Front of car - exhaust is getting louder

HI everyone! I have a X5 3.0 sport package...with 166,000 miles. Recently, the exhaust at the front of the car has gotten louder and louder....seems to really get louder at higher RPM's but also gets louder at lower RPM's. it really increased the DBA in the car to an almost obnoxious level while driving on the highway. Doesn't seem to be a vibration issue -or ? Just loud - almost annoying. Again, it seems to be coming from near the rear of the engine area. Looking underneath, there is a pan blocking my view in that area...Would the first step be to remove that pan and see/hear for things?

thanks,

btw the noise is like a drowning noise

It sounds like you either have a hole forming in the exhaust or the gaskets have gone bad creating a loud exhaust leak. You're local exhaust shop should be able to further diagnose if you cannot pin point the issue.