Next Level Performance
August 11, 2026 • 11 min read
Our Verdict
For the 717-hp S68 hybrid V8, the Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium cat-back is the definitive statement piece — it strips roughly 43 lb and unlocks the loudest, most exotic note money can buy for the G90.
If the Akrapovic’s price is out of reach, AWE Tuning’s Track Edition delivers most of the drama and a dyno-verified power bump for roughly a quarter of the cost, while the Touring Edition and Remus axle-back keep things civil for daily driving. Here is how all four compare on sound, weight, power, and price.
Shop Our Top Pick →The 2025 BMW M5 (G90) and its G99 Touring wagon sibling make 717 combined horsepower and 738 lb-ft from an S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V8 — yet the factory exhaust is one of the quietest an M car has ever worn. If you want your M5 to finally sound like the 5,390-lb, 190-mph super sedan it is, an aftermarket BMW M5 G90 exhaust is the single most impactful bolt-on you can buy. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, we stock four proven systems for the G90 and G99 — the Akrapovic Evolution Line, AWE Tuning’s Touring and Track Editions, and the Remus valved axle-back — and this guide compares them head-to-head on sound, weight, horsepower, and price so you can choose right the first time.
Why the 2025 BMW M5 (G90) Begs for an Exhaust
The sixth-generation M5 is a technological tour de force and, from the factory, a remarkably quiet one. The S68 4.4L twin-turbo V8 pairs with an electric motor for 717 hp and 738 lb-ft, launching the sedan to 60 mph in about 3.4 seconds. But to meet global noise and emissions rules, BMW wraps that V8 in gasoline particulate filters and oversized resonators, and generates much of the interior “M Sound” through the speakers via Active Sound Design. Tuners and owners widely report that US-spec cars have no active exhaust valve at all — so the only way to unlock a real voice is to change the hardware.
There is also the weight problem. As a plug-in hybrid carrying an ~18.6 kWh battery, the G90 sedan weighs roughly 5,390 lb and the G99 Touring about 5,530 lb — nearly 1,000 lb more than the outgoing F90 M5. A titanium exhaust is one of the few bolt-ons that meaningfully claws back mass while transforming the sound, which is why the four systems below have become the go-to first upgrade.
The G90 and G99 have quickly become regulars on our exhaust lift here in Tampa, and the request is almost always the same: make it sound like an M5 again. Every system in this guide does that — the differences come down to how loud, how light, and how much you want to spend.
Akrapovic’s Evolution Line is a full titanium cat-back for the G90/G99 M5.
BMW M5 G90 Exhaust Comparison: The Four Contenders
Here is how the four systems we stock stack up at a glance. Prices update live from our catalog; the Akrapovic is the premium halo choice, while the AWE Track Edition is the value standout. All four fit both the G90 sedan and G99 Touring.
| Kit | Coverage | Material | Character | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akrapovic Evolution LineTop Pick | Full cat-back | Titanium | Loud / race | $8,336.88 |
| Remus Axle-Back | Axle-back | Stainless (valved) | OEM-plus | $3,350.16 |
| AWE Touring Edition | Cat-back | T304 stainless | Refined, drone-free | $2,995.00 |
| AWE Track Edition | Cat-back | T304 stainless | Loudest for the money | $1,995.00 |
Akrapovic Evolution Line: The Titanium Halo
The Akrapovic Evolution Line is the no-compromise option. It is a full titanium cat-back, TIG-welded with cast titanium collectors from Akrapovic’s own foundry, and it is the lightest system here by a wide margin — roughly 43 lb (19.56 kg) removed, about 72.6% lighter than the factory exhaust. With its link pipes it also adds about 11.5 hp at 6,150 rpm. Note that it ships without tips: you choose round or hexagonal carbon-fiber tailpipes separately (see below). Run with the link pipes it removes the OPF, so it is a loud, track-focused system that may require a supporting tune.
Cast titanium collectors keep the Evolution Line light and free-flowing.
Akrapovic Evolution Line — Key Specs
What We Like
- + Lightest system here — sheds about 43 lb of mass
- + Aggressive, exotic titanium tone with the most volume
- + Adds roughly 11.5 hp with link pipes
- + Hand-built titanium with cast collectors and lifetime-grade materials
Things to Consider
- – By far the most expensive option
- – Tips are sold separately, adding to the total
- – Link-pipe configuration removes the OPF and may need a tune
AWE Tuning Touring vs Track Edition: Refined or Rowdy
AWE Tuning builds both of its G90/G99 cat-backs from US-sourced .065-inch-wall T304L stainless steel with a choice of Diamond Black or Chrome Silver tips. The difference is entirely about volume. The Touring Edition is engineered around AWE’s patented 180 Technology, which cancels the cruising-rpm frequencies that cause interior drone — it sounds great on a back road and stays comfortable on the commute. The Track Edition deletes those drone-cancelling internals for the loudest, most uncorked expression of the S68; that also makes it lighter, at 29.5 lb removed versus stock, and AWE dyno-verifies it at +11 hp and +12 lb-ft at the wheels.
AWE’s 180 Technology cancels highway drone on the Touring Edition.
The Track Edition drops the drone-cancelling internals for maximum volume.
