[Freelo]

After three years with a tuned car and almost FBO, except the DP, I decided to finally try a downpipe. I had hesitated due to several important reasons -- problems passing emissions, SES light and concern about the smell. My car is RWD so with a catless downpipe, I would expect LOTS of smell. This was unacceptable to me.

So I investigated catted downpipes for a long time and consulted several experts. Most said that it would be pointless, not worth getting any downpipe. Others just said go catless. But many people on this forum either have N54s or XIs and most of those have secondary cats. And anyone who would run a catless downpipe AND aftermarket exhaust was clearly on a different planet than me. A little more noise is good for me, but I did not want my car sounding and smelling like a lawnmower.

Finally when Cobb came out with a catted DP and a new Stage 2+ aggressive map, I could see that the numbers improved a lot with the higher boost for which a DP is required. In addition I spoke to Pro Tuning Freaks who stressed the huge benefits of a DP (catted or catless) on the N55.

Next problem was price. There was no way I was paying $930 for an AR catted DP. Too much. So I considered the Cobb or the Wagner and went with the Wagner, with the help of Frank from M_dba_gains. The DP is made in Germany and the brand is just getting established in the US. Frank had met the head of the company and was impressed with the quality of the product. This is the only catted DP that claims no check engine light.

After getting the downpipe installed (connected to my OEM exhaust), the difference was immediately felt. More rumble, a bit lower tone and louder, but very civilized sounding. Overall this just wakes the car up. Throttle tip in is much more responsive, with turbo lag almost eliminated except in some conditions when you are on low load and suddenly go WOT. But there's much less lag than before. Most importantly the car pulls MUCH harder. With the new 2+ aggressive map and the DP, the first time I went WOT to redline in 2nd then 3rd was a holy shit moment. Pretty major difference from the Stage 1+ aggressive map. And the sound is substantially louder above 4000 RPMs -- it sounds great.

There is NO SES light on at all, even with the tune removed. This is a nice benefit of going with this downpipe. In addition, I do not notice any additional smell, except perhaps if I run the car for a few minutes in the garage with the door open. Overall I am very happy with the Wagner. If anyone really wants the extra power and sound but doesn't want the negatives of catless, the Wagner catted DP is an excellent choice.

[CrustyNoodle]

Really great and informative review. Thank you indeed.

[RaceTruk]

Usually the race cats deteriorate after a while and your left with an overpriced DP with a ruined cat.
Some cars smell and
Others don't.
My n54 didn't smell and neither does my n55
The n55 has no cats. The n54 just had secondary's

[D's Bimmer]

Great review! Like you I have been wanting to alter my DP but didn't want to mess with emissions, see codes, smells etc. I also kept hearing that it wasn't ever really worth it to go with a catted DP on a RWD n55 335i.

Well now you have me thinking about giving this a go!

[Ramsey]

How much did the Wagner DP run you?

Also can you comment on handling improvements with your M suspension components over stock?

[Jdub679]

How much additional power do you think you're getting?

How much time did the install take the shop?

[nis270r]

Originally Posted by Ramsey

How much did the Wagner DP run you?

Also can you comment on handling improvements with your M suspension components over stock?

Yah would love to know how much this thing cost, everything catted out there costs around $900 or more, not worth going for. If this DP proved to be effective and somewhat cheaper, might give it a try.

[JEP09]

I was able to find this DP on Modbargin's and Wagner's website for $650 plus shipping.

[Freelo]

Yes if you are interested you should call Frank Kim who is knowledgeable on this DP.

I don't have a dyno to size the gains. If you estimate based off the cobb website I would guess its 20-25whp and 25-30 wtq when you go from stage 1+ aggressive to 2+ aggressive. It's very noticeable. If you want to go higher the DP enables you to do an e85 map or a custom tune with PTF.

[nis270r]

Great News! thanks!

[JAL0988]

Originally Posted by Freelo

My car is RWD so with a catless downpipe, I would expect LOTS of smell. This was unacceptable to me.

Do the RWD n55's not have secondary cats?

[turo]

Originally Posted by JAL0988

Do the RWD n55's not have secondary cats?

Not as far as I'm aware.

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by JAL0988

Do the RWD n55's not have secondary cats?

Only x-drive models have secondaries...

[junniior95]

Originally Posted by BMW_Belgier

Only x-drive models have secondaries...

+1

[Gearhead327]

No cats on RWD 335's. I'm going catless as soon as my gaskets are in. I like how another member put a custom inline cat on his vrsf exhaust to calm the smell.

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by Freelo

After three years with a tuned car and almost FBO, except the DP, I decided to finally try a downpipe. I had hesitated due to several important reasons -- problems passing emissions, SES light and concern about the smell. My car is RWD so with a catless downpipe, I would expect LOTS of smell. This was unacceptable to me.

So I investigated catted downpipes for a long time and consulted several experts. Most said that it would be pointless, not worth getting any downpipe. Others just said go catless. But many people on this forum either have N54s or XIs and most of those have secondary cats. And anyone who would run a catless downpipe AND aftermarket exhaust was clearly on a different planet than me. A little more noise is good for me, but I did not want my car sounding and smelling like a lawnmower.

Finally when Cobb came out with a catted DP and a new Stage 2+ aggressive map, I could see that the numbers improved a lot with the higher boost for which a DP is required. In addition I spoke to Pro Tuning Freaks who stressed the huge benefits of a DP (catted or catless) on the N55.

Next problem was price. There was no way I was paying $930 for an AR catted DP. Too much. So I considered the Cobb or the Wagner and went with the Wagner, with the help of Frank from M_dba_gains. The DP is made in Germany and the brand is just getting established in the US. Frank had met the head of the company and was impressed with the quality of the product. This is the only catted DP that claims no check engine light.

After getting the downpipe installed (connected to my OEM exhaust), the difference was immediately felt. More rumble, a bit lower tone and louder, but very civilized sounding. Overall this just wakes the car up. Throttle tip in is much more responsive, with turbo lag almost eliminated except in some conditions when you are on low load and suddenly go WOT. But there's much less lag than before. Most importantly the car pulls MUCH harder. With the new 2+ aggressive map and the DP, the first time I went WOT to redline in 2nd then 3rd was a holy shit moment. Pretty major difference from the Stage 1+ aggressive map. And the sound is substantially louder above 4000 RPMs -- it sounds great.

There is NO SES light on at all, even with the tune removed. This is a nice benefit of going with this downpipe. In addition, I do not notice any additional smell, except perhaps if I run the car for a few minutes in the garage with the door open. Overall I am very happy with the Wagner. If anyone really wants the extra power and sound but doesn't want the negatives of catless, the Wagner catted DP is an excellent choice.

Attachment 1013673

Any news on that SES light? Still no red light?

[Seamus]

that thing pass emissions on a e92 335xi 2011?

[SMH]

Great review, now i'm not so undecided weather or not to get catted dps. Thanks

[Freelo]

no SES light yet though I am running stage 2+ aggressive which may clear the light. seriously I don't think there is any SES light with this downpipe.

I think an xi would pass with this pipe especially since you have secondary cats.

[turo]

I just contacted Wagner, they have a 2 year warranty on the cat as well, in case it gets clogged or stops functioning properly.

[WiL335i]

Any chance of uploading a YouTube video of the sound? Startup and warmed up rev?

[Turbmando]

Video?