on a cold start).In sport/track it is audible in the cabin all the way through the rev range and provides many a pop pop when changing down (either auto or manual) if that's your thing.
I test drove a car with the sports exhaust and commented to the dealer that it was too loud for me, being 65 and retired rather than in my 30s when I would have loved it.
My car was built late '22, registered Jan '23 so presumably has the GPF.
I don't want to spend over £1k on an exhaust that I don't really need, so I'm edging towards not getting it.
tony993 said:
If you're near me (GU24 or GU16 postcode) I can take you out for a ride in my MY22 standard exhaust car.
I would say if you think you might want one then you should get one, because the standard exhaust is really very quiet. Perfect for traversing Europe at autobahn speed, but if you want to enjoy some B roads to their full potential, being able to hear what the engine is doing gives important clues as to what the rear tyres are doing, and are about to do.
Also, I should point out that most of the aftermarket offerings are based on the assumption that you are upgrading from the OE sports exhaust, which has the valve control motor.
That's really kind of you, but I'm in the Midlands so it's a bit far I think. I do want to hear something on B roads, but what puts me off the sports exhaust is all the pops and bangs it seems to consistantly make in sports mode.I would say if you think you might want one then you should get one, because the standard exhaust is really very quiet. Perfect for traversing Europe at autobahn speed, but if you want to enjoy some B roads to their full potential, being able to hear what the engine is doing gives important clues as to what the rear tyres are doing, and are about to do.
Also, I should point out that most of the aftermarket offerings are based on the assumption that you are upgrading from the OE sports exhaust, which has the valve control motor.
It still makes all those stupid noises if you have the normal exhaust & you use sports mode. It's one of several reasons I don't use sports mode.
Life110 can "reduce" these noises - that's quoting their website, so presumably they don't completely get rid of them or they'd say so. This costs £360, or only another £60 if you're already buying the £840 remap.
Life110 can "reduce" these noises - that's quoting their website, so presumably they don't completely get rid of them or they'd say so. This costs £360, or only another £60 if you're already buying the £840 remap.
I also have a 2022 A110 with standard exhaust and I'm happy with. It doesn't make any pops and bangs on normal mode but on the sport mode there are some whooshing sounds during heavy acceleration and some quite mild pops and bangs when lifting the gas pedal. To me the sounds are good.
I recently bought a 2021 Megane RS 280 which has the same engine as A110 and it does make quite loud pops and bangs on some scenarios which I find a bit over the top. I prefer the sounds on my Alpine better than on my Megane
However, I also have to say that I can't really compare Alpine standard and sports exhausts since I don't have any experience on the sports exhaust and don't know how that sounds.
I recently bought a 2021 Megane RS 280 which has the same engine as A110 and it does make quite loud pops and bangs on some scenarios which I find a bit over the top. I prefer the sounds on my Alpine better than on my Megane
However, I also have to say that I can't really compare Alpine standard and sports exhausts since I don't have any experience on the sports exhaust and don't know how that sounds.
Portti said:
I also have a 2022 A110 with standard exhaust and I'm happy with. It doesn't make any pops and bangs on normal mode but on the sport mode there are some whooshing sounds during heavy acceleration and some quite mild pops and bangs when lifting the gas pedal. To me the sounds are good.
I recently bought a 2021 Megane RS 280 which has the same engine as A110 and it does make quite loud pops and bangs on some scenarios which I find a bit over the top. I prefer the sounds on my Alpine better than on my Megane
However, I also have to say that I can't really compare Alpine standard and sports exhausts since I don't have any experience on the sports exhaust and don't know how that sounds.
Thanks, more useful info to hear.I recently bought a 2021 Megane RS 280 which has the same engine as A110 and it does make quite loud pops and bangs on some scenarios which I find a bit over the top. I prefer the sounds on my Alpine better than on my Megane
However, I also have to say that I can't really compare Alpine standard and sports exhausts since I don't have any experience on the sports exhaust and don't know how that sounds.
It’s also nice to see that A110 owners are a friendly bunch by the sound of it. I’ll try not to ask too many annoying questions!
I have a 2024 car very deliberately specified without the sports exhaust. It was a bit of a shot in the dark having only test driven cars with the sports exhaust but I thought they were a little over the top and I'm happy with my decision.
I like to drive it in sport mode almost exclusively for the throttle response (much less travel to power) and steering weight and that's fine. At normal revs you can hear a very gentle soundtrack in the cabin and outside but nothing intrusive and you won't hear it if you have music on. When I'm pushing along a road in lower gears and higher revs then the audio drama's there, exactly when I want it to be. But I do tend to turn the music off and concentrate when doing that.
In summary then:
If you plan to put it in sport only when you're pushing and/or if you want the engine soundtrack to be able to rise above loud music playback then I'd get the sports exhaust.
