Next Level Performance
July 17, 2026 • 11 min read
The 2018–2024 BMW M5 (F90) hides a monster: a twin-turbo 4.4L S63 V8 making 600–617 hp (627 hp in the 2022 M5 CS), yet from the factory it whispers where it should roar. The single best fix is a performance BMW M5 F90 exhaust, and after fitting every major system in our Tampa, FL shop, the standout is the Akrapovic Evolution Line Titanium cat-back — it sheds 20.7 lb, adds a dyno-verified +11 hp, and unlocks the S63’s true voice. Below we compare the five F90 M5 exhaust systems worth buying, from a $1,075 resonator delete to a full $9,590 titanium masterpiece, so you can match sound, weight, and budget to your car.
Our Verdict
The Akrapovic Evolution Line Titanium cat-back is the best all-around exhaust for the F90 M5.
Full Grade-5 titanium construction cuts 20.7 lb, dyno testing shows +8.3 kW (+11 hp) and +21.3 Nm (+15.7 lb-ft), and it keeps the factory valve system for civilized daily driving. On a tighter budget, the AWE Tuning SwitchPath cat-back ($3,545) delivers valve-switchable sound for a third of the price.
Shop Our Top Pick →Why Upgrade the BMW M5 F90 Exhaust?
An aftermarket exhaust is the highest-impact bolt-on for the F90 M5 — it reduces exhaust back pressure, drops weight, and frees the S63 twin-turbo V8’s naturally muted note. The stock M5 runs quad tips but heavily muffled internals and Otto particulate plumbing (on European cars) that cap volume. Upgrading unlocks the sound BMW engineered out for noise regulations.
For reference, the F90 M5 uses the S63B44T4 4.4L twin-turbo V8: 600 hp / 553 lb-ft in the 2018–2020 base car, 617 hp / 553 lb-ft in the M5 Competition (2019–2024), and 627 hp / 553 lb-ft in the limited 2022 M5 CS. All run M xDrive all-wheel drive with a rear-drive 2WD mode and the 8-speed ZF automatic. Even the base car hits 60 mph in about 3.1 seconds; the CS has been tested as low as 2.6 seconds. A car this fast deserves an exhaust that matches its intent.
There are three upgrade tiers on the F90: an axle-back (tips-and-mufflers only, easiest install), a cat-back (everything behind the cats — the sweet spot for sound and weight), and a mid-pipe / resonator delete (volume-focused). Cat-backs bolt to the factory downpipes, so they are emissions-friendly and reversible.
The 5 Best F90 M5 Exhaust Systems Compared
Here is how the five systems stack up on configuration, material, sound, and price. Every product below is in stock and ships from NLP Performance. Prices reflect current listings and are linked to each product page.
| Kit | Configuration | Material & Tips | Sound Character | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akrapovic Evolution Line (Titanium)Top Pick | Cat-back, valve-retaining | Grade-5 titanium, carbon tips | Deep, refined, race-bred | $9,590.08 |
| AWE Tuning SwitchPath Cat-Back | Cat-back, valved (switchable) | T304L stainless, Black Diamond | Quiet-to-aggressive on demand | $3,545.00 |
| AWE Tuning Track Edition Cat-Back | Cat-back, fixed (valve simulators) | T304L stainless, Diamond Black | Constant rumble | $1,945.00 |
| AWE Tuning Track Edition Axle-Back | Axle-back, fixed | T304L stainless, Diamond Black | Loud, aggressive | $1,485.00 |
| AWE Non-Resonated Mid-Pipes | Mid-pipe (resonator delete) | T304L stainless | Adds volume & rasp | $1,075.00 |
1. Akrapovic Evolution Line Titanium (Top Pick)
The Akrapovic Evolution Line is the best BMW M5 F90 exhaust you can buy, full stop. It is a complete cat-back fabricated from Grade-5 (aerospace) titanium with valve housings cast in Akrapovic’s in-house foundry, and it bolts directly to the M5’s stock downpipes. Independent dyno testing shows peak gains of +8.3 kW (+11 hp) at 5,700 rpm and +21.3 Nm (+15.7 lb-ft) at 2,300 rpm, while the titanium construction removes 9.4 kg (20.7 lb) of mass hung at the very rear of the car — a meaningful improvement to both rotating-free weight and rear-axle balance.
Key Specifications
Because it retains the factory valve system, the Evolution Line stays civil in Comfort mode and erupts in Sport Plus — you get race-car theater without droning on the highway. It is ECE type-approved and a plug-and-play install. Two things to plan for: it does not fit vehicles equipped with an Otto particulate filter (OPF), which affects primarily European-spec cars — U.S. F90 M5s are not OPF-equipped — and the carbon-fiber tailpipe set is required and sold separately.
The Evolution Line requires the Akrapovic carbon tailpipe set (sold separately, $2,208.50).
What We Like
- + Full Grade-5 titanium; sheds 20.7 lb vs the stock system
- + Dyno-verified +11 hp and +15.7 lb-ft on the S63 V8
- + Retains factory exhaust valves for full drive-mode control
- + ECE type-approved, plug-and-play onto stock downpipes
Things to Consider
- – Carbon tailpipe set required and sold separately (+$2,208.50)
- – Does not fit OPF-equipped (mostly European) cars
2. AWE Tuning SwitchPath vs. Track Edition Cat-Back
AWE Tuning builds the F90 M5’s best stainless-steel systems in the U.S. from dual 3-inch, .065-inch-wall T304L mandrel-bent tubing with a precision X-pipe. The choice between the two cat-backs comes down to one thing: valves. The SwitchPath cat-back ($3,545) keeps valved rear sections that mirror the factory valve behavior, so the exhaust follows your drive-mode selection and the console exhaust button — quiet on a 6 a.m. commute, aggressive at wide-open throttle. AWE quotes ~4 hp and 4 lb-ft at the wheels and about 10 lb of weight savings over stock.