What We Like
- + Track Edition is the value champion — loudest sound per dollar
- + Dyno-verified +11 hp / +12 lb-ft (Track) and 29.5 lb lighter
- + Touring Edition’s 180 Technology eliminates highway drone
- + Handcrafted T304L stainless with a lifetime warranty and tip color choices
Things to Consider
- – Stainless steel is heavier than the Akrapovic titanium
- – Track Edition can be loud for a daily driver
- – No published weight figure for the Touring Edition
Remus Valved Axle-Back: The OEM-Plus Choice
If a full cat-back is more than you need, the Remus axle-back is the easiest way in. It replaces only the rear mufflers with stainless-steel, absorption-principle silencers that include integrated valves — and those valves are driven by the car’s own electronics, so there is no separate controller to wire in. Because it swaps the least hardware, it is the mildest and most fitment-friendly upgrade here: a deeper, more athletic tone and sharper throttle response without excessive drone, while keeping the factory mid-pipe and cats. It even carries EC homologation.
What We Like
- + Integrated valves run off the factory electronics — no controller needed
- + Easiest install and lowest fitment risk of the group
- + Deeper tone without heavy highway drone
- + Retains factory cats and OPF; EC homologated
Things to Consider
- – Axle-back changes less than a full cat-back
- – Stainless build, so no titanium weight savings
- – Costs more than the AWE cat-backs it competes with
Don’t Forget the Tips: Akrapovic Carbon Tailpipes
The Akrapovic Evolution Line is sold without tailpipes, so you will need a tip set to finish the install. Akrapovic offers matched round or hexagonal carbon-fiber tailpipes designed specifically for the G90/G99, and they are the final visual signature on the whole system. Budget for them alongside the cat-back.
Round or hexagonal carbon tailpipes complete the Akrapovic Evolution Line.
How to Choose Your G90 M5 Exhaust
Pick the Akrapovic Evolution Line if you want the ultimate: the lightest system, the most exotic sound, and a genuine power bump, and the budget is secondary. Choose the AWE Track Edition if you want the best sound-per-dollar with dyno-proven gains and don’t mind volume. Go AWE Touring Edition if you drive long highway miles and want zero drone. And the Remus valved axle-back is the move if you want a clean, low-risk, OEM-plus upgrade that keeps everything factory-friendly. Whichever you choose, our team in Tampa can confirm fitment for your exact G90 sedan or G99 Touring before you order. Explore the full range in our exhaust collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2025 BMW M5 (G90) have active exhaust valves from the factory?
No — US-spec 2025–2026 BMW M5 (G90/G99) models do not use active exhaust flaps. BMW keeps the note in check with large fixed resonators and OPF particulate filters, and pipes a synthesized “M Sound” through the cabin speakers via Active Sound Design. Because there is no factory valve to open, a genuine aftermarket cat-back or axle-back is the only way to actually change what the S68 sounds like outside the car.
Why does the G90 M5 sound so quiet from the factory?
The G90 M5 sounds muted because of a combination of heavy resonation, gasoline particulate filters (OPF), the hybrid drivetrain’s engine-off EV moments, and speaker-based Active Sound Design rather than a real exhaust note. Owners routinely describe the stock note as subdued compared with the outgoing F90 M5’s S63 V8, which is exactly why exhaust upgrades are the most popular first mod on this car.
What is the best exhaust for the BMW G90 M5?
The Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium cat-back is the best overall exhaust for the 2025 BMW M5 G90: it removes about 43 lb, adds roughly 11.5 hp with link pipes, and produces the most aggressive, exotic tone available. For most owners, AWE Tuning’s Track Edition is the smartest value — it is dyno-verified at +11 hp and +12 lb-ft at the wheels and costs a fraction of the Akrapovic. Choose the AWE Touring Edition or Remus axle-back if you prioritize a quiet daily-driver character.
Does an aftermarket exhaust add horsepower on the G90 M5?
Yes, modestly. Akrapovic quotes +11.5 hp at 6,150 rpm and about +11.5 lb-ft for the Evolution Line with link pipes, and AWE’s Track Edition is dyno-verified at +11 hp and +12 lb-ft at the wheels. On a 717-hp car those are small percentages — the real reasons to upgrade are sound, throttle response, and dropping up to ~43 lb of weight.
How much weight does a titanium exhaust save on the M5?
The Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium cat-back removes approximately 43 lb (19.56 kg), about 72.6% lighter than the stock system. By comparison, AWE’s stainless-steel Track Edition cat-back saves 29.5 lb. Titanium is significantly lighter than stainless, so a full titanium cat-back is the lightest option and helps trim mass from a car that tips the scales at roughly 5,390 lb (sedan) to 5,530 lb (Touring).
Axle-back vs cat-back on the M5 — what is the difference?
A cat-back replaces everything behind the catalytic converters — mid-pipes, mufflers, and tips — for the biggest change in sound, flow, and weight. An axle-back, like the Remus system, swaps only the rear mufflers, making it the lightest-touch, lowest-cost, easiest-to-install upgrade with the least fitment risk. If you want maximum volume and weight savings, choose a cat-back; if you want a subtle OEM-plus improvement, choose the axle-back.
Will a G90 M5 exhaust trigger a check-engine light or affect my warranty?
A cat-back or axle-back that retains the factory catalytic converters and OPF — such as the AWE Touring, AWE Track, and Remus systems — bolts on without tripping a check-engine light. The Akrapovic Evolution Line, run with its optional link pipes, removes the OPF and is intended for track and off-road use; it can require a supporting tune to avoid a fault code and is not emissions-legal for street use in all regions. Always confirm local regulations before installing.
Does the G90 M5 exhaust drone on the highway?
It depends on the system. AWE Tuning’s Touring Edition uses patented 180 Technology to cancel the specific cruising-rpm frequencies that cause interior drone, so it stays comfortable on the commute. The louder AWE Track Edition and Akrapovic Evolution Line remove that acoustic tuning in favor of maximum volume, so expect more resonance at steady highway speeds.
Ready to Wake Up Your G90 M5?
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