N54 Which downpipe do you recommend? Which to avoid?

JonEQuest · 10-14-2018, 08:32 PM

I had an exhaust leak from where the front turbo bolts to the stock downpipe so after pulling one out I decided to pull both and just replace them.

I am looking for recommendations on a good place to get down pipes from. I don't care about brand name, etc. I just want one that fits well and won't rust out or crack.

Emilime75 · 10-14-2018, 08:55 PM

You talking catted, or catlesss?

JonEQuest · 10-14-2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emilime75

You talking catted, or catlesss?

Catless. We have no emissions testing in my area.

Emilime75 · 10-14-2018, 11:14 PM

I'd say the MMP currently on sale for $249 is the best quality for the dollar, right now. Othwrwise, VRSF is a good budget alternative that's been proven, and most have had good things to say about ARM, also a low cost option.

JonEQuest · 10-14-2018, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emilime75

I'd say the MMP currently on sale for $249 is the best quality for the dollar, right now. Othwrwise, VRSF is a good budget alternative that's been proven, and most have had good things to say about ARM, also a low cost option.

What is mmp? A brand name?

BM3Rrrr · 10-15-2018, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

What is mmp? A brand name?

Yes

Faredo · 10-15-2018, 08:22 AM

I have VRSF and its been great.

Stay away from no name ebay pipes. Ive installed one a couple years ago and fitment was terrible. Its still working but has a dent pounded into it for clearance.

JonEQuest · 10-15-2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faredo

I have VRSF and its been great.

Stay away from no name ebay pipes. Ive installed one a couple years ago and fitment was terrible. Its still working but has a dent pounded into it for clearance.

That's good advice. I was literally thinking of getting the eBay pipes because I figured what's the difference? from removing the old ones I realize how critical fitment really is. I was actually going to try to fix this exhaust leak between my front turbo and downpipe and do aftermarket downpipes sometime later. After the hassle involved in removing these downpipes including all four bolts to the rear exhaust breaking off; I decided to do aftermarket ones now so I don't have to do this again. I can only imagine how much of a bitch it is when the pipe does it even fit right. I guess I'm also going to replace those gaskets where the turbo meets to downpipe. It looks like most people do not replace those but that is right where my exhaust leak was, around the V band. speaking of never effing doing this again any recommendations on a cheap place to get the front O2 sensors? I've got solder and heat shrink so they don't have to come with the factory plugs If someone knows of ones that are compatible.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-15-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faredo

I have VRSF and its been great.

Stay away from no name ebay pipes. Ive installed one a couple years ago and fitment was terrible. Its still working but has a dent pounded into it for clearance.

Yeah I have VRSF to made them install by a shop in 3 hours they did not have a problem at all.

Faredo · 10-15-2018, 09:10 AM

Yes replace the gaskets under the V bands, they are cheap. As far as being a PITA, after a few goes this can be done very quickly. just takes a little practice.

JonEQuest · 10-15-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faredo

Yes replace the gaskets under the V bands, they are cheap. As far as being a PITA, after a few goes this can be done very quickly. just takes a little practice.

the gaskets on the turbos look like they're on their pretty good. I haven't tried to remove them yet. Well they just pop off or will I have to scrape the bits off? just trying to figure out how much time I'll have to set aside to put them back on. I'm going to try to get some stuff done before the new pipes arrive.

Faredo · 10-15-2018, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelightning

I would not buy any solid piece pipe after ive seen some spectacular turbo failures with them.

lol

Link one example where this actually happened IRL.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 10-15-2018, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

I had an exhaust leak from where the front turbo bolts to the stock downpipe so after pulling one out I decided to pull both and just replace them.

I am looking for recommendations on a good place to get down pipes from. I don't care about brand name, etc. I just want one that fits well and won't rust out or crack.

VRSF is are most popular seller and a quality piece with great price point.

Faredo · 10-15-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

the gaskets on the turbos look like they're on their pretty good. I haven't tried to remove them yet. Well they just pop off or will I have to scrape the bits off? just trying to figure out how much time I'll have to set aside to put them back on. I'm going to try to get some stuff done before the new pipes arrive.

They just pop out, I use a small pick.

JonEQuest · 10-15-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faredo

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

the gaskets on the turbos look like they're on their pretty good. I haven't tried to remove them yet. Well they just pop off or will I have to scrape the bits off? just trying to figure out how much time I'll have to set aside to put them back on. I'm going to try to get some stuff done before the new pipes arrive.

They just pop out, I use a small pick.

OK thanks.

10-15-2018, 02:08 PM

Who?