If you want it in sport and responding to your inputs like a sports car 100% of the time even when you're driving "normally", don't want to sound like a t
t when you burn down the high street or floor it at traffic lights in town, and are happy to turn off or lower your music when pushing on a B road, then I think the standard exhaust will suit you just fine.
PS: I should add that it's my only car and effectively my mixed-use daily. If you only plan to get it out of the garage to have fun with at weekends, that may well put the thumb on the scales the other way.
I like to drive it in sport mode almost exclusively for the throttle response (much less travel to power) and steering weight and that's fine. At normal revs you can hear a very gentle soundtrack in the cabin and outside but nothing intrusive and you won't hear it if you have music on. When I'm pushing along a road in lower gears and higher revs then the audio drama's there, exactly when I want it to be. But I do tend to turn the music off and concentrate when doing that.
In summary then:
If you plan to put it in sport only when you're pushing and/or if you want the engine soundtrack to be able to rise above loud music playback then I'd get the sports exhaust.
If you want it in sport and responding to your inputs like a sports car 100% of the time even when you're driving "normally", don't want to sound like a t
t when you burn down the high street or floor it at traffic lights in town, and are happy to turn off or lower your music when pushing on a B road, then I think the standard exhaust will suit you just fine. PS: I should add that it's my only car and effectively my mixed-use daily. If you only plan to get it out of the garage to have fun with at weekends, that may well put the thumb on the scales the other way.
Edited by pining on Thursday 24th October 19:27
pining said:
I have a 2024 car very deliberately specified without the sports exhaust. It was a bit of a shot in the dark having only test driven cars with the sports exhaust but I thought they were a little over the top and I'm happy with my decision.
I like to drive it in sport mode almost exclusively for the throttle response (much less travel to power) and steering weight and that's fine. At normal revs you can hear a very gentle soundtrack in the cabin and outside but nothing intrusive and you won't hear it if you have music on. When I'm pushing along a road in lower gears and higher revs then the audio drama's there, exactly when I want it to be. But I do tend to turn the music off and concentrate when doing that.
In summary then:
If you plan to put it in sport only when you're pushing and/or if you want the engine soundtrack to be able to rise above loud music playback then I'd get the sports exhaust.
If you want it in sport and responding to your inputs like a sports car 100% of the time even when you're driving "normally", don't want to sound like a tt when you burn down the high street or floor it at traffic lights in town, and are happy to turn off or lower your music when pushing on a B road, then I think the standard exhaust will suit you just fine.
PS: I should add that it's my only car and effectively my mixed-use daily. If you only plan to get it out of the garage to have fun with at weekends, that may well put the thumb on the scales the other way.
More very useful advice, thank you.I like to drive it in sport mode almost exclusively for the throttle response (much less travel to power) and steering weight and that's fine. At normal revs you can hear a very gentle soundtrack in the cabin and outside but nothing intrusive and you won't hear it if you have music on. When I'm pushing along a road in lower gears and higher revs then the audio drama's there, exactly when I want it to be. But I do tend to turn the music off and concentrate when doing that.
In summary then:
If you plan to put it in sport only when you're pushing and/or if you want the engine soundtrack to be able to rise above loud music playback then I'd get the sports exhaust.
If you want it in sport and responding to your inputs like a sports car 100% of the time even when you're driving "normally", don't want to sound like a t
t when you burn down the high street or floor it at traffic lights in town, and are happy to turn off or lower your music when pushing on a B road, then I think the standard exhaust will suit you just fine. PS: I should add that it's my only car and effectively my mixed-use daily. If you only plan to get it out of the garage to have fun with at weekends, that may well put the thumb on the scales the other way.
Edited by pining on Thursday 24th October 19:27
It will be my daily as well, rather than a weekend only car, so it sounds like sticking with the standard exhaust would be the way to go for me. Now need to stop myself adding other options that’ll add up to nearly the cost of the sports exhaust…
neon_fox said:
I find all these questions exhausting!
Okay, seriously, whereabouts in the Midlands?
I'm in market Harborough and have a car with the factory sports exhaust, and find it quite restrained. Your welcome to come out for a run if you want to try it.
I’m Coventry so not too far at all. It’d be really appreciated as I think that’d really help me make my mind up.Okay, seriously, whereabouts in the Midlands?
I'm in market Harborough and have a car with the factory sports exhaust, and find it quite restrained. Your welcome to come out for a run if you want to try it.
I’m not sure how you send a private message in here, so if you work it out drop me a line if you don’t mind.
Thanks
I have a standard exhaust, deliberate choice when spec' ing my 2021 model. It does sound very different from all the video reviews that almost always have cars with the sports exhaust. Nowhere near as much sucking and gurgling in the cabin thanks to the lack of the sound pipe, and much less noise outside, including the pops. Entertaining on a test drive and for a short time I'm sure.