The SwitchPath valved rear sections follow the M5 drive modes and console exhaust button.
The Track Edition cat-back ($1,945) uses the exact same engineering — X-pipe, 3-inch tubing — but deletes the valves for a constant, unfiltered rumble, and includes AWE valve simulators so the factory valve motors do not throw a fault. It also nets the biggest weight savings of the AWE line at roughly 20 lb under stock. Choose SwitchPath if you daily the car and value versatility; choose Track Edition if you want maximum attitude at all times for less money.
What We Like
- + SwitchPath valves retain full drive-mode and exhaust-button control
- + Dual 3-inch T304L stainless with mandrel-bent X-pipe
- + SwitchPath ~10 lb lighter; Track Edition ~20 lb lighter than stock
- + U.S.-built with a lifetime exhaust warranty
Things to Consider
- – Peak power gains are modest (~4 whp / 4 wtq)
- – Track Edition has no quiet mode — it is always loud
3. Budget Tier: Track Edition Axle-Back and Mid-Pipes
Not every F90 owner needs a full cat-back. The AWE Track Edition axle-back ($1,485) replaces only the rear mufflers and tips, bolting to the factory mid-section — it is the fastest install here (about an hour on a lift) and delivers a louder, more aggressive tone with the same Diamond Black tips and T304L construction. It is the entry point into real AWE exhaust hardware.
For pure volume on a budget, the AWE Non-Resonated Performance mid-pipes ($1,075) remove the factory resonators to add depth and rasp. They pair with a stock or axle-back rear section and are the least expensive way to wake up the S63. Owners running the European GPF cars should note that a dedicated front-section pipe (such as the Remus non-resonated front section, $963) is the correct starting point for those chassis.
AWE non-resonated mid-pipes ($1,075): the cheapest way to add volume to the F90 M5.
How to Choose the Right F90 M5 Exhaust
Match the system to how you drive. If you want the ultimate build — lightest weight, real power, and a resale-friendly premium name — the Akrapovic Evolution Line titanium cat-back is the answer, and it is the system we fit most often on show and track cars in our Tampa shop. If you daily your M5 and want to flip between stealth and savage, the AWE SwitchPath cat-back is the smart-money pick at $3,545. If you simply want it loud and do not care about a quiet mode, the AWE Track Edition cat-back saves $1,600 over the SwitchPath. And if budget is tight, start with the axle-back or mid-pipes and upgrade later.
One more consideration: a cat-back or axle-back is a sound-and-weight upgrade, not a big-power part. The S63’s real horsepower lives in the turbos — downpipes and an ECU tune are where 100-plus wheel horsepower hides. An exhaust is the foundation you build that on, and it is the mod you will enjoy every single drive.
Want more control? The Akrapovic Sound Kit ($758.87) adds an app-controlled valve for the F90 M5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best exhaust for the BMW M5 F90?
The Akrapovic Evolution Line Titanium cat-back is the best exhaust for the 2018-2024 BMW M5 (F90). It is full Grade-5 titanium, removes 20.7 lb versus the stock system, adds a dyno-verified +11 hp and +15.7 lb-ft, and retains the factory valve system for drive-mode control. For a lower budget, the AWE Tuning SwitchPath cat-back ($3,545) is the best valve-switchable alternative.
How much horsepower does an F90 M5 exhaust add?
A cat-back exhaust adds modest power to the F90 M5. The Akrapovic Evolution Line gains +8.3 kW (+11 hp) at 5,700 rpm and +21.3 Nm (+15.7 lb-ft) at 2,300 rpm; AWE quotes about 4 hp and 4 lb-ft at the wheels for its cat-backs. Larger gains on the S63 twin-turbo V8 come from downpipes and an ECU tune, not the cat-back alone.
Does the AWE SwitchPath sound better than the Track Edition?
It depends on what you want. The AWE SwitchPath is valve-switchable, so it is quiet in Comfort mode and aggressive at full throttle, making it the better daily driver. The Track Edition deletes the valves for a constant, louder rumble at all times and costs $1,600 less. Both use the same dual 3-inch T304L stainless X-pipe.
Will an aftermarket exhaust void my M5 F90 warranty?
No, installing a cat-back or axle-back exhaust does not automatically void your BMW warranty. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer must prove the part caused a failure to deny a related claim. Cat-back systems bolt to the factory downpipes and do not alter emissions equipment, making them the safest exhaust upgrade for a warrantied M5.
What is the difference between a cat-back and an axle-back on the F90 M5?
A cat-back replaces everything behind the catalytic converters, including the mid-pipe, mufflers, and tips, so it changes sound and sheds the most weight. An axle-back replaces only the rear mufflers and tips behind the rear axle. Axle-backs like the AWE Track Edition ($1,485) install faster and cost less; cat-backs deliver a fuller sound change and greater weight savings.
Does the Akrapovic F90 M5 exhaust fit cars with an OPF?
No, the Akrapovic Evolution Line for the F90 M5 does not fit vehicles equipped with an Otto particulate filter (OPF). U.S.-market M5s are not OPF-equipped, so this system fits them directly. European GPF/OPF cars need a different exhaust designed for the particulate-filter plumbing. Note the Akrapovic carbon tailpipe set is also required and sold separately.
How loud is the F90 M5 with an aftermarket exhaust?
With a valved system like the Akrapovic Evolution Line or AWE SwitchPath, the F90 M5 stays near-stock quiet in Comfort mode and becomes noticeably louder and more menacing in Sport Plus. Fixed systems like the AWE Track Edition are always loud with a constant rumble, since the valves are deleted and replaced with simulators.
Ready to Unleash Your F90 M5?
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