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BMW 320i / 330i GT F34: a voice for the Gran Turismo, the exhaust system guide

11 min read

BMW 320i / 330i GT F34: a voice for the Gran Turismo, the exhaust system guide

The 3 Series GT F34 was designed for travel: a longer wheelbase, a large tailgate and a generous cabin. In both the 320i and the 330i, it relies on a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, first the N20 then the B48, efficient and frugal. Its factory exhaust was tuned to erase it completely. The following pages help you put together a ROG exhaust that gives this Gran Turismo some character without sacrificing its touring comfort.

Written by ROG Motorsport · Updated

ROG valved exhaust system for BMW 320i / 330i GT F34

Your ROG exhaust for BMW 320i / 330i GT F34

From €2,190 in stainless steel, €2,690 in titanium

Configure my exhaust
Vehicles
BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 2.0T
Engine
N20 / B48 · 184 to 252 hp · 270 to 350 Nm, depending on the version
Exhaust
Valved cat-back, built for your VIN
Material
304 stainless steel or titanium
Front section
Optional: catted downpipe with 200 or 100 cells, or decat
Valves
ROG remote, or factory control if your vehicle has it
Lead time
20 working days from order confirmation to delivery
Warranty
3 years, parts and workmanship

Closely related versions have their own guide: BMW 335i GT F34 3.0T, BMW 320i / 328i N20 F30 2.0T, BMW 320i G20 2.0T.

N20 and B48: the turbocharged four-cylinders that power the 3 Series GT

The 3 Series GT F34 has had two generations of 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinders. The N20 powers the early versions; the B48, from BMW's modular engine family, succeeds it. On the 320i, the N20 produces 184 hp and 270 Nm; the more powerful 330i uses the B48. In both cases, torque arrives early and gives this large car easy acceleration, without needing to rev high.

A turbocharged four-cylinder lacks the natural sound of a six, and the F34's factory exhaust does not help: it aims for absolute silence. The ROG valved exhaust replaces it and gives the engine a more assertive tone whenever you want. With the valves closed, the GT keeps its touring comfort; with them open, it gains a sound presence that makes driving more lively. The mechanicals, for their part, are left untouched.

What makes up the exhaust on your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34

An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what ROG replaces.

How the exhaust system is laid out From left to right: the engine, the front section, then the ROG cat-back with its valved silencer and tips.Front sectionROG cat-back: the complete exhaustN20
Valves closed: the silencer does its work and the sound stays discreet.Valves open: the direct path opens up and the engine finds its full voice.Schematic only; the actual routing depends on the vehicle.

The cat-back is the complete exhaust system

It is everything you can see under your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, from the outlet of the front section to the tips: pipes, silencer, valves. This is the part where most of our research and development goes: it is what shapes the sound, and it is enough on its own to transform the car.

The front section, where the catalytic converter sits

On your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, it is the downpipe, the pipe leading from the turbo. It contains the factory catalytic converter: the second restriction in the exhaust, after the silencer. Replacing it is optional: it frees up the flow, and it is the ECU remap that turns that into horsepower.

Your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 in figures

An exhaust system is judged first by ear and on the scales. The extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap.

Power

Factory184 to 252 hp
Stage 2310 hp

Torque

Factory270 to 350 Nm
Stage 2480 Nm

Published factory and Stage 2 figures. Factory figures vary by version; Stage 2 figures published for the 252 hp version.

The ROG exhaust works with or without an ECU remap. To get the full potential out of your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, we advise taking it to an approved tuning centre afterwards.

On a turbocharged four-cylinder of this generation, the factory calibration leaves real headroom, which a Stage 2 ECU remap sets out to exploit. The result varies with the engine, N20 or B48, and with the condition of the car. The ROG exhaust complements this work by making a livelier engine audible.

Configuring your exhaust, step by step

4 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.

  1. Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium

    For your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, the exhaust costs €2,190 in stainless steel and €2,690 in titanium.

    304 stainless steel

    2 190 €

    Weight
    Baseline
    Sound
    Full and rounded

    The safe bet: strong, corrosion-proof, with a full, rounded sound. The best value for money.

    Titanium

    2 690 €

    Weight
    Around 40% lighter
    Sound
    Metallic, crystal-clear

    It makes the exhaust around 40% lighter for the same design. Its note is more metallic and clearer higher up the rev range, and its finish ranges from brushed to blued.

    No worries on durability: 304 stainless steel shrugs off winter road salt and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.

  2. Step 2 of 4: Front section: downpipe and catalytic converter

    Optional: the downpipe on your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, with its catalytic converter. Each option is placed on our sound scale of 0 to 10, valves open, with the factory exhaust at 3.

    Cat-back only

    Included

    7/10

    Factory emissions control

    The factory front section stays in place. It is already a complete transformation, and the choice of many of our customers.

    200-cell sports catalytic converter

    +530 €

    8/10

    Road use and French MOT

    More flow, emissions control retained: the right option for road use.

    100-cell sports catalytic converter

    +530 €

    9/10

    French MOT pass not guaranteed

    More open than the 200-cell: the sound hardens at high revs and emissions control is reduced.

    Decat

    +330 €

    10/10

    Track use only

    Flow with no filter at all: the rawest sound and the sharpest response.

    Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10

    1. 10/10Decat downpipe + ROG cat-back
    2. 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
    3. 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + ROG cat-back
    4. 7/10ROG cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
    5. 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison

    Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.

    What about the engine warning light? With a sports catalytic converter it can come on, because the rear oxygen sensor reads less cleaning. Nothing mechanical is wrong: an ECU remap or a session with a diagnostic tool sorts it out. Without a catalytic converter, you will need an ECU remap. If it happens to you, call us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing the French MOT with a sports exhaust.

  3. Step 3 of 4: Valves: ROG remote or factory control

    Two ways to control the valves on your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34.

    ROG remote

    ROG remote for opening and closing the valves

    A discreet control unit in the boot and a two-button remote: you open and close whenever you like, independently of the drive modes. For fitting, we support you by phone or by email.

    Factory control

    • Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
    • Controlled by the drive modes

    For vehicles fitted with factory valves: the exhaust connects to their control and the drive modes stay in charge, with no extra control unit.

    At 130 km/h, many sports exhausts drone. Here, with the valves closed, the exhaust flows through the silencer and stays composed when cruising; open, it makes itself heard when you choose. More about exhaust drone.

  4. Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature

    Match the tips to the style of your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.

    • Stainless steel
    • Black
    • Carbon
    • Blued titanium
    • M Performance style carbon
    Exhaust tips for BMW 320i / 330i GT F34

The ROG sound signature on the 3 Series GT F34

The turbocharged four-cylinder has a crisp, fairly deep voice at idle, which becomes raspier under acceleration. On the F34, the factory exhaust erases almost everything: on board, you mainly hear the intake rush and tyre noise.

With the valves open, the ROG exhaust brings out a fuller rumble at start-up and a candid note when you accelerate, finally giving the car some character. With the valves closed, the Gran Turismo stays true to its purpose: miles covered with the family, in peace and quiet.

Valves open and valves closed: the gas path through the ROG silencer
Valves open, valves closed: the path the gases take through the silencer.

From order to fitting

  1. Configuration

    You configure the exhaust and enter the VIN from box E of your registration certificate.

  2. Check

    Your VIN is checked before any manufacturing begins.

  3. Manufacturing

    The exhaust is produced to order, for your vehicle.

  4. Delivery

    Free in Europe, insured parcel, tracking number from dispatch.

  5. Fitting

    Around two hours in the workshop, with no welding or cutting.

20 working days from order confirmation to delivery

Warranty
3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of delivery
Payment
In instalments with Klarna
Installation
At the garage of your choice

Is your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 still under the manufacturer's warranty? In Europe, the manufacturer cannot refuse cover simply because a part from another brand has been fitted: it is up to the manufacturer to prove that the fault comes from that part. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.

Our recommendations for your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34

  • Daily driving

    2 190 €

    • Stainless
    • Cat-back only
    • ROG remote

    Your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves whenever you decide.

    View this configuration
  • Fast road

    3 220 €

    • Titanium
    • 200-cell downpipe
    • ECU remap

    The best of both worlds: character and breathing, with emissions control retained.

    View this configuration
  • Track

    3 020 €

    • Titanium
    • Decat downpipe
    • Stage 2

    The most extreme configuration, for track use only.

    View this configuration

Every BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 has its own story and its own use: if none of these profiles sounds like you, let's talk.

BMW 320i / 330i GT F34: your questions

How much power does an exhaust add on the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34?

As standard, the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 produces 184 to 252 hp and 270 to 350 Nm, depending on the version. The exhaust alone acts first on sound, breathing and weight; the extra horsepower comes from an ECU remap. With a Stage 2 build, the published figures for the 252 hp version reach 310 hp and 480 Nm.

Stainless steel or titanium: which material for the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34?

For the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34, the ROG exhaust costs €2,190 in stainless steel and €2,690 in titanium. Stainless steel is the safe bet, with a full sound; titanium makes the exhaust around 40% lighter and gives a more metallic note higher up the rev range.

Do you need to replace the catalytic converter on the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34?

It is not compulsory. The cat-back alone is enough to change the character of the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34. Replacing the downpipe is how you go further, together with an ECU remap: 200 cells for the road, 100 cells or decat for more radical use.

Can the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 pass the French MOT with a ROG exhaust?

The cat-back only and the 200-cell converter both retain emissions control: present the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34 with the valves closed. With the 100-cell converter, a pass is no longer guaranteed; the decat fails the emissions test.

How is the ROG exhaust fitted on the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34?

With clamps and gaskets, no welding or cutting: around two hours in the workshop for a well-equipped mechanic. The exhaust is built to the VIN of your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34.

What price and lead time for a ROG exhaust on the BMW 320i / 330i GT F34?

From €2,190 to €3,220 depending on the configuration. Allow 20 working days from order confirmation to delivery. Delivery is free and the exhaust comes with a 3-year warranty.

Unsure about your configuration? Give us a call.

Stainless steel or titanium, cat-back only or the complete system: the right choice depends on how you drive and on your BMW 320i / 330i GT F34. We take the time to talk it through before you order, with a reply within 24 hours. We are not here to sell to you over the phone: we help you choose, even if that means a cheaper option because it suits the way you drive.

ROG is a French brand, and the way we work comes down to one idea: an exhaust system should be sold with advice, not just a product page. More than 500 exhaust systems fitted and a rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Further reading