JonEQuest · 10-15-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Who?

MMP Engineering, MMR was a typo.

Rob09msport · 10-15-2018, 05:09 PM

Vrsf had issues with xi v1 downpipe as they were early adopters and they fixed them quick. Their were alot of haters when ss and ar were the only game in town and vrsf cut price in half. Either was vrsf may have had couple hiccups on early batches of products but he has perfect customer service and will go above and beyond. I know you already made your purchase I just wanted to make sure people dont get misinformation. The s55 platform is a little more sensitive to requiring a flex joint "supposedly I have no personal experience saying so" but I think Wagner is probably the only one that has a flex joint on this platform.

JonEQuest · 10-15-2018, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob09msport

Vrsf had issues with xi v1 downpipe as they were early adopters and they fixed them quick. Their were alot of haters when ss and ar were the only game in town and vrsf cut price in half. Either was vrsf may have had couple hiccups on early batches of products but he has perfect customer service and will go above and beyond. I know you already made your purchase I just wanted to make sure people dont get misinformation. The s55 platform is a little more sensitive to requiring a flex joint but I think Wagner is probably the only one that has a flex joint on this platform.

I went with MMP because of good the reviews and price. If I was getting a DP with cats I would be more concerned.

Rube · 10-15-2018, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

I went with MMP because of good the reviews and price. If I was getting a DP with cats I would be more concerned.

Can you post up your impressions of the fitment ?

JonEQuest · 10-15-2018, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rube

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

I went with MMP because of good the reviews and price. If I was getting a DP with cats I would be more concerned.

Can you post up your impressions of the fitment ?

Yes I will. I like to pass on info to pay back for the great info I get from forums like this.

mike@x-ph.com · 10-15-2018, 06:24 PM

Our most popular by far is the VRSF

10-14-2018, 08:32 PM	#1
JonEQuest Captain 245 Rep 612 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Convertible 2007 335 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	N54 Which downpipe do you recommend? Which to avoid? I had an exhaust leak from where the front turbo bolts to the stock downpipe so after pulling one out I decided to pull both and just replace them. I am looking for recommendations on a good place to get down pipes from. I don't care about brand name, etc. I just want one that fits well and won't rust out or crack.
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10-14-2018, 08:55 PM	#2
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	You talking catted, or catlesss?
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10-14-2018, 11:14 PM	#4
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	I'd say the MMP currently on sale for $249 is the best quality for the dollar, right now. Othwrwise, VRSF is a good budget alternative that's been proven, and most have had good things to say about ARM, also a low cost option.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2018, 08:22 AM	#7
Faredo Lieutenant 312 Rep 404 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (0)	I have VRSF and its been great. Stay away from no name ebay pipes. Ive installed one a couple years ago and fitment was terrible. Its still working but has a dent pounded into it for clearance. __________________ Mods related to trouble shooting posts: Stock Turbos, MHD OTS V7 stage 2+ 93 oct, VRSF Downpipes, VRSF Relocated inlets, CTS Turbo 7" Intercooler, Tial BOV with upgraded line 5.56mm, index 12 injectors, A/T OEM Flash.
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10-15-2018, 09:10 AM	#10
Faredo Lieutenant 312 Rep 404 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (0)	Yes replace the gaskets under the V bands, they are cheap. As far as being a PITA, after a few goes this can be done very quickly. just takes a little practice. __________________ Mods related to trouble shooting posts: Stock Turbos, MHD OTS V7 stage 2+ 93 oct, VRSF Downpipes, VRSF Relocated inlets, CTS Turbo 7" Intercooler, Tial BOV with upgraded line 5.56mm, index 12 injectors, A/T OEM Flash.
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10-15-2018, 02:08 PM	#16
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Who?
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10-15-2018, 05:09 PM	#18
Rob09msport Lieutenant 128 Rep 489 Posts Drives: 09 335 msport Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Mount Sinai ny iTrader: (1)	Vrsf had issues with xi v1 downpipe as they were early adopters and they fixed them quick. Their were alot of haters when ss and ar were the only game in town and vrsf cut price in half. Either was vrsf may have had couple hiccups on early batches of products but he has perfect customer service and will go above and beyond. I know you already made your purchase I just wanted to make sure people dont get misinformation. The s55 platform is a little more sensitive to requiring a flex joint "supposedly I have no personal experience saying so" but I think Wagner is probably the only one that has a flex joint on this platform.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-15-2018, 06:24 PM	#22
mike@x-ph.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 24082 Rep 190,597 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Our most popular by far is the VRSF __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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