On one level I can understand why people prefer the theatre of the noises. For me, who uses it for road trips and typically much longer journeys, the standard exhaust makes for a very civilised car on longer trips. But in sports mode it does layer in some subtle exhaust burble and pops. I'd describe them as being perhaps more authentic as you have to be pushing on to make it happen and there's reward in that.
I'm not a fan at all of the pop pop pop pop every time you back off the throttle crawling through the town centre at 30mph. Just sounds stupid. The car doing it in sports mode when trail braking through a corner at higher speed when on a spirited drive however is very enjoyable.
I don't regret my choice.
On one level I can understand why people prefer the theatre of the noises. For me, who uses it for road trips and typically much longer journeys, the standard exhaust makes for a very civilised car on longer trips. But in sports mode it does layer in some subtle exhaust burble and pops. I'd describe them as being perhaps more authentic as you have to be pushing on to make it happen and there's reward in that.
I'm not a fan at all of the pop pop pop pop every time you back off the throttle crawling through the town centre at 30mph. Just sounds stupid. The car doing it in sports mode when trail braking through a corner at higher speed when on a spirited drive however is very enjoyable.
I don't regret my choice.
carbonate said:
More very useful advice, thank you.
It will be my daily as well, rather than a weekend only car, so it sounds like sticking with the standard exhaust would be the way to go for me. Now need to stop myself adding other options that’ll add up to nearly the cost of the sports exhaust…
What options are you adding??? Really, the base car has everything you'd want. As I understand, the bigger brakes and 18 inch wheels are now standard on all models. Paint is subjective but none looks so great to me they are worth £4k +. It will be my daily as well, rather than a weekend only car, so it sounds like sticking with the standard exhaust would be the way to go for me. Now need to stop myself adding other options that’ll add up to nearly the cost of the sports exhaust…
I added reversing sensors (no camera) and the Focal upgrade which I think is well worth it. Badge on the wings is a nice touch and the telemetry is a bit of fun although doesn't add much practically day to day other than if you like monitoring water and oil temps. Thats pretty much all I added. I don't find mine lacking in anything.
I have the rear camera, which is a godsend reversing into my garage where a large cabinet divides the storage area from the space the car occupies.
Standard exhaust specified here too as I simply didn’t like the idea of effectively artificial noises from the exhaust. I’m very happy with my choice.
Some of the other options I went for are differently packaged now, but I think you still have to pay for aluminium pedals, electrochrome rear view mirror, Alpine logos, Telemetrics and the Focal upgrade; all of which I’m glad to have paid for.
Oh, and mine is Fire Orange - you have to have the car in the colour you want!
Standard exhaust specified here too as I simply didn’t like the idea of effectively artificial noises from the exhaust. I’m very happy with my choice.
Some of the other options I went for are differently packaged now, but I think you still have to pay for aluminium pedals, electrochrome rear view mirror, Alpine logos, Telemetrics and the Focal upgrade; all of which I’m glad to have paid for.
Oh, and mine is Fire Orange - you have to have the car in the colour you want!
carbonate said:
Is there anyone who hasn't gone for it, that is really happy with the standard exhaust, and are there any owners that wished that they'd have saved the money and not bothered?
Not sure what I'm adding as I don't fall into either category - I went for it and love it.It's been hinted at but just to labour the points:
- Sports exhaust option comes with interior sound pipe, which relays intake gurgle/roar to the cabin
- At a cruise the sound pipe makes no noise
- You can buy the sound pipe parts to retrofit
- Neither sports nor standard exhaust make any pops or bangs in normal mode
Hopefully you've got a good sample of valid and varied opinions. To add mine - which must be qualified as I've little to no experience of standard - I have no regrets adding it. It's barely any louder in Sports vs Normal, is never droney or oppressive, and I love the intake gurgle/roar and the pops and bangs (I would literally accept more of both
). I drive through towns in normal mode so never feel antisocial. 
Nick
Thanks everyone, all really useful.
I didn't realise the sound pipe could be retrofitted. The standard exhuast but with the sound pipe might be the perfect combination for me.
As far as the options go, I'm looking at the comfort pack to get the more adjustable seats (a must for me), which also comes with upgraded audio etc., then if not getting the sports exhaust then I might treat myself to the painted brake calipers.
I didn't realise the sound pipe could be retrofitted. The standard exhuast but with the sound pipe might be the perfect combination for me.
As far as the options go, I'm looking at the comfort pack to get the more adjustable seats (a must for me), which also comes with upgraded audio etc., then if not getting the sports exhaust then I might treat myself to the painted brake calipers.
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